Читать книгу Straight From The Onion Vine Book 1 Between - Jody Scottsmith - Страница 15

Kara and Mom lingered at Ricardo’s longer than usual. When they pulled in the driveway, neither were surprised to see a light on in the kitchen. It had to be Annie, here to avoid a day with her mother and step-father.

She looked up from the kitchen table when they walked in. “It’s about time! You have three messages. You’ll never guess who called!”

“Any for me?” Mom teased.

“Sorry Mom.” Annie raised the pitch of her voice. “Neil called first. Can you believe the other two were from Allison? Neil wants to see another movie, and Allison wants to go with us! I put her number on speed dial so you can call her right back.”

Kara ignored the excitement in Annie’s voice. “I really can’t afford it.”

“I’ll treat,” Mom offered.

“Come on, Kara!” Annie begged. “Allison said she’d meet us there. All you have to do is call her with a time.”

“You and Neil…and Allison can go without me.” Kara leaned against the counter. “I have way too much homework. Besides, Allison’s only being nice because she thinks Scott and I are dating. When she finds out we aren’t, she won’t care.”

“Allison doesn’t hang out with just anyone,” Annie insisted. “Besides, she called you; not me … it’ll be more fun if you go!”

“I’d miss the movie trying to figure out what she wants.”

“That’s it! Aren’t you a little curious?”

Kara pick up her backpack and turned, looking at Annie. “For the last time, NO! Give Neil and Allison a call …have fun!”

Kara ran upstairs, hoping Annie wouldn’t follow. She showered to wash out the hair paint and glitter. Kara stared at her Algebra homework, in case Annie came up to check. She heard the back door close and sat down at her computer.

pb: ‘Annie doesn’t get there’s more to life than ‘Lakeworld’. Like with Mom this morning. The way she talked to me….we were on the same level. She said why dad left and knew I’d understand. Annie would never get how important that was to me.’

Kara paused to picture Mom holding her as a baby, making that promise. It almost gave her chills. She could see how Mom thought she HAD to have a boyfriend. Belonging to someone is still everywhere in high school. “That’s what Annie wants,” she said out loud.

A knock on her bedroom door got her attention. Kara closed her blog and said ‘yes’, thinking it better not be Annie.

Mom stuck her head in the door. “Scott’s here,” she whispered, trying not to laugh as Kara’s eyes bulged with surprise.

“OMG,” Kara exclaimed, jumping up. Mom left to tell him she’d be right there. Her hair was still damp so she let it fall to her shoulders, and headed downstairs. She had no idea what to expect.