Post by Monday on May 11, 2006 18:14:55 GMT -5
"Damn it!" exclaimed Katrina as the door bell rang. She had been curled up on the sofa watching an old Cary Grant movie. It was the part where he had been standing on the screen his arms around the girl and just about to... Well now she would never know. Okay exaggeration she knew for a fact this movie came on every Saturday night. But the moment was lost. She pushed aside the quilt and box of tissues in her lap and went to answer the door.
LeeAnn was waiting impatiently for Katrina to open the door so she lifted her hand up to knock again and the door opened, "Katrina, we got a new neighbor! someone is fially moving into that house across the street." LeeAnn said excitedly. LeeAnn lived next door to Katrina and they had been best friends for as long as they had known each other.
Katrina smiled when she found that is was her best friend LeeAnn.
"Yeah, I know. Have you seen them yet?" she asked excitedly. This was a very, very small town. New neighbors was as about as exciting as it got.
"No I haven't, but I think they have a son our age. My mom was talking to them." LeeAnn said just as excited as Katrina was.
"Really?" asked Kat. Now she was interested.
"I think it's time for our alter-ego Charlie's Angels sides to take over. I'll get the binoculars, you get the cokes. I believe a little spying is in order." she proposed, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
LeeAnn bent down and picked up the 6-pack of cokes sitting at her feet, "I'm one step ahead of you." She laughed.
Kat grinned. It was just like LeeAnn to read her mind.
"Roof?" she asked. The best part of her house was the flat expanse of roof outside her bay window. Perfect for sunbathing...or spying on new neighbors.
"Well Duh." LeeAnn said starting to walk into Kat's house.
Together they raced up the stairs to Kat's room, giggling all the way. They climbed through the window and walked to the egde and flopped down on their bellies.
LeeAnn handed a coke to Kat and grabbed one for herself,"Do you see anything yet?" she asked.
Kat peered through the binoculars focusing through the green branches of the oak tree in her front yard to the house across the street.
"Nothing yet. But, a moving truck is there so someone has to come and unpack it soon.It's only a matter of time,"she said as she took a sip of her coke. The icy cold liquid really hit the spot on a hot summer day like this.
LeeAnn took a drink of her own coke and sighed. THis was her least favorit part, having to wait. "Well I hope it's soon, because it's kind of hot out here." She replied.
"Your telling me... Wait! I see some one!!" yelled Kat.
LeeAnn practacally pulled the binoculars out of Kat's hands as she squeeled,"Let me see, Let me see!"
Kat handed them over. She was in shock. The new guy was Hot!
LeeAnn looked through them and whistled. "Damn, he is hot." SHe said equally surprised. "I wonder why they moved to a place like this?"
Matt Thompson grunted in disgust and practically threw the box he was carrying to the ground. He ripped off his sweatshirt and wiped at the perspiration on his forehead. He was never going to get used to this Texas heat and he was never going to forgive his parents for moving him into suburbia hell. He peeled off his tee-shirt as well and turned around when he thought he heard someone giggle. He saw nothing and shrugged, picked up his box, and walked into the house.
LeeAnn gasped when he took off his shirt then whispered to Kat" DO you think he heard us? he looked like he was looking for something."
" God I hope not!" Kat rolled onto her back and sighed. Every girl in town was going to be vying for his attention.
"How long do you think it's going to be until Kristy Johnson is over here?" Kristy Johnson was the most popular girl in school. She was prom queen, cheerleader, you know. She could have any guy she wanted.
"I give it about 2 days," LeeAnn replied disgusted. She had never been fond of Kristy Johnson. LeeAnn put down the binoculars and took another drink of her coke.
" I hope he doesn't meet my parents. You know my mom will be over there with a pie or something when she gets home. I feel bad for the guy if he had to go through that. Maybe we should warn him." Kat's mom was notorious for being friendly and talked way too much.
"Well between your mom and mine he probably does need a warning." LeeAnn's mom was a lawyer and usually came across to people as being painfully blunt.
An idea was forming in Kat's mind.
"That's exactly what we should do!" She said excitedly. Maybe she would have a chance to give a good impression to this guy with out her mother telling him the story about how she cried in kindergarden when the teacher told her she liked her dress.
"We should, shouldn't we?" LeeAnn remarked. She go up sitting on her knees looking down at Kat.
"Absolutely! It's the least we can do. We have to be good neighbors, don't we?" said Kat.
"Yes, it would be wrong of us not to give him a proper warning." LeeAnn replied knowing very well niether one of them was really going over there to give him a warning. LeeAnn got up and grabbed the cokes and went back into Kat's room.
Kat walked over to her mrrior where LeeAnn was already primping. She surveyed herself in the mirror. Her black tank top and jean shorts made her feel a little taller than her actual 5 foot 1 and a half. Her long wavy red hair just hit her shoulder blades. She sighed this was as good as it gets, she thought. Her only good features were her eyes. One was sky blue and the other was half green and half brown, a color most people called hazel. She just called it a pain.
LeeAnn pulled her blonde, straight hair out of the ponytail it was in. Her hair was long coming down to the middle of her back. She was dressed similar to Kat, with blue jean shorts and a light blue shirt without sleeves. Her eyes were a dark brown with a black ring around the outside. Doe eyes is what her mother called her. "You ready?" LeeAnn asked.
Kat took a deep breath and as an afterthought put on the jade earrings her grandmother had given her for her birthday. She had always said they would bring good luck to the wearer. And she was going to need all she could get.
Matt had finally finished unpacking. His parents had jetted off to "check out the sights". Matt snorted. What there was to see in this tiny town couldn't be that interesting so he had declined their invite. He walked back outside just as two giggling girls came out of a house across the street. Matt raised his eyebrows when he saw that they were headed towards him. He quickly ran a hand through his longish brown hair. Great, he thought. I should have put my shirt back on. Even from the distance he could tell both of these girls were cute and about his age. He hoped he didn't smell bad. The last thing he needed was to be the boy next door with bad BO.
"God, why does he have to be so hot?" LeeAnn asked Kat giggling. Though LeeAnn didn't have problems talking with people she knew she wasn't usually very talkitive around people she didn't know. LeeAnn was determined this guy would be different though. sHe flipped her hair with her hand.
"I know! " Kat whispered breathlessly as the boy watched their approach. Coming up and talking to guys she didn't know definatley didn't fit her personality. But it was summer and she was determined to change that fact.
They were getting close to the guy now and LeeAnn was starting to get nervous like she always did. "Why are we doing this, again?" SHe whispered to Kat.
"Because we're letting him know what he's missing if he starts to go out with Kristy!" Kat replied even though she was just as nervous. The street as they crossed it felt like it was a mile wide. Finally they reached the boy. Kat gave her best friendly smile and stuck out her hand and said, "Hi, I'm Kat. I live over there," she said pointing to her house. LeeAnn remained silent so Kat elbowed her in the ribs.
"Ow," she said as she jumped then fianlly came to her senses, "Oh..umm... I'm LeeAnn, I live in the pink house next to Kat." LeeAnn was cursing herself, Geez, there I go again, she thought.
Matt smiled as the two girsl introduced themselves and he held out his hand to each of them. Life in this small town was about to get a bit more interesting.
Matt was aware of the affect he had on girls but it bothered him sometimes that these girls would throw them selves at him without even getting to know him. These girls seemed nice, but he was still totally in love with one Amy Reynolds his long term girlfriend from his old school in Chicago.
LeeAnn shook his hand still not quite over her shyness. "So you are...." she said.
"I'm Matt, "he said. Kat grinned.
"With an accent like that you have got to be from up north. Where're you from?" she inquired.
"Chicago."
Kat exchanged a glance with LeeAnn. They were both totally in love with that movie from Chicago.
"So why did you come here?" LeeAnn asked knowing most people did not like the heat in Texas. Especially those people from up north. LeeAnn loved the heat though. Some people thought she was related to reptiles and cold-blooded.
"My parents." Matt replied in a tone that meant the subject was closed.
LeeAnn glanced over at Kat and was not willing to approach that subject again. "So do you have any sibilings?" She asked kind of hoping he had a twin brother so there would be two of him.
"Just a 3-year old sister." he said with a smile. "She and parents are out exploring the town."
Kat snorted.
"There's not much to see." she said.
"Tell me about it,"replied Matt.
A black Lexis turned on to the street and LeeAnn groaned,"My mother's home, great." She rolled her eyes knowing her mother would be delighted that she had talked to a guy. LeeAnn's mother was always happy when she talked to a guy. She knew Kat would understand.
"Okay, Matt. We have to be honest." said Kat in a serious tone. Matt raised his eyebrows.
"We had a motive for coming over here." She lowered her voice and Matt and LeeAnn leaned in closer to hear what she said.
"Our mothers are crazy. And we came to warn you. You should probably run inside and lock the door, or LeeAnn's mom will be over here giving you the 3rd degree."
Matt laughed.
"I'll take your word for it. Nice meeting you two. I've got more unpacking to do anyway."
"Great, we'll try to head her off and give you a head start." said Kat as Matt walked inside shaking his head, as in "I guess I moved to the funny farm! Those girls are insane1"
Kat turned to LeeAnn.
"Well, that went well don't you think?" she asked LeeAnn.
LeeAnn laughed at Kat and smiled,"Yeah, sure." LeeAnn said rolling her eyes. "We are crazy, Kat! You know that, right?"
"Of course!" said Kat as she looped her arm through LeeAnn's. "That's what makes us so endearing."
LeeAnn laughed at Kat then said jokingly and very dramatic,"I think I'm in love. Will you marry me?"
Kat threw back her head and laughed...until she saw LeeAnn's mother.
"Uh oh! Your mother looks like shes on the warpath! What did you do this time?"
LeeAnn was equally surprised to see her mother, and that Kat's discription was accurate,"Nothing that I know of, I even cleaned my room." she said confused.
"I think that's my cue! Good Luck!" said Kat ignoring the death stare from her friend and ran into her house.
"Kat!" she yelled after her friend standing there staring at her.
LeeAnn's mother walked up to her and she said in a firm voice,"LeeAnn Rene Parker!"
LeeAnn winced when she heard her mother use her full name,"Yes?" she voiced timidly.
"Why on earth did you not introduce to me to your new friend. I saw you two talking, you can't deny it."
LeeAnn sighed grateful that that was it,"Oh..umm..he had to go unpack, otherwise I would've." she improvised quickly.
"Well next time you talk to him you need to introduce me."
LeeAnn nodded and thought, fat chance of that happrning.
LeeAnn went to her room as soon as her mom let her and grabbed her phone hitting redial. She was calling Kat.
Kat answered her phone knowing who it was, said in a creepy voice,"I want to play a game, LeeAnn!" in a sad imitation of her favorite horror movie, Saw.
"Why did you leave me?!" she shreeked into the phone pretending to be mad.She sat down on her bed and pulled apart the blinds of her window that faced the street. She looked across the street wistfully at Matt's house.
" Why do we even bother with the phone when we live next door to each other?" Her mind was reeling with the events of the day.
"I have no idea," LeeAnn said bluntly, then she got up and walked to her other window that faced Kat's house. There was tree in between the houses with strong sturdy brances conveintly stretch across the gap between their houses. "Open your window I'm to lazy to walk all the way downstairs to get to your house." she said the hung up and opened her window. Jumping on to the branch outside.
Kat opened her window and crawled onto the roof and saw her friend swinging from the branches of the oak tree like a monkey. She laughed.
"How's it hanging, LeeAnn?"
"Aww, shut up Kat" LeeAnn said as she pulled herself up onto the roof. "So what did you make out of Matt?"
"Dreamy." she said sighing.
LeeAnn nodded her head agreeing with her,"School's going to be hell for him." she said.
"If Hell is full of screaming girls. Thankfully no school for 2 months. What are we going to do with all that free time?"
"Get to know him." LeeAnn suggested then added mischeiviously,"and lock him away so no one else can find him."
"Yeah, I'm sure you want to chain him up on your wall with all your other victims!'' replied Kat laughing.
"But, seriously, There's something about him. I just can't put my finger on it."
"Actually I was thinking about upgrading to the UPS guy, but Matt might work," LeeAnn joked back.
"I know what you're talking about though, there is something different about him."
"Maybe it's just because he's new," said Kat staring up at the sky as the first twinklings of stars began to appear in the not totally dark yet sky.
"Who knows?" LeeAnn said as she shrugged her shoulders also looking a the sky.
"All I know is, I don't want us to fight over him." said Kat seriously.
"Neither do I. No guy, no matter how hot he is, is worth losing you," LeeAnn replied just as serious.
"Aww, tear!"said Kat as she pretended to wipe away a tear.
"Let's make a pack. Except as a friend, Matt is off-limits romantically."
"Deal," LeeAnn agreed hugging Kat tightly.
Kat hugged her friend back just as the final rays of the sun disappeared over the horizon plunging the two girls into semidarkness.
"LeeAnn Rene, if you don't get down here this second I'm going to ground you." LeeAnn's mother called.
LeeAnn heard her mother through her still open window and she started making her way across the tree. "I'll see you tomorrow, Kat," she yelled over her shoulder as she waved. Seeing Kat wave back, LeeAnn slipped inside her room and closed the window, heading downstairs.
Meanwhile across the street. Matt was faced with a dilema. E-mail Amy or wait and seem more mysterious. Make her come to him. Matt gave in and e-mailed her. He missed her too much.
Dear Amy, he wrote.
This new town is nothing like Chicago. First of all it's tiny and everyone is actually friendly. Some of my new neighbors came over today and they were...interesting.
Matt smiled remembering the red-head and the blond. Kat and LeeAnn. He hesitated to state that they were girls because Amy was known to get insanely jealous over nothing.
"...Everything in this new place just makes me miss you more. Maybe I'll be able to come up for a visit over spring break. Write soon. I love you, Matt."
Matt hit send, feeling relieved that probably hundreds of miles away, Amy was opening the letter and smiling. Little did he know it would be weeks before he got a reply.
LeeAnn ran down the stairs two at a time and slipped into her chair where her food was ready. Sandy, LeeAnn's mom was already sitting at the table. It was just the two of them. Ever since her dad left 4 years ago and never made any contact. Then Ryan, her older brother, left for collage and was a juinor now. LeeAnn bowed her head and prayed. She was a Christain and was proud of it.
"LeeAnn, honey," Sandy said when she had finished praying,"I invited the Thompsons, the bew neighbors over for dinner tomorrow."
LeeAnn nearly choked on her spaghetti when her mom said that. She quickly recovered and said fast," But Kat is coming over tomorrow for dinner." Kat hadn't been planing for coming over at all but LeeAnn knew she would want to if Matt was going to be coming over.
"Well I wasn't planning on her coming but that will be fine"
LeeAnn chated idely with her mom as they ate dinner but wasn't really paying attention. He's coming over here? Here?, she thought.
Kat headed down to the kitchen to find domething to eat for dinner. In her house it wasn't what's for dinner, but if we are having dinner. Her parents both worked late and her sister, Laura was 2 years older than her and almost never at home. She sighed and pulled a couple of frozen burritos out of the freezer. She couldn't wait until tommorow night when she would get to have a real dinner with LeeAnn and her mother.
LeeAnn finished eating and cleared the table while her mother straightened up the kitchen. They always kept a clean house.
"LeeAnn I'm going to finish up some cases then I'm going to bed. Don't stay up to long." Sandy warned her daughter dissappearing into her study.
LeeAnn went up to her room and started playing mindsweeper on her computer, still thinking about Matt and his family coming over for dinner.
Kat heard drunken giggles as her sister and probably her latest boyfriend came stumbling in the house. Silence filled the house even with the TV and radio on. She considered calling LeeAnn but her mother had a strict no-phoning after 9 policy. Instead she changed into an old tee-shirt and cotton shorts and her jogging bra and headed out into the night to run away from the silence.
After a couple of hours of messing around online it was a 10:30 and LeeAnn decided she wanted to go to bed. She changed into her pajamas which were glow-in-the-dark, smiley faced boxers and a white tank top. SHe crawled under her blue comforter which was spread across her queen-size bed and fell asleep, dreaming about the boyfriend she wanted.
Kat had forgotten her Cd player and was cursing herself silently when she came upon her half-mile marker, a small bridge over a creek. In the dark it was hard to tell but it looked like someone was standing on the bridge.
Kat neared the bridge, her guard up. This was a small town but bad things happened sometimes. She breathed a sigh of relief when she it was none other than the new neighbor Matt.
"Hey," he said when she approached.
"Hey, yourself. Guess we had the same idea."
"Yeah. How was everything with LeeAnn's mom?" he asked.
"Fine, but you should expect a visit from her anyday."
He laughed.
"Looking forward to it. Is she really strict or something?"
"Well, not really. It's just been really hard on her and LeeAnn these past couple years. Her dad left them when we were 12."
Matt winced.
"That's tough."
"Yeah, but I try to be there for her when ever I can and share my dad with her once and a while." said Kat with a smile.
Matt smiled back politely but seemed distant.
"Something wrong?"asked Kat.
"No...well I'm just thinking about my girlfriend."
Ah, crud. Thought Kat. She had to tell LeeAnn.
"From Chicago?"
"Yeah, she was kind of upset about me leaving. She's paranoid I'm going to find someone else. The long distance thing is hard."
"Yeah, but doesn't it go both ways? Shouldn't you be worried about her finding someone else?"
"I guess I should but I trust her."
"That's good. I'd better be on my way. Curfew." she said rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, me too. It was nice talking to someone about this."
They waved good bye and each headed in opposite directions. Kat with s sinking heart knowing Matt was off the market.
The next morning Kat waiting impatiently for LeeANn's mom to leave t5he house for work. The second that black Lexis pulled out of the driveway Kat raced over to LeeAnn's house and banged loudly on the door.
LeeAnn had been watching TV in the living room sitting on the couch. Her mom had just left when she heard the knock. She knew at once that it had to be Kat. No one else would come over this early. She jumped up from the couch and ran over to the door pulling it up,"What's Up, Kat?"
"Oh my God!! Matt has a girlfriend!" exclaimed Kat as she proceded to explain the encounter by the bridge the previous night.
"What!" LeeAnn said looking at Kat incrediously. "How do you pull off a long distance relationship like that?"
"I don't know, but it seems like he's going to find a way. I think he really loves her. When I said she might be cheating on him but kind of seemed like he was in denial over that little fact."replied Kat breathlessly.
"So he's in love, and he's how old? 16? I haven't even had a boyfriend yet!" LeeAnn exclaimed shaking her head in disbelief.
"Tell me about it. I wish Alex would get back from visiting his mom in freaking California already. I miss him. Besides you he is my best friend." Said Kat wistfully. Alex had been her friend since kindergarden when he had fended off the nefarious Jake as he had tried to make Kat eat a worm.
"Have you ever thought about Alex as boyfriend material?" LeeAnn asked, now hooked on the sublect of boyfriends. She also knew that Alex had liked Kat as more than a friend for a while now, but she had promised Alex that she wouldn't tell. LeeAnn had kept her promise. Kat didn't have a clue.
Kat stared thoughtfully into the distance. Alex as a boyfriend? Maybe. But it would just be too weird considering Alex was such a good friend and the fact that he had often seen her in her Pj's with no bra and no makeup and with her hair an uncontrollable frizzball. She told LeeAnn as much. Except she had never told LeeAnn about the huge crush she had had on Alex in the 8th grade when they had both hit puberty big time and suddenly Alex was hot. But she had fully gotten over it when Kristy had asked him out.
LeeAnn shrugged her shoulders at Kat then suddenly remembered that Matt was coming over for dinner that night. "Kat come you come to dinner tonight? Matt is coming over and I don't want to be alone," She said excitedly, all ready knowing the answer.
LeeAnn grinned broadly,"I knew you would say yes."
"Cause I'm just so predictable,"said Kat rolling her eyes.
"Did you all ready eat breakfast? I didn't and you can join me in having a gourmet bowl of fruit loops if you would like." LeeAnn said laughing.
"Hmm...I don't know. I really rather prefer the delectable dish that is Fruity Pebbles."said Kat with a grin.
"I don't know, that would be difficult. I haven't even opened that box yet." LeeAnn siad throwing her arms up. Then she smiled and closed the door behind Kat as she walked in.
Matt stared at his computer. Amy still hadn't emailed him back. Everytime he had tried to call her the voicemail had picked it up. He was frustrated beyond belief. Kat's words kept repeating over and over in his head.
"Shouldn't you be worrying about her finding someone else?"
"sO what are we going to do today?" LeeAnn asked pulling out cereal boxes and the milk. She poured herself a bowl of Fruit Loops then she poured Kat a bowl of Fruity Pebbles. She took both bowls to the table and sat down taking a bite of her cereal
"I don't know. Alex e-mailed me last night and said he was flying in today so my mom's going to take me to meet his plane. His dad's working. Again."said Kat through a mouthful of Fruity Pebbles. Alex's dad was notorious for being a work-oholic.
"I didn't think Alex was getting back til next week." LeeAnn said knowing how Alex's dad was.
"So did I, but apparently his mom and stepdad decided to take a second honeymoon."
"I don't see how he stands even going to see them," LeeAnn said shaking her head.
Alex sat on the plane supposedly reading a book. Instead he was looking at a picture of Kat and all he letters she had written him. He had liked Kat for a long time but he wasn't willing to ruin their friendship. He had gotten the message from his dad that he would be at work. That meant that Kat would probably be picking him. He just had to wait a few more hours and he would see her again.
"He loves his mom, that's why. And at least while he's there he has parents who are actually around. I can't wait to see him!" Kat said excitedly.
"Chill Kat" LeeAnn said laughing,"So when is his flight getting in?"
"Three, I think.We should make a Welome home sign for him!"
"We should. I have a poster we could use." LeeAnn saidfinishing off her cereal.
"Great! It should cheer him up. He's always depressed when his dad blows him off. Do you want to come with us?"
"I don't know if I can, my mom said I needed to stay at home and she'll be home by the time we drive to the airport and back. I'll help with the sign though. You're still coming over for dinner right?" LeeAnn asked winking at Kat.
LeeAnn was waiting impatiently for Katrina to open the door so she lifted her hand up to knock again and the door opened, "Katrina, we got a new neighbor! someone is fially moving into that house across the street." LeeAnn said excitedly. LeeAnn lived next door to Katrina and they had been best friends for as long as they had known each other.
Katrina smiled when she found that is was her best friend LeeAnn.
"Yeah, I know. Have you seen them yet?" she asked excitedly. This was a very, very small town. New neighbors was as about as exciting as it got.
"No I haven't, but I think they have a son our age. My mom was talking to them." LeeAnn said just as excited as Katrina was.
"Really?" asked Kat. Now she was interested.
"I think it's time for our alter-ego Charlie's Angels sides to take over. I'll get the binoculars, you get the cokes. I believe a little spying is in order." she proposed, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
LeeAnn bent down and picked up the 6-pack of cokes sitting at her feet, "I'm one step ahead of you." She laughed.
Kat grinned. It was just like LeeAnn to read her mind.
"Roof?" she asked. The best part of her house was the flat expanse of roof outside her bay window. Perfect for sunbathing...or spying on new neighbors.
"Well Duh." LeeAnn said starting to walk into Kat's house.
Together they raced up the stairs to Kat's room, giggling all the way. They climbed through the window and walked to the egde and flopped down on their bellies.
LeeAnn handed a coke to Kat and grabbed one for herself,"Do you see anything yet?" she asked.
Kat peered through the binoculars focusing through the green branches of the oak tree in her front yard to the house across the street.
"Nothing yet. But, a moving truck is there so someone has to come and unpack it soon.It's only a matter of time,"she said as she took a sip of her coke. The icy cold liquid really hit the spot on a hot summer day like this.
LeeAnn took a drink of her own coke and sighed. THis was her least favorit part, having to wait. "Well I hope it's soon, because it's kind of hot out here." She replied.
"Your telling me... Wait! I see some one!!" yelled Kat.
LeeAnn practacally pulled the binoculars out of Kat's hands as she squeeled,"Let me see, Let me see!"
Kat handed them over. She was in shock. The new guy was Hot!
LeeAnn looked through them and whistled. "Damn, he is hot." SHe said equally surprised. "I wonder why they moved to a place like this?"
Matt Thompson grunted in disgust and practically threw the box he was carrying to the ground. He ripped off his sweatshirt and wiped at the perspiration on his forehead. He was never going to get used to this Texas heat and he was never going to forgive his parents for moving him into suburbia hell. He peeled off his tee-shirt as well and turned around when he thought he heard someone giggle. He saw nothing and shrugged, picked up his box, and walked into the house.
LeeAnn gasped when he took off his shirt then whispered to Kat" DO you think he heard us? he looked like he was looking for something."
" God I hope not!" Kat rolled onto her back and sighed. Every girl in town was going to be vying for his attention.
"How long do you think it's going to be until Kristy Johnson is over here?" Kristy Johnson was the most popular girl in school. She was prom queen, cheerleader, you know. She could have any guy she wanted.
"I give it about 2 days," LeeAnn replied disgusted. She had never been fond of Kristy Johnson. LeeAnn put down the binoculars and took another drink of her coke.
" I hope he doesn't meet my parents. You know my mom will be over there with a pie or something when she gets home. I feel bad for the guy if he had to go through that. Maybe we should warn him." Kat's mom was notorious for being friendly and talked way too much.
"Well between your mom and mine he probably does need a warning." LeeAnn's mom was a lawyer and usually came across to people as being painfully blunt.
An idea was forming in Kat's mind.
"That's exactly what we should do!" She said excitedly. Maybe she would have a chance to give a good impression to this guy with out her mother telling him the story about how she cried in kindergarden when the teacher told her she liked her dress.
"We should, shouldn't we?" LeeAnn remarked. She go up sitting on her knees looking down at Kat.
"Absolutely! It's the least we can do. We have to be good neighbors, don't we?" said Kat.
"Yes, it would be wrong of us not to give him a proper warning." LeeAnn replied knowing very well niether one of them was really going over there to give him a warning. LeeAnn got up and grabbed the cokes and went back into Kat's room.
Kat walked over to her mrrior where LeeAnn was already primping. She surveyed herself in the mirror. Her black tank top and jean shorts made her feel a little taller than her actual 5 foot 1 and a half. Her long wavy red hair just hit her shoulder blades. She sighed this was as good as it gets, she thought. Her only good features were her eyes. One was sky blue and the other was half green and half brown, a color most people called hazel. She just called it a pain.
LeeAnn pulled her blonde, straight hair out of the ponytail it was in. Her hair was long coming down to the middle of her back. She was dressed similar to Kat, with blue jean shorts and a light blue shirt without sleeves. Her eyes were a dark brown with a black ring around the outside. Doe eyes is what her mother called her. "You ready?" LeeAnn asked.
Kat took a deep breath and as an afterthought put on the jade earrings her grandmother had given her for her birthday. She had always said they would bring good luck to the wearer. And she was going to need all she could get.
Matt had finally finished unpacking. His parents had jetted off to "check out the sights". Matt snorted. What there was to see in this tiny town couldn't be that interesting so he had declined their invite. He walked back outside just as two giggling girls came out of a house across the street. Matt raised his eyebrows when he saw that they were headed towards him. He quickly ran a hand through his longish brown hair. Great, he thought. I should have put my shirt back on. Even from the distance he could tell both of these girls were cute and about his age. He hoped he didn't smell bad. The last thing he needed was to be the boy next door with bad BO.
"God, why does he have to be so hot?" LeeAnn asked Kat giggling. Though LeeAnn didn't have problems talking with people she knew she wasn't usually very talkitive around people she didn't know. LeeAnn was determined this guy would be different though. sHe flipped her hair with her hand.
"I know! " Kat whispered breathlessly as the boy watched their approach. Coming up and talking to guys she didn't know definatley didn't fit her personality. But it was summer and she was determined to change that fact.
They were getting close to the guy now and LeeAnn was starting to get nervous like she always did. "Why are we doing this, again?" SHe whispered to Kat.
"Because we're letting him know what he's missing if he starts to go out with Kristy!" Kat replied even though she was just as nervous. The street as they crossed it felt like it was a mile wide. Finally they reached the boy. Kat gave her best friendly smile and stuck out her hand and said, "Hi, I'm Kat. I live over there," she said pointing to her house. LeeAnn remained silent so Kat elbowed her in the ribs.
"Ow," she said as she jumped then fianlly came to her senses, "Oh..umm... I'm LeeAnn, I live in the pink house next to Kat." LeeAnn was cursing herself, Geez, there I go again, she thought.
Matt smiled as the two girsl introduced themselves and he held out his hand to each of them. Life in this small town was about to get a bit more interesting.
Matt was aware of the affect he had on girls but it bothered him sometimes that these girls would throw them selves at him without even getting to know him. These girls seemed nice, but he was still totally in love with one Amy Reynolds his long term girlfriend from his old school in Chicago.
LeeAnn shook his hand still not quite over her shyness. "So you are...." she said.
"I'm Matt, "he said. Kat grinned.
"With an accent like that you have got to be from up north. Where're you from?" she inquired.
"Chicago."
Kat exchanged a glance with LeeAnn. They were both totally in love with that movie from Chicago.
"So why did you come here?" LeeAnn asked knowing most people did not like the heat in Texas. Especially those people from up north. LeeAnn loved the heat though. Some people thought she was related to reptiles and cold-blooded.
"My parents." Matt replied in a tone that meant the subject was closed.
LeeAnn glanced over at Kat and was not willing to approach that subject again. "So do you have any sibilings?" She asked kind of hoping he had a twin brother so there would be two of him.
"Just a 3-year old sister." he said with a smile. "She and parents are out exploring the town."
Kat snorted.
"There's not much to see." she said.
"Tell me about it,"replied Matt.
A black Lexis turned on to the street and LeeAnn groaned,"My mother's home, great." She rolled her eyes knowing her mother would be delighted that she had talked to a guy. LeeAnn's mother was always happy when she talked to a guy. She knew Kat would understand.
"Okay, Matt. We have to be honest." said Kat in a serious tone. Matt raised his eyebrows.
"We had a motive for coming over here." She lowered her voice and Matt and LeeAnn leaned in closer to hear what she said.
"Our mothers are crazy. And we came to warn you. You should probably run inside and lock the door, or LeeAnn's mom will be over here giving you the 3rd degree."
Matt laughed.
"I'll take your word for it. Nice meeting you two. I've got more unpacking to do anyway."
"Great, we'll try to head her off and give you a head start." said Kat as Matt walked inside shaking his head, as in "I guess I moved to the funny farm! Those girls are insane1"
Kat turned to LeeAnn.
"Well, that went well don't you think?" she asked LeeAnn.
LeeAnn laughed at Kat and smiled,"Yeah, sure." LeeAnn said rolling her eyes. "We are crazy, Kat! You know that, right?"
"Of course!" said Kat as she looped her arm through LeeAnn's. "That's what makes us so endearing."
LeeAnn laughed at Kat then said jokingly and very dramatic,"I think I'm in love. Will you marry me?"
Kat threw back her head and laughed...until she saw LeeAnn's mother.
"Uh oh! Your mother looks like shes on the warpath! What did you do this time?"
LeeAnn was equally surprised to see her mother, and that Kat's discription was accurate,"Nothing that I know of, I even cleaned my room." she said confused.
"I think that's my cue! Good Luck!" said Kat ignoring the death stare from her friend and ran into her house.
"Kat!" she yelled after her friend standing there staring at her.
LeeAnn's mother walked up to her and she said in a firm voice,"LeeAnn Rene Parker!"
LeeAnn winced when she heard her mother use her full name,"Yes?" she voiced timidly.
"Why on earth did you not introduce to me to your new friend. I saw you two talking, you can't deny it."
LeeAnn sighed grateful that that was it,"Oh..umm..he had to go unpack, otherwise I would've." she improvised quickly.
"Well next time you talk to him you need to introduce me."
LeeAnn nodded and thought, fat chance of that happrning.
LeeAnn went to her room as soon as her mom let her and grabbed her phone hitting redial. She was calling Kat.
Kat answered her phone knowing who it was, said in a creepy voice,"I want to play a game, LeeAnn!" in a sad imitation of her favorite horror movie, Saw.
"Why did you leave me?!" she shreeked into the phone pretending to be mad.She sat down on her bed and pulled apart the blinds of her window that faced the street. She looked across the street wistfully at Matt's house.
" Why do we even bother with the phone when we live next door to each other?" Her mind was reeling with the events of the day.
"I have no idea," LeeAnn said bluntly, then she got up and walked to her other window that faced Kat's house. There was tree in between the houses with strong sturdy brances conveintly stretch across the gap between their houses. "Open your window I'm to lazy to walk all the way downstairs to get to your house." she said the hung up and opened her window. Jumping on to the branch outside.
Kat opened her window and crawled onto the roof and saw her friend swinging from the branches of the oak tree like a monkey. She laughed.
"How's it hanging, LeeAnn?"
"Aww, shut up Kat" LeeAnn said as she pulled herself up onto the roof. "So what did you make out of Matt?"
"Dreamy." she said sighing.
LeeAnn nodded her head agreeing with her,"School's going to be hell for him." she said.
"If Hell is full of screaming girls. Thankfully no school for 2 months. What are we going to do with all that free time?"
"Get to know him." LeeAnn suggested then added mischeiviously,"and lock him away so no one else can find him."
"Yeah, I'm sure you want to chain him up on your wall with all your other victims!'' replied Kat laughing.
"But, seriously, There's something about him. I just can't put my finger on it."
"Actually I was thinking about upgrading to the UPS guy, but Matt might work," LeeAnn joked back.
"I know what you're talking about though, there is something different about him."
"Maybe it's just because he's new," said Kat staring up at the sky as the first twinklings of stars began to appear in the not totally dark yet sky.
"Who knows?" LeeAnn said as she shrugged her shoulders also looking a the sky.
"All I know is, I don't want us to fight over him." said Kat seriously.
"Neither do I. No guy, no matter how hot he is, is worth losing you," LeeAnn replied just as serious.
"Aww, tear!"said Kat as she pretended to wipe away a tear.
"Let's make a pack. Except as a friend, Matt is off-limits romantically."
"Deal," LeeAnn agreed hugging Kat tightly.
Kat hugged her friend back just as the final rays of the sun disappeared over the horizon plunging the two girls into semidarkness.
"LeeAnn Rene, if you don't get down here this second I'm going to ground you." LeeAnn's mother called.
LeeAnn heard her mother through her still open window and she started making her way across the tree. "I'll see you tomorrow, Kat," she yelled over her shoulder as she waved. Seeing Kat wave back, LeeAnn slipped inside her room and closed the window, heading downstairs.
Meanwhile across the street. Matt was faced with a dilema. E-mail Amy or wait and seem more mysterious. Make her come to him. Matt gave in and e-mailed her. He missed her too much.
Dear Amy, he wrote.
This new town is nothing like Chicago. First of all it's tiny and everyone is actually friendly. Some of my new neighbors came over today and they were...interesting.
Matt smiled remembering the red-head and the blond. Kat and LeeAnn. He hesitated to state that they were girls because Amy was known to get insanely jealous over nothing.
"...Everything in this new place just makes me miss you more. Maybe I'll be able to come up for a visit over spring break. Write soon. I love you, Matt."
Matt hit send, feeling relieved that probably hundreds of miles away, Amy was opening the letter and smiling. Little did he know it would be weeks before he got a reply.
LeeAnn ran down the stairs two at a time and slipped into her chair where her food was ready. Sandy, LeeAnn's mom was already sitting at the table. It was just the two of them. Ever since her dad left 4 years ago and never made any contact. Then Ryan, her older brother, left for collage and was a juinor now. LeeAnn bowed her head and prayed. She was a Christain and was proud of it.
"LeeAnn, honey," Sandy said when she had finished praying,"I invited the Thompsons, the bew neighbors over for dinner tomorrow."
LeeAnn nearly choked on her spaghetti when her mom said that. She quickly recovered and said fast," But Kat is coming over tomorrow for dinner." Kat hadn't been planing for coming over at all but LeeAnn knew she would want to if Matt was going to be coming over.
"Well I wasn't planning on her coming but that will be fine"
LeeAnn chated idely with her mom as they ate dinner but wasn't really paying attention. He's coming over here? Here?, she thought.
Kat headed down to the kitchen to find domething to eat for dinner. In her house it wasn't what's for dinner, but if we are having dinner. Her parents both worked late and her sister, Laura was 2 years older than her and almost never at home. She sighed and pulled a couple of frozen burritos out of the freezer. She couldn't wait until tommorow night when she would get to have a real dinner with LeeAnn and her mother.
LeeAnn finished eating and cleared the table while her mother straightened up the kitchen. They always kept a clean house.
"LeeAnn I'm going to finish up some cases then I'm going to bed. Don't stay up to long." Sandy warned her daughter dissappearing into her study.
LeeAnn went up to her room and started playing mindsweeper on her computer, still thinking about Matt and his family coming over for dinner.
Kat heard drunken giggles as her sister and probably her latest boyfriend came stumbling in the house. Silence filled the house even with the TV and radio on. She considered calling LeeAnn but her mother had a strict no-phoning after 9 policy. Instead she changed into an old tee-shirt and cotton shorts and her jogging bra and headed out into the night to run away from the silence.
After a couple of hours of messing around online it was a 10:30 and LeeAnn decided she wanted to go to bed. She changed into her pajamas which were glow-in-the-dark, smiley faced boxers and a white tank top. SHe crawled under her blue comforter which was spread across her queen-size bed and fell asleep, dreaming about the boyfriend she wanted.
Kat had forgotten her Cd player and was cursing herself silently when she came upon her half-mile marker, a small bridge over a creek. In the dark it was hard to tell but it looked like someone was standing on the bridge.
Kat neared the bridge, her guard up. This was a small town but bad things happened sometimes. She breathed a sigh of relief when she it was none other than the new neighbor Matt.
"Hey," he said when she approached.
"Hey, yourself. Guess we had the same idea."
"Yeah. How was everything with LeeAnn's mom?" he asked.
"Fine, but you should expect a visit from her anyday."
He laughed.
"Looking forward to it. Is she really strict or something?"
"Well, not really. It's just been really hard on her and LeeAnn these past couple years. Her dad left them when we were 12."
Matt winced.
"That's tough."
"Yeah, but I try to be there for her when ever I can and share my dad with her once and a while." said Kat with a smile.
Matt smiled back politely but seemed distant.
"Something wrong?"asked Kat.
"No...well I'm just thinking about my girlfriend."
Ah, crud. Thought Kat. She had to tell LeeAnn.
"From Chicago?"
"Yeah, she was kind of upset about me leaving. She's paranoid I'm going to find someone else. The long distance thing is hard."
"Yeah, but doesn't it go both ways? Shouldn't you be worried about her finding someone else?"
"I guess I should but I trust her."
"That's good. I'd better be on my way. Curfew." she said rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, me too. It was nice talking to someone about this."
They waved good bye and each headed in opposite directions. Kat with s sinking heart knowing Matt was off the market.
The next morning Kat waiting impatiently for LeeANn's mom to leave t5he house for work. The second that black Lexis pulled out of the driveway Kat raced over to LeeAnn's house and banged loudly on the door.
LeeAnn had been watching TV in the living room sitting on the couch. Her mom had just left when she heard the knock. She knew at once that it had to be Kat. No one else would come over this early. She jumped up from the couch and ran over to the door pulling it up,"What's Up, Kat?"
"Oh my God!! Matt has a girlfriend!" exclaimed Kat as she proceded to explain the encounter by the bridge the previous night.
"What!" LeeAnn said looking at Kat incrediously. "How do you pull off a long distance relationship like that?"
"I don't know, but it seems like he's going to find a way. I think he really loves her. When I said she might be cheating on him but kind of seemed like he was in denial over that little fact."replied Kat breathlessly.
"So he's in love, and he's how old? 16? I haven't even had a boyfriend yet!" LeeAnn exclaimed shaking her head in disbelief.
"Tell me about it. I wish Alex would get back from visiting his mom in freaking California already. I miss him. Besides you he is my best friend." Said Kat wistfully. Alex had been her friend since kindergarden when he had fended off the nefarious Jake as he had tried to make Kat eat a worm.
"Have you ever thought about Alex as boyfriend material?" LeeAnn asked, now hooked on the sublect of boyfriends. She also knew that Alex had liked Kat as more than a friend for a while now, but she had promised Alex that she wouldn't tell. LeeAnn had kept her promise. Kat didn't have a clue.
Kat stared thoughtfully into the distance. Alex as a boyfriend? Maybe. But it would just be too weird considering Alex was such a good friend and the fact that he had often seen her in her Pj's with no bra and no makeup and with her hair an uncontrollable frizzball. She told LeeAnn as much. Except she had never told LeeAnn about the huge crush she had had on Alex in the 8th grade when they had both hit puberty big time and suddenly Alex was hot. But she had fully gotten over it when Kristy had asked him out.
LeeAnn shrugged her shoulders at Kat then suddenly remembered that Matt was coming over for dinner that night. "Kat come you come to dinner tonight? Matt is coming over and I don't want to be alone," She said excitedly, all ready knowing the answer.
LeeAnn grinned broadly,"I knew you would say yes."
"Cause I'm just so predictable,"said Kat rolling her eyes.
"Did you all ready eat breakfast? I didn't and you can join me in having a gourmet bowl of fruit loops if you would like." LeeAnn said laughing.
"Hmm...I don't know. I really rather prefer the delectable dish that is Fruity Pebbles."said Kat with a grin.
"I don't know, that would be difficult. I haven't even opened that box yet." LeeAnn siad throwing her arms up. Then she smiled and closed the door behind Kat as she walked in.
Matt stared at his computer. Amy still hadn't emailed him back. Everytime he had tried to call her the voicemail had picked it up. He was frustrated beyond belief. Kat's words kept repeating over and over in his head.
"Shouldn't you be worrying about her finding someone else?"
"sO what are we going to do today?" LeeAnn asked pulling out cereal boxes and the milk. She poured herself a bowl of Fruit Loops then she poured Kat a bowl of Fruity Pebbles. She took both bowls to the table and sat down taking a bite of her cereal
"I don't know. Alex e-mailed me last night and said he was flying in today so my mom's going to take me to meet his plane. His dad's working. Again."said Kat through a mouthful of Fruity Pebbles. Alex's dad was notorious for being a work-oholic.
"I didn't think Alex was getting back til next week." LeeAnn said knowing how Alex's dad was.
"So did I, but apparently his mom and stepdad decided to take a second honeymoon."
"I don't see how he stands even going to see them," LeeAnn said shaking her head.
Alex sat on the plane supposedly reading a book. Instead he was looking at a picture of Kat and all he letters she had written him. He had liked Kat for a long time but he wasn't willing to ruin their friendship. He had gotten the message from his dad that he would be at work. That meant that Kat would probably be picking him. He just had to wait a few more hours and he would see her again.
"He loves his mom, that's why. And at least while he's there he has parents who are actually around. I can't wait to see him!" Kat said excitedly.
"Chill Kat" LeeAnn said laughing,"So when is his flight getting in?"
"Three, I think.We should make a Welome home sign for him!"
"We should. I have a poster we could use." LeeAnn saidfinishing off her cereal.
"Great! It should cheer him up. He's always depressed when his dad blows him off. Do you want to come with us?"
"I don't know if I can, my mom said I needed to stay at home and she'll be home by the time we drive to the airport and back. I'll help with the sign though. You're still coming over for dinner right?" LeeAnn asked winking at Kat.