The End Of Summer.
The wind blew Kara Winfield's hair as she rode her bike to her best friend, Jennifer Carlton's house. It was the last day of summer and they were off to junior high. A whole new experience she was looking forward to. She stopped suddenly because her leg started throbbing again.
She'd been getting weird pains in her leg, and arms the past month or so. It'd make her entire body shake and she'd have to stop whatever she was doing. It even happened in her sleep.
She got off her bike and sat down on the side of the little bridge and looked at the water underneath. It was so pretty this time of year around town. She never wanted to leave.
"You okay?" She heard a voice call from behind her. "I saw you riding your bike and stop, then go sit down. I was worried so I came out to see if you were alright."
She turned to see a boy with dark hair, and bright blue eyes. He was tall, but she guessed he was maybe a year older then her.
"Yeah I'm okay." She said to the boy, "I just needed a break. I must of cramped up or something for riding for so long." She lied.
"Oh, okay." The boy said with a smile. "I'm Aaron Brown."
She smiled. "I'm Kara Winfield."
"I know." Aaron said, shocking Kara.
She'd never seen this boy, how does he know who she is?
"Oh." She said nervously. "How do you…?"
"You live by my grandmothers house." He said simply before turning around. "Well, glad you're okay, but I should be getting in."
"Okay." She said hopping on her bike. "I should be going too, my friend's probably worried."
She studied him a few more minutes, he was adorable. His eye's amazed her, he had prettier eyes then her!
"Hey, wait." Aaron said when Kara started peddling her bike to leave. "How old are you?"
"13." She said, she had just turned thirteen last week. Earlier then most of her friends, but she liked being the oldest, it made her feel special.
Aaron nodded. "Cool. So are you going to Saint Mary's this year?"
There was only two schools around Kara's hometown, because it was so small. One held grades Kindergarten up to sixth grade, the other was seventh through twelve. And they were both Catholic schools. The only public school was in the next town, which some of the kids went to but most just stayed around here.
"Yeah." Kara nodded. "Starting this year."
"Awesome." Aaron said, "You'll like it there. I just started there last year, and I loved it."
"Okay." Kara said, "Well…I'll see you around I guess?"
Aaron nodded. "Yeah, see you around."
He walked back to his house, and disappeared inside.
Kara felt excited to have met him. She really thought they would get along great come this school year. And it was always nice to meet somebody new.
She slowly started peddling her bike towards her friends house. Thinking about the boy she just met. Hoping they'd see each other again tomorrow in school. That would be perfect.
"I was starting to wonder where you were!" Jennifer shouted from her porch jumping off and running to her friend. "I can't believe it's our last day of freedom. What took you so long?"
Kara shrugged. "Just got a pain in my leg and decided to rest for a few minutes."
Well, that was part of it, the other part was her talking to that boy. But Kara didn't want to tell her friend just yet, and have her tease her.
Jennifer looked worried. "Maybe you should go to the doctor."
"Nah, it's probably just growing pains or something." Kara shrugged it off with a smile. "So anyways, what are you wearing to school tomorrow."
And just like that the subject was changed. Because to be honest, Kara knew something was wrong, but she was to afraid to tell her parents and go to the doctor. She didn't want to deal with anything right now. Plus, like she said, it was probably just growing pains. No big deal. Why make a fuss about it?
"Well…"Jennifer said, "With the uniform, you mean?"
Kara laughed, "Yeah."
Saint Mary's required her and her classmates to wear Uniforms. But Kara meant like what kind of jewelry because just recently they started allowing jewelry and makeup, which was surprising.
"I was thinking my new pearl necklace my grandfather sent me from France." Jennifer said pulling out a pretty pearl necklace. "What do you think?"
Kara nodded in approval. "Cute."
Jennifer smiled. "Thanks! What about you?"
"Uh…" Kara shrugged. "Maybe just my locket and some earrings."
Jennifer smiled. "You should also wear this."
She pulled out a silver bracelete with a heart on the end that had 'Jennifer and Kara best friends for ever and ever'.
"Aw! Thanks!" Kara said hugging her friend. "It's pretty!"
Jennifer laughed. "No biggie. And since I didn't give you a birthday present I thought that was perfect for you!"
Kara laughed looking at the bracelete. It was perfect. The girls had been friends since they were four and Kara knew nothing was going to get between their friend ship.
Kara looked over at the clock. "Oh, five already?"
"Yeah." Jennifer said looking at the clock. "I don't want tomorrow to come, but then I do."
Kara nodded in agreement. "Same."
Jennifer twirled her necklace. "Man I can't believe it, we won't be Elementary School kids anymore, we'll be junior high girls!"
Kara laughed. "Oh yeah!"
"Jennifer…Kara! Dinner." Jennifer's mother yelled from downstairs.
"You are staying for dinner right?" Jennifer asked before going to the top of the stairs.
Kara smiled, "I guess so."
"Good!" Jennifer said running down the stairs.
"Can I call my mother and let her know I'm staying for dinner?"
Jennifer nodded, "Yeah."
