Typical.

12~ Fourth of July surprise

"Come to the annual Chaser Fourth of July party!"

The newspaper article displaying Kaitlin Chaser's annual family party was slapped on the table by my mother.

"It gives you a reason to get out of the house." she grinned. I shuffled my cereal around with my spoon. "Hey, ya know what's fun? How about you gag me with this spoon instead." I grinned back. My grin soon fell and my mom walked out of the room. "This is why I don't tell you things!" She shouted from the other room. "Lets keep it that way." I whispered, trying to avoid another slap.

I went outside to get the mail and saw Kaitlin, Carrie, and Carol all talking about the party. I hid behind a bush and listened carefully.

"So we'll invite Ryan and he will for sure come!" Kaitlin said excitedly. "But he'll tug along that tramp Zoey." Carrie said with a face of disgust.

Excuse me, did she just call me a tramp? It's scary to think that people like them will be aloud to vote one day.

"Yeah I know, we can do something to her." Kaitlin said. "I don't get it." Carrie, the stupid one, replied. The two other girls dragged Carrie alone as they went inside Kaitlin's house.

Snobs. This is why I don't get out much. All I have to do is not go to that party.

I went back inside and called Ryan. I told him to meet me at the park. I was going to explain my feud with Kaitlin and plead to him so he doesn't go to that party. If he's using me, I don't want him to cheat on me.

"So you wanted to see me again?" He asked. "I wanted to ask you a very important question." he grinned at my reply. "I think I know where this is going." he ushered me on. "Are you going to Kaitlin Chaser's Fourth of July party this weekend?" He paused like a deer in headlights. "Oh, that's what you wanted to ask me," I nodded, "I'm not sure but it has come to mind." I sighed. "Are you?" He sat down on the grass. "No, Kaitlin and I aren't exactly in good terms." I avoided a long story. "But this is like the biggest high school party, you have to go." He seemed antsy. "Why do you want me to go so bad?" I changed my tone of voice. "Fine, I'll tell you. I like writing stories, like for the newspaper. I wrote the story on this party so I need to go. It's my dream to be a writer and starting with juicy stories in the schools newspaper is all I have." he dragged on.

Wait a minute, it all makes sense! That's why he was in the news room in the beginning of the year! Maybe he wants to go out with me because of my photography background. Wait no, that's silly. I'm getting ahead of myself... or am I?

"So you're telling me that the baddest dude in our school wants to be a cheesy, cliché writer?" I sat down with him. He looked down at the ground. "Im sorry, I guess it's kinda cool." "You can't tell anyone, my reputation will be ruined." he crossed his arms. "And my reputation will be ruined if I go to that party." I got out of playful mode. "Why do you not want to go to this party? Tell me why this instant. Oh wow, I sound like a father." his words hit me hard.

My father.

I started tearing up and I didn't even notice. "Hey are you alright? Did I say something wrong?" He put a comforting hand on my shoulder. It felt different but yet similar to a past time.

Danny was the only one who could comfort me like Ryan just did.

"No, I'm not alright." I admitted. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't by crying." I looked at him. I didn't even notice how close our faces were. He then did something that I've never experienced before ever in my life:

He kissed me.