When we reach the house I can hear the loud music and see the lights glare from the upstairs. The whole yard is littered with cups and teens, mostly juniors and seniors are hanging on the lawn and in the house as we walk in. I head straight for the stairs and see some police officers rounding up the teens. All of them are drunk but they are not my concern, I need to get to Candy.

    I sense rather than see the fist that comes flying at me from a dark doorway. Turning in time to not be hit I come face to face with Travis. He is a mess and looks outraged.
"You...." He mutters darkly and comes at me again. This time Kade pushes me aside and takes him on. Travis is bigger and knows how to fight, but Kade is fast and furious. They roll in the hall as I head into the room he just came from. There is a window and Candy is no where to be seen. I head to the window and open it.

    The wind is strong up here but there us a roof all the way around the house. I jump out and head around the house in search of Candy. For five minutes I follow every curve up and down of Travis's enormous house. Finally I look over the edge of the roof to the garage roof and Candy is huddled under the eave of the roof I'm on.
     "Candy?" I whisper and she lets out a sob she seems to have been holding back.
     "Kara, you were right." She sobs and I hop down to join her.
     "You'll be okay." I whisper and pull her close.

     We sit there for a few minutes and then police lights pop on and the whole house of drunk teens scrambles to exit before being caught. I hear Tim Washington from the Gender reveal talking into a radio.
     "The victim is no where to be found." Looking to Candy and pulling her with me I shuffle crawl to the edge of the Garage roof.
     "Mr. Washington?" I call and he looks up at us.
     "Kara Vincent, is that you?" He calls up to me.
     "Yes and I have the victim with me." I tell him pulling Candy forward.

    He radio's in that the Victim has been found then, helps us down. My dad soon arrives and pulls me close, mad and proud.
     "I told you not to come." He just mutters but still hugs me close. Candy gives her statement then she gets in the truck with me and my dad.
     "Can I not go home tonight?" She asks my dad.
     "Sure, you and Kara can have a catch up sleep over." He smiles then looks at my lowered head.
     "What is it?"
     "Kade!" I exclaim.
     "He is headed home. Just a little bruised but Travis looks worse."

    I sigh in relief and pull Candy close to comfort her.
     "You okay?" I ask her.
     "Yes, just shaken and a bit bruised."
     "Alright well lets make Coffee and we can talk.

    We sit for hours and talk. She tells me that pretty much three weeks into their 'relationship' things went bad. He began making her feel used and abused. He said hurtful things but she was scared to break it off. She didn't want to end up worse. Then tonight he went to far and told her all he did was fake and he dated her to hurt me. Candy cries as she tells me and then falls asleep with her head in my lap.

    My head is spinning but one thought keeps going through my head. Candy was trapped, I was mean to her. I need to apologize. Finally I fall asleep and dream good dreams.
* * * *

    We wake to the sound of birds chirping. Candy needs a shower and I need a whole gallon of coffee plus some breakfast. So I head to the kitchen and she heads to the shower. Laura is in the Kitchen making some sandwiches.
     "Could you make one for Candy?" I ask her and pull out a pan to make some pasta.
     "Sure. Is she doing okay?"
     "She is bruised but seems to have gotten most of the hurt out last night. I just hope things go back to some type of normal." I sigh heating the water.

    Candy comes in back in her clothes from last night.
     "Here honey." Laura says giving her the sandwich and she smiles gratefully.
     "Thanks, when is my mom coming to get me?"
      "In about an hour." Laura tells her and I am glad she is in touch with Mrs. Lehmans.

    Once my pasta is done I join Candy at the table and we chit chat but it all seems empty. We really need to catch up so I make plans with her for the next weekend and then we hug for a long time. I miss this and I hope we can go back to the way it was.
     "Candy, I am sorry for being less than kind during this horrible ordeal. I hope you can forgive me. I just want to be friends again." I tell her and she nods hugging me again.
* * * *

    The next Saturday I wake to my dad pounding on my bedroom door. This last week has been midterms and I fell asleep with music in my ears, it is still blaring.
     "Sorry come in!" I call through the grogg. We laugh at my state but dad is quick to the point.
     "We are going to the gym today." He says and I get up groaning. I haven't been active this week and dad is a stickler for activity.

    I dress in my workout clothes and do my hair in a ponytail. Heading to the kitchen I wolf down an apple and drink a small cup of coffee. Finally dad pulls me out the door and hands me the keys. I have to drive a little more before I can get my license.

    The gym is unusually packed today and so me and dad take the only available machines. The elliptical. I don't really like it but dad and me compete to see who can to 2 miles the fastest. He wins and when the weights open he is there. I go to find Layla, she always has fun ways to workout.

    I find her in the ropes instructing some kids on how to climb.
     "Can I try?" I call to her as she hits the ground.
     "Kara! Long time no see! And yes give it your best shot." She says giving me a brief hug. I do and it is hard. I guess lifting does do some good. I make it to the middle then fall to the mat my arms shaking.
     "Man that is hard" I pant and turn to Layla.
     "Any fun way to work out today?"
     "Wanna try cross fit?" She asks.
     "Yeah, is it really hard?" I ask.
     "It is like American Ninja Warrior but a bit easier here at least." She tells me pulling me to the back of the gym.

    There are monkey bars and lots different things to hop from one to the others. This part of the gym is very empty, just a few jumpers. For about an hour Layla instructs me and by the end I can jump up four feet vertically.  I feel really good and want to continue but dad has to get home to Laura.
     "Well thanks, I had a tone of fun!" I tell Layla and head home with dad. I need to shower and get ready to meet Candy and Lexi at the park. They have agreed to be models for me to photograph and seem excited for it.

     Once we are home I take a long hot shower.
     "KARA!" Laura screeches after twenty minutes. She hates when we 'waste' water. Grumbling I quickly finish and head to my room to get dressed. I blow dry my hair and pull it into a pony tail, do my normal makeup and throw on a basic outfit. My Guns and Roses tee with black jeans and Converse.

    I really need to get some new clothes. My wardrobe is very basic. Some statement pieces are in order. Once I am done I head down to the Kitchen. I am hungry but me and the girls are going to lunch.
     "I'm going to the park then lunch with the girls." I tell Laura and dad as I grab my camera and some money.
     "You want me to pick you up later?" Laura asks.
      "I'll call you if I do. I should be back by ten at the latest. I may go to the youth group." I reply as I head to the front door.
     "Be careful!" Dad calls.
     "I have the spray and the knife." I call back and Laura cries out for me to stop but dad just laughs, so I head out.

    The walk to the park is cool and short. I am glad Candy and Lexi get along. Lexi has been respectful of mine and Kade's relationship and we sorta re-bonded on the night of Candy's mishap. When I reach the park Lexi and Candy are both talking and when they see me they smile.
     "Hola chicas!" I call and they both get up. Both are dressed in a themed outfit. Candy in a casual sundress with a jacket. Lexi is in leather pants and a red v-neck. Her hair is braided into 4 cornrows and she has dark makeup.

    My plan for the shoot is to show that opposites attract. It is a new challenge in the art world and I want to try it.
     "Wow you guys look so good!" I tell them then we get to work. Their outfits are cohesive with the surroundings. The fountain and trees are the perfect back drop, we will be viral by morning!

     After about an hour we are done. Heading into town we head to a local burger joint. I will just get fries and a milkshake.
      "Modeling is fun!" Candy exclaims and Lexi agrees.
     "Since you guys modeled, lunch is on me." I tell them.
     "I'm not going to complain about free food." Lexi remarks.

    We sit and talk about life and plans for the future. My life since I moved here has been a roller coaster but now that all is settled I feel content. Sure I miss Boston and my mom but I have a new life. I need to embrace and move on. I have friends, a great boyfriend, and a little brother on the way. My life couldn't get any better.

     "Girls I really have had the best and biggest change in my life this year. It has been Abstract and new. I am glad I have you as friends. Let's toast to a new and bright future!" I cheer and we clink glasses.

This is the last official chapter of Abstract Change!!! This book took me about two years. I am glad to gave it done and move on. High school has been hectic but good and thus made this book harder to write. Thanks for the support and hope all is well in your 2020!
                                                        --TBJ2004