Love Begins with Fate

by Owens, Lindsey

  Kelsey took as spot up on the bleachers watching as her brother raced around with the guys. They seemed to enjoy themselves so much, and she wished she could find that here. The same joy she felt back home at one time, but not much anymore. Kelsey was alone there just as she was alone here. Yeah she had Annie but she didn’t have a boyfriend, her mother had left, and she wasn’t very close with anyone on the ranch. She was even more alone now since she left her horses and even more vulnerable since she had went out with Duff.

  Kelsey had never told her brother that Duff had asked her out on a date. Nor would she ever tell him, Duff was Ryder’s friend back at the farm and that was all that needed to be said; it was the reason she had finally agreed to move to her father’s house.

  “Hey Kels,” Ryder called crossing the field toward his sister.

  Kelsey smiled, “Hey.” She stood up and made her way toward her brother. “How was practice?” She asked.

  “Great. Anyway… you ready to explore the school, meet some new people, and stuff?” Ryder smirked.

  “Sure.” Kelsey shrugged. Ryder smiled reaching out an arm and looping it over his sister’s shoulder. “Ewww gross!” Kelsey squealed.

  Ryder chuckled. Together the twins made their way around the school. Ryder led his sister through the halls scowling toward anyone who glared at her. Finally one girl took up the nerve to approach. “Who do you think you are?!” She scowled at Kelsey.

  Kelsey smiled slightly. “I’m Kelsey.”

  “Well you need to back off; we don’t want you hogging Ryder!” She complained.

  Ryder chuckled “Not that it’s your business, but Kelsey’s my sister.”

  The girl’s scowl faded and she stared confused. “I didn’t know you had a sister Ry.” She said sweetly.

  “I do and if you’re mean to her I swear you’ll never be heading my way again.” Ryder glared at the girl.

  “I’m sorry.” She squeaked and turned on her heals racing away.

  That wasn’t the last girl. Many of them actually had glared, while many guys looked like they envied Ryder. He had showed her around the school, talked with a few people, and then escorted Kelsey to her classes.

  When it finally came time for lunch Kelsey took up Ryder’s offer to sit with him and his friends. “When’s PJ going to be back?” Someone asked.

  Ryder turned toward the girl “Why don’t you text him; ask when you can meet up with him. I’m not his pimp.” Ryder snarled. That made Kelsey curious. Ryder had said something about his friend being a player but it was interesting to hear it with a girl thrown into the mix.

  “I tried.” The girl whined.

  “So,” Ryder rolled his eyes turning his attention back to one of the other football players then added “It’s not like I care, you could just go sleep with someone else tonight.”

  “He’s been ignoring me since he went to the club the other night.” The girl whimpered, a tear nearly falling from her eyes.

  “Yeah… I guess you missed the signs around school.” Ryder laughed.

  “Dude’s obsessed.” Another guy chuckled.

  “I don’t get it.” The girl frowned.

  “Go look in the girl’s bathroom.” Another guy snickered. “We had to practically force Trevor to go in there and put the poster up.

  Hannah had chosen that time to walk up “Hey guys.” She chirped.

  “Oh I saw that,” Snapped the girl hanging on Ryder’s side “I bet she’s a cow!” She laughed. “PJ was drunk remember.”

  Kelsey had tuned out long ago. She was trying to remember what the guy looked like or if she remembered anything about him. She had remembered she was enjoying herself and he was super sweet, but Hannah’s voice interrupted her mind.

  “Oh she’s super hot!” Hannah giggled. Kelsey’s head snapped toward her friend. No way had she just admitted she knew the girl that guy was looking for.

  Everyone’s heads snapped in Hannah’s direction and were staring at her with curiosity. “You know who he’s looking for?” Will and Ryder both choked out.

  Hannah gulped. “Uh… I can’t divulge that information. It’s on a need to know basis and you all don’t need to know.” She replied.

  Ryder lifted his eyebrow curiously. “Really now.”

  “Uh” Kelsey mumbled “I think I forgot something I had to do…” as she jumped up eagerly and raced away from the table chasing after Hannah and leaving Ryder staring after her.

  “Few…” Hannah breathed as she leaned against the wall on the other side of the cafeteria doors.

  The rest of the day went by quickly, Kelsey had entertained herself by making a list of things she could remember about the guy she had danced for. She had remembered he was feeling her up and that it made her squirm with in her seat. She also remembered how familiar his kiss was.

  As she made her way to the gym to change a girl walked up beside her. “So… you’re Ryder’s sister?” the girl asked.

  Kelsey smiled and turned to see her new friend. “Hey Oli” she beamed.

  “So is it true?” Olivia questioned.

  “Yeah, he’s my twin why?” She asked.

  “OMG!” She squealed “How come you didn’t mention it earlier?”

  “Would it have mattered?” Kelsey shrugged. “He’s just my brother.”

  “Yeah but he’s one of the hot football players. Can put in a good word for me?” She cried.

  “I think Hannah’s calling dibs.” Kelsey laughed. “Anyway, we got to get ready for class.” Kelsey said walking into the locker room.

  “Fine then!” Olivia called after Kelsey.

  Kelsey had changed into her gym clothes. A pair of black shorts, a sports bra, and tank top then she pulled on her tennis shoes and made her way out to the gym. She once again surveyed the gym noticing the girls in two groups talking and the guys mostly in a large group laughing.

  She decided she would take a seat against the wall and wait until the teacher began class.

  Minutes later the teacher exited his office and came to the center of the gym. “Good afternoon class!”

  “Today we’re going to be playing capture the flag. I know it’s a strange place in the gym to play this but we’re going to anyway. The flags are going to be hanging from the wall behind its team. The teams will try and cross to get the flag but if they get their flags pulled from their belt they are out!” He explained. “So don’t let anyone snatch your flags, try your best to get the flag hanging on the wall, and get your butt back to the other side safely!” He chuckled.

  “Everyone gather around,” he said looking around the class room and settling his eyes on those like Kelsey, who lingered.

  Kelsey groaned but stood up. She was bored but the good part was that capture the flag was a lot like football and she liked that.

  She made her way to the center of the gym and waited while the teacher evaluated the class. “PJ’s back finally so, PJ you can pick first. Colton you can be the second leader.” Kelsey’s eyes widened, she recognized the name from when she was talking to Hannah. Could he be same PJ she had danced with? The same guy that had been putting up posters around the school looking for her?

  PJ smiled and walked up to the teacher. “I want Tyler.” Kelsey sucked in a breath. It was the same deep husky sexy voice from the other night. Slowly she slid to the back of the group hiding behind a big guy, shyly. She was sneaking a peak at PJ. He was just as good looking as she remembered.

  Next Colt went and then PJ and so on until there was only a few people left standing there. Kelsey had successfully hid behind enough people for a while, but now it was getting harder. “Okay” PJ drawled. “I want… Jo.”

  The guy standing before Kelsey suddenly moved forward and she was left without anyone to hide behind. Ivan’s voice called out this time and it was deeper than before. “Well I will take the pretty brunette. What’s your name sweetheart?” Colt asked.

  Kelsey looked around nervously. Ivan chuckled “Yes you girly,” She could hear PJ sigh
.

  “Well crap, if I would have known such a hot girl was standing back there then I would have picked her over Joe. Uh… no offense man.” PJ chuckled.

  Kelsey blushed and ducked her head as she made her way over to Colt’s team. “Too bad for you,” Colt laughed reaching out and pulling Kelsey into his group. “So what’s your name?”

  “Uh… Kelsey.” Kelsey murmured.

  “Nice to meet you, Kelsey. You know how this game works right?” He asked.

  “Uh yeah… you stay away from the people who are trying to steal your flags and try to make it across the gym and grab the flag on the other side and cross back over to your own side?” Kelsey said hurriedly. She had never really played the game indoors at her school but she figured it was the same drift. Today it was raining and so class was held inside.

  “Sounds great,” Colt smiled grabbing a belt from someone and looping it around Kelsey’s waist before she could protest. “So… tiny.” He purred as his big hands tugged the belt snuggly around her.

  Kelsey didn’t know what to say she just mumbled her thanks and moved back away from him. “On the count of three you can go. Rush the team grab the flag and high tail it back!” The teacher called.

  He called out a few numbers then blew a whistle. When the whistle blew Kelsey high tailed it across the line. She was one of the rushers, not one of the stay behind defensive which she was somewhat happy about. She didn’t want to sit around guarding the flag.

  Kelsey was engrossed in the game. She ran toward the flag and was about there when someone’s strong arms wrapped around her waist lifting her into the air. “Not so fast Kelsey.” A guy chuckled. Kelsey’s feet stopped moving and she slowly looked back. It was the guy the diner that her brother had introduced as Tyler.

  He ripped a flag from her belt and carried her back to the line. “Go on now… run along.” He said as he set her down and tapped on her butt.

  Kelsey gasped and scurried away from Tyler’s hand scowling.

  She watched girls getting their flags ripped away and guys being tackled. There wasn’t anyone from the other team who was trying to get over to her side. Maybe that was their strategy. Knock out the other team first then strike.

  Kelsey could clearly see it now that she was standing in the safety of her side. When a clearing opened Kelsey smirked. She knew she was risking everything since, there were about fifteen people left from the opposing team and only about three from her team with the exception of herself left.

  They all seemed to be ganging up on the remaining few of her teammates on the opposite side of the gym with the exception of two girls. Kelsey took her chance. She raced toward the flag. “Hey, she’s going for the flag!” One of the two girls screamed as Kelsey raced past them.

  “I got her,” That very familiar husky deep voice called out along with Tyler calling out ‘get her!’

  That spurred Kelsey to move faster. She ripped the flag from its holder then whipped around. What she didn’t expect was a line of people standing there smirking. They had taken out the last of Kelsey’s team out with the exception of the defensive group left behind.

  “What’s up girly you scared?” Jo the last guy to join the team chuckled.

  “Nope,” Kelsey whispered as she smirked. Without hesitation she raced forward. Getting past the line would require some kind of uniqueness. As Kelsey raced toward the line they all seemed to prepare themselves, reaching out and bracing themselves. She had two flags left on her belt but that didn’t say that they couldn’t easily get her from two sides.

  Ten foot, nine foot, seven foot, and slide! Kelsey dropped to her stomach and slid between the legs of Tyler and PJ. Once she was behind them she pushed herself up and ran. The boys were so confused by her movement that they didn’t turn around until she had far enough lead on them.

  “RUN!” Kelsey could hear her team chanting and she felt proud of herself. Once she made it across the line she stopped and panted.

  “RUN!” someone shouted again and Kelsey looked up and back behind her curiously. Right behind her was a furious looking group of people. Tyler and PJ along with a few other guys still ran toward her but most of the opposing team had quit.

  Kelsey yelped and began to run again. “Gotcha, hot stuff!” Chuckled Colt from behind her. She yelped again and swerved out of his reach, right into PJ’s chest.

  The whistle blew and the teacher shouted. “Congratulations red team!”

  PJ looked down at her within his grasp and smirked. “You know you just beat the black team for the first time in school history…”

  Kelsey looked up at PJ nervously. Would he recognize her? She did have different hair, she had glasses on, and she had plain clothing on. “You look familiar.” PJ said raising an eyebrow.

  “Hmm.” Kelsey shrugged.

  “Great game everyone!” The teacher called. “Hit the showers!”

  PJ’s grasp eased and he smiled down at Kelsey. “Time to hit the showers, sweet thing.”

  Kelsey looked up at him curiously. “Well unless you want to join me?” He asked.

  That snapped Kelsey out of her confused state. “No!” She squeaked racing away.

  She could hear PJ’s light chuckle from behind her as she ran along with his friends who were patting him on the shoulder as they walked away.

  Chapter 11

  Kelsey had changed quickly in the locker room and then raced out toward her locker. “Hey!” She heard from behind her but she didn’t stop.

  She continued running until she came to her truck in the parking lot. Nope. She wasn’t going to stop. She jumped into her truck and smacked her head into the steering wheel “why me?” She groaned.

  “What’s up chica?” Hannah asked as she hopped into the truck.

  “I saw him. He’s in my gym class.” Kelsey whispered. “I remember it all. I am so embarrassed.”

  “Don’t be. I’m sure PJ was thrilled to have your time…” She said.

  “Stop,” Kelsey grumbled. “Don’t go there.”

  “You should tell him. I bet he’d give you a fun time.” Hannah offered.

  “Don’t go there.” Kelsey groaned again.

  Hannah chuckled.

  Kelsey finally raised her head from the steering wheel and started the truck. She drove toward home and when she finally arrived there, Hannah hopped out quickly. She looked up toward Kelsey’s house. “I got to go. I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”

  Kelsey frowned slightly. “Okay, bye.”

  “So Kels…” Ryder drawled out as Kelsey entered the house.

  Kelsey stopped scared for a moment at what her brother was conjuring up in his head. “Hmm.” She replied.

  “I was wondering…” Ryder said rubbing his chin.

  “That can be a dangerous thing Ryder.” Kelsey reminded him.

  Ryder smirked. “Do you know who the girl is that my friend is looking for?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kelsey shrugged turning away from her brother and walking toward the stairs.

  “Oh you know!” He yelled as he raced up beside her.

  “I don’t Ryder, now drop it.” Kelsey snapped.

  “I can’t he’s my friend and I promised to help him. I want to know. Is she a friend of yours or something?” Ryder pushed.

  “Well you’re asking the wrong person, now if you would excuse me…” Kelsey said as she shut her bedroom door in Ryder’s stunned face.

  “Kelsey!” Ryder hissed from the far side of the door but soon he gave up and stomped away.

  Kelsey didn’t know what else to do with herself but scream into her pillow. She had refused to tell her brother who the girl was because she knew he would freak out and that she couldn’t deal with right now.

  Kelsey pulled out her homework and began to finish it up before dinner. Soon she made her way downstairs making herself something to eat then made her way to her room once again.

  She popped the assigned homework movie into her dvd player then grabb
ed a pad of paper and pen to make notes.

  She continued to the movie while she ate. Eventually she fell asleep with her head smashed into her notepad.

  Chapter 12

  The weeks and days went by horribly slow. Kelsey turned in her homework, dragged herself from class to class, and scared the crap out of the annoying students who continued to stare at her truck.

  She had effectively avoided her brother and PJ for nearly the entire time, with the exception of those Monday and Friday nights when Ryder begged her to go to dinner with him. She had quickly refused and told him she was having dinner with Hannah or having her stay the night.

  When Friday of the third week finally came along she was eager to get home and relax with Hannah. They had planned a sleep over and she couldn’t wait. Ryder’s car had needed to go into the shop today so she had had much choice but to drive him to school, thus when she was out of school she had to wait for him as well.

  “Tell me why we have to wait for your brother when he has a car of his own…” Hannah questioned. She was obsessed with Ryder but she was eager to get away from the school.

  “I had to drop him off today, so I need to pick him up.” Kelsey said as the two girls walked to the school door. “His car’s in the shop. I guess he is getting the windows tinted.”

  “Wow…” Hannah breathed. “His car is sweet. With tinted windows it would be more amazing.”

  “Yeah, I don’t know why he hadn’t thought of it sooner, but hey.” Kelsey shrugged. “He said we can wait for him in the bleachers. I don’t mind if you don’t, I got some homework I can work on.” Kelsey suggested.

  “Sure…” Hannah replied “But you won’t be working on homework. Have you seen these guys practice?” Hannah questioned with one eyebrow raised up.

  “Uh… only before school why?” Kelsey replied.

  “Kels, they are just some of the hottest guys in the school and they will all have their shirts off.” Hannah sighed.

  “Oh… well, I have seen enough guys with their shirts off lately.” Kelsey said remembering the guys in the gym class and the club incident with PJ.