Title: Little Changes

E-mail: Elle@every-other-time.org

Web site: http://every-other-time.org

Story Summary: Kylie McKinnah moves to Kingsport much against her will. Her step-dad has a short temper, and she's usually the cause. Kylie meets Tyler at school, and makes friends with the IAHB squad..but how long can you keep secrets from friends?

Archive: Yep, just e-mail me and let me know where

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to me unless otherwise indicated. Send me comments and suggestions. They're always welcome.

Notes: Please review the story after you read it, and ignore any typos/mis-spellings. I'm like the typo queen, and spell check gets on my nerves. ;) Also the little means like a change in the time of day, or a different setting. Also if I review which i love feedback put something positive or think before you post, because one person pissed off my best friend, which was funny but still, just try and keep it positive :)

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"Kylie. Kylie. Wait up Kylie," Rebecca Johnson yelled trying to keep up with her younger sister. Rebecca had curly brown hair that she kept super-short for easier maintenance. She had dark green eyes, like her sister and mother, and her clothes were a normal T-shirt and jeans combo. Nothing outrageous. She wanted to make Kingsport work for her this time. A new town meant starting fresh, she'd be able to make new friends, and maybe fall back into the good graces of her sister. At the fourth of July party the previous month, Rebecca had ratted out to they're mother that Kylie was up in the tree house with Scott Marshall. Kylie' had gotten 'grounded' for that, and she hadn't spoken to Rebecca since then unless she'd absolutely had to.

Kylie kept on walking, pretending as though she didn't know the girl running to catch up behind her. After all they looked and talked nothing alike, with the exception of they're eyes, even they're last names were different. So why did she need to be her sister at school? Finding the office wasn't hard since it was right there when you got into the school. the hard task was getting a non-busy lady to help you. Once she'd finally gotten her schedule, finding her classes seemed like it would be an easy task. The school had three floors, all located in one building. It was nothing compared to her old High School. Her first class was American History. She smiled a soft smile to herself. History had always been her best subject, that would be nice to have that class in the mornings on block one days. She'd noticed there seemed to be alot of happy-go-lucky preps at the school. Not that it bothered Kylie much, just as long as they didn't bother her she wouldn't get pissed off at them. The classroom was a reasonable size, she was told most of the classes had around twenty students in them which was nice. Less distraction and chaos. Which is what she liked. Order.

Sitting in a seat a little from the back, Kylie looked over her schedule. On Block one days she had History followed by Algebra Two, then Spanish and lunch, and finally Photography. On Block Two days she started the day with Animal Development, followed by study hall, debate and lunch, and then American Lit and Comp. All in all it wasn't a very bad schedule. Maybe she though, she might even come to like Kingsport. Tucking a piece of her long blonde hair behind her ear she crossed out that possibility. There was no way she'd ever come to like any place where Jack lived. It suddenly got cold to her in the room, and she pulled the little sweater overcoat she was wearing a little tighter to her body.

"You'll get used to the school being cold. It always is. They thought putting in an air conditioner was a good idea, but it seems to always be ice cold." She heard a voice say next to her. It made her jump out of her daydream a little.

She turned to look at the person who had spoken to her. It was a guy, a coupla inches taller than her, his hair was a short goldenish blonde color, he was also wearing a lettermans jacket. Which clued her in he must've been some sort of jock. He wasn't bad on the eyes, but guy-pals isn't what she needed at the moment so instead she just nodded and said, "Thanks", quietly.

He stuck his hand out to her smiling warmly," Hi. I'm Tyler Connell, you must be the new girl Kylie. My mom said they' rd be two new girls at school today. My step-dad works with your dad. Welcome to Kingsport." he said all at once.

It was too early in the morning to be that awake and cheerful. She didn't shake his hand, but instead scooted back and pulled away from him a little. Not wanting anyone touching her, "He's not my father." She told Tyler, looking right into his eyes.

"Oh...umm..err, yeah sorry. Step-dad then?...I won't bite you know," he said smiling wondering what has this mysteriously pretty girl scared of him. Tyler sat down in the seat next to her. Class had a few minutes before it was start, and he was determined to get Kylie to say at least a few good words to him. He noticed she'd rolled up her sleeves. Hadn't she just been really cold? That's when he saw the bruise on her arm.

Tyler lived with his mom whom he loved and his step-father whom he hated with a passion. His father had left when he was young and he didn't like his mother had remarried. He was your normal popular rich kid. He was also football player, only he liked to think he wasn't a jerk. He also volunteered for the EMT squad with some of his good friends.

She nodded,"..Yes. Kylie McKinnah," Decided to shake his hand, so he might stop bothering her.

"You know whatever it is Kylie you can't keep it all locked up inside forever....If he hits you, it's not your fault. Because sooner or later it's gonna all come gushing out at a bad time. And I know you just wanna fit in and go on about your life," Tyler told her softly before turning and listening to Mr Markham. He'd taken a guess that she'd been getting hit. The way she had her arms crossed, that grip-like-bruise on her arm, the way she was skeptical to touch him, and even the way she spoke about her step-father. He'd hoped she would have maybe smiled, or talked to him. Tell him that he was totally wrong, and that she just didn't wanna talk at the moment. But she'd done nether. And that was far worse.





"I met Rebecca one of the new girls this morning. She's pretty nice....a bit out there though" Valerie told Tyler, Jaime, and Brooke a few days later at lunch.

"Seems like she's super smart or something. If she spiced up her wardrobe and got some guts she might be able to be really popular around here," Brooke added taking a bite of her bologna sandwich,"Have you met either of them?" She asked the two guys who'd sort of sat back and let the women carry on the conversation.

"I saw the other one. Kylie or something like that. Now she's hott, I'll give it that. Didn't get a chance to introduce myself so I don't know what she's like in any other area," Jaime said grinning he was a normal guy and he'd liked what he'd seem of the McKinnah girl so far.

"I talked to her in History," Tyler told them, saying something for the first time that lunch period other than an hello.

"Really? What's she like man?" Jaime asked. He was really interested. There hadn't been any new students, or any new girls hanging around in a long while. And he was getting somewhat bored and restless.

"..She was kinda quiet, sad. Scared of me almost...I dunno. I feel bad for her," Tyler said, ignoring the look he was getting from Valerie, He continued "I think she's being hit by someone at home..."

"That's a pretty big accusation to make Tyler," Brooke said looking up at him being serious" We can't just go around saying that you know. Did she say something to you about it?"

He shook his head,"..She hasn't said anything to me literally. I can see it in her eyes though. But she was walking her dog the other day, and wasn't paying attention. And this car came flying down the street and almost hit her. So I grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the way. I thought she was gonna cry by the look on her face, and so I looked at her arm, and there was a big bruise on it. She claimed all she did was bump it on the doorknob. But how many times have you heard of people saying that."

Valerie shrugged," I guess the only thing you can do is ask right?"

"..Yeah I wish i could do more though ya know? Because that's our job to help people. But she'd making it impossible for me to help," Tyler said frustrated with himself for liking this girl who obviously came with problems.

"You'll just have to wait till she asks man," Jaime said changing up and stretching.

"Wait till she asks for help...By that time, it could be too late."