Riding Home

"Thanks for dinner!" Kara Winfield yelled as she closed the door to her best friends house.

It was starting to get dark out, and she was sure her mother wouldn't be happy with her riding home in the dark. But she wasn't expecting to stay so long. Plus, it was good to hang out with Jennifer since it was the last night of summer before they started Middle School.

Kara quickly got onto her bike and put the hood of her sweat shirt up. Peddling pretty fast, she had to slow down because once again she got a major pain up her right leg.

Ugh! Can't I ride home without getting pains? She silently screamed. Great, now she was going to be even later.

"You okay?" A voice asked from her left. "This is twice in one day, so I know something's wrong or your just trying to get me to come out here and talk to you."

She turned to face the boy she met earlier when she rode to Jennifer's house, Aaron.

"I'm fine." She said getting off her bike, "I guess."

Aaron smiled at her, flirting. "Well, then I guess I was right, you came to see me."

Kara stuck out her tongue. "You wish."

"Oh boy," Aaron said running his hands through his hair. "I do wish."

Kara could feel herself blushing, but instead of letting it show she rolled her eyes.

"So, what are you doing out this late." Aaron said with a wink, "On a school night."

Kara shrugged. "Coming home from a friends house, is all."

"So seriously." Aaron said with a worried smile, "Why did you stop?'

"Just these darn pains, again." Kara said with a sigh, "I don't know why I keep getting them."

"Well, want me to walk with you to your house, you can leave your bike her and get it later. That way I know you get home safely." Aaron smiled, looking for an excuse to walk and talk to this girl longer.

Kara shrugged, "Why not."

Aaron moved her bike to where it was underneath his porch. "Let's go."

"So, tell me some more about yourself." Aaron asked smiling. "A pretty girl like you must have quite the story to tell…"

Kara simply shrugged, letting herself blush again. "Nothing special."

"Really?" Aaron said still smiling. "I bet you there is."

"What about you?" Kara returned his smile. "What's your story."

"Still being written." Aaron said with a sly smile. "Hopefully you'll be a chapter or two in that story."

Kara laughed. "Trust me, I'm not interesting. You wouldn't want me in your life story."

"Oh, I would." Aaron grinned. "So, how's the leg?"

Kara shrugged, it still hurt, really bad, but since he was talking to her, her mind wasn't focusing on her legs pain anymore.

"Well, hopefully you're leg won't hurt so bad tomorrow." Aaron said, "What with school starting and all."

Kara nodded. "Yeah."

"So…" Aaron drawled. "I was wondering if, tomorrow, after school…if, uh, you'd like to go bike ridin' or something."

"Sure." Kara smiled sweetly. "I'd like to. Don't forget, my bike is at your house."

"I wouldn't forget." Aaron laughed. "So, after school, say around 3:30ish? I'll walk our bikes to your house…"

"Sounds great." Kara said.

"Okay, cool." Aaron said, "Well, I'll see you tomorrow…"

Kara didn't even realize they were at her house, she was shocked when she turned and saw her mothers white fence with all kinds of different colored flowers behind her. "Yeah, see you."

Aaron quickly turned and walked. She watched him walking, until he was out of site. And sighed to herself.

"Kara Anne Winfield, where have you been?" Kara's mother yelled from inside.

Kara quickly ran up the steps and stopped at the door having a quick pain. Great.

"Sorry mom, I stayed for dinner at Jenn's house…and I—" Kara was interrupted by her mother.

"I know you stayed for dinner, but I didn't think you'd be gone until 10:00. For Christ's sake Kara, you have school tomorrow! What were you thinking staying out that late? And who was that boy walking with you?" Kara's mother yelled.

Kara felt tears stinging her eyes. "Mom, I didn't mean to stay that long, it's just, I was riding my bike and had to stop because I was having those terrible leg cramps…and I couldn't keep riding, and my friend, Aaron saw me and came outside and made sure I got home safe…"

"Honey, maybe we should take you to the doctor." Mrs. Winfield said, looking worried. "You've been awfully pale lately…and sleeping in so late, and those leg pains, they can't be growing pains, they've lasted far to long…"

Kara rolled her eyes, "Mother, I'm fine don't worry about me."

"It's my job to worry about you." Mrs. Winfield huffed. "Now go on, take a shower and get some rest, you have to get up at five tomorrow."

"Yippee." Kara said sarcastically, walking up the stairs to her room.

She couldn't wait for tomorrow to come. Starting her first day as a middle schooler. And having a date, it was a date right?, with a cute boy who seemed to care about her.

"Good night, sweetie." Mrs. Winfield yelled from downstairs.

"Good night, mother."