p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"The bell rang and Lucas bolted from his seat, not saying a word. I felt slightly dumbfounded by what had just happened. I grabbed my things and shoved it into my backpack hastily. The misty weather had cleared up and there was actually a bit of sun peeking through the clouds. The heat felt nice on my cold hands. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I had a free period as my last class and Chase was my ride home. Scott told me I could use the Jeep but since I couldn't drive, Chase had volunteered himself to be my chauffeur to and from school. I didn't think I'd have a whole hour to kill waiting for him though. I was probably going to have to suck it up and learn to drive. The idea terrified me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I wandered over to the student parking lot to wait. It was quiet, all the students had made it into class. I took off my sweater and placed it on one of the concrete benches to sit on. I pulled out my book from my backpack and leaned back against the wall behind me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""What book is that?" Lucas's deep velvet voice appeared beside me. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I was so startled my book fell from my hands. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Lucas caught it swiftly and turned it over to read the cover. "Game of Thrones," he recited. "Any good?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Yes," I responded curtly, swiping the book back. I flipped through the book, trying to find my page. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Lucas sat next to me, ignoring the fact that I clearly wasn't in the mood to speak to him. "What're you doing skipping class on the first day?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I'm not skipping, I have free period." I flipped through the pages, trying to make a point that I wanted to be left alone. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He leaned back against the wall and stretched out his long legs, crossing them at his ankles casually. "So what're you doing waiting around outside?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""My ride is still in class." I answered curtly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Blake?" He questioned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""No, I don't even know him," I huffed. His eyes were inquisitive. They softened when I answered which immediately made me forget how annoyed I was by him. "I thought you were ignoring me?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He looked sheepish. "Sorry about that."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He gave no explanation, I noticed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Would you accept a ride home as an apology?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""No probably not," I answered. "I can't take rides from strangers."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I'm not a stranger, I'm your neighbor. C'mon," he stood and pulled me up with him by my hand. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I felt a shock of electricity go up my entire arm. I pulled my hand back in shock. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Lucas laughed, it was throaty and mesmerizing. "That was weird."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Lucas walked over to a sleek, shiny black Tesla car. It looked like a spaceship. The doors opened automatically before I could even reach out to open it, making me jump back. The interior was all black and so hi-tech. I'd seen nice cars before around New York but I'd never been inside anything like this. I was used to the smelly interior of a subway or taxi cab./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Nice car," I commented. It smelled of him. It was intoxicating. I almost felt dazed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Are you into cars?" He asked as the engine roared to life. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Not really—I don't know too much about them honestly."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;" "What do you drive?" He asked nonchalantly. He seemed to barely be paying attention as he reversed out of the parking spot. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I don't."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Drive?" He asked in shock. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I never needed to." I answered defensively. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He looked at me with intense humor in his eyes. "So that's why Chase is always carting you around."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""He doesn't cart me around. How do you even know he gives me rides anyway?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Small town," he answered simply. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I had the urge to not believe him but he was right. Even Blake knew things about me just from word of mouth. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""You made a lot of new friends today I noticed." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""You're observant," I noted. I knew he was prying me for information and I purposely held back. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I didn't peg you as someone who'd get along with Blake." He probed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I shrugged. "He wasn't too bad to talk to when he was away from all his friends. What did you even peg me as anyway?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Silent type."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I am. Everyone here just seems to constantly want to get me to talk." I finally paid attention to the road. We were almost at Scott's home. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""You're probably the most exciting thing that's happened to this town since it was founded honestly."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's such a strange place..." I mused./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Lucas pulled up and parked perfectly up to the curb. Our warm bubble inside the car felt colder now that I knew I had to get out. I secretly wished I could've sat in the car with him all night./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""What're you doing tonight?" I asked too quickly. I wanted to see him again. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He smiled so beautifully my heart fluttered. "I'm not sure," he answered. "Did you have something in mind?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Jennifer Smart kind of tricked me into going to the bonfire at the football field tonight. You should come."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""That's not really my thing. I'll think about it though." He seemed bemused. "Have a good night, Miss O'Conner."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"My heart beat jolted at the way he said my name. "See you 'round," I managed to say breathlessly as I got out of the car. I felt dazed as I walked up to the house. I didn't even notice Scott's car parked out front./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I jumped at the sight of him in the kitchen. "You're home!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Yeah, I just got in. Who was that giving you a ride?" I couldn't tell if he was curious or fatherly curious. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Lucas. Yearwood. From up the road." I answered quickly. I dumped my backpack on a chair in the kitchen. "Are you hungry? I got some groceries."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""You can cook?" He lifted an eyebrow. I knew he was thinking about Victoria's cooking skills. She could've burnt water. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I learned when I was twelve. Food from the diner got old." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Well I'm starving actually so hit me with your best."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I smiled. It felt nice talking to Scott like a regular person. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "So, this Lucas kid, he your boyfriend or something?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I paused grabbing ingredients from the fridge. "No. Why would you say that?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He shrugged. "You seem—different. I just thought maybe the boy had something to do with it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I groaned internally. "I just had a better day at school than I thought I would have."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Did you make any friends?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Uhm—I don't know. Not really." I began chopping vegetables for the stir fry. "A girl, Jennifer Smart, invited me out tonight. There's some bonfire thing going on at the football field."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Good family," he commented. "Are you going?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Well yes—if it's okay with you…" I wasn't sure what the protocol to going out was when it came to Scott. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Yeah, yeah, sure." I could hear the awkwardness from him too. "Is Chase going with you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I haven't had a chance to ask but I think he mentioned he's working."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He seemed concerned but kept his mouth shut. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"After we ate Scott cleaned up the kitchen and I hurried upstairs. I could tell he wanted to question me more and was just debating how to do it so I had to escape before he could figure it out. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Time flew by and before I knew it Jennifer was outside. I had just finished pulling on my tall leather boots and throwing on my long coat when I heard her shrill horn out by the street. I quickly swept up my hair into a cap and hurried outside./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"She was sitting inside a small silver Toyota. It smelled new when I got into it. I felt nervous and didn't know what to say. Thankfully she spoke enough for the both of us. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"The entire drive she did not stop babbling. Apparently, the car was an early graduation gift from her dad. He was the head football coach and her mom was the cheer coach. Jennifer was also head cheerleader as well as student council president so she was dressed in a cheer uniform. She had recently been dumped by her boyfriend and had been looking for things to distract her. Which is what I guess I was. I wondered if she actually had any friends… /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"We parked in the student parking lot. I looked around anxiously, hoping half-heartedly that Lucas was here. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Jennifer caught me and giggled. "Lucas doesn't come to these things."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"My face got hot. "Why not?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I'm not sure. His whole family keeps to themselves. Usually everyone in town loves all these kinds of events. You're going to meet a lot of people tonight." She smiled excitedly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"A swarm of people were walking from the parking lot towards the small stadium. Jennifer linked her arm through mine and was practically skipping toward the stadium. She was a great deal taller than me so I looked like a fool trying to keep up with her long strides. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"The small football field had been transformed for the bonfire. A large stage had been set up with an enlarged school banner hanging behind it like a backdrop. At the end of the field the bonfire was being set up. Men were carrying large pieces of wood and stacking them up high. Some vendors were set up along the track selling spirit shirts and snacks. At the other end of the field were a few small carnival rides. The kids that were here were going nuts at that area. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Jennifer walked us over to the group of cheerleaders. All wearing the white cheer uniform. The coach was in a white tracksuit with her short hair pinned back. Jennifer looked like a carbon copy of her mother. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Mom, this is Scarlett O'Conner." She introduced. "Scarlett, this is my mom, Martha."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Martha smiled warmly and shook my hand. "Scott's kid, right?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Yes," I answered. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""He's a good man. He's helped us out with some repairs quite a few times. Never even lets me pay," she smiled. "He never mentioned he had a daughter though. And perfect body for cheer too!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Jennifer raised an eyebrow. "We do need a new flyer. And you're the perfect height for it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Oh, no-no-no." I quickly objected./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Tiny body like that, these girls would have no problem perfecting their toss." Martha continued, eyeing my legs./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Trust me, I'd be a huge liability to the team. But thank you for thinking of me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Martha smiled again. "Well if you change your mind, you know where to find me." She turned to speak to Jennifer. "We go on in 20 so be ready."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Jennifer nodded and then led me over towards the locker room. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Aren't only the players allowed back here?" I asked nervously. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Jennifer pushed the door open as if she owned the place. The entire football team was inside pulling their jerseys on or lounging. I looked down at my feet, too embarrassed to catch anyone's eye./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Daddy's office is back here and I wanted you to meet him." She smiled and pulled my hand as we walked through. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"The boys whistled and cat called as we walked through. I'm sure it was because of Jennifer. I was wearing so many layers I looked like a potato. Jennifer looked confident and glowing in her cheer uniform. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Hi Daddy," Jennifer beamed at her father. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He was a large man. He had chocolate skin and greying hair with a beer belly. He stood up from his desk and held out his hand. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I shook it meekly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Daddy this is Scarlett O'Conner. Today is her first day so I brought her out to show her around."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Hello. I'm Frank Smart. Great to meet you Scarlett." His smile was genuine and fatherly. He had a warm aura to him. "Let me know if you ever need anything."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Thank you, Mr. Smart," I couldn't help but finally smile. He was such a nice man./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He hugged Jennifer and kissed the top of her head. "Have a good night girls. I'll see you all out there."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Jennifer and I walked out and she found us a spot in the stands. It was so packed and everyone was so absorbed in their conversations and the buzz of the bonfire that no one even noticed the new girl walking by. The cap probably helped since it hid my standout red hair. I ended up alone after a few minutes because Jennifer had to go preform a skit or something to begin the bonfire celebration. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"It was a long introduction to the bonfire. The cheerleaders all preformed and cheered and then Jennifer and the rest of the team came back to sit in the stands. She was so fidgety as we watched Coach Smart introduce the football team. It seemed to drag on forever. I was surprised there was even these many boys in this high school to form a team. Blake was the captain, of course. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"After the introductions were done Coach Smart invited everyone over to the bonfire to finally begin the night. I was so exhausted already I couldn't believe the night was barely going to begin. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Jennifer abandoned me again which I wasn't mad at. The cheerleaders had all gathered to go dance around the bonfire. A misty chill lingered over the ground as I walked slowly over towards the bonfire. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""New girl!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I turned and saw Blake smiling a bright smile and jogging towards me. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Hey," I greeted in a monotone. "Great speech," I said honestly. As captain of the team, Blake made a speech that really got the crowd cheering. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 28pt; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: -28pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Thanks," he smiled. "I'm surprised you actually came."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 28pt; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: -28pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I don't think I could've said no to coming."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"As we neared the fire I could really feel the heat. It felt really nice. The cheerleaders were cheering and the whole town seemed to be gathered around. It was nice to not have everyone staring and just enjoy the moment. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's cool, isn't it? Bet you didn't have this kinda thing in New York."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""No, nothing like this." I admitted. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Do you like rides?" Blake asked, nodding towards the small collection of hazardous looking rides./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I had been to Coney Island a thousand times and the only ride I ever went on was the Ferris wheel. And even that took some convincing the first time Victoria tried forcing me on. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Uhm, not really." I answered, eying the death traps nervously./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Really? That's no fun. Let's get on the Hammer Head!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I don't know what that is but it already sounds horrific."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He laughed and pointed at an enormous blue and white ride that looked seconds away from falling apart. It was like a see-saw that swung around while the riders were trapped in a cage that flipped in all directions. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Oh, definitely not!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Oh c'mon, don't be a chicken!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Blake, can't you take a hint," Jennifer arrived, sneering at Blake. "She doesn't want to hang out with you." Her bubbly personality was completely gone now./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Can you leave us alone Jen? No one called you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"She rolled her eyes. "I invited Scarlett, so you and your hormones should go and find someone else to harass."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I felt silly standing here while they argued. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""What's with the jealousy? We've been over all summer, get over it already."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"This must be her ex-boyfriend. And by the look on her face she was clearly not over it. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"She jabbed her index finger at him, looking like an enraged she-devil, as the bonfire burned beside her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"They both seemed so distracted by their arguing that I decided now was the best time to escape. Neither of them noticed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I walked around the festival, carefully looking out for Jennifer or Blake. I couldn't believe the difference an ex-boyfriend could make to a girl. She was completely different than the bright, bubble-gum personality she'd shown me today. And Blake was so rude for poking at her that way. Clearly she was still hurting over this lost relationship, the least he could do was take it easy on her. I guess he really was a jerk. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Miss O'Conner."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"My head jerked up. Lucas was looking at me, half his mouth pulled up in a small smile./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I couldn't help but beam at him, grateful for a familiar face. "Mr. Yearwood. You found the time to grace the common folk with your presence, I see."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Are you having fun?" He asked with a smirk, trying to hide some other emotion. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's better now," I admitted sheepishly. "What made you decide to come?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I figured I should probably try and make it to one school event. You know—senior year and all." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I turned my face away from Lucas' fiery sapphire gaze and took in our surroundings. The sun was fully set now and the bonfire blazed on. I could smell the scent of popcorn and the air was full of children giggles and friendly conversation. The fair had lit up and actually looked more inviting now, instead of like a death trap. I realized Lucas's sudden appearance probably had a lot to do with my now brighter outlook on being stranded here. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Luke!" A girl's voice called. It had the same velvet sound as Lucas, except hers was almost musical./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"She waved at him and bounded over towards us gracefully. She had black hair, cut bluntly to her chin; a small, perfectly angular face and a thin ballerina body. A boy was with her. He had the same midnight hair as Lucas and the girl, and their shared piercing blue eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""What're you two doing out?" Lucas asked them. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""We just got back a few hours ago, wanted to check out the fair." The boy flashed a brilliant smile, reminiscent of Lucas'. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Scarlett, this is my brother James and my sister Rebecca." He introduced politely. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I smiled weakly at them both. They were very intimidating with their outrageous beauty. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Rebecca smiled warmly, flashing brilliant teeth. "It's nice to meet you, Scarlett." Her enthusiasm was hard not to find infections./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I smiled back. "It's nice to meet you both."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I'm surprised you actually made it to one of these events," Rebecca lifted a brow suspiciously. "I wonder why the sudden change of heart."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"James tried to stifle a snicker./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Were they implying he really came because of me? No way!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Have fun," Rebecca winked at Luke before taking James' hand and bounding off towards the carnival ride area./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Sorry about her," Luke apologized. It almost sounded like he was embarrassed but his perfect face gave nothing away. "I didn't even know they'd be here."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's okay, they seemed very nice."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""So have you got on any rides?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I laughed darkly. "Definitely not, they look like death traps."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I gazed around the football field again and jumped when I saw Jennifer was walking this way. She didn't seem to have noticed me—yet./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I quickly darted behind on the vendor stand to hide, Luke followed, walking calmly but obviously amused. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I yanked him along with me in a panic so he would be hidden too and then peeked around. Jennifer was standing there with a group of cheerleaders, talking roughly, assumedly about what had just happened with Blake. Thankfully it didn't seem she'd noticed me. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Care to explain that?" Lucas asked with a bemused expression./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Shh!" I urged. Lucas's melodic voice was surely recognizable to every person, especially girls. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He smirked at me with dark humor in his eyes. He peeked over around the stand. "They're gone now."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I sighed in relief and sagged back against the churro stand we were hidden behind. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Is there a reason you're hiding from a group of angry cheerleaders?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I made the mistake of looking up at him, intending to make a snarky remark. My resolve failed. I quickly recounted the shouting match in front of the bonfire. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He chuckled. "You would find yourself in trouble like that on your first day."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I rolled my eyes. "Well now I'm stranded here. Actually—" I felt like a middle school kid asking, "can I borrow your phone? I need to see if Chase can pick me up."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I can give you ride."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's fine, I'm sure Chase won't mind. Besides, you just got here. Don't you want to hang around a bit longer?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Not really."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I couldn't resist the thought of being alone with Lucas again. I tried hard to make my face expressionless. "Can you spot Jennifer or her gang of cheerleaders?" I asked quietly, wanting to get away already./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He looked again. "You're clear," he smiled at me conspiratorially. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"My heart sputtered and I looked away quickly. "Let's go!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I hurried across the field quickly, hiding my face in the hood of my coat. Lucas kept pace with me easily. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"His Tesla had the engine running and the doors open, waiting for us when we neared. The heater was full blast already. It felt toasty and comfortable inside. I let out a deep breath, as if I'd been holding it in. I pulled my cap off and shook my hair out. It was damp from the misty air. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Lucas slid in to the driver's seat and looked over at me. "You smell nice."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Thanks," I murmured shyly. "Do you mind if we drive around for a bit? I don't want Scott questioning why you're dropping me off again…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Does he have a no boys rule or something?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Not exactly but I don't want to test him either."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He chuckled but agreed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He pulled out of the parking lot and turned onto the highway. You couldn't even hear the speed of his car. The trees whipped past in a blur. I turned to read the speedometer. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Oh my god!" I exclaimed. "You're going to get us killed!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"His lips pulled up at the corners in that heart stopping, devilish smirk. "I'm a safe driver. I promise."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I gulped nervously. "I think that's what everyone says right before they crash and die."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""That's very dramatic—but I see your point." The car slowed down to 80. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Thank you," I muttered gratefully. "Do you always drive so carelessly?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I wouldn't crash."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""How do you know?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Because I do," he seemed so sure of himself I didn't doubt him. "Nice cap by the way. You're a baseball fan?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Uhm…not really. It was Victoria's hat—my mom. Her and Scott used to go to games but when they separated she just stopped using it." I shrugged. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""How old were you when they separated?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I was surprised speaking of her didn't trigger the pain it usually did. "Five, maybe six. I don't really remember."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Is that why he moved over here?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I'm honestly not sure. We weren't in contact a lot once he left. You'd probably know better than me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Scott is probably even more reclusive than my family."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Victoria always said I was so much like him in that way." I sounded wistful. "What about your family? You seem pretty secluded yourself."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""We like to keep to ourselves."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Is there a reason for it?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""The people here are kind of…backwards." He sighed. "That sounds rude, I'm not explaining it right. It's just such a small town and no one here seems to want to progress forward or want to escape this life. It's like it's its own strange ecosystem and it keeps its resident's hostage."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I pondered what he said. "And you consider you and your family immune to this strange ecosystem?" I asked after a minute passed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""My family actually moved here about five years ago. So yes, I do. My parents on the other hand love it here. They think it's peaceful."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He didn't seem to feel the same. "What about you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I don't mind it so much—anymore." He added as an afterthought. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""James and Rebecca seem to enjoy social events."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""They're the oddballs of the family," he spoke the words lovingly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Are they your only siblings?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""No, I have an older brother Garrett, and an older sister Micaela too. Garrett helps my father with his research. Micaela lives in Paris for the most part. She's studying fashion or something. She changes her mind so often I stopped keeping up. And you met the twins, Becca and James. They're juniors right now and the most different from the rest of us, personality wise."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Wow that's a big family."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""What about you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Just me." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Did you ever wish you had a big family?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Not really. Victoria couldn't have afforded it even if I did. I like being alone anyway."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""You don't like talking about your mom." He stated matter-of-fact./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's private," I muttered. "How can you tell anyway?" I was sure I was keeping a stoic face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Your eyes," he murmured. "You narrow them slightly every time the topic of home comes up. Does it make you sad?" He seemed concerned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's complicated," I sighed. I leaned back into the comfortable seat. I could see the sky from the roof of the car. The stars shined so bright out here. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I know complicated. You can trust me, you know…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Why should I trust you? I barely know you." The words were harsher than I meant them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""You want to trust me," he answered simply. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Was I that obvious? "I don't trust anyone." I couldn't help but be honest with him, no matter how impolite I sounded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I won't pressure you if it bothers you to talk about it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"His voice was quiet and melodic. If I wasn't so deeply interested in any conversation Lucas and I held, his voice would've soothed me straight to sleep in seconds. It was mesmerizing, speaking to him—and not only because of his voice. I felt like all of his words had purpose, or some deeper meaning than he was letting on. It intrigued me. I wanted to keep talking to him…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Do you actually want to know that badly?" I asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Yes." He answered simply. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Why?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"His eyes bore into mine. "I want to know more about you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"My breath caught in my throat. He wanted to know more about me. Why did that make me so excited? "Keep your eyes on the road and I'll tell you." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"The car hadn't swerved an inch but he turned his eyes back to the road anyway and waited patiently. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Victoria and I have always lived in New York." I started, my voice quiet. The soft music played serenely, filling the car. "She painted for a living, she was really good actually. We had this tiny apartment above a diner. We didn't have much money but I thought we were happy." I could hear the sadness enter my voice. I breathed deeply and continued, a hard edge coloring my words now. "She disappeared one day. I came home and the door was open and she was gone. A postcard showed up a few days later and she said she'd found someone and wanted to start a new life." I shrugged, pretending I didn't care. "So now I'm here, living with the father I barely know."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He looked at me with sadness in his eyes. "I'm sorry that's happened to you, Scarlett. You don't deserve that." /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'MS Gothic'; letter-spacing: 1pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Eyes on the road!" I urged in annoyance. He didn't swerve but I just preferred that he wouldn't look at me. Every time he did my face felt hot and I couldn't focus. "How do you know what I deserve anyway? For all you know I drown puppies or belong to a devil cult."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I don't know you, you're right. But you are easy to talk too. I've never found myself wanting to talk to anyone this way—especially in Redwood."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"That's exactly how I felt. "You're the first person I've told about what happened." I admitted sheepishly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Even Chase could never get this information out of me. It felt like my airways were closing up and something was clawing at my chest whenever the subject came even close to coming up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;" "Thank you—for trusting me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It was easier than I thought. I didn't have any friends back home to be honest or any big secrets to hide to tell them anyway. Chase has been my first friend since I was a child."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""And Blake?" His face gave nothing away. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I wouldn't exactly call him a friend. I know you better than I know him and that isn't saying much since I've spoken to you all of two days. He's been nice to me though. Polite. Do you not like him?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I've never spoken to him." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I had a feeling there was more to it. "Who are your friends here? Every time I've seen you, you're alone."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I don't have any. I prefer my own company."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Yet you're here with me…" I wondered. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"His faced turned solemn. "There's something about you… I'm drawn to you." His voice was low and husky—distant almost. As if he was lost in thought. "I wish I could pin point exactly what it is."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It must be the glamorous first impression I made that night at the park," I teased, breaking the tension./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He chuckled. "You definitely scared me. I thought I was about to have to fight someone. Can I ask what your nightmare was about that night?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I don't remember anymore…" I answered pensively. "I have nightmares so frequently now but I rarely remember them when I wake up."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Have you always had nightmares?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""No, not until I moved here. I think it's the quiet. Its eerie."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's the one thing I love about this place. Everything is so peaceful."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I feel like monsters are going to pop out at me from behind all these trees."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Lucas chuckled dryly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I reclined the seat back and stared up at the stars. I guess there was something to be said for small town living. I had never had a night like this in New York, despite it being the city that never sleeps. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Luke's soft, calming music was relaxing me. It played so low that I could barely hear but the sound enveloped the car. I was more of a Linkin Park kind of girl, but there was something about an orchestra and a night sky that went together so perfectly…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I had a free period as my last class and Chase was my ride home. Scott told me I could use the Jeep but since I couldn't drive, Chase had volunteered himself to be my chauffeur to and from school. I didn't think I'd have a whole hour to kill waiting for him though. I was probably going to have to suck it up and learn to drive. The idea terrified me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I wandered over to the student parking lot to wait. It was quiet, all the students had made it into class. I took off my sweater and placed it on one of the concrete benches to sit on. I pulled out my book from my backpack and leaned back against the wall behind me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""What book is that?" Lucas's deep velvet voice appeared beside me. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I was so startled my book fell from my hands. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Lucas caught it swiftly and turned it over to read the cover. "Game of Thrones," he recited. "Any good?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Yes," I responded curtly, swiping the book back. I flipped through the book, trying to find my page. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Lucas sat next to me, ignoring the fact that I clearly wasn't in the mood to speak to him. "What're you doing skipping class on the first day?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I'm not skipping, I have free period." I flipped through the pages, trying to make a point that I wanted to be left alone. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He leaned back against the wall and stretched out his long legs, crossing them at his ankles casually. "So what're you doing waiting around outside?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""My ride is still in class." I answered curtly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Blake?" He questioned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""No, I don't even know him," I huffed. His eyes were inquisitive. They softened when I answered which immediately made me forget how annoyed I was by him. "I thought you were ignoring me?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He looked sheepish. "Sorry about that."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He gave no explanation, I noticed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Would you accept a ride home as an apology?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""No probably not," I answered. "I can't take rides from strangers."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I'm not a stranger, I'm your neighbor. C'mon," he stood and pulled me up with him by my hand. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I felt a shock of electricity go up my entire arm. I pulled my hand back in shock. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Lucas laughed, it was throaty and mesmerizing. "That was weird."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Lucas walked over to a sleek, shiny black Tesla car. It looked like a spaceship. The doors opened automatically before I could even reach out to open it, making me jump back. The interior was all black and so hi-tech. I'd seen nice cars before around New York but I'd never been inside anything like this. I was used to the smelly interior of a subway or taxi cab./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Nice car," I commented. It smelled of him. It was intoxicating. I almost felt dazed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Are you into cars?" He asked as the engine roared to life. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Not really—I don't know too much about them honestly."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;" "What do you drive?" He asked nonchalantly. He seemed to barely be paying attention as he reversed out of the parking spot. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I don't."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Drive?" He asked in shock. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I never needed to." I answered defensively. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He looked at me with intense humor in his eyes. "So that's why Chase is always carting you around."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""He doesn't cart me around. How do you even know he gives me rides anyway?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Small town," he answered simply. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I had the urge to not believe him but he was right. Even Blake knew things about me just from word of mouth. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""You made a lot of new friends today I noticed." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""You're observant," I noted. I knew he was prying me for information and I purposely held back. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I didn't peg you as someone who'd get along with Blake." He probed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I shrugged. "He wasn't too bad to talk to when he was away from all his friends. What did you even peg me as anyway?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Silent type."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I am. Everyone here just seems to constantly want to get me to talk." I finally paid attention to the road. We were almost at Scott's home. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""You're probably the most exciting thing that's happened to this town since it was founded honestly."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's such a strange place..." I mused./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Lucas pulled up and parked perfectly up to the curb. Our warm bubble inside the car felt colder now that I knew I had to get out. I secretly wished I could've sat in the car with him all night./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""What're you doing tonight?" I asked too quickly. I wanted to see him again. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He smiled so beautifully my heart fluttered. "I'm not sure," he answered. "Did you have something in mind?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Jennifer Smart kind of tricked me into going to the bonfire at the football field tonight. You should come."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""That's not really my thing. I'll think about it though." He seemed bemused. "Have a good night, Miss O'Conner."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"My heart beat jolted at the way he said my name. "See you 'round," I managed to say breathlessly as I got out of the car. I felt dazed as I walked up to the house. I didn't even notice Scott's car parked out front./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I jumped at the sight of him in the kitchen. "You're home!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Yeah, I just got in. Who was that giving you a ride?" I couldn't tell if he was curious or fatherly curious. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Lucas. Yearwood. From up the road." I answered quickly. I dumped my backpack on a chair in the kitchen. "Are you hungry? I got some groceries."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""You can cook?" He lifted an eyebrow. I knew he was thinking about Victoria's cooking skills. She could've burnt water. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I learned when I was twelve. Food from the diner got old." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Well I'm starving actually so hit me with your best."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I smiled. It felt nice talking to Scott like a regular person. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "So, this Lucas kid, he your boyfriend or something?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I paused grabbing ingredients from the fridge. "No. Why would you say that?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He shrugged. "You seem—different. I just thought maybe the boy had something to do with it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I groaned internally. "I just had a better day at school than I thought I would have."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Did you make any friends?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Uhm—I don't know. Not really." I began chopping vegetables for the stir fry. "A girl, Jennifer Smart, invited me out tonight. There's some bonfire thing going on at the football field."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Good family," he commented. "Are you going?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Well yes—if it's okay with you…" I wasn't sure what the protocol to going out was when it came to Scott. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Yeah, yeah, sure." I could hear the awkwardness from him too. "Is Chase going with you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I haven't had a chance to ask but I think he mentioned he's working."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He seemed concerned but kept his mouth shut. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"After we ate Scott cleaned up the kitchen and I hurried upstairs. I could tell he wanted to question me more and was just debating how to do it so I had to escape before he could figure it out. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Time flew by and before I knew it Jennifer was outside. I had just finished pulling on my tall leather boots and throwing on my long coat when I heard her shrill horn out by the street. I quickly swept up my hair into a cap and hurried outside./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"She was sitting inside a small silver Toyota. It smelled new when I got into it. I felt nervous and didn't know what to say. Thankfully she spoke enough for the both of us. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"The entire drive she did not stop babbling. Apparently, the car was an early graduation gift from her dad. He was the head football coach and her mom was the cheer coach. Jennifer was also head cheerleader as well as student council president so she was dressed in a cheer uniform. She had recently been dumped by her boyfriend and had been looking for things to distract her. Which is what I guess I was. I wondered if she actually had any friends… /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"We parked in the student parking lot. I looked around anxiously, hoping half-heartedly that Lucas was here. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Jennifer caught me and giggled. "Lucas doesn't come to these things."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"My face got hot. "Why not?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I'm not sure. His whole family keeps to themselves. Usually everyone in town loves all these kinds of events. You're going to meet a lot of people tonight." She smiled excitedly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"A swarm of people were walking from the parking lot towards the small stadium. Jennifer linked her arm through mine and was practically skipping toward the stadium. She was a great deal taller than me so I looked like a fool trying to keep up with her long strides. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"The small football field had been transformed for the bonfire. A large stage had been set up with an enlarged school banner hanging behind it like a backdrop. At the end of the field the bonfire was being set up. Men were carrying large pieces of wood and stacking them up high. Some vendors were set up along the track selling spirit shirts and snacks. At the other end of the field were a few small carnival rides. The kids that were here were going nuts at that area. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Jennifer walked us over to the group of cheerleaders. All wearing the white cheer uniform. The coach was in a white tracksuit with her short hair pinned back. Jennifer looked like a carbon copy of her mother. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Mom, this is Scarlett O'Conner." She introduced. "Scarlett, this is my mom, Martha."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Martha smiled warmly and shook my hand. "Scott's kid, right?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Yes," I answered. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""He's a good man. He's helped us out with some repairs quite a few times. Never even lets me pay," she smiled. "He never mentioned he had a daughter though. And perfect body for cheer too!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Jennifer raised an eyebrow. "We do need a new flyer. And you're the perfect height for it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Oh, no-no-no." I quickly objected./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Tiny body like that, these girls would have no problem perfecting their toss." Martha continued, eyeing my legs./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Trust me, I'd be a huge liability to the team. But thank you for thinking of me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Martha smiled again. "Well if you change your mind, you know where to find me." She turned to speak to Jennifer. "We go on in 20 so be ready."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Jennifer nodded and then led me over towards the locker room. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Aren't only the players allowed back here?" I asked nervously. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Jennifer pushed the door open as if she owned the place. The entire football team was inside pulling their jerseys on or lounging. I looked down at my feet, too embarrassed to catch anyone's eye./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Daddy's office is back here and I wanted you to meet him." She smiled and pulled my hand as we walked through. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"The boys whistled and cat called as we walked through. I'm sure it was because of Jennifer. I was wearing so many layers I looked like a potato. Jennifer looked confident and glowing in her cheer uniform. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Hi Daddy," Jennifer beamed at her father. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He was a large man. He had chocolate skin and greying hair with a beer belly. He stood up from his desk and held out his hand. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I shook it meekly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Daddy this is Scarlett O'Conner. Today is her first day so I brought her out to show her around."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Hello. I'm Frank Smart. Great to meet you Scarlett." His smile was genuine and fatherly. He had a warm aura to him. "Let me know if you ever need anything."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Thank you, Mr. Smart," I couldn't help but finally smile. He was such a nice man./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He hugged Jennifer and kissed the top of her head. "Have a good night girls. I'll see you all out there."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Jennifer and I walked out and she found us a spot in the stands. It was so packed and everyone was so absorbed in their conversations and the buzz of the bonfire that no one even noticed the new girl walking by. The cap probably helped since it hid my standout red hair. I ended up alone after a few minutes because Jennifer had to go preform a skit or something to begin the bonfire celebration. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"It was a long introduction to the bonfire. The cheerleaders all preformed and cheered and then Jennifer and the rest of the team came back to sit in the stands. She was so fidgety as we watched Coach Smart introduce the football team. It seemed to drag on forever. I was surprised there was even these many boys in this high school to form a team. Blake was the captain, of course. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"After the introductions were done Coach Smart invited everyone over to the bonfire to finally begin the night. I was so exhausted already I couldn't believe the night was barely going to begin. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Jennifer abandoned me again which I wasn't mad at. The cheerleaders had all gathered to go dance around the bonfire. A misty chill lingered over the ground as I walked slowly over towards the bonfire. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""New girl!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I turned and saw Blake smiling a bright smile and jogging towards me. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Hey," I greeted in a monotone. "Great speech," I said honestly. As captain of the team, Blake made a speech that really got the crowd cheering. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 28pt; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: -28pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Thanks," he smiled. "I'm surprised you actually came."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 28pt; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-indent: -28pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I don't think I could've said no to coming."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"As we neared the fire I could really feel the heat. It felt really nice. The cheerleaders were cheering and the whole town seemed to be gathered around. It was nice to not have everyone staring and just enjoy the moment. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's cool, isn't it? Bet you didn't have this kinda thing in New York."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""No, nothing like this." I admitted. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Do you like rides?" Blake asked, nodding towards the small collection of hazardous looking rides./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I had been to Coney Island a thousand times and the only ride I ever went on was the Ferris wheel. And even that took some convincing the first time Victoria tried forcing me on. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Uhm, not really." I answered, eying the death traps nervously./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Really? That's no fun. Let's get on the Hammer Head!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I don't know what that is but it already sounds horrific."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He laughed and pointed at an enormous blue and white ride that looked seconds away from falling apart. It was like a see-saw that swung around while the riders were trapped in a cage that flipped in all directions. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Oh, definitely not!" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Oh c'mon, don't be a chicken!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Blake, can't you take a hint," Jennifer arrived, sneering at Blake. "She doesn't want to hang out with you." Her bubbly personality was completely gone now./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Can you leave us alone Jen? No one called you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"She rolled her eyes. "I invited Scarlett, so you and your hormones should go and find someone else to harass."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I felt silly standing here while they argued. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""What's with the jealousy? We've been over all summer, get over it already."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"This must be her ex-boyfriend. And by the look on her face she was clearly not over it. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"She jabbed her index finger at him, looking like an enraged she-devil, as the bonfire burned beside her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"They both seemed so distracted by their arguing that I decided now was the best time to escape. Neither of them noticed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I walked around the festival, carefully looking out for Jennifer or Blake. I couldn't believe the difference an ex-boyfriend could make to a girl. She was completely different than the bright, bubble-gum personality she'd shown me today. And Blake was so rude for poking at her that way. Clearly she was still hurting over this lost relationship, the least he could do was take it easy on her. I guess he really was a jerk. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Miss O'Conner."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"My head jerked up. Lucas was looking at me, half his mouth pulled up in a small smile./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I couldn't help but beam at him, grateful for a familiar face. "Mr. Yearwood. You found the time to grace the common folk with your presence, I see."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Are you having fun?" He asked with a smirk, trying to hide some other emotion. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's better now," I admitted sheepishly. "What made you decide to come?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I figured I should probably try and make it to one school event. You know—senior year and all." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I turned my face away from Lucas' fiery sapphire gaze and took in our surroundings. The sun was fully set now and the bonfire blazed on. I could smell the scent of popcorn and the air was full of children giggles and friendly conversation. The fair had lit up and actually looked more inviting now, instead of like a death trap. I realized Lucas's sudden appearance probably had a lot to do with my now brighter outlook on being stranded here. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Luke!" A girl's voice called. It had the same velvet sound as Lucas, except hers was almost musical./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"She waved at him and bounded over towards us gracefully. She had black hair, cut bluntly to her chin; a small, perfectly angular face and a thin ballerina body. A boy was with her. He had the same midnight hair as Lucas and the girl, and their shared piercing blue eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""What're you two doing out?" Lucas asked them. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""We just got back a few hours ago, wanted to check out the fair." The boy flashed a brilliant smile, reminiscent of Lucas'. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Scarlett, this is my brother James and my sister Rebecca." He introduced politely. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I smiled weakly at them both. They were very intimidating with their outrageous beauty. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Rebecca smiled warmly, flashing brilliant teeth. "It's nice to meet you, Scarlett." Her enthusiasm was hard not to find infections./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I smiled back. "It's nice to meet you both."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I'm surprised you actually made it to one of these events," Rebecca lifted a brow suspiciously. "I wonder why the sudden change of heart."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"James tried to stifle a snicker./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Were they implying he really came because of me? No way!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Have fun," Rebecca winked at Luke before taking James' hand and bounding off towards the carnival ride area./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Sorry about her," Luke apologized. It almost sounded like he was embarrassed but his perfect face gave nothing away. "I didn't even know they'd be here."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's okay, they seemed very nice."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""So have you got on any rides?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I laughed darkly. "Definitely not, they look like death traps."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I gazed around the football field again and jumped when I saw Jennifer was walking this way. She didn't seem to have noticed me—yet./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I quickly darted behind on the vendor stand to hide, Luke followed, walking calmly but obviously amused. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I yanked him along with me in a panic so he would be hidden too and then peeked around. Jennifer was standing there with a group of cheerleaders, talking roughly, assumedly about what had just happened with Blake. Thankfully it didn't seem she'd noticed me. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Care to explain that?" Lucas asked with a bemused expression./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Shh!" I urged. Lucas's melodic voice was surely recognizable to every person, especially girls. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He smirked at me with dark humor in his eyes. He peeked over around the stand. "They're gone now."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I sighed in relief and sagged back against the churro stand we were hidden behind. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Is there a reason you're hiding from a group of angry cheerleaders?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I made the mistake of looking up at him, intending to make a snarky remark. My resolve failed. I quickly recounted the shouting match in front of the bonfire. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He chuckled. "You would find yourself in trouble like that on your first day."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I rolled my eyes. "Well now I'm stranded here. Actually—" I felt like a middle school kid asking, "can I borrow your phone? I need to see if Chase can pick me up."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I can give you ride."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's fine, I'm sure Chase won't mind. Besides, you just got here. Don't you want to hang around a bit longer?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Not really."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I couldn't resist the thought of being alone with Lucas again. I tried hard to make my face expressionless. "Can you spot Jennifer or her gang of cheerleaders?" I asked quietly, wanting to get away already./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He looked again. "You're clear," he smiled at me conspiratorially. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"My heart sputtered and I looked away quickly. "Let's go!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I hurried across the field quickly, hiding my face in the hood of my coat. Lucas kept pace with me easily. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"His Tesla had the engine running and the doors open, waiting for us when we neared. The heater was full blast already. It felt toasty and comfortable inside. I let out a deep breath, as if I'd been holding it in. I pulled my cap off and shook my hair out. It was damp from the misty air. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Lucas slid in to the driver's seat and looked over at me. "You smell nice."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Thanks," I murmured shyly. "Do you mind if we drive around for a bit? I don't want Scott questioning why you're dropping me off again…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Does he have a no boys rule or something?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Not exactly but I don't want to test him either."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He chuckled but agreed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He pulled out of the parking lot and turned onto the highway. You couldn't even hear the speed of his car. The trees whipped past in a blur. I turned to read the speedometer. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Oh my god!" I exclaimed. "You're going to get us killed!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"His lips pulled up at the corners in that heart stopping, devilish smirk. "I'm a safe driver. I promise."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I gulped nervously. "I think that's what everyone says right before they crash and die."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""That's very dramatic—but I see your point." The car slowed down to 80. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Thank you," I muttered gratefully. "Do you always drive so carelessly?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I wouldn't crash."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""How do you know?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Because I do," he seemed so sure of himself I didn't doubt him. "Nice cap by the way. You're a baseball fan?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Uhm…not really. It was Victoria's hat—my mom. Her and Scott used to go to games but when they separated she just stopped using it." I shrugged. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""How old were you when they separated?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I was surprised speaking of her didn't trigger the pain it usually did. "Five, maybe six. I don't really remember."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Is that why he moved over here?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I'm honestly not sure. We weren't in contact a lot once he left. You'd probably know better than me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Scott is probably even more reclusive than my family."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Victoria always said I was so much like him in that way." I sounded wistful. "What about your family? You seem pretty secluded yourself."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""We like to keep to ourselves."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Is there a reason for it?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""The people here are kind of…backwards." He sighed. "That sounds rude, I'm not explaining it right. It's just such a small town and no one here seems to want to progress forward or want to escape this life. It's like it's its own strange ecosystem and it keeps its resident's hostage."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I pondered what he said. "And you consider you and your family immune to this strange ecosystem?" I asked after a minute passed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""My family actually moved here about five years ago. So yes, I do. My parents on the other hand love it here. They think it's peaceful."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He didn't seem to feel the same. "What about you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I don't mind it so much—anymore." He added as an afterthought. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""James and Rebecca seem to enjoy social events."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""They're the oddballs of the family," he spoke the words lovingly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Are they your only siblings?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""No, I have an older brother Garrett, and an older sister Micaela too. Garrett helps my father with his research. Micaela lives in Paris for the most part. She's studying fashion or something. She changes her mind so often I stopped keeping up. And you met the twins, Becca and James. They're juniors right now and the most different from the rest of us, personality wise."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Wow that's a big family."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""What about you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Just me." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Did you ever wish you had a big family?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Not really. Victoria couldn't have afforded it even if I did. I like being alone anyway."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""You don't like talking about your mom." He stated matter-of-fact./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's private," I muttered. "How can you tell anyway?" I was sure I was keeping a stoic face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Your eyes," he murmured. "You narrow them slightly every time the topic of home comes up. Does it make you sad?" He seemed concerned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's complicated," I sighed. I leaned back into the comfortable seat. I could see the sky from the roof of the car. The stars shined so bright out here. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I know complicated. You can trust me, you know…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Why should I trust you? I barely know you." The words were harsher than I meant them./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""You want to trust me," he answered simply. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Was I that obvious? "I don't trust anyone." I couldn't help but be honest with him, no matter how impolite I sounded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I won't pressure you if it bothers you to talk about it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"His voice was quiet and melodic. If I wasn't so deeply interested in any conversation Lucas and I held, his voice would've soothed me straight to sleep in seconds. It was mesmerizing, speaking to him—and not only because of his voice. I felt like all of his words had purpose, or some deeper meaning than he was letting on. It intrigued me. I wanted to keep talking to him…/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Do you actually want to know that badly?" I asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Yes." He answered simply. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Why?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"His eyes bore into mine. "I want to know more about you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"My breath caught in my throat. He wanted to know more about me. Why did that make me so excited? "Keep your eyes on the road and I'll tell you." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"The car hadn't swerved an inch but he turned his eyes back to the road anyway and waited patiently. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Victoria and I have always lived in New York." I started, my voice quiet. The soft music played serenely, filling the car. "She painted for a living, she was really good actually. We had this tiny apartment above a diner. We didn't have much money but I thought we were happy." I could hear the sadness enter my voice. I breathed deeply and continued, a hard edge coloring my words now. "She disappeared one day. I came home and the door was open and she was gone. A postcard showed up a few days later and she said she'd found someone and wanted to start a new life." I shrugged, pretending I didn't care. "So now I'm here, living with the father I barely know."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He looked at me with sadness in his eyes. "I'm sorry that's happened to you, Scarlett. You don't deserve that." /spanspan style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'MS Gothic'; letter-spacing: 1pt;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Eyes on the road!" I urged in annoyance. He didn't swerve but I just preferred that he wouldn't look at me. Every time he did my face felt hot and I couldn't focus. "How do you know what I deserve anyway? For all you know I drown puppies or belong to a devil cult."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I don't know you, you're right. But you are easy to talk too. I've never found myself wanting to talk to anyone this way—especially in Redwood."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"That's exactly how I felt. "You're the first person I've told about what happened." I admitted sheepishly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Even Chase could never get this information out of me. It felt like my airways were closing up and something was clawing at my chest whenever the subject came even close to coming up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;" "Thank you—for trusting me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It was easier than I thought. I didn't have any friends back home to be honest or any big secrets to hide to tell them anyway. Chase has been my first friend since I was a child."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""And Blake?" His face gave nothing away. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I wouldn't exactly call him a friend. I know you better than I know him and that isn't saying much since I've spoken to you all of two days. He's been nice to me though. Polite. Do you not like him?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I've never spoken to him." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I had a feeling there was more to it. "Who are your friends here? Every time I've seen you, you're alone."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I don't have any. I prefer my own company."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Yet you're here with me…" I wondered. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"His faced turned solemn. "There's something about you… I'm drawn to you." His voice was low and husky—distant almost. As if he was lost in thought. "I wish I could pin point exactly what it is."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It must be the glamorous first impression I made that night at the park," I teased, breaking the tension./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"He chuckled. "You definitely scared me. I thought I was about to have to fight someone. Can I ask what your nightmare was about that night?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I don't remember anymore…" I answered pensively. "I have nightmares so frequently now but I rarely remember them when I wake up."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""Have you always had nightmares?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""No, not until I moved here. I think it's the quiet. Its eerie."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""It's the one thing I love about this place. Everything is so peaceful."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;""I feel like monsters are going to pop out at me from behind all these trees."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Lucas chuckled dryly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"I reclined the seat back and stared up at the stars. I guess there was something to be said for small town living. I had never had a night like this in New York, despite it being the city that never sleeps. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.5in 12pt 0in; line-height: normal; font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light', sans-serif; letter-spacing: 1pt;"Luke's soft, calming music was relaxing me. It played so low that I could barely hear but the sound enveloped the car. I was more of a Linkin Park kind of girl, but there was something about an orchestra and a night sky that went together so perfectly…/span/p
