Chapter Ten- Feelings
Kelsey groaned as she moved to turn the alarm clock off. It was Monday morning, and she was truly not in the mood to get up and go to school, especially not after the events of Saturday night.
"Kelsey!"
"Argh." she grumbled as she threw the covers off and clumsily got out of her very comfortable bed.
As soon as her feet touched the floor, she felt a sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't believe that she had nearly forgotten what this week was leading up to. Of course, she would never be able to entirely forget what October 27th was. The teenager sighed heavily as she went downstairs to check on her father.
"What would you like for breakfast, dad?" she asked as she walked through the living room and into the kitchen.
"Your aunt has gone out to that café in the city center to get me breakfast before she flies back to Chicago, so don't worry about me." Caleb said as he gingerly got up from the sofa. "I'm worried about you, though, sweetie. I know this week has never really been easy for you."
"Dad, I'm…No, I don't know." Kelsey frowned as she placed the carton of orange juice back into the refrigerator. "I mean, is it still crazy that I miss mom so much? I was so little when it all happened…"
Caleb wrapped his arms around his daughter. "Never. I still miss her, too. I think it would be crazy to not miss her, baby girl."
Kelsey hugged her dad back. "I'm so glad you're home. I was so scared that you wouldn't be back."
As she started to cry, her father hugged her tighter. "I know, baby."
After twenty minutes of being comforted and getting the majority of her bad feelings out into the open, Kelsey went back upstairs to get ready for school.
The trio of girls sat in their usual spot, under the tree. While a few weeks ago it sported deep emerald leaves, it now had leaves of crimson and amber. Instead of sitting in the boisterous cafeteria for lunch, they had grabbed the paper-bag lunch that was prepared daily for the students who decided to dine elsewhere. It was a much needed break from the guys, and the peaceful atmosphere was helping Kelsey feel slightly better.
"This history assignment is going to drive me insane." Kelsey scowled before taking a bite of the turkey sandwich. "I tried to talk with that thing before the bell rang for first period, and she told me she didn't have time to talk to nobodies."
"Just tell Mr. Clark you can't get her to work with you." Connie suggested as she bit into an apple. "He's normally pretty fair to students if they work hard."
Julie nodded in agreement as she finished her sandwich. "And, we all know you work harder than most. Even with a broken arm."
"I know, but I would really like to be able to not have to do all of the work. I mean, I am nearly finished with the whole thing anyway, but it would be nice for her input."
"Don't bother wasting the time on getting her to work with you." Connie advised. "Kylie is used to getting her way and she just uses her partners in class. Last year, she used Kenny to get all of their chemistry lab assignments done."
"She's terrible." Julie agreed as she stretched out on the blanket they were all sitting on. "And, if you're already nearly finished, then tell Mr. Clark what is going on so you get the sole credit for it. Plus, you'll get the presentation out of the way before anyone else."
"True." she sighed.
The girls continued talking about less serious topics, such as the latest school gossip for a few minutes, before being interrupted by the arrival of Charlie, Russ, and Kenny.
"You will not believe what we just found out." Kenny blurted as they sat on the grass next to the girls.
"Probably not, but go ahead." Julie said as she sat back up.
"Portman and Fulton didn't go out with just anyone last night." Charlie continued.
"Oh, tell us! Who was it?" Connie was now sitting on her knees, eagerly awaiting the newest bit of fodder for the gossip channels at the school.
"Tessa McKinley and Bridgette Olsteen."
"What?" Connie and Julie asked together.
Both looked completely flabbergasted, while Kelsey just looked completely confused.
"I'm sorry," she started, trying to contain the jealously creeping up in her, "who are these chicks? I've never heard of them."
"Tessa McKinley is only the richest person at this school."
"No, her dad is the richest donor to the school." Julie corrected Connie.
"Right, whatever, she is the daughter of a super rich timber magnate. Her family has been loaded since the 1700's or something."
"Plus, she is probably the prettiest girl in school. Like perfect body, tan, blonde hair, blue eyes-"
"Well, next to Kelsey." Kenny interrupted with a blush.
"Thanks." she smiled. "And, what about this other girl?"
"Bridgette is the only child of two mega rich film makers."
"Typical California girl." Julie said under her breath.
"I would kill to have that tan! And, those clothes. And, everything else she has for that matter." Connie admonished.
"Whatever." the other retorted. "But, what are they doing with the dastardly duo?"
"Probably the typical get back at daddy plan." Kenny theorized. "Most girls from a wealthy background date bad boys so they can make their parents upset. After all, they are at prep school to find equally wealthy husbands."
"Thank you, Dr. Phil." Russ teased.
"Well, he has a point. I've been to a lot of private schools, and it's typically what happens." Kelsey frowned.
Thankfully, before she had much time to dwell on the subject, the bell rang, signaling an end of the lunch period.
Kelsey sat on the bench, completely bored. Sure, she was in charge of the clipboard containing plays, but playing hockey was way more fun than coaching it. However, since she was required to attend practices despite her injury, at least she had something to do while the rest of the team prepared for the next pre-season match.
"All right, practice is over." Coach Orion finally announced at six. "See you tomorrow."
Three hours of sitting on the bench had left Kelsey with a slight ache in her lower back. Thankfully, practices of this length would be a rarity, except for Saturdays without games. And, hopefully by the time the season finally started, she would no longer be benched.
The flaxen haired beauty stretched quickly before following the gruff hockey coach to his neatly arranged office. She placed the clipboard she had been using on the desk, then turned to leave.
"Paris, what's the prognosis?" Orion asked with concern, causing her turn back around.
"I saw the radiologist on Friday, and he said at least two more weeks in the cast. Then probably a month before I can start playing again. He said I could probably practice, but nothing too rough." she added, hoping he would not kick her off the team and replace her with a more able bodied student.
Kelsey would not blame him if he did kick her off the team, though. Even though the initial prognosis had been a hairline fracture, her doctor had to inform her that there had been a mistake in the radiologist's office the day her cast had been put on. Her x-ray had somehow managed to get mixed up with someone else's and the bone in Kelsey's arm had in fact been completely fractured. This merited the cast being on for at least a full twelve weeks, taking in consideration that Kelsey had broken the same arm while climbing a tree in Norway when she was eight.
"Well, be ready to start practice in three weeks, then. Until then, you can be my assistant. When the cast comes off, you are to start attending games."
"Yes sir."
"That means, when we play the last scrimmage in three weeks, you will need to be wearing your jersey and on the bench helping with plays."
"Okay, coach." Kelsey stood in the doorway. "Also, thank you for letting me stay on the team. I haven't been much help, but I promise I'll make up for it once I get back on the ice."
Orion made a motion with his hand, signaling no problem.
Kelsey smiled as she walked out of the office and out of the ice arena. After carefully peeking around the quiet hallway to make sure she wouldn't run into anyone she was trying to avoid, she made a dash outside. No sooner as she had gotten out into the open air, than she had encountered a dallying Charlie, whom she knew normally raced from practice to be with Linda. He had been pacing at least twenty feet from the front doors of the school and was now making his way towards the fair seventeen year old.
'Not now.' she inwardly groaned as she realized she had been spotted. 'I really don't need this, especially this week.'
She plastered a fake smile on her face as Charlie stopped in front of her.
"Kelsey, about the other night, I just want to say that I really-"
"Hey, Kelsey."
Kelsey turned to her left and saw Fulton making his way over to her.
"Hi." she managed calmly, trying to keep from rejoicing over the interruption.
"Could I talk to you for a sec?"
"Well," she began, "Charlie was the middle of telling me something, but-"
"Oh, it's okay. I have to get over to the dorms to help Russ with that history assignment. See you guys tomorrow." he waved as he walked off.
Fulton looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "What's all that about?"
"No clue." she lied. "Anyway, what did you want to talk about?"
"Well, I need your opinion about something. You aren't like Connie or Julie, and I need a chick's help with this." he admitted with a slight blush.
"I'm flattered." Kelsey stated. "Could we start walking towards our places? I want to get home before it gets too dark."
"Oh, yeah, sure."
After walking for a few blocks, and with the school out of view, Kelsey turned to her companion.
"So, what did you want my help with?"
"Well, do you think it is possible for a girl like Bridgette Olsteen to really like me?"
Kelsey pondered his question for a moment, weighing her response. Should she tell him the truth or lie to boost his confidence?
"Just tell me the truth." he interrupted her musings as they crossed a street. "I can take it."
Kelsey looked to her right side and into his eyes. "Honestly, Fulton, I don't really know. Most girls that are Ms. Popular Princess only date the known bad boys for two reasons: to get back at their parents or because they do actually like them since they are so different. And, I don't really know Bridgette, so I can't say for sure."
"Thanks." he sighed. "I don't think she likes me, though. She really wasn't all that interested in me the other night. I think she only agreed to go out with me because Tessa really wanted to go out with Portman."
Kelsey ignored the stab of jealousy. "Well, I think you deserve better than her, Fulton. I think you're a great guy underneath the tough exterior. Some girls are just destined to miss the great people in front of them because they are too busy looking for only one certain quality."
Fulton gave a small smile. "Yeah, that sounds about right. I didn't really care much for her, anyway. And, I can't understand what Portman sees in that Tessa chick."
They were now standing out in front of her apartment door. "Who knows."
Even though she knew Fulton would never admit it, Kelsey could tell that he was hurt that Bridgette didn't return his feelings. Since moving to Minnesota and meeting the shy teenager two months ago, Kelsey felt quite endeared to him. She knew he dressed the way he did and acted tough due to growing up poor and pretty much on his own, since his mother worked a very late shift at a local factory in order to make ends meet. Knowing that Fulton was obviously more than what his initial appearance offered, it made Kelsey rather upset that Bridgette would turn down Fulton based on his current economic situation.
Fulton removed her bag from his shoulder and handed it to her. "I sure don't. I mean, he talked about you constantly for over a month. I was seriously starting to get tired of hearing about you."
Kelsey laughed, trying to cover up the fact that she actually wanted to cry. "Well, we knew each other when we were kids. I'm old news, anyway."
She unlocked the front door. "Would you like to stay for dinner?"
Fulton put his hands in his front pockets. "No, thanks. I need to get home before mom heads off to work."
"See you tomorrow." she waved as he started down the sidewalk and she opened the door.
"Oh, and Kelsey," he partially turned to look back at her, "if Portman was smart, he wouldn't think you were old news."
"Thanks." she mumbled as he waved before continuing to walk to his apartment.