Chapter 7 Part 1

It is 7:00 and I’m so excited and nervous. I wonder if he feels the same way. I hear a knock at the front door, but already knowing who it is and look out my window and there he stands, I run down in my nice sandals and purse.

“Hi” He smiles to me and I smile back.

“HI!” I say a little too loudly and giggle.

“Okay sweetie have fun, behave, and don’t do anything wreck less.” She smiles and plants a kiss on my forehead.

After we pull out of the driveway I ask, “So where are we going?”

“Um, to have a picnic at the park that’s just around the corner from my house.”

“I’ve never been to your house, do you like it?”

“Yeah I guess it’s not as beautiful as the one in Ireland. But I like it here a little more because I already have a close friend.” He smiles. He points to his house as we pass it and then a few corners after that I see a big park with a little pond and the sun going down. We grab the things from the trunk and I follow Callusos over be a tree near the pond.

“May you take an end?” Callusos asks.

“Sure,” I smile. We each take an end and lay down the blanket, then set the basket and extra blanket down too. “Thanks” he smiles.

"So what did you pack?" I smile.

"Ah well some cheese, crackers, sausage, salad, fruits, and a couple water bottles."

"Sounds yummy, lots of variety." I say.

"So Samantha do you want to eat?"

"Sure I'll eat what ever your eating cause I like everything that you've packed."

As we eat quietly I listen to the cicadas and crickets, along with a strong O from an owl nearby. I listen to the water move ever so quietly from small ripples. When I open my eyes back up I see Callusos staring at me and I blush.

"The food is very wonderful thank you."

"Your... Welcome..." He says in reply.

I take a couple sips of water and ask what he likes to do in his free time.

"Not much, but I do enjoy reading, writing, and drawing, occasionally gardening."

"I enjoy that kinda stuff too." I smile.

Callusos pulls out a Stargazer Lilly and I gasp, thinking how does he know my favorite flower?

I smile,"It's beautiful, did you know that the Stargazer Lilly is my favorite flower."

Chapter 6

The music continues and Callusos and I go back to a holding each other to slow music. I look up at him and his face is so peaceful and caring that I’m so tempted to kiss him. But I don’t. I look out into the sunset and see the shore easing closer. Soon we got tired and sat down to take a few swigs of water. Callusos is looking at me from the corner of his eye and his lip is quivering. I can tell he wants to kiss me. There’s a vibration from the bottom of the boat and we have stopped on shore. Callusos offered his hand to help me up and I take it. He was looking at me differently, with that longing feeling. He jumped off the boat to land and helped me after. A few boys were throwing bundles of wood on the cool sand and making a tepee out of wood for the fire.  They take a can of lighter fluid and set a match to it, the fire becomes ablaze. People start to pass some more water bottles around and gather to the fire. Some people are hiding the dark kissing and touching each other. After sitting by the fire awhile I become sleepy and rest on Callusos’s shoulder then fall asleep to him stroking my hair.

I wake up and there is bright sunshine in my eyes. I look at the fire which is a hot pile of coals and people scattered in piles sleeping. I look down where I had been lying in the sand and Callusos is there with his arm wrapped around my waist. I lay back and face him, watching his sleeping face then cuddle up to him to warm up. He moves a little and looks down at me.

“Hey.” He mumbles and smiles, and looks over my face.

“Hi, you sleep okay?” I ask.

“Yeah surprisingly, I usually have nightmares that wake me up at night.”

“Me too,” I give him a little smile and cuddle back up to him not wanting to get up.

“Did you wake up at night from a nightmare?” Callusos asks.

“Nope… I think it’s because I was with you.” I blush.

He kisses my head and then grabs hold of my hand. After about ten minutes he pulls away and helps me up. We walk down the shore a little bit and back letting our feet be splashed by the faint current of the water.

“Um… Samantha… Your really pretty.” He stutters and blushes.

“Thanks, you too…” I laugh a little.

“Thanks, but Samantha, do you want to go on a date tonight, I could pick you up around 7:00, 7:30?” Callusos asks.

“Actually I’d love to go on a date with you. It sounds like a lot of fun.” I smile.

“Awesome I can’t wait.” He blushes a little and I holds my hand.

When we get back to camp people are just starting to get up and stretch and Claire is pouring the melted ice from the cooler onto the fire.

“Hey Claire, do you need any help?” I ask.

“Um, sure that would be awesome. Can you pick up all the water bottles and empty them out then put them into garbage bags.” She smiles.

“Sure, I can do that.”

Callusos and I do as she asked and by the time we’re done everyone is awake and getting on the boat to leave. When everyone is loaded up to go Claire announces that she had a blast and hoped everyone else did and that will be back at the dock in about ten to fifteen minutes. I use the boats bathroom to rinse my face, wash my hands, and to fix my hair. After I leave the bathroom I see the dock and people hopping onto the dock. Callusos pulls me up and catches me. We put or stuff in the trunk and I call my mom to let her know I’m on my way home and she sounds happy.

“What kinds of music do you like? I have Metallica, Modern Hop, Classic, Rock, and Ext.” Callusos asks.

“I like everything, but country and rap! But I kind of want to listen to Metallica right now.”

“Awesome, I don’t like rap either.” He says while putting in a Metallica CD. All the way home I hummed to the music and we exchanged a few glances. We pulled into my drive way around 9:00 and my mom was cutting some flowers for the dining table. Callusos opened my door and helped me out then grabbed my things from the trunk and said hi to my mom. He walked me to the door and I gave him a hug. He pulled out of the drive way and when he was out of sight my mom ran into the house. She fixed to glasses of lemonade and sat at the table looking at me funny.

“Yes?” I giggled.

“Well, sit your butt down and tell me what happened!” She insisted. I told her everything even about his family history and also that I had a date tonight.

“Really! OMG! Well you should take a shower and pick out what you want to wear.” She screams.

“Wait I can go? YAY! Um Mom can you help me pick something out later?” I smile. She shakes her head violently. I strip down and turn on the shower. When I get under the hot water it feels so good and refreshing. I wrap up my hair, dry off, and then tie on my robe. I go down stairs and cut up some fruits for a fruit salad. Afterwards my mom helps pick out a knee length, elbow length jean dress. I put on some foundation, mascara, and light maroon lip gloss. Afterwards my alarm clock reads 1:00. OMG I think it’s taking so long, I might as well draw. My mom came to check on around 4:00 and I had almost finished my drawing of a fairy and demon in love together, which was always forbidden.

“Are you ready honey?”

“Yup, I’ve been done for awhile. Come see what I’m drawing.” I insisted. She liked it and said I looked beautiful, which boosted up my self-esteem.

“Most girls try to look really doll and bubblegum girl like, but you look fabulous and original.” She smiles.

“I wonder if Callusos has ever been on a date before. I don’t think he has. But girls have probably asked him before.” I say worried. My mom rubs my shoulder,

“I don’t think he has either, but if he has I doubt they’ll be as nice as the one with you.” She smiles and heads down the stairs yelling that I have two hours. 

Chapter 5

As the school girl steered the pontoon boat into the cliffs Callusos and I talked.
"So Callusos are you excited for the school Halloween school dance?" I asked.
"Yea what were you planning on dressing up as?"
"Um I'm not quit positive, maybe a Marvel comics character. You?" I replied.
"I don't know maybe a wizard or a night."
I giggled, "I thought someone like you would choose something more creative."
"Oh, I know we could be twins, or a princess and prince.''
"Meaning I would be the prince and you the princess, that's a good idea." I laughed and he laughed with me.
Soon one of our classmates from gym came over with two water bottles. I gave her a bright smile in return, as well as Callusos. She skipped away excited and giddy she could help. Soon we were in the deep cliffs where few boats went.

I took a big swig of water as I watched girls talk to Callusos, trying not to show my jealousy. I looked around at the beautiful untouched mountainous view took a few pictures with my phone. After, since the spot next to me was empty where Callusos sat I lied down and starred at the clouds passing by between the walls of mountains. After awhile I jolted up feeling drops of cold water splash onto me. I looked and saw several people jumping into the water. Callusos comes and sits next to me.
"Are you okay, do you wanna go in with the others?" Callusos asks.
"Yea I'm fine just enjoying the scenery..." I started to stare off thinking of him talking and being so happy with those other girls.
"Do you want to go in?" He asks again a little worried.
"Oh yea sorry, cold water sounds nice right now."
I get up and slip off my flip flops, shorts, and Micky mouse T-shirt and put them into my beach bag. After I turn around and see Callusos pull off his T-shirt, and I see a six pack. I blush and turn back around and then see all the other girls in strapless or string bikinis thinking well I wore a tankini to be safe. Thump thump thump thump SPLASH! went Callusos, I giggled. I ran and jumped off doing a dive into the water. I hit the water with a plop and the feeling of the cold gave me goose bumps, but it felt so refreshing. I look up and see the surface, as I paddle up and up I feel the water getting warmer. Once I hit the surface I took a big gasp of air.  I look around and see Callusos swimming up.
"Hey," I give him a little wave and I can't help, but blush so I duck my head to where my eyes are right above the water.
"Hi, you looked lonely so I swam over, hey do you want to go over by everyone?" he asks.
"Um sure I guess" I reply
He starts swimming over to everyone else then turns to look at me. He had a worried look on his face. I decided to show off my swimming skills so I took a gasp of air and speed past Callusos and came up by everyone else giving Callusos a little smile. He hurried over to me and looked surprised.
"Hey where did you learn to swim like that?" I hear from behind.
I turn around curious and it's the basket ball player form the other day. I got chills and they weren't happy comfortable chills and it wasn't from the water either.
"Remember me from school yea it's Max, are you cold you have goose bumps?" he says and tries to make a charming smile again and totally fails again.
I turn around and move next to Callusos and I look at him and I see his aura melting to a deep hot red.
"Um yea I remember you, but I'm okay." I reply.
A girl comes from behind Max and kisses his cheek and then they leave. I feel a my fingers being squished and I look down to see Callusos squeezing my hand. I feel all awkward and I just float there like a boowie. All of a sudden he loosens his grip and pulls me to a big flat rock jutting out of the water and helps me up. I look out and see everyone jumping off the boat for a second time. Callusos is still holding my hand and I look to see if he's okay. His face is sad and tears welling up in his eyes, so I lean over and hug him. Granite it's awkward, but then he slumps and cries.
I had only ever really comforted my mother in the past so it was a little weird, but the I began to relax and just enjoy his presence.
"Sorry." Callusos says quietly.
I let go and sit back beside him. He grabs my hand and holds it gently between his own.
"What were you thinking about?" I ask.
" I remembering why my parents got a divorce." he replied.
"Oh could you tell me." I didn't want him to have to keep it a secret from everyone he new, because it's a hard thing to live with other wise, like a burden that holds on in less it's pull it off.
" My mother cheated on my father with several other men and they use to touch her like that girl did same. She would tell me not to say anything to my father other wise she would leave me. So I had kept countless men secret from my father and one day I couldn't hold it in anymore and I told him while we were at an ice cream shop. And he started to cry, after we got home he and my mom fought and she looked at me with so much hatred, but my father came and comforted me while she rushed to pack her things and ran out the door."
"I'm sorry..." I say.
"What happened to your dad?" asked Callusos.
"Well actually I just found out yesterday. " I frown
"Really, well sucks, what happened."
"I didn't really find out yet, but I'm going to the people that took him next Saturday. My mom said she could never tell me that he was taken our they would take me away from her also, so I don't know yet. She cried a lot when we got the letter."
"That's depressing."
"I know," I reply.
I wrap around his arm and close my eyes. I could feel him look at me, a gentle feel and his breath so steady compared to before. I look up at him and he looks back, his eyes so beautiful.
"I'm glad that I met you Callusos."
Then after a few seconds I go back and lie my face on his arm.
Later we swam back and everyone was getting out and drying off, some people just lying in the sun.
They had been playing crappy music the whole time so far so I asked if the could  turn on a song by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and they turned on soft shock, one of my favorites which they probably didn't know.All I could do was enjoy the music and close my eyes after I had dried and changed in the little pontoon bathroom. In my head I felt like I was dreaming. Like I didn't have to do anything anyone wanted me to do. The corners of my mouth went up and I sang out with the words of the song. Then Kiss Kiss came on by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and everyone seemed to know this song and shrieked in joy that it was on. I got dizzy and sat down to take a few swigs of water. I saw Callusos on the other side of the boat alone, he looked like he didn't know how to dance. I walk over next to him and yanked him up and pulled him to the dancing area. And the perfect song came on, Take Me Out by Franz Ferinand. I laughed and he smiled back, but was a little confused.
"I don't know how too dance!" he yells over the music.
"People know how to do certain dances, but dancing is just closing your eyes and listening to the music and letting your body move with your emotions. So just close your eyes and become engrossed with the music." I smile and close my eyes just standing there till my body starts moving on it's own. I slightly open my eyes and he is still there in front of me, but dancing and smiling. I laugh and the song changes then he takes a big breath and steps to me. He puts his hands on my waist and closes his eyes. I come closer and put my arms around his neck and rest my head on his shoulder , then I close my eyes. The song's beat speeds up and I have him follow me to do the basic step for waltz and then in no time we're moving fast and his hands are on my moving hips.
"Maybe I can give you dancing lessons."I laugh.
He nods and we just slowly dance enjoy each other's presence. Claire gets up on the highest thing she could screams for the music to stop.
"Okay everyone may I have your attention. We will be going to the shore and be having a bonfire, have fun."
She announces with a bright smile and everyone claps.

Chapter 4

The next day Callosus and I parked next each other again.

"So how was your night Samantha?" asked Callosus on the way to home room.

"I told my mom about you." Callosus blushed.

"I was wondering, do you want to go to Lake Perris with some school friends and me?" he asked.

"Um sure I would have to double check with my mom though. Whats your number?"

"414-185-8895" I put him in my phone's contacts.

"I'll call you after school to get the information, is that okay? I asked.

"Yea of course" he said as we sat down at our desks and Mr.  Brown came.

The day went by fast luckily and I had lots too think about. But what made me uncomfortable was the fact that I felt as though I was being watched from time to time. Callosus and I said goodbye and I headed home.
After I pulled into the driveway I grabbed the mail. There was something for my mom like always, but this particular letter was old and fancy looking. I walked into the door on accident while looking for who sent it and almost fell on my butt. When I was stable my mom opened the door and asked what happened.

I giggled, "I walked into the door."

She laughed, "Come on inside I'll get a bag of peas."

"So what did we get today more bills?" asked mom.

"Well the water and gas bill, but also you got a weird letter and it doesn't say who it's from."

She came back and exchanged the bag of peas for the letter. She didn't say anything, but she just looked angry and sad like she did when I would ask what happened to my father. She walked silently to her room dragging her feet and hunched over the letter.

An hour later when I was cleaning my homework off the kitchen table to make dinner she came out with her eyes all puffy and red, and she looked weary and weak. I puled out a chair and guided her to it. When she sat down I realized that she was still clutching the letter. She handed me the letter that was now crumpled and had tear drops on it. I unfolded it...

To The Wells family,

We have assigned a get together at my place to discuss James Wells at Manyard Lane on the 10th of this month 12:00.

I gave my mom a confused look, " Mom who are the people that want to talk about Dad?"

"They are the ones who have him. Sweetie your dad is still alive."she started to cry.

"They said I couldn't tell you anything or they would take you away I'm sorry I never told you anything about your dad." She took me in her arms as I cried for a long time. I finally pulled away silently and started to chop up vegetables for the salad we planned on having for dinner.

"SAMANTHA HELP ME! Please help me, please,please." Mom and dad were crying for me as men with no faces dragged them away. "NO MOM, DAD DON'T GO COME BACK PLEASE!" I scream as I'm kept restrained. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" I shot up out of my bed taking in ragged breaths of air, I was covered in goose bumps and sweat. I walked fast to my mom's bed side to find her laying there safe I looked down at my hands that were shaking violently. I walked to the kitchen for some special family recipe tea that always helps me sleep. After I calmly drank a mug I fell asleep on the couch and woke at 8:00. My mom hadn't woken up yet so I ground some coffee beans and brewed a pot. I was on my second cup when she awoke and made her and I some french toast.

"Oh I know what I smell, coffee and um french toast?" she quested.

"Yup," I gave he a smile.

We ate or food silently until, "Sweetie what were you going to ask last night?
I looked at her weird, I never mentioned I was going to ask her something.
"Um I was going to ask if I could go to the lake with Callosus and some school friends today. Around 10:00 at Lake Perris and Callosus said that I could catch a ride with him.

"Yes you can go, but I would like to talk to this charming Callosus when he picks you up." She winked at me.

I sent a text to Callosus and said I could go. He seemed happy and he said that he'll pick me up at 9:30. I hurried because it was already 9:00 so I grabbed my beach bag and put a beach towel, spare clothes and my phone charger in it. After that I showered and put on my blue bikini bottoms and white tankini top cause I was diffidently was not going to wear a full bikini with people from school. I slide on my Micky Mouse top on and basketball shorts over my swim wear and slide some flip flops on.

"Sweetie, Callosus is here!" yelled  mom.
I grabbed my beach bag and met mom and Callosus talking.

When he say me he smiled, " Hey Samantha are you ready?"

"Yup, I love you mom!" I gave her a big hug and kiss.

"Take care of her young man and both of you behave she yelled as Callosus and I hopped in his car. I waved to her as we pulled out of the driveway.

"Your mom is really funny." he smiled, "And it's cute that you two are like best friends."

I blushed, "Thanks I think she likes you."

"So are we renting a boat our hanging out on land?" I asked

"One of the girl's family in Gym class owns a nice big boat so we're gonna use that."

"Cool sounds fun do you know who's all going?"

"Yea um the girls from Gym class some of the Basketball players and then a few other kids."


"Okay sounds fun." but inside I was a little worried about the Basketball players.

It didn't really take that long to get there. We put up our car pass and met the others from school. They were backing the boat into the lake and once they got it in everyone met at the deck to get on. Claire the boat owner parked the boat at the deck while everyone got on. It was a really large Pontoon boat that had just enough room for everyone.

Last of Chapter 3

My Mom and I both grabbed a snack and sat at the table. I told her everything and she was especially psyched about Callosus.

"So what does he look like?"

I blushed and said, "Well he has dark shaggy hair gray eyes and a charming smile."

She giggled, "I think someone has a crush." she poked me in the arm.I couldn't stop blushing.

"Moooom!' I wined.

"Well Sweetie just saying facts." she giggled again.

"I'm gonna do my homework, okay?" I tried thinking of an excuse so I wouldn't have to listen to my mom teasing me.

"Okay, but NO trouble you know we've had this talk many times because we new this day would come when you would finally like a guy that you'd want to date."

I hurried down the hall to my room and her voice started to fade. I closed the door behind me and blew the falling hair out of my eyes. I didn't have that much homework, I never really did because I did most of it in extra work time at school. Anyway tomorrow is Friday so I don't have to work, ya!

First Part of Chapter 3

Screams of children blasted my ear when I walked through the YMCA entrance. I scanned my card and walked to the locker rooms. I quickly undressed and slipped on my one piece YMCA uniform bathing suit, then slide on my whistle. I could see my mom throwing a toy back into the pool to a young boy and smile.

"Hey Mom!" I wave and trot over to her. A look of relief is planted on her face and she smiles back.

"Hello Sweetie, how was school?"

"Very interesting, I'll tell you later."

I take second shift till 6:30, help clean up, and then go home with my mom. Luckily I have Fridays off, which is a relax day with my mom. Because on Saturdays and Sundays we clean, do any repairs, and and go appliance shopping.

Work went by so slowly because I was excited to tell mom everything that had happened at school. I jumped  into the pool and gathered the floating deserted toys. After cleaning up trash and putting pool toys away I quickly rinsed off in the showers and changed. Then locked everything up and hopped in the car with my mom.

The ride was silent until we turned onto our block.

"Okay sweetie when we get inside and settled you can tell me everything. Does that sound good?"

"Yup, I'm so exhausted, " I sighed.

"Well the day isn't over yet, there is still stuff to do." She adds while we pull into our driveway.

Chapter 2

I go to Ravens Wood High School, which is a descent size with 400 hundred students including me. I have a few friends, but no one special I guess you could say my mom and I are best friends, people some times thinks she goes to my school and she is 32! It's the middle of the year and I'm proud of my grades so far I only got one C and that was in German. German is pretty hard to pronounce in less that's what you grew up speaking. I turned into the school parking lot seeing someone in my usual parking spot. It was an old Pinto Ford that needed a paint job, but looked in really good condition. I parked next to the Ford and stepped out and then a boy I didn't recognize stepped out of the Ford. I grab my bag, locked my car and headed to go introduce myself. He saw me coming and smiled with white teeth so I returned the favor. He had a charming smile and shaggy dark brown hair with gray eyes and was about half a foot taller then me.
"Hello I'm Callosus I'm new!" he said thrusting his hand out. He said it in such a enthusiastic voice it shocked me.
"Hi I'm Samantha you've got a really cool name is it Latin?" I ask while shaking his hand.
"How did you know? Well any way do you mind taking to..." he let go of my hand a took out a piece of paper.
"Oh home room 204?"
"Of course, that's my home room, follow me!" He followed me and I could feel his eyes on me. I turned  and he knew he'd been caught and blushed. I grinned and could see girls walking over to him so I stopped and let them introduce themselves. The girls were giggling and checking him out. I rolled my eyes. When they were done Callosus asked."Do you know them?"
"Not really, but they're in my gym class."
We enter the home room and a bunch of girls are begging for him to sit with them, but he comes and sits down with me. I couldn't help, but giggle. Our teacher Mr. Brown comes in and smiles that he sees Callosus settled.
"Mr. Thistle please come up and introduce yourself." says Mr.brown. Callosus does just that and shakes Mr.Brown's hand firmly with his charming smile. 
"I am Callosus Thistle and I moved from Ireland to America because of my father's work."
"Thank you Mr. Thistle you may sit back down. Okay class get ready for first period. "
I realized that Callosus was in all my classes, that's very rare I thought. He had already left when I got to my car. I hopped in my car and was about to close it when someone grabbed my driver set door. A school basketball player crouched down and peeked into my car then looked up at me and smiled.
"Hey what's your name?" he asked.
"Um Samantha, what are you doing?"
"Nice car what grade you in." he asked trying to wear a charming face, but totally failed.
"10th grade why?"
"Was wondering if you wanted to get together some time and go to the club with my team and friends."
"Sorry I don't really want to go, but thanks for the offer. I have to go to the YMCA to meet with someone."
"But, wait do you have a boyfriend?"
"No I have to help my mom she works there. Bye and sorry again."
"Bye." He says and walks away in anointment.
I closed my door and pulled out of the parking lot catching a glimpse of that same basketball player and his friends. They were watching me as I left school and I felt troubled so I turned on my favorite band Apocalyptica a group of Cellos that inspired me to play the Cello which I have been playing for two years and am the best in 10th grade.