A Different Girl's Story

Dear Diary: It's Monday, which means back to school. This year seems to be the year of couples. All my friends are becoming couples. I'm like the only one who isn't. It really doesn't bother me, but it would be cool to have someone care about me. Oh, Well. Write later.1

Katie Porter was a freshman, and that seemed to be the age of dating. Of course, she didn't have anyone, but she was fine by herself. She didn't need a man to take care of her. She did still want to be spoiled a little.2

Earlier in the year she had a crush on a guy in her class who turned out to be a backstabbing piece of dirt. He was also in drugs and she didn't want anything to do with him anymore. Then, she had a crush on a junior who road her bus. She was excited when she got to be in the school plays with him and for the bow, she got to hold his hand.3

"Hey, Katie," said Kale, Katies BFF.4

"Hey, Kale," said Katie. "How was your weekend?"5

"Good," said Kale. "Jon and I went on a date."6

"I see," said Katie. "this is crazy. You know how I had a crush on Tim."7

"Yeah."8

"Well, he and Kaylee are dating. It's awesome. I mean I'm happy for her. It's just weird how everyone seems to be getting a boyfriend or girlfriend."9

"I suppose it would be if you're still single."10

"Oh, shut up,"11

Kale and Katie laughed. They had been Best Friends since Kindergarten and knew everything about each other. They shared their secrets and looses together.12

"Hey, I've done just fine without a man my whole life and I can do just fine now," said Katie.13

"But you know you want it," said Kale.14

"So," said Katie. "The guy I like is the sweetest thing ever but I don't think he realizes that he has my heart in the palm of his hand. I jut hope he doesn't break it."15

"If he does," said Kale, "I'll help pick up the pieces. I mean, you've done it for me."16

"Thanks," said Katie. They went to lunch and, as always, sat by each other.17

They went on with their day and went home. Then next day, was a gym day, and the class got warmed up. They were about to start a game of Homer Dome, when Caleb, Katie's classmate and the guy who was on drugs, came out of the locker room with a knife drawn. Caleb grabbed Katie and held the knife to her throat.18

"Everyone do as I say, or she dies," said Caleb. "Everyone on the floor."19

"Caleb," said Mr. Kelsey, "put the knife down."20

"Don't man," said Caleb. "Stay back or I swear I'll do it."21

Mr. Kelsey stayed back and one of the guys tried to grab the knife. He didn't succeed. Caleb shoved the knife in Katie's stomach. Katie was in agonizing pain. As Caleb did this, Katie's new crush walked in the gym.22

"You," said Caleb, referring to the guy. "On the floor with the rest of them."23

He listened. Caleb took out a gun that was hidden in his shorts. He put it against Katie's head.24

"This is what happens when you tick me off, Katie," said Caleb. "You die an agonizing painful death. Are you afraid?"25

"Not one bit," Katie managed to say. "You broke my heart and then try to sweet talk me. It doesn't work that way."26

Caleb let Katie drop to the floor. Little did Caleb know, but Jared, Katie's crush, had seen what he was doing and told the superintendent and the police and an ambulance was on the way.27

"Then I guess I could just kill you now," said Caleb.28

"NO!" said Jared. Caleb turned to Jared with the gun.29

"You'd rather die for her," said Caleb. "I guess I could, but after you're dead, I could still kill her."30

Katie was quietly inching away. She had pulled the knife out and got up. The police were hidden and watching for the right moment to come in. Katie had the knife in hand and came up behind Caleb. She touched Calebs back with the point of the knife.31

"See what happens when you mess with me, Caleb," she said in his ear. She twisted his arm that had the gun. The gun went off. Everyone thought Katie was shot, even Caleb. He let her have the gun and Katie acted as if she had been shot.32

"See, Katie," said Caleb, "I can still get you with my back turned."33

Katie turned the gun on Caleb and got up.34

"You never got me," said Katie. "I got you beat. I can never loose."35

The police came in and arrested Caleb. Jared came over to Katie.36

"Are you okay?" he asked.37

"Yeah," said Katie, "I'll be fine. I'll just need a few stiches is all. It's just a small cut."38

Jared chuckled.39

"You could've died and you still make a joke of it," said Jared. The paramedics took Katie to the hospital and put some stitches in her. She went home and went back to school the next day.40

She saw Jared and said, "Thanks, for yesturday."41

"What do you mean?" asked Jared.42

"I mean standing up for me and distracting him," said Katie.43

"You're welcome," siad Jared. Katie went to her class and as she walked away, she had a smile on her face. The day went fast and soon katie was on her way home.44

Her mom was home ans so was her mother's boyfriend. her mother's boyfriend was abusice and her mother was a drunk. Her father had died a couple years ago serving in the war.45

She got off the bus and went to her room. Later that night, her mom and mom's boyfriend got in a fight.46

"I don't care, Rachael," said her mom's boyfriend, Bobby. "That brat is going to do what I say!"47

"Bobby," said Rachal, "she's only 14. Let her be a teenager."48

"No, you listene to me," said Bobby, grabbing Rachael's hair. "Everyone in this house is going to do what I say."49

Bobby threw Rachael on the floor and glasses broke on her. Katie covered her ears so she wouldn't have to hear it. Bobby came into her room and grabbed her.50

"You," he said, "clean this up."51

Katie started to clean it up. Bobby hit her.52

"Faster," he said. Katie did it as fast as she could and went back to bed.53

At school, Kale noticed the bruise.54

"Katie," said Kale, "was Bobby back?"55

"Yeah," said Katie. "Mom's worse, though. He pushed her and glasses broke all over her."56

At lunch Jared sat by Katie and Kale. Kale left ad Jared was talking to Katie.57

"I got the carnation," said Jared.58

"Oh," said Katie, "that's good."59

"Do you want to go to a movie sometime?"60

"Sure."61

"How about next Friday? I'll pick you up at 5:00p.m."62

"Okay."63

Katie went to her next class and was very happy.64

"What'd he say?" asked Kale.65

"He's taking me to a movie next Friday," said Katie.66

"Rock on girl. Your first date."67

Friday came and Katie told Jared to pick her up at the school.68

"Why?" asked Jared.69

"My home life is really screwed up and I can't take the risk of my mom's boyfriend not letting me go," said Katie.70

"Okay," said Jared. "I'll be here at five then."71

"Okay."72

School was let out and Katie did her homework and excersised a little. Then she took a shower in teh locker room and got ready. It was almost like having her own really big bathroom. Katie came out of the locker room and Mr. Kelsey came out of the gym.73

"You look lovely," said Mr. Kelsey.74

"Thanks," said Katie with a smile.75

"Going on a date?" asked Mr. Kelsey.76

"Yeah," said Katie. "Thanks for supervising so I could be in the gym."77

"No problem," said Mr. Kelsey. "I was happy to do it."78

Katie walked with im back to his room, which was by the front entrance where she was getting picked up.79

"So Jared's taking you on a date," said Mr. Kelsey.80

"Yeah," said Katie. "How'd you know?"81

"The guys were giving him guff about taking you on a date," said Mr.Kelsey. "And they kind of were talking crap about you, and Jared stood up for you."82

"Really?"83

"Yeah. And he's here."84

Katie looked out the window and there was Jared's pick-up.85

"Bye," said Katie.86

"Bye," said Mr. Kelsey. "Good luck."87

Katie smiled and went outside.88

"Wow," said Jared. "You look amazing."89

"Thanks," said Katie, blushing with a smile. jared took her bag and and walked her to the pick-up. He helped her in and they went on their date.90

"I hope you don't mind going to dinner first," said Jared.91

"No, not at all," said Katie. "To be honest, I haven't left the school since it got out."92

"Well, then I'm sure you're hungry," said jared. Katie smiled. They got to the restuaunt and Jared opened the door for her and walked her in. They were seated and got their orders in.93

"I hope you don't mind my asking, but why did you stay at the school?" asked Jared.94

"My mom's boyfriend is abusive and i didn't want to take the chance of him not letting me go with you," said Katie. "And my mom's probably drunk. To be honest, they don't know i'm on a date. I'm sorry if you're against it, but it's the only way I can do anything."95

"Abusive as in..."96

"As in physically. He's hit me and my mom. That's how I got the bruise. I didn't run into a door. That same night he hit me, he pushed my mom and glasses broke all over her and she was just sliced everywhere."97

"What about your dad?"98

"He died in war a couple of years ago. it would be considered sad, but it's the only thing I know, so it's normal. My mom cheated on my dad when he was in Iraq. Besides, if I was brought up like some of these girls, I wouldn't be able to work out in the fields and in the shop tinkering on things."99

"What kinds of things do you tinker on?"100

"Small engines, fixing neighbor's kid's toys, stuff like that. Enough about me, what about you?"101

"I'm in sports, as you know. My mother is a secretary and my dad is a coach. i have an older brother and a younger brother, and that's really it."102

"There has to be more than that," said Katie.103

"No," said Jared. "Plus I'd rather talk about you. Try to get to know you better and maybe you could teach me some things about engines."104

"Okay," said Katie. They talked more, ate, and then went to the movie. Jared drover to Kale's house because that's where Katie said she'd be.105

"Thank you for a wonderful night," said Katie.106

"You're welcome," said Jared. Jared drove away and Katie went in. Kale was waiting.107

"So," said Kale.108

"It was awesome," said Katie. "He took me to dinner at Prante's and went to teh movie. All he wanted to talk about was me."109

"I'm so happy for you," said Kale. "By the way, he stood up for you when he was with the guys."110

"I know," said Katie. "Mr. Kelsey told me."111

The guys asked Jared how the date went.112

"It was the best time I've had," said Jared. "And I don't care what you think of her, she's great."113

"Jar, she's got you," said Chis, Jared's best friend.114

"She's different, Chris," said Jared. "She's kind, funny, caring, and sweet. She's not a girly girl either. She's not afraid to get dirty and can stand on her own two feet. I like that. She won't freak out. Oh my gosh I broke a nail."115

Jared and Katie went on more dates and soon were boyfriend and girlfriend. Jared tried to protect Katie from Bobby and finally he could. Katie moved in with Jared and Katie's mother had died of alcohol poisoning. Bobby couldn't be near Katie, so he couldn't hurt her anymore.116

Katie, finally, got her love story. It may not have been the way she though it would go, but all in all, it was just fine. Katie stayed with Jared and his family, and as far as anyone knows, they're still together as happy as can be.117