Claxton

Chapter Two: Peter Nelson and Jimmy Carter

Song: "How to Believe" - Ruby Summer

Three years later

        It was a warm, breezy morning on Johns Island, Seabrook Island's next-door neighbor, and the high school was awakening. The month was April, and 3rd quarter report cards were coming out today.

Seagulls flew across the sky in flocks over the school. In just thirty minutes, the new day would begin.

In the high school's carpool line, cars dropped their teens off, and parents who drove the vehicles wished their kids luck on presentations, tests, and quizzes.

Behind a flight of stairs at the school's front was a patio. On that patio, Makenna Delling, now fourteen years old, hid behind a tree with her best friend, Jessica Hughes. Together, they spied on Peter Nelson, the hottest guy in the entire school. He was a buff, muscular seventeen-year-old with long brown hair, eyebrows, and deep brown eyes. He wore a gray t-shirt tucked into blue jeans, a long, pink, open-buttoned shirt over the t-shirt, brown shoes, and a dark gray hat. He was a gorgeous guy.

Jessica, Makenna's best friend from school and ballet lessons, was a tall, pretty girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She wore a red, sleeveless top, blue leggings with star designs, and brown danskos. She wore a silver bracelet over her left wrist and a red, one-strapped backpack over her neck. She stared at Peter Nelson, who stood alone and scrolled on his iPhone, and glanced at Makenna.

Makenna had grown into a beautiful girl with a fairy-like appearance. She wore a blue and white striped top, denim pants, over-the-knee blue socks, and small heels. She also still wore the mysterious necklace with the blue horse-head pendant. Her hair was held in a high ponytail, and she wore dark blue dolphin studs in her ears. She, too, stared at Peter Nelson and waved her hand close to her cheek. "Oh my gosh, just stare at Peter, Jessica."

"I am, Makenna," she said. She reached for his heart and chuckled. "No matter what action he takes, he's always gorgeous."

"He's never going to lose his cool," Makenna said. She sighed flirtingly, and Jessica nodded.

"I'm surprised that he's not a lifeguard. Imagine, Makenna, you're drowning in the pool, and suddenly, those biceps are around you."

Makenna got an image in her head of her drowning and could almost feel Peter's arms around her. Sighing dreamily, she said, "I'm going to get my backpack." Her blue backpack was propped against a bench, and she headed toward it but became too focused on Peter. Therefore, she tripped and yelped as she went toppling to the ground and landed on her front.

Peter Nelson saw that and said, "Oh no!" Quickly, he stuck his phone into his backpack's pocket, which was on another bench, and hurried toward Makenna.

Jessica rushed to her friend and grabbed her arm, helping her sit. "Are you okay, Makenna?"

Before Makenna could open her mouth and speak, Peter stopped at her and kneeled, saying, "Hey, I saw you fall. Are you all right?"

At the sight of Peter, Jessica jumped in excitement and stepped back.

Makenna squealed and, in a squeaky voice, said, "Hi." She was totally blushing.

Peter smiled and rested his hand on his knee. "My name's Peter. What about you? What's your name?"

"Makenna," she squeaked quickly. "Makenna Delling."