"What is that?" I ask as I look down at the big bowl of orangey-looking popcorn resting in Matt's lap. I wasn't gone ten minutes and already he's sprawled out on his bed watching college football. More specifically, the Alabama Crimson Tide vs. the Auburn Tigers, their biggest rivals.

"Popcorn," Matt simply states and shrugs like it's no big deal. But it is a big deal. The popcorn's orange. Like, literally orange.

"Why's it orange?"

"It's cheddar cheese flavored. Try some, it's good."

"I think I'll pass," I say and sit down at Matt's desk chair.

He's leaning back on his bed, shoving that popcorn in his mouth like it'll save his life. He stops for a second and licks all the orangey stuff that has accumulated on the tips of his fingers. I swear that boy's a garbage disposal.

"Who's winning?"

"Tide's gonna lose," Matt says.

I lean in so I can see the score. Alabama is trailing by six in the fourth quarter. Close game.

"They can still turn it around," I say.

"No, they can't. They already lost."

"Some fan you are," I scoff.

"No, I mean the game's already over. It's a rerun. This game's from ten years ago. Does that look like the current roster to you?"

"I don't know," I say, annoyed. As if I have every roster memorized like he does. "And why are you watching a game from ten years ago? That they lost no less."

"You learn more from your failures than from your successes. Come on, Kiers, use your head," Matt says then grabs one of the pillows from my bed and tosses it at me.

"Hey!" I say and chuck it back at him roughly. He catches it and makes a face at me. He fakes a throw. I involuntarily squeal and shield my face, but find that I am safe. At least I think I am because Matt still tosses the pillow at me once I'm off my guard.

"That's enough of that," I say and drop the pillow on the floor.

"Really? Because I have more ammunition over here."

He grabs his extra pillow and is about to throw it at me, but just as he raises his arm his dad busts through his door.

"Don't even think about it," Mr. Purdy warns.

Matt slowly puts his pillow down.

"Thanks, Mr. Purdy," I say with a smile.

"No problem, but you two gotta keep it down. Your brother and sisters are trying to sleep."

"Sorry," Matt says quietly.

"Actually," Mr. Purdy adds and glances at his watch.. It was close to ten o'clock. "Kiersten, shouldn't you be heading home?"

"She's staying over," Matt says casually.

"Really? Because I don't remember you asking me if she could."
Matt shrugs, not seeing that he might be in trouble here. I start to stand, preparing myself to leave.

"I didn't think I had to," Matt says simply.

His dad sighs and hangs his head a little.

"Of course you have to ask me. I'm your father and this is my house."

"She practically lives here anyway, what's the big deal?"

"She doesn't live here, that's the big deal. And if you want her to stay over, you have to ask me okay?"

"Okay, fine," Matt begrudges. "Can she stay over tonight?"

"I'm sorry," Mr. Purdy says and then looks over at me. "I don't think it's a good idea. You have school tomorrow."

Matt sighs somewhat angrily and leans back in his bed.

"It's okay," I say to both Matt and Mr. Purdy. Then to just Mr. Purdy, "I understand."

"I'll see you in school tomorrow, okay Matty?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"Sorry," his dad says. "Maybe come back on a weekend."

"I'm sure I will," I say with a smile.

I start to leave, but just as I do, Matt jumps up.

"I'll walk you back," he offers.

I'm about to say something, but Mr. Purdy beats me to it.

"I'm sure she can make it on her own."

Matt sits back down but still looks at me. Almost as if he's willing me to tell his dad that I want him to walk me home. But I don't. I hate getting in between him and his dad. And Mr. Purdy is right. I can make it on my own.

"Bye, Matt," I say.

Matt nods his head but looks away from me.

"See ya," he mumbles under his breath as I leave.

When I get back to my house I walk past my sleeping parents and head straight to my room. I was in too much of a hurry to grab my phone so I check it to see if I missed anything. I have a text from Whitney. It's nothing much really, just a typical "hey, girlie girl, what's up?" kind of thing. We go back and forth for a little while and then she asks me to come over. I say yes because I wasn't really supposed to be home anyway and I did kind of want to get out of the house. So I gather up the stuff I was going to bring to Matt's and head out the door.

Whitney and Bridgette Allan are pretty much your typical southern blonde hair blue eyed belles. They believe in three things: cheerleading, cowboys, and copious amounts of hairspray. They're identical twins, and when I say identical, I mean identical. The only real physical difference between the two is the freckles on Bridgette's nose. Of course, I can tell them apart. We've been friends since elementary school, so I'd be a bad friend if I couldn't. But they've been mixed up more than you could believe. It doesn't help much that they're almost always in their matching cheer uniforms. They can be a bit much at times, but it's kind of nice having girl friends that are super girly-girls, especially after hanging around Matt so much.

"Hey girl come on in," Whitney says as she stands in her doorway.

She's already decked out in her pink booty shorts, a white tank top, and a head full of curlers. I step inside and automatically head down the hall to Whitney and Bridgette's room. Bridgette's in her pjs too and is sitting on her bed with a bag of pretzels. Bridgette is dressed somewhat more modestly, with her silk cheetah printed pajama set. I guess you could say that Bridgette is the more modest one in general. But only very slightly.

"Where are your jammies?" Bridgette asks.

"In here," I say patting my bag.

"Well, what are you waiting for girl? Put 'em on."

I say okay and then duck into the bathroom to change. When I come back out I plop onto the bed and cozy up to Whit, Bridgette, and a bowl of cookie dough. We talk for a bit while we polish off the cookie dough. I suggest we get a little fancy and paint our nails. Whitney jumps at the suggestion and grabs her nail polish collection, which by the way probably weighs at least ten pounds. I pick a pastel purple while Bridgette goes with a shiny candy apple red and Whitney sticks with her classic hot pink.

"What are y'all going to wear to school tomorrow?" Bridgette asks as she gently blows her nails dry.

"I was thinking either my white shorts and my blue ruffle-y tank top or my floral mini with the white tank top. Or maybe I should wear a dress? What are you wearing, Bridgette?" Whitney says.

"Probably just a sundress," Bridgette says with a shrug.

"Oh well, then I shouldn't wear a dress too. Unless Kiersten's wearing a dress. I don't want to be the only one not wearing a dress," Whitney says.

"I brought my yellow shorts and a white v-neck."

"Oh okay," Whitney says. "Then I'll wear my floral mini."

Once our nails are officially dry, Whitney, Bridgette, and I set out our outfits for tomorrow. Whitney and Bridgette model a few different outfits for me, but ultimately decide to stick with the ones they had originally picked. Then we watch bad reality TV while Whitney straightens Bridgette's hair in preparation for tomorrow.

After Whitney's done with Bridgette's hair we all climb into bed. We talk and giggle with the lights out for a while before Whitney nods off. Bridgette and I stay up a little longer whispering, but fall asleep not long after. Not a life-changing evening by any means but it's nice to unwind and have some girl time.

So, by now we've introduced most of the main characters. I love them all equally of course but I have to say, I have a soft spot for Matt and his dad. I really enjoy their relationship and I can't wait for you to see how it changes and grows as the story goes on. 

Any favorites so far?