Prologue

Kim was perplexed, to say the least.

17 years of living and never once had her mother cared what she wore out and about.

That is, until today, when Mrs. Crawford insisted Kim wash her hair or, for heaven's sake, at least put it up! And she couldn't wear running shorts and t-shirts all her life. She was a young lady, she ought to dress like a sensible woman now.

It was utterly ridiculous in Kim's opinion.

It really had shocked her; her mother's sudden insistence that she pull her life together. There wasn't even an occasion-not that Kim was aware of at least. It was literally 3 o'clock on a Wednesday afternoon. She was going to the mall to hang out with the guys before practice at 4. An hour. Kim was going to be seen in public for one singular hour and her mother was acting like it was the end of the world if Kim dared go out without her new earrings and darling blue top.

Anna Crawford refused to let Kim leave the house, her room, until she appeased her. Kim stared at the clock, she was going to be late and if she didn't leave soon, she would be late to practice as well.

"Mom, please," Kim groaned. "I'm going to change into a tank and shorts before practice anyways. What's the point?"

"Kimberly."

Kim scowled at the name.

"We have been over this," her mom repeated tiredly. "I don't feel right letting you out into the world without having taught you proper self-care. What kind of a mother would I be to let you go off into the world in a few years dressed like a thirteen-year-old boy!"

Ah yes, the little boy comparison.

Chuck Crawford adored his little girl but he'd be lying if he said he didn't appreciate her more masculine interests. He never got his son, but Kim was all he needed.

Anna Crawford was a different story. She always tolerated Kim's tomboy side, especially when she saw how close Kim and her father were. But Kim was a young woman and gosh darn it, Anna Crawford was determined to make the world see it.

Kim rolled over on her bed, glaring at her mom through her untouched-by-make-up eyelids. "Mom, I told the guys I would meet them at 3. It's already 3:05."

"I am not the one keeping you here. All you have to do is get dressed in real clothes and you're free to go."

"Mom!" Kim whined.

Her mom gave her an unimpressed look. Anna had already told Kim she was far too old for whining.

"Fine!" Kim huffed, grabbing the stupid shirt and the stupid shorts and stupid earrings.

Kim threw the uncomfortable clothes on as quickly as she could and when she reemerged into her bedroom, her mom gave her a smile of approval.

"There she is," she smiled.

"I feel like a Halloween doll that haunts teenage boys in the dark," Kim grumbled.

"Stop that!" Anna scolded. "You look beautiful."

Kim rolled her eyes. "Am I free to go now?"

"Yes, you're free to go. What time will you be home?"

"Same as usual," Kim called, already halfway downstairs.

It was going to be a long day.

Author's Note

Hey! I'm so excited to share this new story with y'all! As I said in the summary, this is a rewrite of my old story. Some elements will be the same, but if you read the other one you will find this story is also much different. Honestly, I cringe soooo hard reading the other one. If you haven't read the old one, honestly I probably wouldn't bother reading it now. This version is way better, makes more sense, is more entertaining, and has better character development, basically, it's better in every way. I'm the author of both so I can admit the old one is pretty crappy.

I like to say the difference between this story and the old one is a high school education.

I was a high school Freshman writing the other one and am a post-college Freshman writing this one. I have grown a lot in the past 4 1/2 years so I hope you find this story much better.

This chapter (prologue) is completely new, just something that felt right when I began re-drafting. It's short but honestly, I love the way I wrote it. I think it captures the vibes nicely.

I'm not sure how often I'm going to update this story. I have a good amount written, but I write very fast sometimes and very slow other times. To keep it fun and as a hobby for myself, I never force myself to write so if there is a month between some updates, sorry, but this is what happens when I get impatient and want to post the story before the entire draft is finished. Take this as a compliment to my readers who I love dearly.

Anyways, thank you for reading! I love to read any and all comments!