Kali sat in media that day not wanting to have come to school. She didn't get much sleep the previous night due to tons of things on her mind. As she tried to listen to Mrs. Langstings, a piece of paper was thrown onto her desk. She looked down at it and saw 'Kay Kay' on it. Only one person has ever called her that. She was afraid to open it. Yet, she did.
"Kali,
Don't ignore this. I love you. You were always there for me whenever I needed someone to talk to. You're smart, funny, kind, gentle, and not to mention beautiful. I've liked you for so long. After the whole Lisa thing, you entered my mind and I only cared about you. To tell you the truth, whether you believe me or not, I was using Lisa to get to you. All I want is one thing: Please tell me in person that you love me, too. It will make you better.
Bradin
P.S. I'm going to the town show. I'm only there to watch you and only you. So, if you look out and see me there smiling when you're up and frowning when the others are up, you'll know why. And don't be nervouce. you'll do amazing."
Kali folded the paper back up and closed her eyes. She wanted to but didn't want to look back at him. The bell rang signaling the end of third period. Bradin watched Kali get up and walk out of the classroom. He got up and followed her since they were in the next class together as well. He walked in and saw Kali sitting in her normal seat ignoring everyone that tried talking to her. She was like that the entire day.
She arrived home that afternoon and headed into the house.
"Kali!" someone yelled as she approached her front door. She turned around and saw Lucas running up to her from his car. "Kali, our parents...they...your father...We need to get to the hospital."
Kali's heart stopped when Lucas mentioned her father.
"Kali, let's go," Lucas said.
Kali got into her car and Lucas followed. She started her car up and drove them to the hospital. They got there and ran into the ER where a nurse stopped them.
"Our parents-" Lucas began.
"What are your names?" she asked.
"Lucas Prescott."
"And you, miss?" the nurse asked Kali who was just looking scared.
"She's my step-sister," Lucas answered for Kali.
The nurse led them to a private room where she shut the door once the teenagers were in and turned towards them.
"I'm sorry, dears," she began, "Your mother didn't make it."
Kali fell to the floor holding herself as she sobbed. Lucas got down and held her trying to calm her down. "What happened?" Lucas asked looking up at the nurse.
"The man broke into your mother's office while your father was visiting her. He opened fire with his gun. I'm sorry."
"Where's my father?" Lucas asked.
"He's in room 256 recovering from a gun shot wound to the kidney. He'll be fine. But, he's going to be here for a while."
Bradin sat in his room listening to music when his cell phone went off. He looked at the number and saw Lucas' cell phone number.
"Hey, man."
"Are you busy?"
"No. Are you okay?" he asked noticing his friend was in tears.
Kali sat on some rocks near a shallow part of the ocean. Her life was going to hell. She knew it. Her mother was gone. Now, her father is after her. All she could do was stare out at the water and cry as she thought about what was going on.
"Kay," she heard.
She looked to he side and saw Bradin standing there. She looked away, back out to the ocean.
"Baby, I'm sorry," he said softly as he sat next to her. He noticed that she was trying to hold back her tears. "Don't," he said, "Cry. Show how you feel."
She buried her face in her arms and began sobbing. Bradin wrapped his arms around her to try to comfort her. He had no idea what to say to her to try to calm her down. After a few minutes, Kali rose her head and went to wipe her face off with her shirt when Bradin wiped it off for her. She looked at him.
"It's your favorite shirt," he said making her smile a really tiny smile. He moved her hair out of her face so he could look at her. She was hurt deeply. "Do you want to talk about anything?" he asked. She shook her head. "Why dont I walk you home?" he volunteered, "It could be quiet there and people on the beach won't be walking up to you asking what's wrong."
Lucas walked into the house around ten that night and saw Braidn on the couch with Kali on his lap. He walked over so that Bradin knew he was there.
"How's your father?" Bradin asked.
"He's better than we thought."
"I'm sorry that this happened," Bradin said looking at his best friend.
"Thanks, man," Lucas said, "How is she doing?"
"Not so good," Bradin said looking down at his love in his arms.
"If you're worried about her, you can stay the night and make sure she's okay."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. Besides, you look like you can stay like that for a long time."
"I probably could. She just fell asleep a few minutes before you got back."
Lucas and Bradin both looked at Kali who seemed peaceful. Yet, they knew she wouldn't be the same after that day.
