Love Begins with Fate

by Owens, Lindsey

  Though her friend had never been with her in school, Kelsey had told her everything including the time she had once kissed a guy.

  Remembering back it was her and Ryder’s birthday party before their parents had separated. The two of them had planned a birthday party together and since they had invited girls and boys… they had decided spin the bottle was a fun game to play.

  When the bottle had stopped on Kelsey, she thought she would die. Yet the boy who had spun it smiled sweetly at her and took her hand bringing her up to his level. She looked up nervously at the brown haired blue eyed boy in wonder. He was cute and one of her brother’s closest friends. Though the boy towered over Kelsey at the time he leaned down to her and gently held her chin as he pulled her lips into a sweet and amazing first kiss.

  Samantha’s eyes glinted devilishly as she looked over at Kelsey. “I can work with that. I have some very fun guys who can get help her get over the v-card thing.” Samantha said nonchalantly.

  Kelsey’s eyes grew wide and her jaw dropped. “What is with you city girls?” She replied with distaste. “You girls are crazy!”

  Kelsey stomped away from the other three girls, slightly embarrassed. She was trying to get out of the conversation, yet instead she became more of a target. “She’s barely ever kissed a guy before.” Hannah said flatly “Just her brother’s friend at their birthday party once.”

  “Oh my gosh,” Olivia gasped. “I guess Sam’s going to have to work on that.”

  “You girls can try, but I have been trying for years every time she visited. I don’t know, she just seems to like to turn guys away. It’s not like she hasn’t had offers.” Hannah admitted as they walked into their History class. “Oh, hey Kels!”

  The girls sat down two at a table as close as they could get to each other. As the students began to filter into the classroom Sam and Olivia began to tell Kelsey their options.

  “That’s Tony. He’s taken.” Sam said.

  “That girl is Gena. She’s single but she’s also one of those hit and quit type girls.” Olivia laughed receiving a glare from Gena.

  “Henry!” Sam called “Hey Henry.”

  Henry, a tall red headed boy grinned and nodded his head in the girl’s direction, “Henry’s single!” Sam squealed. “He’s on the basketball team.” It was kind of obvious that Sam liked him.

  “What kind of guy are you interested in, Kelsey?” Olivia asked.

  “I can’t believe you girls. I haven’t even been here for one day. Give me a week or two to adjust before we start planning dates.” Kelsey groaned.

  “She likes athletes.” Hannah giggled. She knew she shouldn’t be pushing it, but just maybe they could catch a glimpse of someone who Kelsey liked.

  “Well then,” Sam smirked. “There’s Jason, Ivan, and Tyler, who are single on the hockey team. Reese, Otto, and Henry, are on the basketball team. Brandon, Will, and PJ, are on the football team. Half of them are in this class actually.”

  Kelsey was shocked she hadn’t heard her brother’s name called in that list. She didn’t know he had a girlfriend and she hadn’t mentioned, neither had Hannah, that he was her sister. Well it wasn’t as if they got along all the time, let alone talked about dating, she shrugged.

  “Yeah,” Olivia swooned. “There’s one of them now…” She pointed toward the door as a guy walked in. He was quite a bit taller looking than Kelsey, with brown shaggy hair and cute brown eyes. He had a strong jaw line, tight muscular body, and a nose which was slightly crooked to the side, like it had been broken at one time. “That’s Will.” Olivia said with a sigh. He was definitely a football player.

  “Anyway,” Olivia changed subjects. “There’s Ivan. He’s a great guy. He just broke up with his girlfriend. She was caught cheating on him with the basketball captain. It was very interesting to say the least. Ivan’s big muscles against the tall and lanky basketball guy… well to say the least Ivan got promoted on the team for his violence and the basketball guy well he found his way to the ER.”

  Sam was about to tell the girls more about some of the hot bachelors until the teacher came in and interrupted them. The class was long but not as bad as Kelsey had thought it would be, since they watched a movie. They needed to write a paper on what the movie was about. “Okay class. I want the one page paper on my desk by Wednesday. It is one that you all can rent from the library, borrow my copy, or get from the local movie store, if you need to see it again. It’s your homework.” The teacher told the class. “See you all later.”

  The girls once again parted ways. It was finally the last class of the day and Kelsey couldn’t be happier to get school done with. She made her way to the locker rooms and changed her clothes quickly.

  Exiting into the gymnasium Kelsey found small groups lingering around. There were guys playing basketball, girls chatting on the bleachers, and another set of students against the wall talking.

  “Okay class, today we are going to be playing soccer.” The teacher yelled. Kelsey groaned. She hated group games, especially soccer. She had always been picked last. “Our team captains today will be …” The teacher searched the class his eyes finally settling on the two guys. “Will and Ivan, please come up here.”

  Kelsey like always had been picked last. She couldn’t help but groan. Kelsey stayed back on the far side of the field just standing and watching as the people in her class raced around like idiots. She refused to play soccer. Class took forever to end and when it finally did Kelsey made her way to the locker room.

  Chapter 9

  Kelsey made her way down the hallway until she came to her locker, turning the lock before yanking open her locker. She grabbed her purse and keys then shoved her homework into her bag. She zipped her bag and slammed the door closed.

  When she made it to her truck people were gathered around it, attempting to look through the tinted black windows. They had to be tall enough to look inside the truck let alone see through the dark tinting. She couldn’t help what happened next. Turning the keys over in her hand Kelsey pressed the panic button.

  The truck’s headlights flashed and the horn began to blow. Everyone surrounding the truck stumbled back. Some even fell to the ground. She pressed the button again to cancel the alarm then strode right up to the driver’s side door.

  Yanking her door open, Kelsey ignored the angered stares. They shouldn’t have been nosy in the first place and they wouldn’t have had that problem. She stuck her key into the ignition, rolled down the windows, and turned on her mp3 player blasting country music from her speakers.

  She yanked the pickup into gear and enjoyed the rumble of her truck as she drove away. Before she had left she had convinced her friend to redo her muffler system to a duel exhaust and add the new radio for her. She had also paid for a new set of tires and spray in bed liner. Her truck was decked out from her point of view. It was jacked up with a four inch body lift and five inch suspension lift as well.

  Kelsey wasn’t sure of what to think of her school. So far she wasn’t enjoying it. Most of the people were stuck up and nothing like those from her old school. She drove to the beat of her favorite country music until she came to her father’s home. Pulling into the drive, Kelsey parked.

  She parked the truck and then made her way into the house. She would be alone with the exception of a housekeeper who came every Monday and Thursday. Ryder was at football practice and her father was at work. Kelsey walked over to the kitchen table plopped her bag down and then continued to grab a few snacks from the fridge.

  When Ryder finally came home he had at least the decency to ask her how her day was. It wasn’t like he had been kind enough to show her around or even introduce her to anyone. “How did your first day go in the big city?” He chuckled. The city wasn’t really that big but it wasn’t a country town by any means. Nobody farmed or own ranches. Nobody was in 4H and nobody enjoyed country music, like Kelsey.

  “Horrible.” She grumbled.

  “Really?” Ryder asked astonished. He w
ould have thought being his sister that people would naturally flock to Kelsey. “I can’t imagine it was that bad.” Ryder said slowly.

  “Well it was.” She grumbled.

  “I’m sorry about that.” Ryder admitted. He never would have imagined that everyone would treat her badly. He actually thought she would build her own reputation as a hot girl in the new school.

  “I don’t know how you survive in such a snobby group of people. They are rude, crude, and snobby people who don’t care if they hurt anyone’s feelings.” Kelsey complained.

  “I bet it’ll be better tomorrow.” Ryder smiled.

  “I sure hope so.” Kelsey sighed as she slammed her math book closed; it wasn’t like she could figure it out anyway. “What do we do about dinner?”

  “Well dad’s never home until late, so if you are hungry Berta can make something I’m sure or you can go out with me to the diner.” Ryder offered.

  “Are your friends going to be there?” Kelsey asked.

  “Yeah, we meet there every Monday and Friday.” Ryder told her honestly. He felt bad that his sister had such a bad day.

  “I don’t know…” Kelsey delayed.

  “Come on Kels…” Ryder offered once again.

  “Okay…” Kelsey finally agreed. Ryder smiled. “You will like them.”

  Together Kelsey and Ryder slipped into the Ryder’s car and drove down toward the diner.

  “Hey guys.” Ryder beamed yelling across the diner.

  The guys were all jammed in the back of the diner laughing, arguing, and flirting with nearby girls. “Ryder!” Someone screamed.

  “Come on Kels.” Ryder said pushing her forward. He could see her hesitance but it didn’t bother him.

  “Who’s the hottie?” a few guys smirked as they approached.

  “Hey now…” Ryder growled “You all remember me telling you about my sister Kelsey…”

  “Wow…” one guy smirked.

  “Your sister’s hot!” exclaimed another.

  “Guys well this is my sister Kelsey and none of you will be hitting on her or you’re going to seriously regret it!” Ryder nearly growled.

  “You’re just lucky PJ’s on vacation…” another laughed.

  Kelsey giggled. Her brother had always been over protective of her and being in the same school should be fun but it just wasn’t. People in the city here were mean and that’s all there was too it. “Hello.” Kelsey waved shyly.

  One of the guys closest to the edge of the table stood. “Nice to meet you Kelsey, I’m Jeremy.” He greeted kindly.

  “Jer, I swear you better back off! What would Maggie say?” Ryder hissed.

  “I’m just being nice.” Jeremy defended.

  “Nice my ass, one of the biggest players in the school doesn’t just be nice to girls.” Ryder scoffed.

  “Like you said what would Maggie think? Well she’s taming me. I’m a one girl man now.” Jeremy chuckled. Kelsey could tell the hint of a smirk beneath his glinting eyes. He wanted to say something flirtatious or crude but just couldn’t muster it.

  Ryder explained how this was most of his friends. The only guys not here were PJ and Colt which he assured her she would meet sooner or later.

  The dinner went along well. Ryder had introduced everyone to Kelsey and asked that they look out for her since she was new in town. After they all ate and talked for a few hours Ryder turned to Kelsey “You ready to call it a night?”

  “Yeah” She yawned.

  “Well we’ll see you guys at school tomorrow.” Ryder said and stood up.

  Once they were outside in the car Ryder began talking again. “So what do you think of the guys?” He questioned.

  “They’re alright.” Kelsey shrugged.

  “Well I know they liked you. Did you see the way the guys were ogling you? It made me want to punch them.” He huffed. “It’s a good thing PJ is out of town. I wouldn’t want him going after you…”

  “Oh?” Kelsey asked with a smirk.

  “Don’t give me that look. PJ’s a great guy but he’s a player. A big time player and I doubt he would ever change.” Ryder snapped.

  “And you aren’t?” Kelsey questioned raising an eyebrow. “I have been wondering about you and having too many one night stands?”

  “Hey a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. Besides, it’s not like I am you. You’re my innocent sister. I don’t want any of them corrupting you.”

  Kelsey simply rolled her eyes. It wasn’t as if she told her brother everything. They pulled into the driveway and the twins said their goodbyes parting directions going to their own rooms for the night.

  Chapter 10

  Kelsey awoke to the sound of her alarm beeping and her friend poking her in the arm. “Waky waky eggs and baky…” Hannah cooed.

  “Go away.” Kelsey mumbled.

  “Nope it’s time to get up for school.” Hannah told her.

  Kelsey had spent the rest of the night doing her homework while Ryder did who knew what. “I don’t want to go to school.” She moaned.

  “Well you got to… So come on. I know you can’t manage to dress yourself properly so I am going to do you the honor this morning.” Hannah smiled.

  “People there don’t like me.” Kelsey groaned.

  “Well on my way up, I was speaking with your brother…” Hannah told her.

  “What!?” Kelsey sat up quickly “You were speaking, actually talking with my brother?” That had surprised Kelsey, not because her friend had been near her brother but because she had actually talked to him with words, not just mindless mumbling and zombie like talk.

  “Well he stopped me actually and I mostly listened,” Hannah waved “But that’s not important. Anyway… He told me that he warned the guys to watch out for you, and asked me to do the same, warning people you were his sister. He had to leave early for practice but he asked if you would meet him out by the football field and then he said he would show you around.” Hannah beamed.

  “That’s nice of him.” Kelsey shrugged.

  “Kelsey that’s great. Your brother’s going to do nothing but improve your high school experience; he’s the most liked guy in the school after all, well besides PJ.” Hannah smiled. “Anyway, I promised him I would make you look good and I told him I was going to try and find you a date for prom coming up.”

  “What!?” Kelsey choked. “What did he say? I’m sure he’s not happy with that!”

  “Oh my sweet thing but he is. Actually he suggested a few guys, all whom I think are kind a boring myself but… hey… your brother wants a guy who’s not going to take advantage of his little sister’s innocence.” Hannah mocked rolling her eyes.

  “He’s the same age as me you know that right?” Kelsey grumbled sliding from her bed. “I am going to take a shower.”

  “Then I will pick out your clothes while you do that!” Hannah squealed pushing herself from Kelsey’s bed and racing toward the closet.

  Kelsey took her time but it earned her Hannah pounding on her door and screaming at her. “Kelsey, get out here now or I’ll come in after you and flush the toilet!” Hannah ordered.

  “Hold your horses, geesh!” Kelsey muttered. Five minutes later she emerged wrapped in a towel.

  “I can work with that.” Hannah smirked. “Here put these on.” She told Kelsey.

  “So you think I am goin’ to wear that?” Kelsey groaned.

  “I do and you are.” Hannah laughed. She had chosen a black flowy skirt, three quarter length sleeve grey shirt which dipped way low, and a pair of thigh high black boots.

  “I don’t know.” Kelsey groaned.

  “Just trust me; here you can even wear a tank under it.” Hannah offered.

  That seemed to please Kelsey, so she accepted. She pulled on a pair of black underwear then the skirt and turned away from Hannah dropping the towel to put on her matching black lace bra. “And he thinks you’re so innocent.” Hannah snorted.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Kelsey frowned pu
lling her black tank top on over her chest before turning around fully.

  “The other night at the club would suggest otherwise.” Hannah shrugged. “I bet you have had a lot of guys back home just didn’t want to tell me about it.”

  “What are you talkin’ about?” Kelsey’s brows furrowed and she stared at her friend.

  “Oh!” Hannah slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle laughter. “You don’t remember do you?” Hannah asked.

  “Obviously,” Kelsey snorted. “If I knew what you were talking about then I would know wouldn’t I; not be asking you what you’re going on about.”

  “Oh sweetie…” She giggled. “Just wait until you meet the rest of the football team then maybe you’ll remember what you did at the club.”

  Kelsey stepped forward threateningly. “I suggest Hannah that you spill your beans.” Kelsey warned.

  “Do I have too… it would be more fun introducing the guy to you.” Hannah mumbled.

  “What guy?” Kelsey stopped herself. The night seemed familiar now that she thought about it, flashes of the night before was coming back to her. Dancing with a hot guy, drinking way too much, and then they went back into that booth… “CRAP!” Kelsey groaned.

  “Oh yeah babe, I wonder if he knows who you are yet, because he’s been posting signs all around the school looking for you. He had even recruited the entire football team including your brother to find you and that doesn’t happen.” Hannah giggled, yet she seemed in a way kind of jealous.

  “Is that what that poster’s about?” Kelsey asked full out knowing the answer to that.

  “Oh yeah babe,” Hannah smirked.

  “Don’t you dare tell anyone!” Kelsey warned.

  Hannah pouted. “But…”

  “NO HANNAH!” Kelsey warned.

  “Fine!” Hannah scoffed. “Just finish getting dressed already.” Hannah sighed.

  The girls climbed in Kelsey’s black pickup truck and drove off to school. They had arrived thirty minutes early. Hannah had pointed Kelsey off in the direction of the football field telling her she had stuff she had to do before school. “See ya then.” Kelsey waved as she strode toward the field of guys running around.