Chapter TWO

My sophomore year of high school was just as uneventful.  No dates (I wasn't allowed), a couple of non-crazy parties with Kaylee, and regular fifteen-year-old girl stuff. Crushes, heartbreaks (for Georgia), loss of virginity (for Kaylee) and one hospital trip, for me - a sprained ankle from gym class.

   My sixteenth birthday party that summer was epic; a huge backyard bash that my mom had planned for months. All of my girlfriends, music, swimming, a BBQ, cake and ice cream. And an appearance at the end of the evening by Kane and his two popular/ jock buddies, Kyler and Gibson. They were on the football team - Kane was not but somehow he fit in just fine with them. I was pretty sure that Kane was just trying to help my popularity status by bringing them to my party. I didn't get a chance to thank him that night.

   Kane and I remained mostly acquaintances as we started the new school year. He was now a senior, and I was a junior. Suddenly I was in with the popular group of seniors somehow, because Kane, Gibson and Kyler were my friends. It all happened fast.

   It was strange, in the third week of school, being pulled away from my group by Mandee and Mel, the most popular cheerleaders, to sit with them at lunch.

   "Uh, I appreciate it, but my friends are -"

   "But don't you want to sit with us?" Mandee asked, flipping her long hair over her shoulder. She was thin and blonde and even though only a year older than me, seemed much more grown up than I was.

   "Yeah, Kyler and Gibson said you're cool with them, so you're cool with us," Mel agreed. Mel was taller and had dark skin and hair. Truly, she was gorgeous.

   I glanced over at Kaylee and Georgia, sitting at our picnic table, near the school. They were watching to see what I would do. I did not want to abandon my friends, but how could I ditch the popular girls when they were showing interest in me? I, of course, craved their attention, and the attention from the popular jocks. I knew I might not get another chance for this. So, I sat with Mandee and Mel at lunch that day, then walked the halls with them, our arms linked. I still felt terrible for ditching my friends.

   "I would do the same thing," Georgia laughed, that Saturday afternoon as we did homework in her bedroom.

   "We totally get it," Kaylee agreed. "Also, you're so lucky. If I make the cheer leading team in the spring, I will totally be there with you."

   "I do feel bad not hanging out with you guys at school," I admitted.

   "We have you in class, after school... they can have you at lunch," Georgia went on, flipping open her textbook.

   I let out a laugh, feeling grateful for such great friends. They were willing to let me go, so I could make my way in with the popular girls. But I still wasn't sure if I was doing the right thing. I still felt like I was being pulled at from different directions. It was obvious who my real friends were, so why was I so interested in hanging out with the senior girls?

   The following week, Kyler King asked me - ME - to a party. I almost couldn't answer, I was so shocked. He and I were sitting on a bench by the football field, waiting on the others to join us for lunch. I had just opened my lunch bag and pulled out my banana. It was still warm outside, even though it was the end of September now.

   "Really?" I asked him, staring into his eyes. They were bright, and he was so handsome it was almost sickening.

   Kyler King was tall, with short, dark hair and blue eyes. He wore his varsity jacket all the time, and he looked at me like I'd never really been looked at before.

   "It's going to be a wicked party. Gibson's dad is closing the beach house Sunday, so he's allowed to have a party tomorrow," Kyler smiled at me. "And I've been wanting to ask you out."

   "Me?" I asked again, still surprised.

   "I knew you couldn't date until this year."

   "Oh. Kane told you?"

   Kyler nodded. "So, yes?"

   "Yeah, okay," I said, because I didn't know what else to say.

   "Wicked. I'll pick you up at eight?"

   I swallowed hard, my heart pounding. "Okay."

   Mandee, Gibson and Kane all appeared a moment later, crowding us, and I smiled at Kyler before turning my attention to them, without another word to him. My brain was going a million miles a minute, trying to think about what I'd wear and what we would do. I was going on a real date, with Kyler King.

"No way you're going to the senior end-of-summer party," Kaylee yelled at me, after school, when I told her and Georgia about what had happened at lunch.

   I just nodded at her.

   "With Kyler King?" Georgia repeated, even though I'd just told them.

   "Yes," I said. I mean, I couldn't believe it either.

   "Damn it, you're so lucky. You better tell us everything," Kaylee told me, throwing her bag over her shoulder, as I followed her outside and towards her car.

   The next evening, I got dressed into a flowy skirt and a gray tank top. I put on a bit of make up and straightened my generally wavy hair. My stomach was in knots. Not only had I never been on a real date, but this was a big deal. A party only the seniors went to.

   When I went downstairs to wait for Kyler, I had everyone's attention.

   "Woah," Andy said loudly. "You look different."

   "Woah is right," my mom nodded. "Details, please."

   I smiled at her. I hadn't even asked if I could go to the party, because I didn't want her to say no. "I got invited to the end of summer party, at Gibson's parents' beach house."

   "So, it's, like, an hour away?" she wanted to know.

   "Forty five minutes?"

   "You're leaving late. Who's driving?" she asked.

   "Kyler is picking me up. You met him, at my party this summer..."

   "So, a date?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at me.

   "Mom, this is a lot of questions," I laughed at her.

   "You're sixteen. I can ask all of the questions I want," she told me, but smiled. "Dad wants all the answers, you know."

   "Okay. Yes, a date," I nodded.

   "To a party?"

   "Yes."

   "Will Kane be there?"

   I paused. I knew she'd be okay with it if she knew Kane would be there. "I assume so."

   "Good. Okay. You're dating. Ahh, my little girl," she said quietly, her eyes filling with tears.

   "Mom. Can I go wait outside?" I asked her, just wanting to get out of there. I was so anxious already.

   She stepped close to me, and hugged me tight. Her thin arms stayed around me longer than necessary. "Please be safe. Home by midnight."

   "I will," I agreed, and then slipped out of her arms and went outside to wait for Kyler.