We walked downstairs to tell Mom and Kathy that we were going to the lake. I could tell Mom was excited, this is exactly what she had planned for. She made some comment about dinner being ready soon and we headed out.
I tried my hardest not to stare at Kendall as we walked to the lake. It was only about a fourth of a mile, but we didn't talk until we were at the waters edge. I couldn't help but think back to when I had been a hardcore devoted Rusher, and had pictured something like this happening in my mind a thousand times.
Kendall was the first to speak. "So what brings you out here?"
I thought for a minute before I answered. Mom and Dad were the only people that knew why I was really out here, but I couldn't help but feeling that I wanted him to know everything. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this way about a guy before. "Uhm, I just kinda needed a break from things. After my Aunt Tess died, I wasn't really the same. Then I've just got your typical teenage heartbreak story. Fell in love, and it didn't work so we ended it."
He glanced over at me and the look in his eyes was both sympathetic and hopeful. "I'm sorry. Does that mean you're not seeing anyone now?"
I shook my head. "No. And don't be sorry. I'm the one who ended it. It took me a while to realize, but we just weren't right for each other. What about you; why are you out here?"
"I just needed a break too. I'm in a band and we are working on our second album. We have been a lot more hands on than we were with the first, so we have actually been writing. I have one song completely down, and I love it. I've been working super hard on another one, but it just won't come." He took a deep breath. "I have the melody, I just can't find the words."
I couldn't stop myself from smiling. "I'm sure you'll find the words. You just have to find what you want the song to be about, what the meaning behind it is. I'm sure it's been hard for all four of you; I'm guessing there's a lot of pressure this time around."
He looked at me quizzically, realizing he hadn't told me what band he was in. I laughed. "You didn't have to tell me who you are. I know. Before my rough patch hit, I might have been somewhat of a Rusher."
Kendall smiled. I looked over at him and saw the sparkle in his eye. Ugh those dimples are KILLING me. He had the deepest green eyes I had ever seen. I didn't used to be a fan of green eyes, but they worked on Kendall. His hair was shorter than the last time I had seen pictures, but it definitely worked for him.
"So you're a Rusher, huh? I love meeting fans. Although, I have to say, you are probably the most laid back fan I have ever met."
I felt like his eyes bore into my soul. As we continued to walk, I couldn't help myself any longer. I wanted to know him, and I wanted him to know me. "That's because I haven't been myself lately. If I would have met you a year ago, trust me, I probably would have passed out. But I didn't just go through a rough patch, Kendall," I was interrupted by mom striking Nana's dinner bell. Nana used to ring that bell when we were kids to signal it was time to come in for dinner, or that it was time for bed. I turned to him. "That means dinner's ready. Time to go."
He had a puzzled look on his face. I could tell he wanted me to continue, but now was not the time. "I promise, before the month is over, I'll tell you. But trust me, if we don't get inside, my mom will just come looking for us." He had a hurt look on his face and I could tell he didn't want to go back inside. We walked in silence for a few minutes before he spoke up again.
"Who is your favorite super hero?"
"What?" His question came out of nowhere.
"You heard me. If you had to pick one superhero and say that's my favorite, who would it be?"
"Iron Man. Without a doubt. You?"
"SpiderMan. We'll work on bringing you to the spidey side." His face lit up and he started to laugh. I couldn't help but laugh with him. It was infectious. The way his eyes lit up and he scrunched his nose. Good lord was he adorable.
As we walked back through the door, I took in the familiar scent of my mom's barbeque chicken. It was my favorite. We sat down for dinner, and Kendall insisted on sitting next to me. I didn't mind at all. Dinner was filled with stories of when Kathy lived in Kansas. Kendall hadn't realized that Mom and Aunt Tess, who wasn't really my aunt, just Mom's best friend(other than Kathy) had been inseparable through high school. We laughed as we listened to stories of our teenage mothers getting caught TPing teacher's houses during homecoming week. I looked up at my mom and realized I hadn't seen her this happy since Tess had passed away. She was always so busy taking care of me, I hadn't even noticed how sad she had been. It was nice getting to see this side of her.
The first two weeks of vacation were heavenly. Kendall and I went down and walked the lake at least twice a day. I could feel myself growing attached to him, and I knew in my heart I was starting to have feelings for him. Mom told me that she and Kathy were going to be gone for three days; they were going on a shopping spree. I was surprised they were leaving us alone. Kendall was clearly happy about it. He was making plans for a movie/pizza night, claiming that I haven't lived because I haven't tasted his homemade pizza. We drove to town and rented a couple of movies, and waited until after dinner to watch one.
We were standing at the kitchen making pizza when Kendall decided we still didn't know each other well enough. So we started asking each other questions. He decided to go first. "So, we are vacationing in Arkansas, your mom grew up in Kansas, and you now live in Iowa. How does that work?"
"Well, my dad traveled a lot and they met in Kansas. When they decided to raise a family, they argued over where to live. Dad was from Indiana, and they tell everyone they just compromised and met in the middle. After my grandparents retired, they bought this place and we used to vacation here for summer and Christmas break. You?"
"We lived in Kansas until I was about ten when we moved to Cali. My brothers and I wanted to act, and Mom fully supported us. What's your favorite childhood memory?"
I had to think for a minute. "My fifth birthday. Aunt Tess surprised me and spent the whole week with me. What about you?"
"My brother used to put me in a suitcase and wheel me down the street. I'd jump out and he'd chase me. The look on peoples faces were priceless!"
I couldn't suppress my laughter as I imagined just what he had told me. We continued to talk as we made dinner, shooting questions back and forth, and before long I felt like I had known him my entire life. I was surprised at how at ease I felt around him. I hadn't felt this way with a guy, ever. Even with Charlie. It was new territory, but I really liked it. He had me laughing the entire time, and took me by surprise when he said,"You have a beautiful smile." He smiled at me, those damn dimples getting to me again. I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks. I managed to mumble "thanks" still too embarrassed to look up. He raised his hand to my chin and pulled my face up so I was forced to look into his dazzling green eyes. He leaned in close to me, so that our lips were almost touching. "I mean it, Sophie. You're smile is amazing. I can't get you out of my head, and I'm not sure I want to." He started to lean in, but before he could, I stopped him.
"Wait. Kendall, before anything happens, there are some things you need to know about me."