Chapter 21: Day of Fun
Thank you Penguin Lord0029 for all of your help and patience the last couple of weeks. : )
Sunday morning...it was quiet, calm and...the last day before school started for another week. Will still wasn't sure what she wanted to do yet as her mother gave her the choice of going back or spending another week at home. On the one hand, she now had internet and cable...and Doctor Who t watch thanks to Rachel leaving the series there until Will can finish watching them. And on the other hand she had school where she probably faced rejection and scorn and merciless mocking over what she had done. All in all it was a no brainer...and yet she was still debating going to school.
"Am I stupid Rachel?" Will sighed as the two laid next to each other, neither of them really wanting to get out of bed as they stared up at the sky painted on her ceiling courtesy of Hay Lin.
"Of course not...where did that even come from?" Rachel asked turning on her side to look at Will.
"Well...I have an excuse to stay at home and watch Doctor Who...don't give me that look, you don't have to rub it in that I love it." Will said rolling her eyes at the proud grin on her friend's face that screamed I told you so. "Or I can go back to school...and I'm thinking of going back and getting it over with."
"Are you sure that you're ready for that?" Rachel asked as her grin was replaced with a look of worry.
"Honestly...I don't think I'll ever be ready, but the longer I wait the harder it's going to be. And...my mom said she has to get to work tomorrow so I kind of feel I should also get back as well." Will sighed flexing her right wrist a little as she held it up to look at. "It still stings sometimes, but it feels a lot better. I should be able to carry my tablet no problem. You have no idea how happy I am that the school doesn't have all of those stupid books."
"Yeah, that's something I think everyone agrees on. And the free notes are great to...though I kind of feel that it is kind of hurting our penmanship skills a bit." Rachel said, "Not that I care mind you...but I kind of enjoy writing on actual paper at times."
"I...honestly don't know. I've never done much writing anyways...at least not that I can remember. I...don't have a lot of good memories until recently." Will sighed.
"Well let's make some memories...some great memories." Rachel said as she sat up, stretching a bit. "I seen a park close to here. Let's spend the day playing there."
"Playing at a park?" Will asked as she sat up also. It sounded...like fun actually. They weren't kids though so wasn't that a bit childish? Then again...did she really care? She deserved to have some fun, childish or not, didn't she? Giving Rachel a grin, she continued." You know what...let's do it."
"So you girls plan to spend the day at the park?" Susan asked as she dished up the scrambled eggs and sausage as Rachel finished up the toast while Will sat at the table grumbling about being useless. She wasn't too sure she liked the plan and in all honesty she didn't really like the neighborhood at all really. She never saw children playing at that park much at all which made her worry just how safe it was. The only reason she even really chose this neighborhood was because it was all she could afford at the time as not many people wanted to live around here.
"Yep, we want to have a day of fun before tomorrow. I already helped Will get caught up on her homework the last coupe of nights. And Will...you aren't useless, but you are hurt and until that heals all the way you should not be doing anything to hurt it worse." Rachel said putting toast on the three plates and helping Susan carry them to the table where they already had glasses and a cartoon of orange juice and milk for whoever wanted what.
"Thank you Rachel, you took the words right out of my mouth." Susan said as she sat down at the table with Rachel and Will. She was a little sad Dean wasn't there, but after the intense make-out session back at his apartment, they both decided it might be better not to spend the night under the same rough now that Will was doing better. They were both afraid that things might progress a little too fast if the temptation was there, and they were both feeling it. They had agreed that they wanted to take things slow and make sure that their relationship was steady and that they truly wanted to be together before taking things too far. "About this park though...I'm not sure it's such a good idea girls. This isn't exactly the best neighborhood you know..."
"I know mom, but we're be okay. We're old enough to take care of ourselves." Will said as she almost wolfed down her meal making the other two laugh a little.
"You know...we have plenty of time so you can take your time and enjoy the food." Rachel said with a smile.
"Sorry...kind of...well...I'm just hungry." Will said slowing down while giving a nervous grin. She didn't want to exactly tell them that a part of her was afraid sometimes that all of this was going to end and the food would be taken away or vanish before she had a chance to eat it.
"Will...I know you two are old enough...you can't blame me for worrying though." Susan sighed. She was worried, but she didn't want to cause an argument with them so decided for now it might be okay. After all the girls would be together and she could go by and check on them once or twice to make sure that nobody was bothering them.
"I know...I don't...I don't like you having to worry, but...I'm happy that you care enough to." Will said smiling softly up at her mother. "If you really don't want us to go, we can find something else to do."
"It's okay sweetie, just if you see someone around that looks...questionable, come straight home." Susan said as she didn't want to ruin her daughters last day before school as she already knew Will was most likely going back. She tried to get Will to stay home another week and relax, but she could tell her daughter was restless and wanted to get it over with. She could understand it as she was feeling the same about her work a little bit, then again Will had to face her peers when they must have all known about what happened if all the bears and cards and balloons were any indication.
"Don't worry mom, I pretty much know what to look out for." Will said, meaning it as she really did know. She didn't really want to know, but she spend so much time in the dark parts of the last few towns they lived in. Even if a lot of it was in a drug induced haze, she still knew what to look for to find people who most likely sold drugs or caused trouble.
"Irma?" Will asked as she almost literally ran into the girl as they were leaving the house to go to the park. She was a little shocked to see Irma so soon after the marathon...but Will was a little happy to see her again. After finding out the other girl was really so worried about Will touched the redhead's heart and made her feel a lot better about dealing with the girl.
"Hi girls...I was wondering...if you wanted to do anything today. I stopped by to grab Hay and drag her with me, but she's having to cover in the restaurant." Irma said a little nervously as she stood before Will and Rachel with hope shinning in her face.
"Well...we were going to the park to hang out for awhile if you want to go with us." Will said softly, a part of her still a little unsure about Irma and Hay Lin. The things Martin said yesterday though made Will completely forgive Irma and Hay Lin and even started to mend their friendship.
"That sounds like fun." Irma said, her expression clearly brightening up.
"Okay girls, we're burning daylight here so let's go!" Rachel cheered making Irma and Will to giggle a little at their friend's antics as Rachel threw an arm around each girl's shoulders and headed off in the direction of the park.
As they got to the park though they found three guys lounging on the merry-go-round that looked almost as if they were part of a gang. They all wore leather jackets, raggy looking jeans, the slim one with black hair wearing biker boots while the other two wore regular sneakers. The two wearing sneakers pushed away from their perches and quickly moved over to the girls surrounding them.
"Hey baby...looking for some fun?" The first one said, a leer on his face while he looked over the three girls.
"Go to hell." Will said while both Rachel and Irma looked at the two boy nervously. Will wasn't sure what to do about them as she had a sinking feeling that they may not be easy to chase off. They looked almost like thugs, and the way the two were acting was pretty much confirming her suspicions. Still, the third one seemed to be acting almost lazy as he started over toward them as well.
"Oh, we gots us a feisty one, don't we Rock?" The second one asked with a smirk.
"Oh yeah, Bruno my man, nothing better than a feisty redhead." Rock said. Bruno and Rock seemed to be pretty big, and though it looked a little like fat Will was sure it wasn't. She's seen men like this before and despite looks, it was all muscle despite being much younger than the men she usually saw like this.
"Cut it out you idiots, do they look like they belong to the Jags?" The boy in the boots asked as he walked over to them making the other two back off. He looked almost like a Fonzie wannabe and yet he also had a bit of a more modern punk look to him.
"Sorry Devin." The two said at the same time sounding a little sheepish.
"Sorry about that girls...the jags have been coming around here bothering the local kids recently, so we're harassing them back." Devin said before he looked over to a Rachel, a soft smile forming on his face. "Never meant to bother such lovely ladies. I'm Devin...I'm the leader of the Rebels."
"So...your a gang?" Rachel asked, sounding a little disappointed while Will glared at them. She had to admit the boy was nice on the eyes and a part of her was hoping he wasn't some asshole in a gang that went around hurting people. She couldn't help admiring him though as he chewed on a toothpick.
"Well...you can take your drugs or whatever and shove them, we don't want anything to do with them." Will snapped out, a little take aback by the expression on Devin's face. It looked as if Will had slapped him from the hurt look he was giving her.
"Wait...I know you...my dad's talked about you guys. Seriously...are you stupid?" Irma asked, no longer nervous as she looked relieved. She knew these idiots, she's seen them it the station a few times as well as heard her dad talk a lot about them. While a part of her respected them for trying, she couldn't help thinking that they were a bunch of idiots. They were going against gangs that were ruthless that carried guns all while being unarmed.
"Lair?" Devin asked, his eyes going wide in recognition.
"Anyone want to clue us in?" Rachel huffed out as she glared at the boys while Will watched them warily. She wasn't sure about them, there was just something weird about this. She was sure that there was more to this group of boys than they realized from the way Irma was relaxing now.
"These idiots are like vigilantes. They chase off gang members and drug dealers...and so far two of them has been sent to the hospital for getting shot." Irma said.
"You mean you aren't a gang?" Rachel asked smiling at Devin, relief filling her voice.
"Well, we are...just not like you are obviously thinking. We do our best to protect the neighborhood so the kids can play in peace." Devin said, "We don't go around selling drugs or stealing or things like that. We're against that shit."
"Yeah, but your risking getting killed by playing hero." Irma said, her voice sounding a little annoyed while glaring at the three boys. She had to admit that a part of her did admire the idiots, but they were causing more trouble than they were stopping.
"We aren't playing at anything and we aren't trying to be heroes. We just was a safe neighborhood." Devin said as he started backing away. "Anyways girls, have a good day, we have to go."
"Idiots...they're going to get themselves killed." Irma sighed as she shook her head.
"It could be worse, they could be actual an actual gang." Rachel said, though she kept looking off in the direction the three went making Will and Irma share a knowing look. She couldn't help the worry that was forming for the boy despite just meeting him. He could be way in over his head playing hero like this if he went up against the wrong person.
"Sooooooo...Rachel...what is going through you mind?" Will asked in a sing song voice while smiling impishly at her friend.
"What do you mean?" Rachel asked arching an eyebrow at her redheaded friend.
"Oh nothing, just wondering what you were thinking." Will said with amusement in her voice.
"Oh I know what she's thinking." Irma chimed it, "She has the hots for Fonzie there."
"I do not!" Rachel exclaimed trying to defend herself to her friends while huffing out. Still...she couldn't help thinking how the guy's jeans showed of his ass...and a very nice ass it was...
Cornelia looked at herself in her vanity mirror at her desk, makeup spread across the surface even though she couldn't bring herself to do anything. Her eyes were red and puffy as well as her nose from all of the crying she had been doing. Her life was crumbling around her despite doing her best to control everything the last couple of years since her father changed. Now all of her carefully controlled life was falling apart and as much as she wanted to rant and rave that it was someone else's fault...she couldn't bring herself to do it. She knew it was her fault as she realized too late she was acting the same way to everyone that her father acted towards her since he changed. Her father wasn't being a very good father...and she wasn't being a very good friend to anyone...especially Will...
She knew it was her fault that Will almost killed herself, and even though her father shared a large part of the blame, it should never had happened. Now even her mother who usually supported her in everything was disappointed in her over this. Of course the older woman was more pissed at her husband than at her eldest daughter.
Taking a deep sigh Cornelia took a long hard look at herself...and she didn't like what she was seeing. It took her mother yelling at her, losing Caleb, and losing her friends to realize what she was becoming and she hated the person she was. She was becoming her father's daughter, and she was disgusted at herself for becoming like this. She loved her friends, even Will, and yet she didn't show them. No, she let her pride and reputation control who she was instead of just following her heart and doing the right thing. She let her anger at her father be taken out on those around her to constantly put others down just to make herself feel better.
Getting up from the chair she grabbed her phone and collapsed in her bed and stared at it a few moments. She was tired of being a bitch...she was tired of having people hate her and resent her. She wanted her friends back, and she wanted things to be like they used to before she tried to hide her pain from everyone and hide behind the ice princess persona. Okay...maybe not ice princess as she threw around her popularity and anger like a wrecking ball destroying everything around her. Taking a deep breath she dialed the phone deciding that this would be a good first step.
"Tubbs residence." Martin said answering the phone, his voice a little sad sounding.
"Hey Martin." Cornelia said softly. hoping the boy wouldn't just hang up on her.
"What do you want Cornelia?" Martin sighed into the phone. Cornelia could almost see the boy frowning at her.
"I...Martin...I've been doing a lot of thinking...and..." Cornelia said, her eyes tearing up as she tried to figure out what to say.
"Are you okay?" Martin asked, worry lacing his voice now which made the dam burst that was holding back the blonde's tears.
"I'm sorry!" Cornelia sobbed out, "I'm so sorry for everything. For all the crap I said to you...I love you, your one of my best friends...and yet...I've been a horrible friend!"
"Hey...don't worry about it Cornelia. I know you've been having trouble at home." Martin sighed, "I know how hard it can be...but thank you...for saying it."
"Still...I've been a horrible friend to you and everyone else...I...I want things to go back to the way they were when we were younger..." Cornelia cried.
"They can be if you want them to be Cornelia...Just come to the prayer meeting tomorrow and tell everyone..." Martin said softly. "I know some of us are a little upset with you, Cornelia, but we all love you."
"Will you...will you go in with me?" Cornelia asked softly, fear filling her at facing all of them. It was the best way though as she could apologize to everyone...including Will...
"Of course I will." Martin said, "I'll pick you up on the way to school actually...if you don't mind being seen in my piece of shit."
"It isn't a piece of shit, Martin." Cornelia said softly, kicking herself for ever telling him that.
"We both know it is, Cornelia, but thank you for saying that." Martin said, the smile almost visible to the blonde through the phone. "I'll see you in the morning."
"See you in the morning." Cornelia agreed before the connection ended. Taking a deep breath after she got control of herself she decided that she should also try to make amends with her family as well...at least to the ones that deserved it.
Getting up she cleaned her face a little before tying her hair back in a ponytail before grabbing her purse and shoes. A few minutes later she found her mother in the kitchen sitting at the table going over some kind of paperwork.
"Where do you think your going?" Elizabeth demanded seeing Cornelia, raising an eyebrow when she saw Cornelia's...frumpy appearance instead of her usual meticulously cared for appearance.
"I was wondering if it would be okay if I take Lily to the store and see if we can find her that new Monster High DVD." Cornelia said.
"I suppose...but your father doesn't want you taking your car anywhere until its fixed." Elizabeth said softly.
"Dad can take the car and shove it up his ass." Cornelia spat out.
"Cornelia!" Elizabeth gasped, but she really couldn't blame her daughter for the angry words. Hell, Elizabeth felt the same way though she wouldn't say it out loud...at least not in front of Cornelia. Grabbing her purse off the floor Elizabeth pulled a set of car keys and handed them to Cornelia. "Please don't talk about your father like that...especially in front of your sister. Take my mini-van and grab some money from the cookie jar in the kitchen and take Lily out for something to eat while your out...if you don't mind."
"I don't mind mom...I want to spend time with her...I want to be a better sister to her...I want to be a better person." Cornelia sniffed making Elizabeth get up and pull Cornelia in a tight hug.
"I'm proud of you honey." Elizabeth said kissing the top of Cornelia's head. "I love you."
"I love you to mom."
Will breathed deeply as she leaned back against the huge oak tree while Ayana laid using the redhead's lap as a pillow as the young girl slept. To Will's right Irma leaned against the tree, their shoulders touching while on her left Rachel did the same though she let her head rest on Will's shoulder. Jayla had found them in the park and though she was hesitant to do so from what Will could tell, the woman was desperate and begged Will to keep an eye on the young girl for a few hours so she could go to a job interview. It was a little weird about it being on a Sunday, but apparently the boss was desperate for help since they were having to cover both their own shift and the one they were hiring for.
For the last half hour the four girls had ran around playing tag after deciding it was the best game they could play as long as Will was careful. Hide and seek was a no go seeing how Jayla insisted that the girls not let Ayana out of their sight. They did play on the swings some and though Will couldn't, they played on the slide with the young girl. They ended up playing tag then before collapsing dead tired. At the moment they were waiting for Hay Lin to deliver them some lunch as she was going on a delivery run close by.
"That...was really fun." Will finally breathed out, trying to keep quiet so not to disturb the little girl. She meant it to, her wrist was throbbing a little from all of the bumping and jostling from the running, but it was well worth it. She couldn't remember having this much fun before even when she tried to remember how things were like before her dad left.
Today though, it was fun getting to act like a child playing with her friends like they did. She hated having to worry about her stitches, especially her left wrist, but she enjoyed as much as she could and hoped that they could do this even when her wrists healed all of the way. She wanted to play volleyball, swim, play tag more and so much more. It was...really nice to be able to cut loose and not worry about anything. For the first time in so long she felt safe and loved and...really happy.
"It was...I can't believe you and that kid was able to outrun us so easily." Irma laughed, feeling exhausted but happy. She had a great time playing with her friends like this not worrying about anything. There was just something about letting things go and acting like a kid again that filled her with a sense of peace.
"Heh...it's been awhile since I did that, but it so rocked." Rachel said quietly as she snuggled closer to Will. "We need to do this more often."
"We do." Will agreed, laughing a little as she ran her fingers through the smaller girls hair brushing some twigs and a leaf from her hair where she dived into some leaves to escape Irma trying to tag her. "This was the most fun I've ever had."
"I wish we could go swimming." Ayana sighed shocking the three as they thought the little girl was sleeping. "We just don't really have the extra money to go to the public pool even if my mom did have the time to do that."
"Well...gramps has a pool we could use for free." Rachel suggested, "I even have some extra swimsuits if you girls need to borrow one...well I'm not sure if they would fit you Irma...they might be a little small for you."
"Are you saying I'm fat?" Irma asked narrowing her eyes.
"No, I'm saying your busty...a lot more than me..." Rachel said making the other girl blush and Ayana giggle.
"You do have big boobs." Ayana giggled.
"I...I do not!" Irma blushed turning her head. She was kind of shy about her body because she started developing earlier than all of her friends and had more curves than most of her friends.
"You do Irma...I have to admit, your pretty hot even if you try to hide it." Will said smiling at the suddenly shy girl. Will had a point, Irma did try to hide it a lot being more of a tomboy than dressing in things that would show off her curves much more.
"I don't have a swimsuit." Ayana sighed.
"That's no big deal...if your mom lets you come over we can stop off and I'll buy you a swimsuit." Rachel smiled as the little girl who sat up excitedly.
"Really?" Ayana asked excitedly.
"Really." Rachel said smiling as she reached out and ruffled the young girl's hair who giggled while trying to swat the older girl's hand away.
"Cut it out!" Ayana giggled, excited that her new friends were so nice. She never got to have a lot of fun like this since her mom was busy a lot trying to find a job and when she wasn't doing that she was working at day labor or doing odd jobs for their neighbors.
"Over here Hay!" Irma called waving at Hay Lin who was carrying a stack of take out trays over to them with a grin.
"Hey, having fun?" Hay Lin asked handing out the plates much to Ayana excitement when she got her own.
"Thank you so much!" Ayana squealed happily when she opened the tray.
"Your welcome sweetie, your Ayana right?" Hay Lin asked smiling brightly at the girl.
"Yep!" Ayana said through a mouthful of rice making the girls giggle.
"I hope I get to hang out with you sometime, but I have other deliveries to make." Hay Lin said sadly as she straightened up.
"We're going to gramps house later, if you get some free time call Irma's cell and she'll tell you how to find it if you want to come hang at the pool." Rachel said with a smile as she smelled the aroma wafting from her styrofoam carryout tray.
"That sounds fun!" Hay Lin said happily, "I don't know if I'll be able to make it since we're pretty busy."
"Well, maybe next weekend we can have a pool party." Rachel suggested making everyone smile.
"Can I come to?" Ayana asked hopefully.
"Of course you can, we can't have a pool party without you." Rachel said grinning to the girl who cheered happily.
Will couldn't help fidgeting as she looked at herself in the mirror in the girl's side of the pool house where Rachel had helped her change into a two piece much like Rachel's own while Irma had to stop off and get her a one piece from her house after they all stopped off and picked a nice pink one piece for Ayana while Irma's own was blue. Rachel was sporting a white two piece while she got Will into a black two piece, both of their suits a little on the skimpy side. Will had let Rachel help apply a generous amount of lotion to her body since she would sitting at the edge of the pool while the others played in the water.
Thinking of Irma though Will was thankful that she had her mother's car and was able to drive them everywhere so they didn't have to walk or take the bus as it would have taken forever. Since Irma drove to Will's this morning though, the trip to get everything then get to Mr. Olsen's took little to no time at all.
Taking a deep sigh Will couldn't help feeling a little bummed at not being able to swim with her wrists like this, having to keep her bandages dry. The fact that she was going to be by the pool made her even more nervous as her bottoms were actually pretty decent, but she didn't like the top. It...didn't have that much material which made her blush a little thinking about it though Rachel had a point that it was only going to be the girls there. Still, this was the first time she had ever worn a two piece in her life and she couldn't help fearing that her top would come untied or if she moved the wrong way she might spill out.
She couldn't stay in here forever hiding though as Ayana only had a few hours before they had to head back. Jayla was a little suspicious at first, as well as reluctant when Rachel offered to buy the girl a swimsuit. When Rachel said that it was no big and revealed who she was to the woman, the woman finally relented. She tried giving Rachel some money to help pay for the swimsuit but to was refused as Rachel sad she wanted to go swimming and wanted to bring her new friend along and had more than enough to cover a swimsuit for her. After Jayla made the girls promise to keep a good eye on Ayana, the mother finally relented which made the little girl cheer happily.
"Relax Will, you look nice and you will get a great tan." Rachel soothed the nervously fidgeting girl while Irma was already in the pool with Ayana.
"I don't know why I'm being so self conscious." Will sighed. She truthfully didn't know why as strangers had seen her in much less before...hell strangers have seen her completely naked and it didn't bother her this much. Then again, she was either drugged up at the time or needing a hit so bad she would have done anything for it...and sadly she did...
"It's okay to be, Will, but you look hot." Rachel said standing by Will and admired both of them in the mirror. She couldn't help smirking a little as Will blushed at the praise. "Seriously though, Will...don't worry. It's just us girls."
"Yeah...let's get out there." Will sighed making Rachel smile encouragingly at the redhead.
"About time you two got out her." Irma laughed as she made sure Ayana wasn't having trouble as the little girl swam.
"We was making sure we were well protected." Rachel said showing off the bottle of oil and another bottle with sun block before putting a beach towel down at the edge of the pool where Will lowered herself onto and dipped her legs into the pool as Rachel slid into the pool being careful not to splash Will too much.
"This is so much fun!" Ayana squealed happily making the three girls smile at the happy little girl.
"I wish someone let us know there was going to be a group of beautiful women at the pool today." A familiar male voice said making Will squeak out and slide into the pool, keeping her arms above it as she spun around and folded her arms on the side, her left wrist pointing upward as she rested her chin on her forearm.
"C-Caleb!" Will squeaked out in embarrassment as she looked up at Caleb standing there smiling.
"Hey Will...girls...I came with Matt to pick up something for Mr. Olsen and we're heading back out." Caleb said as Matt came hopping down the path from the house on his crutches. "You look good in that bathing suit Will."
"Th-thanks." Will squeaked out, "I borrowed it from Rachel."
"Fits her better though." Rachel said as she joined Will at the side of the pool.
"Are you Will's boyfriend?" Ayana asked innocently as Irma and her also joined the girls at the side.
"Yes, I'm a very lucky man." Caleb said with a smile, "Not only is my girlfriend smart and nice, but she's beautiful as well."
"Caleb." Will whined blushing deeply making him chuckle a little.
"I'm only telling the truth." Caleb grinned, "My name is Caleb and this is my friend Matt. What's your name?"
"My name's Ayana." Ayana said smiling up at Caleb.
"I really hate to cut this short, but we have to go. Have fun girls." Matt said as Caleb and him waved as they turned to leave making Will sigh in relief. She was a little shocked when she realized that she was embarrassed wearing something like this and getting caught in it by Caleb. It wasn't that long ago that she was offering herself up to the boy, offering her body to him so he could see all of her. And now she was embarrassed that he caught her wearing a bikini this skimpy.
"I think someone enjoyed the view." Rachel grinned.
"Count yourself lucky I can't get my wrists wet." Will growled playfully at her friend, but Irma saved the redhead the trouble and pushed Rachel's head into the pool and laughed as the girl broke the surface spluttering.
"I'll get you for that!" Rachel gasped out before giving chase to the laughing girl as Ayana and Will stayed at the side laughing at the two girls antics.
Will couldn't help the redness in her cheeks though as she blushed thinking about Caleb not only seeing her in the bikini, but also what he said about her. He thought she was all of that? It made her a little self conscious, especially at the beautiful comment made by Caleb. Did he really think she was beautiful? As much as a part of her wanted to deny it, she knew Caleb wouldn't lie...even to tease her like this. Still, despite being a little embarrassed, she felt a rush of warmth through her. She felt as if her sprit was uplifted by the praise toward her from the first guys she could allow herself to admit to truly caring for. A small smile graced her lips as she looked to where the boys walked away.
Sorry everyone for taking so long with this chapter, but we had to pawn my computer for a couple weeks. When I got it back this past Friday, I've been pretty stressed and that more or less caused writer's block. I'm feeling much better now though, not feeling so down or stressed so should be able to keep writing easily now. : )