“That’s what I was thinking too. I talked to Conner and he’s going to have mom pick up Dominic and Chase and bring them over here. Mom wants pictures.” Callie rolled her eyes and grinned. “OMG! That dress is beautiful, but why in the world would your mom buy it for you?”
“I have no idea, but I’m glad she did. Now Karla can wear it and make all the boys at the dance wish they were Conner.” Rylee said with a wicked gleam in her eyes.
“I don’t know about all of that, but I think Conner will like it.” Karla told her.
“Oh trust us Karla. You have a lot of admirers at school, but most of them are just too shy to approach you.” Callie said with a smile.
“Are you serious? Why me?” Karla asked in confusion.
“Do you not look in the mirror?” Callie asked in awe of Karla’s inability to see herself clearly.
“Karla, with your flawless mocha skin, your startling emerald green eyes and your long jet black hair you are the envy of just about every girl at school and the dream girl of most of the guys.”
“You two are crazy.” Karla rolled her eyes at her friends and they shrugged their shoulders in defeat. “Let’s get ready before the guys get here. We can fix each other’s hair.”
When the doorbell rang two hours later Callie had just finished the last curl in Karla’s hair. They were all ready to go when Leslie knocked on Karla’s door to tell them the guys, along with all the moms, had arrived.
When they went downstairs a few minutes later they were bombarded by camera flashes. “Really? Can’t we even get off the steps first?” Callie asked everyone in an irritated tone. “If I fall and miss this dance I will make you all suffer.”
Everyone laughed and stopped taking pictures until they’d reached the bottom. Then the picture taking resumed. They took pictures of the entire group, just the girls, just the guys and each couple. By the time they all loaded into Leslie’s SUV they were tired of pictures.
“Y’all have fun.” Dominic’s mom shouted as they left.
A few minutes later Leslie pulled to a stop in front of the school. “I’ll be back at ten. Am I taking everyone home?”
They all nodded and she smiled. “Alright. I’ll see you all right here at ten sharp. Have fun.”
“Bye Leslie and thanks.” Karla said before she shut the door and walked away.
Conner took her arm and led her into the school. “You look amazing Karla. That dress is absolutely stunning.”
“Thank you Conner. You don’t look so bad yourself.” She grinned at him and admired how he looked in his suit. His tie was the exact same shade of blue as his eyes.
“Thank you.” He responded and grinned back.
They found a table and all sat down for a few minutes before they started dancing. Rylee and Dominic left first, followed closely by Callie and Chase. Conner looked at Karla for a minute before he stood up and took her hand. “Dance with me?” He asked softly as he helped her to her feet.
“Yes.” Was all she could get out past the lump in her throat; she was finally on a date with Conner.
After that they stayed on the dance floor almost the rest of the night. At nine-thirty Conner pulled her from the dance floor and out into the hall. “Karla can I ask you something?”
“Sure Conner. Anything.” Karla responded as she looked up and into his eyes.
“I know back in November I said that all we’d ever be is friends, but I was wrong. I want more than that. Karla, will you be my girlfriend?”
Before she had a chance to respond Callie, Chase, Dominic, and Rylee walked out, followed by a bunch of other people. “Con, you’ve got to come back in. Kevin is in a fight with Albert Greene. Apparently Albert was saying something about Karla and Kevin overheard him.”
“Crap.” Conner said and let go of Karla’s hand. “I’ll be right back.” He looked into her eyes one more time before he ran back into the gym.
“Where’s Mr. Johnson?” Karla asked Rylee.
“Inside. I’m hoping Conner can keep Kevin from killing Albert. Zach, Albert’s friend, told us that Albert said some pretty bad things about you and Kevin heard it all. You may have rejected him, but Kevin won’t tolerate anyone talking bad about a female. Especially one who is such a close family friend.” Callie told her frantically.
“Let’s get back in there and see if we can help. I don’t want Conner or Kevin to get hurt.” Karla told them as she opened the gym door. “Especially over me.”
When they walked in Conner had Kevin sitting in a chair and Kevin’s friends Bradley and Brody were holding him down. Albert was on the other side of the gym being held down by Zach and a boy named Freddy. Mr. Johnson was talking to him and it didn’t seem to be going well. They walked over to where Conner was with Kevin. Karla held back a little, the signs of violence caused memories to stir and she was beginning to wonder if coming inside was a good idea.
“Karla, are you alright? You don’t look like you feel well.” Mrs. Wright said from beside her.
“I’m…I’m…” Karla began and stopped. She had to get out of here. She was starting to lose it. “I’m sorry. I can’t stay in here.” She turned and ran from the gym.
Rylee, Callie and Conner saw her as she ran out the gym door. “Go check on her.” Conner told them. “I can’t leave Kevin, but I need to know she’s okay. Please go check on her.”
His pleading tone snapped Callie into action. Her brother didn’t ask for much, but when he did it was because it meant a lot to him. “I’ll go check on her. I’ll be back.” Callie said and turned to walk off.
“I’m coming too.” Rylee told her. “Conner, she’ll be okay. We’ll make sure of it.”
“Thank you.” Conner told them sincerely and watched them walk out the doors.
Chapter Seventy-Four
They found Karla sitting on the steps outside the gym. She hadn’t made it far before she broke down. “Karla are you okay?” Rylee asked her in a worried voice.
“I honestly don’t know. I saw the expression on Albert’s and Kevin’s faces and was hit by memories from the past. I just had to get out of there. I’m such a coward.”
“No you aren’t. You’re very brave. You went through a lot in the past and certain things are going to trigger those memories. That doesn’t make you a coward, it makes you human.” Callie told her as she sat down beside her on the step. Rylee sat on her other side and they both leaned against her in a silent show of strength.
“I need to go check on Kevin. He defended me and I need to make sure he’s alright.” She started to stand up, but they wouldn’t let her.
“You can go back in there in a minute.” Callie told her then pulled out her cell phone. “I need to call my mom.”
While Callie was talking to her mom Karla sat there and tried to control her shaking. She’d just gotten it under control when Kevin and Conner walked out and headed her way. “Are you okay Karla?” Conner asked as soon as they reached her.
“Yeah. I’m alright. Just took a short trip down memory lane, but I’m back now.” She looked from Conner to Kevin and grimaced. “Are you okay?”
“It looks bad, but I’m okay. I couldn’t sit there and listen to him bad mouth you. The things he was saying were horrible. Bradley, Brody and a lot of other people heard him too.”
“Thank you for standing up for me. You didn’t have too, but you did. I just hope you’re alright and don’t get into trouble for it.”
“I won’t. We all talked to Mr. Johnson and several people saw Albert throw the first punch. All I did was tell him to stop running his mouth and spreading lies, he’s the one that got physical and I have the right to defend myself against stupid buttheads.” Kevin grinned a little and grimaced when the grin caused pain to shoot through his face.
A few minutes later Andrew and Dr. Newberry walked in and walked straight to Kevin. Leslie and Mrs. Newberry were right behind them. Leslie immediately went to Karla and pulled her into a hug. “Are you okay honey? Callie told me what happened.�
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“I’m okay. I’m just worried about Kevin.”
“He’ll be alright. Andrew and Mark are going to take him to the hospital and have him checked out. Have you talked to him?”
“Yes. Apparently Albert was saying some pretty bad things about me and Kevin said something to him about it and Albert punched him. Kevin said some of the other guys heard what Albert was saying, too.”
“You know that none if this is your fault right?” Leslie asked her.
“It feels like it’s all my fault. If I had never said I’d go to the movies with James none of this would have ever happened.”
“It isn’t your fault Karla.” Kevin said from behind her. “This is James’ and Albert’s fault.”
Karla just shook her head and walked away. If she’d never agreed to go see a movie with James then none of this would have ever happened. She knew it wasn’t rational, but she couldn’t help but blame herself for Kevin getting hurt.
“Come on everyone. I think it’s time I took you all home. Callie, Conner, are you going to ride with your mom, dad and Kevin to the hospital?” Leslie asked from the door.
“No. We’re going to go home. Dylan’s there so we won’t be alone.” Callie answered her and they all loaded into her SUV.
After they dropped off Chase and Dominic Leslie looked over a Karla. “Are you sure you’re alright?”
“No I’m not alright. I’m sorry Kevin got hurt, I’m sorry I ever met James, I’m sorry that everyone’s night got ruined, I’m sorry about everything.” Karla covered her face with her hands and started sobbing.
“Karla, no one here blames you for any of this. James and Albert are to blame and they’re the ones that will have to face the consequences for all of this. Mr. Johnson took everyone’s statement and Albert is going to be suspended from school and he may even be expelled if enough people come forward that overheard the things he said.” Conner told her.
“I know for a fact that Kevin doesn’t blame you, neither do mom and dad.” Callie told her. “They have always told us to stand up for those we care about and Kevin knows how much Conner and I care about you so he did what came naturally.”
When Leslie pulled into the Newberry’s drive way Dylan was standing on the front porch waiting for them. He walked to the car before Callie and Conner could get out and Karla rolled down her window. “Hey Mrs. Peterson. Thanks for bringing them home. I can’t believe Albert Greene would do something like that. He was always the mellow sort when I knew him. That’s been a couple of years though. He was a freshman my senior year, but we played baseball together and he was always the calm one.”
“I guess anyone can turn into a butthead when fed lies.” Conner told his brother. “His younger brother has been spreading lies about Karla and apparently Albert believed them.”
Callie opened Karla’s door and gave her a hug. “Text me when you get up tomorrow and I’ll have mom bring me and Conner over. I think we all need to watch some movies or something and just chill out to celebrate Ry’s birthday.”
When Karla nodded Callie stepped away and walked into the house. Conner looked at Karla for a second then walked over to her and hugged her too. “I’ll be waiting for your answer to my question.” He whispered then let her go and walked into the house behind Callie.
“I’ll let y’all get home. I’m heading back to school tomorrow so I’ll see you when I’m home again Karla. Y’all be careful.” Dylan said before he followed Callie and Conner.
“Okay Rylee, let’s get you home.” Leslie said as she backed out of the Newberry’s driveway. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m ready for a hot shower and bed.”
Karla and Rylee agreed with her and a few minutes later they’d dropped Rylee off and were home. Karla went straight up to her room and took a hot shower. Within twenty minutes she was lying in bed, but before she closed her eyes she picked up her phone and sent Conner a text. It only contained one word. Yes.
Chapter Seventy-Five
As soon as Karla woke up the next morning she saw a text on her phone. When she opened it she smiled. It was from Conner and he’d sent her a winky face in response to her message. She sent him a smiley face back and then sent Callie and Rylee both a text letting them know she was awake. By the time she was dressed and downstairs they’d both answered and said they’d be over in a few. Conner also texted her and told her he was coming with Callie.
She was smiling as she fixed herself a bowl of cereal and was still smiling when the doorbell rang a few minutes later. “I have a boyfriend.” She said out loud to herself, testing the words to see how they sounded. When she opened the door for her friends her smile was so big it looked like her face would crack. Conner’s matched hers and Callie’s was almost as big.
“Hey.” Karla said to them both as she stepped aside for them to come inside.
“Hey yourself.” Callie said with a small laugh. “Nope, this isn’t awkward at all. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”
“Ha ha sis. You’re hilarious.” Conner said sarcastically, but before anyone could comment back the doorbell rang again and Callie opened it to let Rylee in.
“Hey everyone. How’s it going?” Rylee asked them.
“Oh it’s going good isn’t it Karla and Conner?” Callie’s tone was slightly annoyed.
“Okay, what’s going on here?” Rylee asked, confused by Callie’s tone.
“Callie what’s wrong? Are you mad at me about last night?” Karla asked. She didn’t understand what was wrong.
“I’m not mad at you Karla. I am slightly upset that neither you nor Conner mentioned anything about what he asked you last night though.”
“WHAT!?” Rylee said in shock.
“Last night before you all came running out of the gym Conner asked me to be his girlfriend. I didn’t answer him at that time though because of everything else that happened. When he and Callie got out of the car last night Conner whispered to me that he’d be waiting for my answer to his question. After I got home and took a shower I sent him a text saying yes and I immediately fell asleep. I haven’t even told Leslie yet.” Karla explained, hoping they’d understand.
“That’s understandable. Callie, with everything that was going on last night I don’t know how you think they could have told us. I mean she didn’t even answer him until after we were all home and in bed.” Rylee scolded Callie.
Conner looked at his sister and frowned. “I told you as soon as you got up this morning sis. What’s your problem?”
“One of my best friends and my brother are officially boyfriend and girlfriend and I didn’t know about it. I was a little peeved that neither of you told me anything about it.”
“Callie, I was going to shout it to the entire gym full of people last night if she’d said yes when I first asked her, but then we were interrupted by Kevin’s fight and she didn’t get the chance to even answer.” Conner tried to explain again. “Honestly, you’d think we tried to hide it the way you’re acting.”
“I’m sorry. You’re right. I’ve just been waiting for you two to be together since we first met Karla. You two are perfect together. Can you forgive me Karla?”
“Of course I can Callie. You’re one of my best friends and I’m sorry I didn’t text you last night. I just wanted Conner to know first.” Karla hugged Callie then turned toward Conner. “How’s Kevin?”
Conner grinned at her and put his arm around her. “He’s fine. He needed a couple stitches in his forehead, but other than that he’s okay.”
“Good. Now have you all had breakfast? I hear Leslie in the kitchen and I bet we can get her to make waffles for Rylee’s birthday.” They all laughed at Karla’s expression and followed her into the kitchen.
“Leslie can you make waffles for us please?” Conner asked as soon as they walked into the kitchen.
“Do you three ever eat before you come over?” Leslie asked in a teasing voice. She loved cooking for them and they all knew it.
“Nope. We wait unt
il we’re here so we don’t have to fight the hordes of people in our own houses.” Conner responded with a grin.
“You’re silly Conner, but I’ll make waffles for all of you anyway. Just because I love you and because it’s Rylee’s birthday.” Leslie grinned as she pulled out the waffle iron and waffle mix. “Do you want chocolate chips in them?”
“Don’t we always?” Rylee asked and laughed when Leslie blew out a breath of false irritation.
“Okay. Fine. Karla, get everyone some milk, Conner get the plates down, Callie get forks and Rylee get the syrup out. If I’m going to cook for you then you’re all going to help too.” Leslie told them and they all cracked up at her tone, but did what she’d asked them to do.
A little while later they were all sitting at the table eating chocolate chip waffles when Karla looked up. “Oh Leslie, with everything going on I forgot to tell you something.”
“What’s that honey?”
“Conner asked me to be his girlfriend last night and I said yes.”
Leslie’s face broke into a huge smile. “Well it’s about time. Now eat your waffles before they get cold.”
Everyone laughed at that then finished eating. When they were finished Leslie told them she’d clean up the kitchen so they went upstairs. The rest of the day was filled with laughter and fun as they watched movies, played games, ate the cupcakes Leslie baked and just hung out together. When Mrs. Newberry got there to pick up Callie and Conner, Callie hugged Karla and Rylee and walked out to the car. Conner hugged Rylee then turned to Karla and hugged her too. Before he let her go he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Then he walked to the car and they left.
“Wow that was sweet.” Rylee said after Conner walked away. “Dominic doesn’t do stuff like that, ever.”
“Dominic is more of a tough guy, whereas Conner is a gentleman.” Karla said with a laugh.
“You’re probably right.” Rylee grinned. Her mom pulled into the driveway just then so she hugged Karla and left.
A New Beginning (The Second Chance Series Book 1) Page 23