Chapter 7

Hey everybody! Now that school's in session, I'll probably be able to do a chapter each weekend. Please enjoy!

The bell had rung signaling the end of the last period. Ms. Amick called me to the piano while everyone piled out of the room. She slipped me a business card with a phone number and address of the studio.

"Here you are, she said with a smile. "I'm very excited for you, you know. I'm sure you'll enjoy this experience. It's good for you."

I reached for my bag and slid the card in my wallet. "Thank you, Ms. Admick, I'm sure I will"

I left and collected everything from my locker. No homework tonight, thank goodness! I hummed "Swingin' On A Star" as I went in search of Maggie. She was chatting with a few girls on the Homecoming board about what kind of refreshments they wanted. I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around. Rory grinned down at me, is blue eyes shining.

"Sorry to startle you, Kirsten. I forgot." He dug in his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper "Here's my number. Text me whenever you like"

I smiled "Thank you, Rory. I defiantly will" I tucked in in with the business card.

"Alright, well, have a good evening Kirsten. I'll see you tomorrow" He gave my hand a squeeze and went down the hallway.

"Bye Rory!" He turned to see me give him a wave.

Maggie rushed over to me without excusing herself from her previous conversation. "Now is 'after school'. Spill!"

She demanded "Alright, alright " I said with a roll of my eyes.

"Don't take that tone with me, sister. We're talking about matters on the heart here" Maggie scolded me mockingly. I put an arm around her shoulder and steered us the direction of the student parking lot.

On our way home,I explained on Rory's apology and how sweet and genuine he was to me, which led to lunch, which led to getting his number. Maggie listened carefully, drinking in every detail.

"Wow." She said when I had finished "I'm quite impressed. He isn't the diva I thought he was. And I had no clue he was crushing on you! Normally I'm really good at that! I can figure out crushes on the rest of Clearwater High except for my own best friend? Am I going mad?"

I assured her she was mentally sane. (I think)

"I think it's really sweet" She continued "I'm happy for you. But I swear if he does one thing to hurt you, I'm kicking his butt into the next zip code!" She said determinedly

"Whatever you say, Maggie"

She shifted a bit in her seat to face me "So what are your thoughts on all of this?"

I sighed and thought for a moment. "I'm excited about, Maggie. I've been feeling sorta lonely, and I'm kinda happy to have a guy in my life. I'm just surprised at how fast Rory did a 180. I'm happy he showed his true self to me." I told her, drumming my fingers on the steering wheel.

She nodded, seeming happy with my response. I pulled into her driveway and unlocked the car for her. Maggie unbuckled and pulled me into a hug. I could smell her green apple perfume, which was her favorite.

"I'm happy for you, Kirsten." She repeated again. "I love you, honey."

I smiled, feeling tears in the back of my eyes. "I love you too" My voice sounded thick.

She pulled away to look at me. "Oh, there's no need to cry, girly." She said patting my cheek. I grinned at her as she stepped out of my car.

"I'm planning on going dress shopping with my mom tonight. Want to come? I'll pick you up."

Maggie nodded, brushing her blonde hair out of her eyes. "Text me when you're ready"

I promised I would and blew my best friend a kiss as I pulled out of her drive.

When I arrived home, I found my mom chilling in the living room with a mug of tea. "Hey Momma" I smiled tossing my keys on the table.

"Hey Babe. How was school?" She asked as I plopped down beside her on the couch.

I smiled, thinking of Rory. "Great. Do you have plans tonight?"

She tapped a finger against her mug "Not that I can think of. Did you have something in mind?"

"Well, homecoming's coming up. I would like to go dress shopping and maybe Maggie could tag along?" I proposed my idea. "And I'll pay for my dress" I added quickly.

"Sounds alright to me. When do you wanna leave?" She asked.

"I think in an half an hour. It would give me some time to relax and freshen up" Mom nodded.

"Tell Maggie then" she said

I texted Maggie, and then I remembered Rory's number. I tapped it in my phone and then sent him a message.

"Hi Rory! This is Kirsten".

I turned back to my mother. I'd forgotten to tell her about the vocal coach. I explained to her the ordeal.

"That sounds like a great opportunity, Kirsten. I trust Ms. Amick, so I'm okay with it"

I headed to my room and turned on some tunes. I felt my phone buzz. Rory had sent me a message. I sat on my bed and opened it.

'Well hello Ms. Kirsten. And how are you this fine afternoon?"

"No different than when you saw me 10 minutes ago, but fine thanks" I sent him the message.

A few minutes a response came. "Still beautiful, then" With a smiley face at then end.

"Thank you Rory, very sweet of you" I replied.

I relaxed on my bed as we texted back and forth. I was excited to see where this thing with Rory and I would go. I turned on some Andrea Bocelli tunes and let his warm tenor take me away. Maggie told me that she was allowed to go along with me. For the next 20 minutes Rory and I talked about and forth and all the while I smiled, happy to have a guy in my life.

3 hours later we finally trudged home with huge shopping bags in tow.

"Remind me never to wear heels when we're shopping, EVER AGAIN!" Maggie wailed, throwing herself on the sofa.

I sighed "I told you, Maggie. Comfortable shoes next time, sister"

"Alright, I will" She pulled her dress from her bag. "It was so worth it!" She cried in triumph

I smiled, loving my silly best friend's enthusiasm. I peeked back down at my dress through the bag. I was really happy with it. My feet were aching too, so I set my bag on the table and sat in a overstuffed chair across from Meg. Mom came in, hauling her purse over her shoulder.

"Well, that was fun!" She smiled set her purse on a kitchen chair. "Would you girls like hot chocolate?"

We nodded eagerly as Mom worked in the kitchen "Do you ladies have dates?" She asked.

Meg answered first "I might... and Kirsten might too!" Her eyes sparkled

Mom turned to me, her face brightened. "Really? Who?"

"I don't know Mom, I kinda made friends with this really nice guy today named Rory. But Maggie's just rushing to conclusions. I don't think he'll ask me."

"Of course he will!" Maggie exploded "I saw the way he looked at you today, he really likes you!"

"Do you like him?" Mom questioned

"Yes I like him-"

"She hasn't stopped talking about him all day" Maggie interrupted

I rolled my eyes. "It's true, I haven't"

Mom laughed "Why didn't you tell me about him?"

I told her the whole story about Rory's changed attitude and how sweet he had been to me.

"He sounds very sweet, I'd like to meet him sometime" She told me when I finished

She brought our mugs to us and sat down

"I'll see what I can do. Wait a second, Maggie who could you be going with?" I completely forgot about her comment.

"I have this thing for Danny Walters. He's on the Homecoming committee. Sweet guy" She smiled, a twinkle in her eye.

"Aww that's great" My heart melted at her smile

"We talk a lot. I think he likes me" She said softly. My normally bubbly friend was being serious.

"I'm sure he'll ask you, just give it time" I assured her

The three of us chatted over cocoa for the next hour. Maggie glanced at her watch and told me she should probably go. I took her home, returned home and got ready for bed.

"It was great hanging out with you tonight Mom. I've missed it" I told her as I went to tell her goodnight.

Mom pulled me into a hug "Good sweetheart, I'm glad. I have too." She kissed my forehead "Sleep tight"

As I went upstairs, my phone rang. It was Rory.

"Hi Rory!" I answered brightly

"Oh hello Kirsten. I'm sorry, I must have called you by accident."

"It's alright. Do you need me to hang up?"

"No, of course not! How did your evening go?"

"Fine, thank you. Just got myself a homecoming dress with Maggie. Was able to spend to spend some time with my Mom"

"That's nice, I hope you had a great time"

"Very sweet thing to say"

" Are you excited for homecoming?"

" Yes, very much!"

" That's great, I'm excited too!"

I smiled. Would he ask me?

" Kirsten, would you like to study together soon?"

" Sounds great. You know I need help in the Pre- Calc"

" I can totally help you there, dear. No worries"

" Thank you. I'm sorry, I've got to go, it's been a long night."

" Of course. I'll see you tomorrow, sleep well"

" Goodnight Rory"

" Goodnight, Kirsten"

With that I curled up in bed and softly turned on some music, letting Alfie Boe sweep me off to my dreams.

There you go! REVIEW PLEASE! Tell your friends on this website about this! Spread the word! I really hope you guys are enjoying this! Thank you for the support! Pictures of Maggie and Kirsten's dresses are on my profile!