The Twist
Amaya: This seems to be the most controversial topic of this whole fanfic, so if there's only one thing you can take away from this besides salvation, here's what I want you to know. PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS. There is not a matter, as far as I know, of which "religion" is "best." All anyone really has to worry about is which "religion" is TRUE. Besides that, Christianity is not a religion; it's a relationship with God, a lifestyle according to His Word and will, and a faith in His existence despite the fact that we cannot physically see Him. To anyone who is not a disciple of Christ, Christianity may very well seem to be a religion, but if you look at the REAL Christians, the STRONG Christians, you will see that there is no such thing as a Christian religion.
To those of you who have addressed the matter of this fic being unrealistic, fake, or unlikely, these things have nothing to do with the foundations on which my faith, and the faith of many of you who faithfully review, but rather with the quality of this fic. If my story seems unrealistic, DO NOT BLAME THAT ON MY FAITH. Understand that this work is not perfect by any means. I didn't think I would ever have to say that; I was sure you would be able to figure it out on your own, but it seems that you expect too much from my fic simply because it is based on Christianity.
Now that doesn't mean you cannot critique this piece and constructively advise me and all that. Just don't tell me my "religion" is wrong or that yours is better. My mind will not be changed about that.
That said, if you have ANY questions you want to ask me, GO FOR IT! Ask me in a review, please. I promise I will respond in a following chapter.
To all of you Christian reviewers, don't be shaken by those who persecute you. That's definitely one of the main lessons I've learned in writing this fic. "May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in His special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say" (II Thessalonians 2:16-17)
~oOoOoOo~
Though the rain had temporarily stopped, the sky was still blanketed in thick, billowing gray clouds. The air was wet and chilled, I noticed as I stepped cautiously off the porch at Florist Lillia's. I glanced around me to confirm no one was hanging about and then walked toward the nearest side of the bakery where a small, slightly elevated window peeked into the quaint little shop. I reached up to wipe the dirty, wet glass with the end of my sleeve and then stood on my tip-toes to peer in.
I snorted when I saw Jack still sitting comfortably at a table sipping a mug of coffee or something with a charming smile on his face. For some reason my insides burned with jealousy and even anger when I realized that the charming smile on his face was targeted at Elli, who sat across from him at the table.
Oh, no way was I going to go in there now. I saw Jeff bringing a tray to their table with two plates of fluffy white cake with luscious vanilla icing spread on all dimensions, and my mouth watered. I licked my dry lips with a sad expression.
I wanted some cake!
I lowered myself until I stood flatfooted again and scoffed. Stupid Jack.
I didn't like him at all. Maybe it was because he treated me like I was something more than a whiny, spoiled, mean, jealous, cruel, angry, selfish, teenage bartender. Actually, the boy was rather nice and friendly to me, but for some reason, I didn't like it. Maybe it was just because his boyish charisma and clever wit flustered me. Maybe I was just afraid of a change in my dull, same-old-same-old life. Maybe I was afraid of committing to a friendship.
I thought about how Jack and me said we were going to be friends. That was back when his looks and personality intrigued and attracted me.
Actually, when I thought harder about it, I still felt that physical attraction in the pit of my stomach and in the depths of my heart. Even peering again in the window, seeing his heart throbbing smile and breathtaking brown eyes, my tummy was tickled by little pink and yellow butterflies and my heart felt as big and round as a bowling ball in my throat.
Maybe that's what scared me.
Maybe that's why I'd kissed Kai last night: as an excuse to get away from those frightening emotions.
I shivered, so caught up in my thoughts that I forgot where I was. In fact, I was so caught up in my thoughts that I nearly experienced flight when I felt a warm hand on my lower back. "DAH!" I yelped, whirling around to find myself face-to-face with...
KAI!
"DAH!" I yelped again. He instinctively grasped my forearm with a gentle hand, but I intuitively twisted away. "What are you DOING?" I screeched angrily.
His eyes lit up with surprise, and he stepped back a couple feet. "I'm sorry, I just –"
"DAH!" I barked, my hands mechanically clenching the skin on my temples into wrinkles and knots. I fell against the wall of the bakery with a soft thud. My surprise had faded seconds ago; I was only afraid. Afraid and completely without knowledge of what to do.
"Karen, what?" he tried. "What's wrong?"
I gasped dramatically. I wanted to say, "I think you know what's wrong, mister!" but I kept my trap shut.
He tried to step closer, but I, still leaning my back against the bakery wall, held both hands out like they were stop signs. I exhaled for so long you would have thought I was going into shock, but I just whispered, "Please don't, Kai, please don't."
"Please don't what?" he asked.
Now I was just annoyed.
"Don't what, Karen?" he repeated more irritatingly than the time before.
"Do this," I said, my voice so soft I could barely hear it myself.
He had the nerve to roll his eyes a little. "Do what?"
"Don't play stupid, Kai!" I burst.
His shoulders slumped like they were heading for the ground. "I'm not PLAYING stupid, Karen; I AM stupid." He sighed and looked away.
"So what now, Kai, you want me to feel sorry for you?"
"No!"
"Then stop rolling your eyes and sighing like a little girl and tell me what's the matter!"
"You tell me what's the matter, Miss Drama Queen!"
I gasped sharply. "That'll win my heart, Kai!"
"Who said I was trying to win your heart?" Kai's voice was loud.
As was mine. "Oh, I don't know, I think I heard about it at the beach last night!"
Silence flooded the gap between us until we were completely immersed in it.
I sidestepped right and walked fast away from Upper Flowerbud Village. A single tear formed in the corner of my left eye and dripped down to the edge of my nose, where it was wiped harshly away. I heard him calling after me but didn't stop, and I knew he wouldn't chase after me. Kai was just not that way.
Knowing Kai and the connection I had with him, he would probably confront me in the bar tonight.
I was passing Green Ranch to get to the beach when a clap of thunder reminded me that another deluge of rain was coming soon. For a few seconds I stared at the ranch house, trying to decide if I should go in and talk to Ann or not.
Finally, I felt a few drizzles of soft rain on my cheeks and was nearly blinded by a spark of lightning in the sky, and began walking to the small, cozy wooden house.
Gray opened the door before I even knocked. I looked at him sort of apologetically. "I saw you out front through the window," he said, expressionless except for a teensy-weensy smile on his lips. His ugly ball cap cast a familiar shadow on his eyes, and I felt an urge to push the hat off onto the floor...but I resisted. "Ann's in her bedroom." He opened the door fully, and I stepped through.
"Thanks, Gray," I murmured, walking to Ann's bedroom, my shoes clapping on the hardwood floor with every step.
I knocked once and opened the slight wooden door. Ann was lying on her back on her pastel yellow comforter, her knees bent, bare feet flat on the bedspread, reading a magazine. Her sunset orange hair sprawled for two feet behind her head. She was wearing pajama bottoms that had little ducks on them and a plain white spaghetti strap top. "Dad?" she said without tearing her eyes from the magazine. When I didn't respond, she said, "Dad, when you say 'Ann, you can have a day off tomorrow', I tend to take it literally, as you may have noticed."
"Hey, Ann," I said.
My best friend finally rolled over onto her stomach and looked up. When she realized it was me, she threw her magazine aside, jumped off the bed, and wrapped me in her embrace. She squeezed me tighter than usual, I noticed, and I was about to tell her everything when she said, with a tearful crack in her voice, "Kai told me everything, Kare-bear. It's gonna be ok. Just let it all out."
So I sobbed into her shoulder until I ran out of tears, her hold on me never yielding.
~oOo~
Five-thirty came around, and I remembered I had to get to work. Duke had already warned me three times about being late, so I ski-daddled half an hour early. I brought Ann along, too, after our long day of girl-talk, a mini-makeover, and our age-old, original game of "Fun in the Kitchen with Karen and Ann." You can probably guess all the fun we had with that.
When I got there, it was luckily before the bar opened. Duke was nowhere in sight, so I headed back into the room marked "Employees Only," and found him pulling out a spray bottle of 409 and a roll of paper towels. "Karen! Nice punctuality. Squirt off those tables, would ya?"
I put on my spiffy red waiter's tool-belt, equipped with napkins, straws, change, mints, a notepad, and several pens, and did as the boss instructed. Ann sat at the corner table until I finished.
Finally, the big ugly clock struck six and the village people started flooding in. Tonight was going to be pretty busy, I could already tell.
I laughed when Ann ordered a virgin marguerita. Sweet, simple, angelic Ann. I knew she'd only had about three or four alcoholic drinks in her life and didn't much care for the taste...or the aftermath. I suppose I didn't care much for it either, but that didn't stop me from regularly drinking the stuff.
At around seven, I was surprised to see Jack enter the bar wielding a Bible. Immediately upon entrance, the boy lifted the book into the air and shouted, "Who wants to come sit with me and hear some stuff about GOD?"
I promise the whole building was silent as a graveyard at midnight. For a whole minute the boy must've stood there, his eyes set determinedly, his lips pressed tight into a firm line.
I glanced without moving my head at Ann. Her eyes blazed with blue rage. I could almost read her mind, "How dare he blast the goddess in this way!" No one's family was more religious than hers.
Duke continued on with his business, quietly polishing a fancy wine glass. A few of the adults scratched their heads as if to decline Jack's invitation.
Finally, Little Elli stood up and quietly said, "I do."
In unison the entire bar gasped as she stepped over next to Jack. The farmer boy smiled at her as he had this morning, and for an instant I wanted to join them just so I would receive that same smile, but I stood stock still.
The two of them made their way to a table, where they sat across from each other and Jack opened up this strange new book.
And before I knew it, the bar was alive with chatter again. Everyone was back to their own business except for the few who joined Elli and Jack. I noticed Jeff, Maria, Harris, and Basil heading over to the table, all on their own time.
"What IS this?" Ann bellowed after stepping up in front of the bar counter. "You're allowing this, Duke?"
"Let's just see how it turns out," Duke said in a sort of melancholy voice. "Let the boy have his little time..."
I pretended to be just as angry as Ann, though I really didn't mind so much. Actually, it mellowed out the atmosphere and put the customers in more mild moods. This made MY job much more enjoyable. Angry, impatient drunk people are hard to get along with sometimes.
Business started to slow down around ten thirty. This is when Duke flipped around the open sign, and the crowd started to dissipate. I grinned. I loved it when this happened! It meant more sleep, less anxiety, and a clearer mind the next morning.
When the last customer exited the building, I removed my tool-belt and bid Duke farewell. I had been pleased tonight to see that my Dad had not made an appearance at the bar. This also meant more sleep. On the walk home, I became more and more excited about the comfort of my bed.
"Karen," a voice behind me said before I could open the front door. I turned around.
Kai.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice hinting at sincerity. "About earlier. I was a jerk. You deserve more respect."
"Thank you," I said unthinkingly.
"Sorry I called you a drama queen."
"It's okay."
It was so quiet you could hear the crickets in the background.
"So what do you think?" Kai said quietly, stepping closer.
"About what?"
"About us."
I hesitated. He was about a foot away from me. I hoped my breath didn't smell. "I think...it's worth a shot."
Well, I DID like him! He was sweet, and funny, and strong, and handsome, and a really good kisser...I liked him. A lot. More than Jack. Much more than Jack.
Kai startled me by pressing his tender lips against mine in a soft, gentle kiss. I returned the kiss happily, rather liking his warm touch. "Me, too," he said when the short kiss ended.
And he eagerly kissed me again, his fingers gently touching my cheek. This was a feeling much better, much more affectionate, much more tender, much more memorable, and even more passionate than I'd experienced last night. In fact, this feeling was better than anything I'd experienced in my whole life.
~oOoOoOo~
Amaya: SURPRISE!! Betcha weren't expecting that! Dang, I wrote all of that in one sitting. Whew, I'm getting butterflies just WRITING about all that! Hahaha!
So anyway, yeah...the story's taking more of a twist than I thought it would. If this isn't what you would have liked then don't worry, 'cause I know something you don't know! And you won't find out what it is until the end! Ha, ha, ha! So anyway, review please! Thanks!
Amaya: This seems to be the most controversial topic of this whole fanfic, so if there's only one thing you can take away from this besides salvation, here's what I want you to know. PLEASE LISTEN TO THIS. There is not a matter, as far as I know, of which "religion" is "best." All anyone really has to worry about is which "religion" is TRUE. Besides that, Christianity is not a religion; it's a relationship with God, a lifestyle according to His Word and will, and a faith in His existence despite the fact that we cannot physically see Him. To anyone who is not a disciple of Christ, Christianity may very well seem to be a religion, but if you look at the REAL Christians, the STRONG Christians, you will see that there is no such thing as a Christian religion.
To those of you who have addressed the matter of this fic being unrealistic, fake, or unlikely, these things have nothing to do with the foundations on which my faith, and the faith of many of you who faithfully review, but rather with the quality of this fic. If my story seems unrealistic, DO NOT BLAME THAT ON MY FAITH. Understand that this work is not perfect by any means. I didn't think I would ever have to say that; I was sure you would be able to figure it out on your own, but it seems that you expect too much from my fic simply because it is based on Christianity.
Now that doesn't mean you cannot critique this piece and constructively advise me and all that. Just don't tell me my "religion" is wrong or that yours is better. My mind will not be changed about that.
That said, if you have ANY questions you want to ask me, GO FOR IT! Ask me in a review, please. I promise I will respond in a following chapter.
To all of you Christian reviewers, don't be shaken by those who persecute you. That's definitely one of the main lessons I've learned in writing this fic. "May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us and in His special favor gave us everlasting comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and give you strength in every good thing you do and say" (II Thessalonians 2:16-17)
~oOoOoOo~
Though the rain had temporarily stopped, the sky was still blanketed in thick, billowing gray clouds. The air was wet and chilled, I noticed as I stepped cautiously off the porch at Florist Lillia's. I glanced around me to confirm no one was hanging about and then walked toward the nearest side of the bakery where a small, slightly elevated window peeked into the quaint little shop. I reached up to wipe the dirty, wet glass with the end of my sleeve and then stood on my tip-toes to peer in.
I snorted when I saw Jack still sitting comfortably at a table sipping a mug of coffee or something with a charming smile on his face. For some reason my insides burned with jealousy and even anger when I realized that the charming smile on his face was targeted at Elli, who sat across from him at the table.
Oh, no way was I going to go in there now. I saw Jeff bringing a tray to their table with two plates of fluffy white cake with luscious vanilla icing spread on all dimensions, and my mouth watered. I licked my dry lips with a sad expression.
I wanted some cake!
I lowered myself until I stood flatfooted again and scoffed. Stupid Jack.
I didn't like him at all. Maybe it was because he treated me like I was something more than a whiny, spoiled, mean, jealous, cruel, angry, selfish, teenage bartender. Actually, the boy was rather nice and friendly to me, but for some reason, I didn't like it. Maybe it was just because his boyish charisma and clever wit flustered me. Maybe I was just afraid of a change in my dull, same-old-same-old life. Maybe I was afraid of committing to a friendship.
I thought about how Jack and me said we were going to be friends. That was back when his looks and personality intrigued and attracted me.
Actually, when I thought harder about it, I still felt that physical attraction in the pit of my stomach and in the depths of my heart. Even peering again in the window, seeing his heart throbbing smile and breathtaking brown eyes, my tummy was tickled by little pink and yellow butterflies and my heart felt as big and round as a bowling ball in my throat.
Maybe that's what scared me.
Maybe that's why I'd kissed Kai last night: as an excuse to get away from those frightening emotions.
I shivered, so caught up in my thoughts that I forgot where I was. In fact, I was so caught up in my thoughts that I nearly experienced flight when I felt a warm hand on my lower back. "DAH!" I yelped, whirling around to find myself face-to-face with...
KAI!
"DAH!" I yelped again. He instinctively grasped my forearm with a gentle hand, but I intuitively twisted away. "What are you DOING?" I screeched angrily.
His eyes lit up with surprise, and he stepped back a couple feet. "I'm sorry, I just –"
"DAH!" I barked, my hands mechanically clenching the skin on my temples into wrinkles and knots. I fell against the wall of the bakery with a soft thud. My surprise had faded seconds ago; I was only afraid. Afraid and completely without knowledge of what to do.
"Karen, what?" he tried. "What's wrong?"
I gasped dramatically. I wanted to say, "I think you know what's wrong, mister!" but I kept my trap shut.
He tried to step closer, but I, still leaning my back against the bakery wall, held both hands out like they were stop signs. I exhaled for so long you would have thought I was going into shock, but I just whispered, "Please don't, Kai, please don't."
"Please don't what?" he asked.
Now I was just annoyed.
"Don't what, Karen?" he repeated more irritatingly than the time before.
"Do this," I said, my voice so soft I could barely hear it myself.
He had the nerve to roll his eyes a little. "Do what?"
"Don't play stupid, Kai!" I burst.
His shoulders slumped like they were heading for the ground. "I'm not PLAYING stupid, Karen; I AM stupid." He sighed and looked away.
"So what now, Kai, you want me to feel sorry for you?"
"No!"
"Then stop rolling your eyes and sighing like a little girl and tell me what's the matter!"
"You tell me what's the matter, Miss Drama Queen!"
I gasped sharply. "That'll win my heart, Kai!"
"Who said I was trying to win your heart?" Kai's voice was loud.
As was mine. "Oh, I don't know, I think I heard about it at the beach last night!"
Silence flooded the gap between us until we were completely immersed in it.
I sidestepped right and walked fast away from Upper Flowerbud Village. A single tear formed in the corner of my left eye and dripped down to the edge of my nose, where it was wiped harshly away. I heard him calling after me but didn't stop, and I knew he wouldn't chase after me. Kai was just not that way.
Knowing Kai and the connection I had with him, he would probably confront me in the bar tonight.
I was passing Green Ranch to get to the beach when a clap of thunder reminded me that another deluge of rain was coming soon. For a few seconds I stared at the ranch house, trying to decide if I should go in and talk to Ann or not.
Finally, I felt a few drizzles of soft rain on my cheeks and was nearly blinded by a spark of lightning in the sky, and began walking to the small, cozy wooden house.
Gray opened the door before I even knocked. I looked at him sort of apologetically. "I saw you out front through the window," he said, expressionless except for a teensy-weensy smile on his lips. His ugly ball cap cast a familiar shadow on his eyes, and I felt an urge to push the hat off onto the floor...but I resisted. "Ann's in her bedroom." He opened the door fully, and I stepped through.
"Thanks, Gray," I murmured, walking to Ann's bedroom, my shoes clapping on the hardwood floor with every step.
I knocked once and opened the slight wooden door. Ann was lying on her back on her pastel yellow comforter, her knees bent, bare feet flat on the bedspread, reading a magazine. Her sunset orange hair sprawled for two feet behind her head. She was wearing pajama bottoms that had little ducks on them and a plain white spaghetti strap top. "Dad?" she said without tearing her eyes from the magazine. When I didn't respond, she said, "Dad, when you say 'Ann, you can have a day off tomorrow', I tend to take it literally, as you may have noticed."
"Hey, Ann," I said.
My best friend finally rolled over onto her stomach and looked up. When she realized it was me, she threw her magazine aside, jumped off the bed, and wrapped me in her embrace. She squeezed me tighter than usual, I noticed, and I was about to tell her everything when she said, with a tearful crack in her voice, "Kai told me everything, Kare-bear. It's gonna be ok. Just let it all out."
So I sobbed into her shoulder until I ran out of tears, her hold on me never yielding.
~oOo~
Five-thirty came around, and I remembered I had to get to work. Duke had already warned me three times about being late, so I ski-daddled half an hour early. I brought Ann along, too, after our long day of girl-talk, a mini-makeover, and our age-old, original game of "Fun in the Kitchen with Karen and Ann." You can probably guess all the fun we had with that.
When I got there, it was luckily before the bar opened. Duke was nowhere in sight, so I headed back into the room marked "Employees Only," and found him pulling out a spray bottle of 409 and a roll of paper towels. "Karen! Nice punctuality. Squirt off those tables, would ya?"
I put on my spiffy red waiter's tool-belt, equipped with napkins, straws, change, mints, a notepad, and several pens, and did as the boss instructed. Ann sat at the corner table until I finished.
Finally, the big ugly clock struck six and the village people started flooding in. Tonight was going to be pretty busy, I could already tell.
I laughed when Ann ordered a virgin marguerita. Sweet, simple, angelic Ann. I knew she'd only had about three or four alcoholic drinks in her life and didn't much care for the taste...or the aftermath. I suppose I didn't care much for it either, but that didn't stop me from regularly drinking the stuff.
At around seven, I was surprised to see Jack enter the bar wielding a Bible. Immediately upon entrance, the boy lifted the book into the air and shouted, "Who wants to come sit with me and hear some stuff about GOD?"
I promise the whole building was silent as a graveyard at midnight. For a whole minute the boy must've stood there, his eyes set determinedly, his lips pressed tight into a firm line.
I glanced without moving my head at Ann. Her eyes blazed with blue rage. I could almost read her mind, "How dare he blast the goddess in this way!" No one's family was more religious than hers.
Duke continued on with his business, quietly polishing a fancy wine glass. A few of the adults scratched their heads as if to decline Jack's invitation.
Finally, Little Elli stood up and quietly said, "I do."
In unison the entire bar gasped as she stepped over next to Jack. The farmer boy smiled at her as he had this morning, and for an instant I wanted to join them just so I would receive that same smile, but I stood stock still.
The two of them made their way to a table, where they sat across from each other and Jack opened up this strange new book.
And before I knew it, the bar was alive with chatter again. Everyone was back to their own business except for the few who joined Elli and Jack. I noticed Jeff, Maria, Harris, and Basil heading over to the table, all on their own time.
"What IS this?" Ann bellowed after stepping up in front of the bar counter. "You're allowing this, Duke?"
"Let's just see how it turns out," Duke said in a sort of melancholy voice. "Let the boy have his little time..."
I pretended to be just as angry as Ann, though I really didn't mind so much. Actually, it mellowed out the atmosphere and put the customers in more mild moods. This made MY job much more enjoyable. Angry, impatient drunk people are hard to get along with sometimes.
Business started to slow down around ten thirty. This is when Duke flipped around the open sign, and the crowd started to dissipate. I grinned. I loved it when this happened! It meant more sleep, less anxiety, and a clearer mind the next morning.
When the last customer exited the building, I removed my tool-belt and bid Duke farewell. I had been pleased tonight to see that my Dad had not made an appearance at the bar. This also meant more sleep. On the walk home, I became more and more excited about the comfort of my bed.
"Karen," a voice behind me said before I could open the front door. I turned around.
Kai.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice hinting at sincerity. "About earlier. I was a jerk. You deserve more respect."
"Thank you," I said unthinkingly.
"Sorry I called you a drama queen."
"It's okay."
It was so quiet you could hear the crickets in the background.
"So what do you think?" Kai said quietly, stepping closer.
"About what?"
"About us."
I hesitated. He was about a foot away from me. I hoped my breath didn't smell. "I think...it's worth a shot."
Well, I DID like him! He was sweet, and funny, and strong, and handsome, and a really good kisser...I liked him. A lot. More than Jack. Much more than Jack.
Kai startled me by pressing his tender lips against mine in a soft, gentle kiss. I returned the kiss happily, rather liking his warm touch. "Me, too," he said when the short kiss ended.
And he eagerly kissed me again, his fingers gently touching my cheek. This was a feeling much better, much more affectionate, much more tender, much more memorable, and even more passionate than I'd experienced last night. In fact, this feeling was better than anything I'd experienced in my whole life.
~oOoOoOo~
Amaya: SURPRISE!! Betcha weren't expecting that! Dang, I wrote all of that in one sitting. Whew, I'm getting butterflies just WRITING about all that! Hahaha!
So anyway, yeah...the story's taking more of a twist than I thought it would. If this isn't what you would have liked then don't worry, 'cause I know something you don't know! And you won't find out what it is until the end! Ha, ha, ha! So anyway, review please! Thanks!