"Mama!" I whined. "I don't want to wear that dress! It has ruffles." I shook my head, my long, black locks danced around my shoulders as I did so. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" I gestured to my jeans and tank top I had chosen to wear.
"Sweetie, that simply won't do. Because it is the last day of school before summer, you want to leave your classmates with a memory of how beautiful you are, don't you?" my over-caring mother told me, holding the white, ruffled dress against her body and dancing with it.
"Mom, if she wears that, I will be thoroughly embarrassed and have no friends," Kane interjected, ruffling my hair as he walked by to slip into the kitchen for breakfast.
"Oh Kane," Mama chuckled. "I seem I am outnumbered," she smiled as she shook her head.
"Yes!" I pumped my fist in the air as I ran out of the room and into the kitchen, stealing Kane's spot on the counter. I grabbed an apple out of the dish and bit into it. "Thanks for the save," I told him as I took another bite.
He shrugged as he popped some bread in the toaster. "As much as I would have enjoyed seeing you suffer in that dress, it would have been way too embarrassing to be seen with a tomboy like you in a dress."
I punched him playfully in the arm. "You're so funny." I jumped down and stole a slice of toast that had popped up already. "You going to drive me to school today or what?"
Kane took a bite out of his toast. "I don't think I want to right now." He grabbed his bad and slung it over his shoulder.
I was out the door in no time and enjoying the weather. I glanced at my watch. We needed to hurry or else we were going to be late. I voiced this and Kane came slowly from the house. I hopped in the front seat of the car, clicking my seatbelt in place, and we were off.
"Erin!" called my best friend, Kai. "Yo!" He waved as he ran up to my side as I got out of the car.
I turned back to Kane. "Thanks, bro. I'll talk to you later!" Kane nodded before speeding off towards the high school. I was only a freshman, and was therefore in middle school yet.
"When are you going to get your own car so you can pick me up in the mornings?" Kai asked as we made our way into the school.
I laughed. "We have a few months to wait before I turn sixteen. Let's ditch and go down to the fair. It's the last day of school; we don't do anything anyway."
Kai nodded. "Sure ok." We veered off to our left and headed off the school property and headed down to the camp grounds where the fair was being held. "How much money did you bring?" he asked me as we crossed the river.
"Enough for a few rides," I answered. "But, we are going to have to sneak in. I don't have enough money to pay to get into the fair."
Kai sighed but we went around to the river and found the drainage pipe. "Come on!" I said as I crawled inside of the pipe and started walking to the other side, bringing us into the fair grounds. I peeked my head out of the pipe and saw that the coast was clear. I waved Kai after me as I made my way out. Kai ran out of there and joined me on the sidewalk.
"We're in!" I smiled. "Come on!"
After our money was nearly gone, we decided to grab a bite to eat and head home. School would be out any minute, and we wanted to get back home so our parents wouldn't get suspicious.
"How about a funnel cake? Want to split one?" Kai asked me. I nodded my head and we made our way over to the stands. I grabbed napkins and a bottle of water while Kai grabbed the funnel cake. We made our way over to a picnic bench when I caught sight of my brother and some of his friends.
"Crap!" I cried as I pushed Kai towards the backside of a building. "Kane is here! Oh no, he's looking for me!" I pulled Kai after me as we made our escape. "Let's go eat our food behind that equipment. No one comes over here anyway. Then, we can get out of here." I took a seat in the grass and began eating the funnel cake.
Leaning back, I placed my hands behind me head and sighed. Today had been fun, and I was sorry it had ended. Kai sat up and looked down at me. "Tomorrow, do you wan to watch the fireworks with me? I heard it's supposed to be pretty fun when you go with someone you like."
I glanced up, surprised by Kai's sudden confession. Sure, I had suspected he harbored feelings for me, but it was different being heard out loud. I smiled. "Sounds like a great idea." I sat up to and gave him a quick peck on the lips before I had even realized what I had done.
Kai smiled and kissed me back. Movement behind us broke us apart. Turning, we found a couple of seniors in the rival high school staring down at us. "Look what we found here," the leader elbowed one of his little buddies in the side. "Seems we interrupted them."
Kai stood up, and I followed suit. "Nah," I shook my head. "We were just leaving." I grabbed Kai's hand and started to walk passed the seniors.
"Whoa, did we say you could go?" he grabbed my wrist and yanked me towards him.
"Hey," I cried, trying to yank my arm back, but his hand was like a vice grip. I was not going anywhere it would seem.
"Let her go," Kai demanded, stepping forward.
"And what are you going to do about it if we don't?" one of the seniors leered down at Kai.
"I mean it. Let go now!" Kai went for my arm and was going to pull me after him when Kai was punched to the ground.
"Kai!" I cried. I turned and kicked the guy where the sun doesn't shine and ran to Kai's side. He had a fat lip and his nose was bleeding. "Are you ok?" I asked. Suddenly, someone had grabbed my hair and was yanking me to my feet. I cried out in pain, scared for Kai's life, and my own.
"Hey!" another voice called out. Everyone froze and turned to the owner of the voice. Kane stood a few feet away, anger written all over his face. "Let go of my sister if you want to be able to move ten years from now," he threatened.
The guy that was holding me tightened his grip on my wrist, so much so it was beginning to hurt. He threw me down on the ground next to Kai and advanced on Kane. But, Kane smirked as he sidestepped the guy and made his way to my side, pushing the others away from him.
"Come on you two," he said, helping us to our feet. "Stay close to me, and when I say run, run."
I nodded as we did what we were told. Kane had been able to keep their attention focused on him long enough for Kai and I to escape. We waited for Kane in the parking lot. He was right behind us, so we didn't have to wait long. We ran to Kane's car, and Kane tore out of the parking lot like a bat out of hell.
Kane didn't say a single word as he drove. He stopped in front of Kai's house and dropped him off; Kane wouldn't let me get out of the car. I'd text Kai later to see how he was doing, and Kai understood that I was in big trouble.
The car ride back home was slow and quiet. I couldn't take in anymore, so I decided to speak up, "Kane, I'm so sorry." I didn't have an excuse as to why we had ditched. I had been irresponsible and selfish.
"What do you think you were doing?" he asked me heatedly. "Why would you just ditch school like that? How do you think I felt when I showed up at your school and you weren't coming out? Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
"I know, and I'm sorry. I just... I don't know. I wanted to enjoy the fair. It was the last day of school anyways," I hated the feeling that I had let Kane down. I didn't like that fact that I had disappointed him, again.
"The incident with those seniors is exactly why I don't like you going out on your own," Kane continued, ignoring me.
"I know, and I was really scared. I won't do it again. I didn't mean to make you worry," I sobbed, angry at myself for being so weak, for being stupid.
Kane looked over at me as he parked the car in the garage, shutting off the engine. "I know." He reached over and pulled me into a hug. "Don't do something like that ever again."
"I won't," I promised.
~.~
It was getting pretty late, and I wanted to go see how Kai was doing and apologize for what had happened. Heading downstairs, I left a note for everyone telling them where I had gone. Kai didn't live to far away from my house, so my parents didn't ever have a problem with me going over there. They really liked Kai.
I headed to Kai's backyard and knocked on his window. The blinds were drawn, but I could see light protruding, so I knew he was in there. Kai peeked through the blinds before pulling the chord to open the blinds and open the window to let me in. His face looked tons better, and if it wasn't for the fat lip, he would look normal.
"Kai, I am so sorry. Is it sore?" I said as I took a seat on his bed.
He shrugged it off. "Nah, it's kinda cool; a battle scar, you know?"
I chuckled. "Something like that, ya. So, we are still on for the fireworks tomorrow, right? You aren't mad at me, are you?" I asked nervously.
"Mad? Why would I be mad? It wasn't your fault those guys were a bunch of jerks. Of course we are still on for tomorrow. I'll be at your place at seven, ok? But, you better go. My parents don't like it when you come this late," he smiled at me.
"Ok. See you then." I headed to the window and had my legs over the sill when Kai tapped me on the shoulder. When I turned, he gave me a quick kiss. I blushed as I jumped down and made my way back home.
Kai was so great. He had been my best friend since kindergarten. I had stopped some bully from picking on him, and we just clicked. I smiled knowing we had the whole summer to look forward to together. Everything was coming together and I couldn't have been happier.
I notice Kane was coming out of someone's house so I hurried to catch up with him as he started the walk back home. "Kane!" I called. Once I was at his side, I asked, "Who's house is that?"
"That was Jeni's house. She's that junior I was telling you about," he answered. "Were you coming from Kai's? How's he doing?"
"I remember Jeni. She's really cool. You're cute together," I smiled at Kane's blush. "And Kai is doing good. His parents don't know what happened, so don't say anything, ok?"
"I haven't even told our parents," he smiled at me, putting his arm around my shoulders, drawing me in for a hug.
I smiled as we made our way home. I heard laughter come from behind us and we turned to see the seniors from before, drunk off their butts. They were making their way over to us; it looked like they wanted to start a fight.
"Come on, Kane. Let's get out of here. Don't mind them. They've hated you since our school put them in their place last year," I said as I pushed Kane forward. But, one of the guys had caught up to us and had grabbed me again.
I cried out as he touched my butt. Kane whipped around and punch him in the face. "Leave my sister alone. This is a fight between us. Let's just end this now, you and me."
"I know that in a fist fight, I don't stand a chance against you. You let me have some fun with your sister, and we will call it even." Like that was even a bargain. Kane would never go for that.
Kane whipped out his phone. "I'm calling the police. Let's let them deal with you," Kane threatened.
"I really don't think you want to be doing that," the guy said as he pulled out a gun, placing it against my temple. My knees buckled as I started sweating. This was not going to end pleasantly; I had a horrible feeling in my stomach. The leader's buddies swarmed Kane and started attacking him with their fists and were kicking him.
I wasn't just going to stand here and take this harassment. I had learned a few moves that Kane had taught me. Using those skills, I was able to get out of his grip. Kicking his arm away from me, the gun went off. I looked behind me to see if anyone had been hit.
The guy let go of me and took a step back. The guys surrounding Kane also stepped away from him. Red was staining Kane's chest. "Oh my God, Kane!" I ran to his side, tears flowing out of my eyes unnoticed by me.
Kane fell to his knees as blood spurted out from his mouth. He had a dazed, hazy look in his eyes, as though he couldn't really see anything but the pain that had to be welling up within him.
I layed him down on the pavement and looked at the wound. The blood wouldn't stop pouring out of the hole in his chest. "Someone help!" I cried out, though my voice was barely audible. I was so scared. Kane couldn't be dying. I couldn't call for help as I had left it in my room. "Kane, stay with me! I'm so sorry, Kane!" He glanced at me once before he went limp. I checked for a pulse, but could find none. "Kane!" I cried. "No. No." I kept shaking my head, hugging his limp, cold body, covering myself in his blood.
The guy that had been fighting with me took a step forward. "You're a murderer now, girlie. If you come with me, I can make this so it never happened. If you stay here, you will go to jail for murder and further put your family in pain and misery."
The tears wouldn't stop coming as I rocked back and forth, holding Kane tightly to me, shaking my head. He just couldn't be gone. This was a bad dream, and I was going to wake up any moment to find him leaning over me, smiling that crooked smile of his that all the girls loved so much.
"What do you say?" the guy asked again. "I can make this disappear forever." I glanced down at Kane. What should I do? I didn't want to hurt my family any more than I already had. Nodding my head, glanced up at the man that was wanting to help me.
"Ok," I whispered.
6 Years Later
I awoke in a cold sweat only to stare at a little girl with long silver hair. She was staring at me curiously. I frowned as I sat up, running my hands through my hair. I hadn't dreamed of my brother in a few months. I had thought I was moving on with life. I sighed and looked over at the young girl who was still staring.
"Can I help you?" I asked her. I suppose finding me sprawled out on a park bench in the middle of the playground was a little weird, but it had been the only place I had been able to find last night.
"I'm looking for my brother. Could you help me?" she asked me. Wait, what time was it? Why was she out here by herself to begin with?
"What time is it?" I asked her as I got up and smoothed out my shirt and skirt. The only belongings I had.
"Nearly ten. So, will you help me?" she pleaded, looking up at me with her big blue eyes. She looked to be about 12. Couldn't she find him on her own? I was a complete stranger. But, she was looking for her brother, who was probably worried sick about her. Reminded me of my relationship with Kane.
I sighed, "Let's go. He's got to be around here somewhere." She grabbed my hand, and we started walking through the park. She was such a trusting little girl, it made me sorry for the brother. He had his work cut out for him with this one, that was for sure.
"What's your name?" she asked me. "I'm Jasmin Jedi."
"Erin," I replied in my monotoned voice I had come to master.
"Do you have a last name with that?" she asked.
"It's just Erin." She seemed to accept that and stared off into the distance. She seemed to want to ask me something, and I didn't want to answer many questions, so I told her to tell me about herself before she could get her question out.
"Ok, my brother is a teacher at the local middle school. Since it's a Saturday, he doesn't have to work, so he promised to take me out today. But, we got split up when we were playing because I had to go to the bathroom and wandered off on my own..." she started telling me all about her friends at school and whatnot, but I wasn't paying much attention.
She reminded me so much of myself when I had been her age. Of course, Kane and I had been much closer in age than Jasmin and her brother were, but they still seemed to have a close connection, and that was all that mattered. I smiled down at the girl, a movement that felt foreign on my own face. How I wished my life had been as simple as hers was.
"So, why were you sleeping on the park bench?" Jasmin asked suddenly, pulling me out of my own thoughts.
I shrugged, "I have no where else to be."
"You don't have a home?" she asked in wonder and astonishment.
I shook my head, "Not anymore."
"Oh, that's him there!" she cried suddenly, yanking on my arm as she made her way towards him, me in tow.
"Jasmin!" he cried when he saw her, jogging over to join us. "What did I tell you about wandering off?" He glanced up at me. "Did you find her?"
I shrugged. "Actually, she found me."
"Joel, she doesn't have anywhere to live. Can she stay with us?" Jasmin asked him suddenly.
My eyes widened, startled. "Oh, no. That's ok. Don't listen to her," I shook my head. How embarrassing.
"Do you really not have anywhere to stay? What about money?" he asked looking over at me.
I shrugged. "Well, I..." I didn't know what to say. I never had been a good liar, so I didn't know what to say.
"Come on, you can stay with us until you figure out something better," he told me.
Reluctantly, I followed him. His kindness was endless, it would seem. I was happy I wasn't going to be sleeping outside tonight, but it wasn't right. This was my problem, not theirs. I shouldn't have agreed so readily, but the prospect of a warm meal and a place to sleep had clouded my judgement. I sighed. I would make it up to this family one way or the other. I just couldn't stay there for long. I couldn't stay anywhere for very long, or else they might find me.
