Welcome To Hickville High (Hickville High Series Book 1), page 15
She tucked her lips and took a step back. “I’m not sure if I’ve been complimented or insulted.”
“Definitely a compliment.”
“Okay, if you say so.” The tardy bell rang and teachers up and down the halls closed their doors.
Kelsey turned and slid into her room just in time. Austin’s class was on another hall completely. He was going to have to get a tardy slip, which would translate into running extra laps at football practice. Briefly he thought about skipping altogether, but that would make matters worse in the long run. He turned and headed for the office. This was the longest first day of school ever.
*
Kelsey went through the rest of the day in a daze. She must have relived that moment in the hall a million times. Standing in the pick-up line, it was million-and-one. His eyes had danced as he looked at her. His lips had been mere inches from hers. All the signals said he was going to kiss her. Just thinking about it made her insides feel all squiggly. Her conscience reminded her that she had a boyfriend. But flirting was not the same as kissing. She refused to feel like she’d done anything wrong and chose to ignore the pangs of disappointment that he had football practice and she wouldn’t see him after school.
When her mom pulled up, the girls piled into the SUV. The interrogation started before seatbelts were buckled. “How was school?”
Ryan and Mackenzie answered in unison. “Okay.” For them maybe, for Kelsey, it pretty much sucked.
“Do you like your teachers?” Her sisters gave a pat “yes” so Kelsey didn’t mention crazy Mr. Shipley.
“Do you have any homework?”
“Yes,” they all said.
“Did you make friends?”
No one answered. Kelsey turned over the question in her mind. Friend? Zoe had been her best friend for as long as she could remember. They’d cut their knees together learning to shave, giggled through experimenting with hairstyles and makeup, and supported each other through crushes and break ups. They had shared seventeen years of memories. How could she say she’d met a friend after one day?
She thought about the girl with the silky straight hair. Hannah could be someone to hang out with. Austin said she was nice, but she wasn’t Zoe.
Her mom glanced across the seat to her. “You’re awfully quiet, Kelsey. How did your day go?”
“It sucked.”
“It can’t have been that bad. Name one good thing that happened, even if it’s small.”
Kelsey’s mind took her back to that moment in the hall with Austin. That shouldn’t have been a good thing. She tried to push aside the excitement she felt when Austin was close, but her mind wanted to stay there.
“Kelsey?” Her mom prodded.
“I’m trying. I met a girl named Hannah who seems okay.”
“I’ll take that. Ryan, your turn. One good thing.”
“Well, I joined the Purity Club.”
“Okay. What’s the Purity Club?”
“It’s kind of hard to explain. We all took a pledge to remain chaste until marriage.” She said it with a hopeful tone. Like that ship hadn’t already sailed.
Kelsey willed herself not to laugh, but heard Ryan snicker and let loose a snort. Tension filled the car. Kelsey looked back at Ryan and almost felt bad for her. Her face was red like she was struggling not to cry.
Mom shot Kelsey a look and glanced in the rearview mirror. “I’m proud of you, Ryan.”
Ryan took a deep breath and stared out of the passenger window. Guilt niggled at Kelsey’s conscious, but she refused to acknowledge it. After all, little miss I’ve turned my life around, had no trouble flirting with Eric Perez at the PC meeting.
Mom sighed. “Okay. Mackenzie, what about you? One good thing.”
Mackenzie shrugged. “The kids talked to me—that was kind of weird.”
Mom gave a satisfied nod. “So day one was a marginal success. Keep a positive attitude and tomorrow will be better. On another note, you don’t have to go to the feed store today. Dad and I have a surprise waiting at the house.”
16
It’s against the law to throw banana peels on the streets of Waco.
As they drove up the gravel drive to the house, Kelsey tried not feel excited. Sure they were getting out of after-school work, but it wasn’t anything as cool as we’re moving back to Chicago. So what else was there? A back to school party? Who would they invite? Aunt Susan and Uncle Jack? Surely not. Her mom refused to give hints even with her sisters’ badgering.
When the car pulled to a stop, Mom turned to the girls, “You’ll each find a bag on your bed—that’s your clue.”
Kelsey had to admit, this was kinda’ cool. She let excitement take over and scrambled out of the car ahead of her sisters and bolted through the front door and up the stairs to her room. A navy and white canvas bag was perched on her pillow.
She pulled a matching beach towel and a red bikini from the bag. There weren’t any beaches around but… the pool! She looked out of the back window. It was full of beautiful, pristine, moss-free water. She heard Mackenzie squeal followed by Ryan.
They were changed and standing by the pool in less than fifteen minutes. Kelsey draped her towel over a chair of the iron patio set they’d brought from Chicago and noted the contrast between the elegant table and thick cushioned chairs against the peeling paint of the farmhouse. Another reminder of what they’d lost. She turned her back on the old house and jumped in. The water was cool and refreshing as it closed over her and shut out the world. She blew air out of her lungs and sank to the bottom.
When she was little, she swam at the country club and played mermaids with her friends. They would sink to the bottom and watch people swim above them. Whoever held their breath the longest got to be the Queen Mermaid. Kelsey was always the queen. She ruled their world. And nobody worried what the future held or even the next hour. They lived for the moment.
She pushed off the bottom toward the surface and for the first time in a long time, Kelsey felt the freedom that comes with living in the moment.
She came up at the deep end and treaded water as she watched her mom ease down the steps. “Mom, this is awesome. When did you do this?”
“We’ve been working on it for a couple of days. I wasn’t sure we were going to be able to keep it a surprise, but Dad said you guys avoided the backyard like the plague.”
“Well, yeah—the smell alone was enough to keep us away.” Kelsey’s phone rested on the table. She heard it ding a text and thought about getting it, but the idea of leaving this little oasis gave her the strength to ignore it. Instead, she ducked under the water and swam to the shallow end where Ryan and Mackenzie were having an underwater handstand contest.
When Kelsey broke the surface, she sat on a step next to her mom and put her arm around her. “Thanks Mom. This was a really cool surprise. Literally.”
Mom smiled and some of the fatigue in her face seemed to disappear. “Dad is going to grill burgers tonight and I invited Austin and Travis over after football practice.”
“Cool.” Giddy excitement spread through Kelsey. Austin was coming over. It didn’t matter that she saw him every day; she couldn’t wait to see him again. She was tempted to run upstairs and fix her hair and make up, but not enough to want to leave the water. Besides, (a) he’d already seen her at her worst and (b) they were just friends.
Her phone dinged again. It was probably Zoe wanting a first day report, but there was time for talk later. Now, was time to join her sisters in the center of the pool.
It was like they’d been transformed into little girls again. They had an underwater tea party, several handstand contests, and turned countless somersaults. Kelsey tried not to think about Austin coming over but she couldn’t help watching the house for signs of him.
By five, Dad had arrived home from work and fired up the grill—still no Austin. When her phone dinged three times in a row and then rang, she worried it was him canceling. She climbed out of the water, quick-dried her hands and face and answered the call.
“Hey Kel.” It was Drew. “Where have you been? I’ve texted a million times.”
“I’m sorry…” She finished drying with her free hand and plopped down in one of the cushiony patio chairs.
“How was your first day of school?”
“Horrible.”
“Well, it is Texas.”
“Yeah.” She watched her sister’s race across the pool and felt her muscles tense. She should have never gotten out of the pool to answer the phone. “Drew, I…”
“By the way, I sent you a package.”
“Really?” She should have been excited, but somehow she was only mildly curious. “What is it?”
“A surprise.”
“That’s so sweet.” She tried to focus her attention on him but the girls were jumping off the diving board.
“I know but you’re worth it. I bet you made tons of friends today.”
Kelsey laughed. “I’ll take that bet. Sadly, I have no friends.” Austin and Travis appeared from the side of the house. She waved at them and pointed to the phone pressed to her ear.
“They just don’t know you yet, Babe.”
Austin wore plaid swim trunks, flip-flops, sunglasses, and a towel wrapped around his neck—and her mouth went slightly dry as she watched him greet her family.
“Kelsey? Are you there?”
“Yeah. Sorry, you cut out for a second.” Okay so her brain had cut out for a second but what girl wouldn’t with those two guys around.
“So what are you doing now that kept you from answering my text?”
“Swimming.” Her tone was a little short but she’d seen Austin and Travis squat next to the side of the pool to talk to Ryan and was anxious to join them.
“I thought you said the pool was gross.” His tone sounded accusatory. Did he think she was lying?
“It was. Mom and Dad cleaned it up.” Why am I explaining this to you?
“Did they drain it and everything?”
What? Why would he ask that? “I don’t know, but it’s clean.” And she was ready to get wet again. “Hey Drew? Mom could use some help with dinner…”
“Does she know you’re talking to me? It’s been so long since we’ve talked.”
Yeah, and who’s fault is that? “I know. Can I call you later?”
“I’m about to get busy, but I’ll try to call you later.”
They said goodbye and she tapped End and set her phone on the table. She felt only slightly guilty for cutting him off. Austin and Travis joined her at the table and all thoughts of Drew fled her brain as her face transformed into one big sloppy grin. “Hey!”
Travis shed his T-shirt and tossed it on the table. Austin set his towel next to Travis’ shirt and dropped his keys on top. “How’s the water?”
“Good,” Kelsey squeaked. She felt self-conscious in her bikini. But maybe it was because his gaze seemed to dance from her head to her toes and back up. She stood and wrapped her towel around her waist.
Austin’s smile fell slightly. “You aren’t through swimming, are you?”
“No. I was just going to help Mom.”
Her mom sat a couple of bags of chips on the table. “Enjoy your friends. This day is for you girls.”
Kelsey tossed her wrap on the chair. “If you’re sure.”
Her mom nodded. “Go on.”
Kelsey jumped into the pool behind Austin. When they surfaced, Kelsey stood in neck-deep water a few feet from him. “Remember when you squirted me with the hose?” She splashed Austin’s face.
“Oh yeah? What about the fountain?” He splashed her back.
She laughed and splashed with both hands. Instead of returning fire, he powered through the water until he captured her. He twirled her in front of him and wrapped his arms around her pinning her in place. “Splash me now,” he teased.
The feeling of his body pressed next to hers sent shivers down her back and she wanted more, like a deep passionate kiss. But that was wrong. What kind of girl would she be to cheat on Drew less than five minutes after she’d spoken with him? “Okay, okay, you win.”
He let go and she splashed him again. Austin grabbed her and threw her across the pool. Travis snatched Ryan and a game was born. The guys took turns launching the girls in the air. Mackenzie showed Travis how to cup his hands for her to step into. He tossed her in the air and she wowed everybody with a back flip.
They moved to the diving board next. Kelsey was used to seeing her sister twist her body into various flips and twists and was always amazed. Watching her flip off the board was no different. Back flip, layout, front flip—she executed each trick with ease.
Kelsey, Austin, and Travis sat on the side of the pool and cheered Mackenzie on. Ryan grabbed her cell phone and took pictures. Kelsey was proud of Mackenzie but sad for her too. Even if there was a gym in Hillside, she doubted her parents could afford it.
Ryan yelled at McKenzie, “Do another font.”
Kelsey looked at Ryan and anger surfaced. Everybody had lost something with the move—except Ryan. She could do artwork anywhere. The only thing she’d left behind was a bad reputation and string of broken hearts.
She watched Mackenzie tread water in the deep end. She was breathing slightly hard but her face glowed. Kelsey shoved the anger back below the surface. They were having fun for the first time in ages and she wasn’t going to let anything spoil it.
Mackenzie swam to the side of the pool. “That was fun, but I’m done.”
Travis shook his head. “Man, you should try out for cheerleader.”
Mackenzie’s smile faded a little. “Maybe.”
“Burgers are up,” Dad called.
They crawled out of the pool and dried. Kelsey sat between Austin and Mackenzie and realized she was happy—really happy—and decided this was a great first day of school. In Chicago, she would have gone out with Zoe and her friends. It would never have occurred to her have dinner with her family.
When they’d finished eating, Kelsey turned to her mom. “I’ll get the cleanup.” She gathered the plates and carried them to the kitchen. Austin followed carrying the condiments. She set the plates on the counter. “Thanks for helping.”
He filled the sink with soapy water. “It’s the least I can do after standing you up at lunch.”
“Yeah, what was up with that? You were in a fight?”
His back stiffened. “It’s a long story.” He set the plates in the sink and began to wash them.
Kelsey was curious but she got the feeling he didn’t want to talk about it, so she let it go.
Austin wiped a soapy sponge across a plate. “I saw Eric Perez talking to Ryan today.” He rinsed the plate and handed it to her dry. “Kelsey, he’s bad news. I tried to tell Ryan when you were on the phone, but I’m not sure she believed me.”
Great—just the type she can’t resist. “Yeah, she’s not known for making great decisions.” She started to say she’d talk to Ryan, but it would’ve been a lie. So they continued to work in silence and things got all wonky—like if her shoulder accidently touched his, her insides would sizzle. Her hands trembled and she almost dropped the plate he handed her.
“Whoa, sorry I must have left some soap on that one.” He took the dish and rinsed it again. She dried it with a firm grip and set it down carefully.
When she grabbed the last plate, he held it and pulled back slightly. “Are you sure you’ve got it?”
“Give it.” She tugged it away, but her hands still trembled. Worse, she couldn’t stop grinning. Worse than that, it was the kind of grin that only comes from knowing a really hot guy is paying attention. She carefully added the plate to the stack and concentrated on keeping her voice steady and casual. “So, other than missing lunch, how was your day?”
He fixed his eyes on hers and dried his hands on her dishtowel. Neither of them let go. “Parts of today were fantastic.”
“Really, what parts?” Her gaze dropped to his lips and back to his eyes.
“The parts you were in.” He pulled her closer with the towel and lowered his mouth to hers. As soon as their lips touched, the back door squeaked open and they both jumped back. They hadn’t even made full contact. Still, Kelsey’s heart pounded in her chest and her faced burned like she’d baked in the heat.
“I brought the rest of the stuff in.” Ryan balanced a bag of chips, a basket of buns and a plate of the leftover burgers.
Kelsey’s hands shook as she took the chips from her sister. If Ryan had seen what happened she didn’t show it. When Ryan retreated to the back yard, things got weird with Austin. He continued to help with the clean up, but neither talked.
The excitement that usually bounced between them turned to tension. Kelsey was aware of his every movement as if electrically charged particles sailed through the air with him.
Tremors zinged through her body when she bumped him. When he reached over her to put the plates in the cabinet, the feel of his chest behind her made her hold her breath as a shudder ran through her.
And she wasn’t sure how she felt about it all. She wanted a real kiss from him, she wanted to feel his body pressed to hers. But what then? He was not her future any more than Texas was. And what about Drew? Were her feelings for him changing?
Austin broke the silence in the kitchen. “Hey, are you okay?”
“Yeah.” She finished wiping the counter and folded the towel across the sink.
“Kelsey, I know you’re dating Drew…I’m sorry.”
She looked in his eyes and looked away. “It’s okay.”
“I shouldn’t have—it’s just…”
“It happened.”
He placed his hands on her bare shoulders and she stiffened—not because she didn’t want him to touch her, but because she wanted to fall against his chest and wrap her arms around him.
