Caught Off Guard(unfinished)(updated=12/3/07)

Prologue1

Have you ever believed that one person, could change your life forever? I never did. I never believed in miracles. I never believed in soul-mates. I may be a hopeless romantic, but that's exactly what it's always been---hopeless. I never believed that one single person, could complete my heart and soul. I believe in love, sure, I do. However, mind-boggling, heart-stopping love that can make you or break you in the space of a second...No. All that changed when I started my senior year of high school.2

Chapter One3

I walked into the school. I go to a small school that only has eighteen kids. It was the beginning of the school year and I couldn't wait to get home to go see my girlfriend. Her name is Alicia, and we'd just gotten together a few months before. I stalled around my homeroom door for a while before the bell rang. That was when I first saw her. My breath caught in my throat as she walked through the door. She had long black hair, with a slight wave to it and a curvaceous figure. With one glance at her my heart began beating faster. She was beautiful, in a way I had never seen before. Before the bell could ring, I hustled myself through the door, shaking myself out of a daze as I went. My best friend, Sabrina, was already in the class. 4

"Hey Kristen!” Sabrina said.5

"Hey." I replied, still slightly dazed and trying to stop thinking about the girl I had just seen walk into the building. 6

"How's Alicia?"7

"Good, we're good." I was still viewing the image of that girl in my mind.8

"Cool!"9

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Homeroom period came and went, and by the time first period came around I knew the girl's name. It turned out she was in all of my classes. I was trying hard not to stare. Her name was Caitlin, and she has the most gorgeous eyes, pale blue with slight green specks in them. They were mesmerizing. I felt like such a dork, every time I talked to her, I felt like my mouth was hanging open and I was practically drooling. I mean, of course I wasn't but hell, you know what I mean. When lunch rolled around, she and I were chatting like we'd been friends for years. Then the question came. 11

"So Kristen, do you have a boyfriend?"12

I was speechless. I had absolutely no clue how to answer that. So I just blurted out the truth. 13

"No I don't. I'm gay. I have a girlfriend though."14

I averted my eyes to the floor, my heart stopping. Dying down as I awaited what I knew would be her reaction to what I had recklessly said. 15

After what seemed like hours to me Caitlin finally replied "That’s cool." 16

She hates me. She's homophobic, I thought. 17

"So what's her name?" 18

She startled me out of my mournful trance.19

"Oh...um...A-Alicia."I stuttered. 20

My mind awakened to the possibility that maybe, just maybe Caitlin was okay with this. With me being gay. I glanced up just as she spoke.21

"So how long have you two been together?"22

I was amazed. Not even Sabrina showed this much interest in my relationship with Alicia. 23

"We just got together a few months ago." 24

"Awesome." 25

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The end of the school day came. I realized that this was the best school day I'd had in a while. Not a moment of it was dull. Caitlin was waiting for me by my locker, with one lock of hair hanging forward into her face as she gazed intently at the floor. I wanted so bad to just reach out, to tuck it behind her ear.27

"Hey, what’s on your mind?" Caitlin met my questioning eyes as she slowly picked her head up. 28

"It's...nothing, never mind."29

I wanted to know what she had to say but the stubborn look on her face kept me from questioning further.30

"Okay. "I contentedly leaned on the locker beside her.31

"Look, I have to go, Can I call you later?"32

Caitlin's words came out in a rush. A smirk came across my face as I struggled not to laugh at her babbling. 33

"Sure, here's my number."34

I opened my locker and rifled through it, and finding a piece of paper, I dug my pen out of my pocket and jotted my number down for her.35

.36

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Walking home from school later that day, I felt a pair of arms encircle me from behind and cover my eyes. "Guess who!" She turned me around and planted a kiss on my lips...I'd know Alicia's voice anywhere. We joined hands and began walking back to my house.38

"How was your day?” I dug my key out of my book bag.39

"Boring, what else?“ I put the key in the doorknob and twisted.40

"Aw, I'm sorry."41

We walked into the house. My mom was still at work so it was just the two of us. I flicked the TV on to MTV Hits and curled up on my bed. Alicia laid down next to me. She cuddled up next to me and laid her head on my chest. I couldn't help but think of Caitlin. Those eyes. That hair. That sparkling personality. I shook my head slightly, trying to not think of her.42

"What’s wrong baby?"43

I winced just a little at the use of that word. For the past few weeks our relationship had felt fake. Her feelings and actions were real, but were mine? I didn't think so...44

"Nothing.” Alicia looked a little startled by my less than nice tone. 45

"Are you okay"46

"Yeah, sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you...It was just a weird day."47

"Its okay...I love you."48

"Yeah, me too."49

What is this? It really is becoming more superficial by the minute. I can't even say "I love you" to Alicia anymore, because I don't. I don't love her anymore. This breakup is way overdue and I know it, but I'm afraid to take that step. 50

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The phone rang. I reached over and picked it up with a sleepy reply.52

"'Lo?" 53

A female voice answered.54

"Hey. It’s Caitlin."55

My heart nearly stopped and I sat bolt upright in my bed where I had fallen asleep after Alicia left.56

"Caitlin, hey!" I tried not to sound too eager.57

"It was cool talking to you today." Was I hearing this right? She thought it was cool talking to me?58

"Yeah, same for me." I tried to slow my racing thoughts.59

We got into a long discussion. We talked about our favorites, our opinions about the school, and teachers and the basics about ourselves that we didn't know about each other. The hours flew by. Not once during our conversation did I glance at a clock. When I finally did look at a clock, it read 9:08. Oh shit, my mom was going to kill me for the phone bill.60

"It’s getting late." I said reluctantly.61

"It is? Let me look at the clock." I could hear her moving around on the other end of the line.62

"Holy shit, its ten after nine!" She was just as surprised as I was.63

"Yeah, I better go." I said even more reluctantly.64

"Me too."65

"See you tomorrow?"66

"Definitely!"67

I hung up the phone. Best conversation of my life! Ever! Damn, that girl is just so...wow! I pushed myself up off my bed and limped into the kitchen, because my leg had fallen asleep while we were talking. My mom still wasn't home from work, which was weird. She should have been home by now, considering she gets off at eight. I grabbed the kitchen phone and dialed in my mom's cell phone number. 68

"Hey" I leaned against the edge of the counter “Where are you?"69

I heard her curse, automatically knowing that she was driving.70

"On my way home, I had to work late."71

"Oh okay."72

"Kris, I have to go."73

"Okay, Love you" I walked towards the charger for the phone.74

"Love you too, bye." I hung up the phone and placed it in its charger. 75

I walked over to the fridge and opened it. I quickly scanned its contents, looking for something I could eat for dinner. Ah, leftovers! I grabbed them out of the fridge. Mm, roasted chicken and mashed potatoes. I put some of each on my plate, and stuck it in the microwave. I hit the start button and watched the plate turn in circles. Around and around it goes. I shook myself out of my trance and grabbed a glass from the cabinet, then put some ice in it and poured a glass full of soda. My favorite, Mountain Dew. Pure caffeine, just the way I like it. The microwave beeped and I started to take my plate out but quickly set it back down because it was burning my hands. I grabbed some oven mitts and grabbed the plate again. I took it out to the living room and flicked the TV on to Smallville, my favorite show. 76

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Chapter 278

My alarm beeped loudly. Ugh...I stuffed my pillow over my head, and huddled under my blankets. My room was freezing because I left my fan on overnight, yet again. I knew I had to get up, so I rolled over and somehow managed to fall off my bed. I cursed under my breath and pushed myself up off the floor. I stumbled blindly to my closet, still blinking sleep out of my eyes, and grabbed the first pair of jeans I found. 79

"Kristen are you up?" I heard my mom yell from the kitchen. 80

"Yeah." I yelled back.81

I grabbed a t-shirt out of my dresser and got dressed quickly. I went into the bathroom and did my hair and then I looked at the clock. Shit, my alarm went off late. I only had five minutes to be to the bus. I rushed into my room and grabbed my portable CD player and CDs and stuffed them in my bag. I yelled goodbye to my mom and jogged off to the bus stop. When I got on the bus there was a new guy sitting in the seat across from mine.82

"Hey, who are you?" I said bluntly.83

"I'm Keith."84

"Okay."85

"What's your name?"86

"Kristen."87

I dug my CD player out of my bag and stuck my favorite mix CD inside. I turned the volume up to max and slouched down in my seat, rocking out to the music. I must have dozed off because next thing I knew, I was almost at school. I sat up really quick, excited that I'd get to see Caitlin. 88

"So you go here to this school too?" Keith was staring at me inquisitively.89

"Yeah, I went for half of last year and now I'm here for this year too." 90

I plucked a headphone off one ear so I could hear him better.91

"So how long have you lived in West Hills?"92

I tried to think of a short answer to that question.93

"I used to live here but now I'm back." 94

That was the shortest possible answer I could think of without going into great detail. 95

We arrived at the school. I zipped my bag and stood up to get off the bus, stretching. Walking into the school a few kids called out greetings to me. Walking into homeroom, Sabrina was once again already there before me.96

"Hey Kris!"97

"Hey Sabrina."98

"See Alicia last night?"99

Damn, I knew that question was coming.100

"Yeah, she came over for a bit."101

"Awesome, What else did you do last night?"102

"Talked to Caitlin on the phone for a while."103

"Cool" She smirked at me.104

"What?"105

"Nothing..." She was still smirking.106

"She's straight, Sabrina."107

"Did you ask?"108

"No, what are you, crazy?"109

I left the room and went to my locker, and saw Caitlin there, putting her stuff away. My heart began beating faster; like it did every time I saw her or talked to her. 110

"Hey Caitlin." 111

I tried to sound cool, calm, and collected. 112

"Hey Kristen!" 113

She sounded excited to see me. Why?114

"What's going on?"115

"Same old shit. What else?"116

"I can't believe how long we were on the phone last night."117

"Me either but it was fun."118

"Yeah it was!" 119

I'm going to drive myself insane being around this girl, but its worth it. She has such a great personality, with gorgeous looks to boot. I opened my locker as she went back to her homeroom. I shoved my book bag in there, along with my CD player, and shut it, locking it as I walked away. Back in homeroom, I grabbed some cereal, and poured some milk in the bowl. I took a spoon, and walked back to my seat. While eating my cereal, I finished up some homework from the day before. I'm such a procrastinator, I thought, smirking to myself. My mind turned to the problem of Alicia. How was I going to tell her that I didn't want to be with her anymore? This was going to be hard. 120

Second period came around, and the teacher was droning on and on about something, what it was I don't remember. I kept looking over at Caitlin. She's so beautiful. A couple of times she caught me looking at her and smiled. I was going to drive myself insane if I kept this up. It was just a crush, I told myself. Just an innocent crush. Besides, she's straight. You don't know that, the other part of my brain argued. I resolved to ask her later that day if she had a boyfriend. 121

The end of the day came once more, and again Caitlin waiting for me at the lockers. 122

"Hey!"123

My stomach fluttered.124

"Hey, what’s up?"125

"Can I call you again tonight?"126

Yes! She wanted to call me again!127

"Definitely!"128

"I never asked, do you have a boyfriend?"129

"No I- I don't" She stuttered.130

Weird...Why was she stuttering?131

"How come a gorgeous girl like you has no boyfriend?"132

Oh shit, I can't believe I just said that. 133

"I d-don't k-know?" She was stuttering again and her face had turned bright red.134

“Anyways, I’m just waiting for my bus to get here.” 135

She made a quick change of subject. Why?136

I tried to keep a pout off my face. That meant I wouldn’t see her until tomorrow.137

“Call me later, okay?”138

“Sure” She grinned at me. 139

My heart began beating faster as it did whenever she looked at me or talked to me. 140

“My bus is here, got to go.”141

That time I think I actually did pout. 142

“Okay, talk to you later.” 143

I waited for my bus to get to the school, and when it finally did, I was almost half asleep. Damn West Hills buses…they take forever. I got on the bus and put my headphones on. I turned up the volume and closed my eyes, relaxing as I listened to my music.144

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I was lying down in my bed when I heard a knock at the back door. I hopped off my bed and went to the door. Alicia was standing there. I unlocked the door and let her in.146

“Hey baby!”147

I tried not to wince. Unsuccessfully I might add.148

“Hey.”149

“What’s wrong?”150

“We need to talk.”151

How lame was that line? It’s been used so much that everyone pretty much knows what’s coming after it. 152

“Why?” She sounded suspicious.153

“I don’t think we should date anymore.” 154

That was lame too. She looked dumbfounded. 155

“What brought this on?”156

“I have feelings for someone else.”157

“Who?” 158

“No one you know…I’m really sorry.”159

“Whatever. I’m out of here.” She said this with tears forming in her eyes. 160

I felt bad, really bad. 161

“Okay.” I didn’t know what else to do or say.162

I relocked the door, went back into my room and laid back down. I turned the volume up on my stereo and decided to try to go back to sleep. Just as I was almost asleep, the phone rang. 163

"Hello?"164

"Hey, it's Caitlin."165

I pushed myself up into a sitting position.166

"What's up?"167

I tried to sound normal.168

"Nothing, what's wrong?"169

Damn, how did she know me that well already?170

"I broke up with her today."171

"Who?"172

"Alicia."173

"Oh."174

She sounded funny when she replied to that. Why?175

"Look, I'm not being totally honest with you."176

Crap, I knew she had a boyfriend.177

"I'm gay too."178

"Seriously, that's not funny!"179

My heart was racing. If it was true, did that mean I had a chance?180

"I'm serious."181

I could hear the nervousness in her voice.182

"Really?"183

I was in shock from what she had told me.184

"Really."185

Yes! I did have a chance or at least I thought so for a minute. Then the realization hit me. She wouldn't want a girl like me.186

"There's more..."187

"What?"188

"I have a crush on someone."189

Shit, I was out of luck.190

"Who?"191

My heart slowed. I could feel each pulse, each breath of mine moving in slow motion.192

"I can't say."193

"Please!"194

I tried to pull the information out of her for about five minutes until finally, finally she gave in.195

"Okay, okay, I'll tell you."196

"Okay, who?"197

"Look, this is hard, and I normally don't tell people this kind of thing."198

"Please?"199

"You."200

"Huh?"201

"I have a crush on you."202

"Riiight."203

She was messing with me. I was just a game to her. Great. 204

"I'm dead serious, and if you don't want to believe me then fine."205

"Serious?"206

"Yeah."207

"Wow."208

"Do you hate me for it?"209

"How could I?" How could she think that? "I like you too."210

"Yeah, okay."211

Her sarcasm hurt. It felt like a knife going into my heart.212

"I'm not joking. I liked you from the minute I saw you."213

"Wow." I sensed that she was shocked. No, more than shocked.214

"Is that why you broke up with Alicia?"215

"I broke up with her because II just don't love her anymore, plus there's this girl I like..."216

I grinned to myself. This was way better than I could have hoped for. Ever.217

"I hate to cut you short but I have to go."218

Damn, at the best part too.219

"Why?" I pouted to myself.220

"My mom needs the phone."221

"Oh, okay."222

"Hey, I'll see you tomorrow."223

"Cool."224

"Bye." I could tell she said this with a smile in her voice.225

"Bye."226

I hung up the phone and laid back in my bed, sighing with happiness. Could life be any better? I answered my own question in my head; yes it could if I was dating her.227

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Chapter 3229

I woke up in the middle of the night. The clock read 3:14. I was sweating profusely thanks to the two fleece blankets I had covering me. I got up out of my bed and walked down the hall, into the kitchen. I grabbed a glass out of the cabinet, intending to get a drink of water, but leaned up against the fridge instead, smiling to myself as I recalled the conversation that I had with Caitlin last night. I was happier than I had been in a long time. I got my water, and headed back to my room. I turned my fan on so that I didn't die of heat. I thought of Caitlin as I drifted off to sleep.230

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My alarm was going off loudly. My brain refused to move any part of my body. I didn’t want to get up until the thought hit me that I would get to see Caitlin in an hour or two. I swung my legs around to the side of the bed, and stood up. I grabbed my outfit that I had laid out the night before for me to wear today. I pulled it on and grabbed my hat off my bedpost. I slipped my hat on and walked into the kitchen to grab some breakfast before I left. I didn’t feel like eating at school today because I was too hungry now to wait until then. I took some cereal out of the cabinet and poured it into a bowl. I got the milk out of the fridge and poured some of that in the bowl too. I grabbed a spoon out of the drawer and sat down at the table to eat. 232

I looked at my watch about five minutes later, and it was five after seven. I was going to be late for the bus if I didn’t hurry up. I cleaned up from my breakfast and yelled goodbye to my mom. As I walked out the door I slipped my headphones on to listen to some music while I walked. 233

When I got to the bus stop, the bus was pulling up. I was just in time. I got on it, and looked around. Weird, Keith wasn’t on today. I sat down in the back of the bus and turned the volume up all the way on my CD player. Bored with the CD I had in it; I pulled my CD case out of my bag. Flipping through it, I selected my Kelly Clarkson CD. I slouched down in my seat and pulled my knees up to rest on the seat in front of me. 234

The bus jerked to a stop. I sat up really quick, startled out of my sleep. The bus driver waited patiently while I hurriedly stuffed my belongings into my bag. Yes! I get to see Caitlin. My brain went into overdrive with that thought. I got off the bus and practically ran into school, but when I got to the steps I stopped myself and took a deep breath. Cool it Kristin! My brain was racing with excitement. I recalled the conversation from the night before and smiled. Who knows what could happen from here!235

I walked into homeroom and asked to go to my locker. The teacher nodded so I left the room and walked around the corner to the locker area. 236

Caitlin was leaning against my locker, staring out the window with a smile on her face. 237

“Why so happy?” I smirked at her.238

“I think you know why.” She smirked back.239

”Oh, do I?”240

“You better.”241

I laughed and opened my locker. I pulled the books I needed out of my bag and stuffed my bag into my locker. Shutting it, I leaned against the locker next to it. Caitlin was staring out the window again. 242

“A little spacey this morning are we?”243

“Huh?”244

“I was teasing you.”245

“Oh.”246

“Write me a note?”247

“Okay.”248

I watched her walk back to her homeroom. I grinned and walked back to mine. Sabrina was there.249

“Hey girl!”250

”Hey!” 251

“How’s life?”252

“I broke up with Alicia.”253

“Oh my god, why?”254

“I just don’t feel anything for her anymore.”255

“I thought you two were so happy together!”256

“Maybe she was, but I wasn’t.”257

“Oh.”258

Sabrina and I played cards for the remainder of the period. When the bell rang, I gathered up my books and headed off to my first period class. In the doorway of the room I stopped to wait for Caitlin, not realizing she was right behind me. She ran into me as she was folding a piece of paper. She tossed me the paper, which of course, I dropped. I have horrible reflexes. It was a note to me. I sat down and opened it to see what it said. It read:259

Hey, 260

What’s going on? I’m just hanging out in homeroom. I’m so bored. Anyways, I was thinking….Do you maybe want to catch a movie or something sometime with me? Write back and let me know, K?261

Xoxo,262

Caitlin263

Oh. My. God. She asked me out on a date! My heart was pounding wildly in my chest and no matter what I did, I couldn’t calm it down. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Caitlin nervously glancing at me every few minutes. I grinned and looked back up. I pulled a sheet of paper out of my notebook and began writing. 264

Hey,265

Not much here…I’m bored too. This teacher is a pain in the ass. I’d love to go out with you sometime. Let me know when’s good for you.266

Much love,267

Kristin268

I folded the piece of paper into a triangle and when the teacher wasn’t looking I tossed it onto Caitlin’s desk. She grabbed it out of the teacher’s line of vision. I could hear her opening it beneath her desk. Out of the corner of my eye I watched her. She grinned and laughed softly to herself. The teacher turned around from the blackboard and turned to Caitlin.269

"Would you like to share the joke with the rest of us Caitlin?"270

"Not really."271

"Go to the detention room."272

"Later Kris..."273

"Later."274

I felt bad for getting her into trouble. But, oh well, we have a date sometime soon. I grinned and tried not to laugh with giddiness. Unsuccessfully, I might add. The teacher once more turned from the board.275

"Kristin, perhaps you'd like to share the joke since Caitlin didn't care to?"276

"Not a chance!" I smirked.277

"Then you can go join her in the detention room."278

"Peace out."279

I walked to the detention room. Caitlin looked up in surprise when I pulled a chair up next to her and sat down. The teacher, Mr. Gevelani looked at me with a raised eyebrow, probably because I am never in detention. He opened his mouth to ask me a question.280

"Why are you here?"281

"Same reason as Caitlin, Mr. G." I smirked. 282

I'm in a mischievous mood today, I thought.283

"Which is what?"284

"The teacher wanted to know why I was laughing, and I didn't care to share."285

"Well, have a seat."286

"Oh, I can take one with me?"287

"No! Just have a seat."288

"Okay, okay." Sheesh. Teachers can't take jokes I guess.289

I sat and glanced over at Caitlin. I could see where she had bit her lip to keep from laughing. I smirked. She glanced over at me and mouthed, "You're such a smart ass." I just kept on smirking. The teacher glanced over at us and his glance landed on me. His eyes narrowed. 290

"Kris-"291

He began to utter my name as though I had done something wrong. Which of course, I hadn't, but given my sarcastic nature and reputation, I'm sure he thought I had.292

"What now?" I retorted, annoyed.293

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but seemingly thought better of it and shut it again. He resumed flipping through The Newscast Times . Caitlin, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, had been staring at me for quite a while. 294

"See something you like?" I whispered.295

She smiled. God, what a beautiful smile. My breath caught in my throat.296

"Yeah, I like you." She whispered back with a sly smile. 297

My heart ceased beating its normal rate and immediately sped up. To turbo-speed, I might add.298

The bell rang and we gathered our belongings to go to our next class. 299

"Later Mr. G." we both called over our shoulders. Coming out of the detention room, we bumped into the teacher who had sent us there in the first place, Ms. Wallaker. She shot Caitlin and I each a dirty look and kept walking.300

"God I hate her." I muttered301

"Me too, and I met her only a few days ago!"302

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Wow, I can't believe I've only known Caitlin a few days. It's hard to explain but I feel like I've known her all my life. It's as if she's a part of me that I never knew existed. A part of me that I think now, if it were taken away, my life would cease to exist as it was, and stop being worthwhile. Oh my God. Enlightenment struck me. I think I'm falling for her. How is that possible? I've only known her for 5 days. Truth is, I think I should have seen this one coming. When Caitlin walked in the door on her first day, she caught me so off guard. She exuded beauty and confidence. She still does, and every time I look at her I am in sheer awe. 304

"KRISTIN!" Caitlin shouted in my ear.305

"Huh?" I blinked in surprise. 306

"Were you sleeping? The bell just rang for us to go to lunch."307

"Nah, I was just thinking about some stuff."308

"Ooh, like what?" She batted her eyelashes at me.309

"Don't worry about it, come on, let's get to lunch!"310

She pouted and followed me out the classroom door. 311

"But I want to know!" She was still pouting.312

"It sucks to want, doesn't it?" I grinned and winked at her.313

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Walking home from school, my cell phone rang. I flipped it open and answered.315

"We need to talk!" Alicia snarled into the phone.316

"No, we really don't Alicia, I've said all I need to."317

"Meet me at the playground at 5."318

"Wait all you want, but I won't be there." I hung up.319

I walked in the back door of my house. Happily, I was the only one home, cause my mom was still at work. I set my bag down on my bed, and went out into the living room. Yawning and collapsing onto the couch, I closed my eyes and smiled. Things with Caitlin couldn't be going any better. My mind turned to Alicia. What could she possibly want? Didn't really matter...My brain stopped forming coherent thoughts and I drifted off to sleep.320

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I awoke slowly, hearing music playing. I suddenly realized it was my cell phone, and reached to grab it off my nightstand. I flipped it open, and groggily answered.322

"'Lo?"323

"You never showed!" Alicia growled into the phone. 324

"I told you I wasn't coming. I understand that you're angry about us breaking up, but it's done and over with. I'm sorry."325

"I know the real reason you broke up with me!"326

"And what would that be?"327

"That slut that just started at your school the other day!"328

"Don't call her that!"329

"So it's true then."330

"This isn't your business Alicia. "331

"The hell it isn't!"332

"I'm not doing this with you."333

"You don't have a choice. I deserve answers."334

"Alicia, you don't deserve a damn thing from me. I've tried to be nice, and understanding, but you're making it extremely hard."335

I hung up. I hate hanging up on people, but I couldn't take any more of her antagonizing me. My phone rang again.336

"Leave me the hell alone!" I answered.337

"Why? What'd I do?" Caitlin replied, surprised.338

"Oh, it's you. Thank God."339

"Why? What's going on?"340

"Alicia won't leave me alone."341

"Oh."342

"Yeah."343

We talked for quite a while. I never get bored when I'm on the phone with her. I love the sound of her voice, of her musical laugh. It gives me butterflies. Eventually though, she had to get off the phone. I looked at the clock. 344

"Oh my God, it's 11:52PM!" I said aloud to myself.345

I was too wound up from talking to Caitlin, so I went on my computer and played Deal or No Deal on it. The hours passed by, and eventually my eyelids began to droop. I exited my game, and climbed into my bed, glancing at the clock quickly. It was 3:17 AM. I had to be up for school in about 3 hours. Man, was I going to crash during school. I turned my stereo on flipping it to Fly 92, and drifted off to sleep.346

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Beep! Beep! BEEP! BEEP! Ughhh. I stuffed a pillow over my ears, and promptly fell asleep again. 348

"Kristen, GET UP!"349

"Huh" That was about as functional as I was at the moment. 350

I must have dozed off again, 'cause the next thing I knew, I was covered in water!351

"Mom, What the hell?!?"352

"Get up, NOW!"353

"I'm up, I'm up!"354

"You already missed the bus, so now I have to drive you."355

She kept rambling and cursing after that, but I had already tuned her out and started getting ready for school. I opened my closet, and grabbed out my camouflage pants, and one of my many sarcastic t-shirts. The one I picked today happened to say "Silence is golden, but duct tape is silver!". I grabbed my bag and hollered down the hallway to my mom.356

"MOM!"357

"What?" She snapped back.358

"I'm ready."359

"Well isn't that convenient for you."360

"Can we go?"361

"I don't really have a choice, do I?"362

"Not really, no." I muttered under my breath.363

"What was that?!?"364

"I said, lets go!"365

I got yelled at for most of the ride to school. By the time she dropped me off, I was fuming. I kicked the outside of the building on my way in. How brilliant of me, now I am pissed off, and my foot hurts. I stormed into the building, with a scowl on my face.366

"What's your problem?" Sabrina asked me immediately.367

"My freaking mother, that's what."368

"Oh no, what happened this time?"369

"She just yelled at me the whole way here because I missed the bus. God, she pisses me off."370

"Hey, it'll be all right" She gave me awkward hug.371

"Hey, Mrs. Buramo, can I go to my locker?"372

"Yes."373

I walked around the corner to my locker. Caitlin was facing the opposite wall. I snuck up behind her and grabbed her shoulders.374

"Ahhh!"She squeaked.375

I could barely contain my laughter.376

"Don't do that!!"377

"Sorry..." I choked out, fighting for air. I couldn't stop laughing. 378

She glared at me. “It's not funny!!! I hate being scared.”379

“I said I was sorry!” I managed not to snicker. Barely.380

She shot me a dirty look and stalked off.381

What is it with people today?382

Lunch rolled around, and by then Caitlin had cooled off.383

“I'm really sorry, I didn't know”384

“It's cool, just DON'T do it again.”She forcefully stated.385

“Ha, I won't. Especially if it would mean you not talking to me for half a day again.”I smirked.386

“So, uh, what are you doing Friday night?” She stuttered out.387

“Well, I was hoping that this really gorgeous girl would ask me out.” I smiled.388

She was blushing, hardcore. God, she's so gorgeous. Upon realizing my mouth was hanging open, yet again in front of her, I snapped it shut quickly.389

“Nope, sorry, don't know any girls like that. Good luck with that!”390

I loved this, the playful banter. Our personalities just fit so well together.391

“Seriously though, I'm not doing anything.” I gave her a hopeful smile.392

“What do you say we go catch that movie?”393

“Sounds great! But no horror movies for you!” I laughed.394

“Okay, so I'll pick you up around, say, 8, and we can grab something to eat and then catch the 9 o'clock movie.” She chose to ignore my comment, apparently.395

“Awesome. Sounds like a plan!396

I glanced around to make sure no teachers were looking, and quickly pressed my lips to her cheek.397

Oh god! From the mere contact of my lips on her cheek, my lips tingled, and burned. I felt her shiver.398

I vacated the area quickly, so she didn't see the effect she had on me.399

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her grinning stupidly, and blushing furiously.400

I grinned.401

Maybe this day wouldn't turn out so horrible after all.402

I spent the remainder of my classes daydreaming. 403

God, if kissing her cheek gets me this worked up, what will kissing her do, I wondered.404

The end of the day bell rang, and again, she was waiting for me at my locker.405

She simply winked, and gave me a sweet smile. My knees weakened. I leaned up against the lockers to make myself a bit more stable, while trying to make it look as if leaning there was my intention all along.406

We stood in content silence for what seemed like long moments. A horn honked loudly, and shattered us out of our peaceful reverie. We both glanced out the window. A bus was there waiting, with the driver impatiently tapping his fingers on the wheel.407

“Well, that's me.” She picked her bag up off the floor and slung it over her shoulder. 408

I pouted openly. She smiled that slow, sweet smile of hers again and my heart just melted.409

“I'll call you later.” She threw back at me over her shoulder as she walked toward the door. 410

I nodded, and resumed my window-gazing, already completely out of it, once again. My head snapped up when I heard fast footfalls approaching. 411

“Hi.” Caitlin wheezed, out of breath. 412

“I almost forgot.” She leaned in and pressed her lips to my right cheek. 413

My knees buckled and all I could do was watch her retreating back as she sauntered away.414

I stood there, stock still, feeling as if her lips left an imprint on my cheek. The spot where she kissed tingled, and burned, and I knew my face had to be bright red. Little did I know, someone had been watching as that whole scene unfolded. 415

“Straight, huh?” Sabrina smirked as I jumped about ten feet into the air.416

“Shut up!” I retorted with my face still burning.417

“You've got it bad girlfriend!”418

“Yeah, I'm in for it, aren't I?” I grinned.419

“I'd say so! ...But she's got it just as bad for you!”420

“Do you really think so?”421

“It's obvious Kris, it's in the way she looks at you, the way she stares at you whenever you walk away. It just shows in her eyes, and I don't even know the girl that well.”422

“I had no idea.”423

“Well you must have had some idea...or at least you do now...”Sabrina smirked again.424

“Shut up!”425

She kept right on smirking at me, and I picked up my bag from off the floor by the lockers and stalked past her. 426

“I'll call you later!” She hollered after me.427

My phone rang as I was getting off the bus by the playground in the trailer park where I live.428

“Yo?” I answered out of breath.429

Alicia's voice greeted me on the other end of the line, in a half-snarl, half-growl.430

“Meet me, now!”431

“I already told you, I'm not meeting you Alicia.” I sighed, exhausted from her drama already.432

“You'll regret this.” She yelled into the phone.433

The line went dead.434

Her voice echoed around me, as if she were nearby. I picked up my pace so I could get back to my house more quickly. 435

Alicia was really beginning to scare me. When we were dating, yeah, she was always pretty controlling and jealous, but it's getting to the point where I'm not sure what she's capable of anymore. 436

I got to my house, and quickly went in, and locked the door behind me. 437

Kicking off my shoes as I entered my room, I shut the door and popped Paramore's Riot! CD into my stereo, and turned up the volume. 438

Laying on my bed, I quickly crawled under the covers because the temperature in my room was ice cold. With the sounds of “Misery Business” playing around me, I drifted off to sleep, to dream of Caitlin.439

Caitlin was sitting across from me at a fancy restaurant. Slow, melodious music swirled around us and I never felt so alive. She said something, and laughed, a light tinkering laugh that tugged at my soul, and made me happier than I'd been in years. I rose slowly, taking the napkin from my lap, and setting it on the table. I walked around to her side of the table, and offered her my arm.440

“May I have this dance?”