Getting Hooked (ON HOLD)

Chapter 4

After Alyson and I snuck away from Parker, I went over to visit Jared at the shuffle board. Of course he tried to run away at first, since he still thinks I chase him because I like him; that's the original reason why I took a break from him, thankfully Kathy going on vacation then was a coincidence.

When I was chasing him, I gained the support of his friends, who helped me get him cornered and I finally got a chance to talk with him.

We sat on a bench on the edge of the school property, which was only a few meters away from the shuffle boards, but still quieter than if we hadn't gone there. I got my name cleared with him, and I also learned that he has a crush on Kathy. Thankfully, their crushes are mutual, so now all I have to do is get their first date in session.

I had left him there on the bench and went to the swings to start writing out the scene, but then the bell rang and Alyson dragged me off, out to my truck.

"What? I was just about to write something down!" I huff, I am totally not in shape for running.

"Parker asked me to help him find something, and I quickly ran!"

" Really, Alyson? You can't even talk to the guy?"

She shakes her head and keeps her eyes wide open.

"But you talk to guys everyday, it shouldn't be that hard. Just act natural and everything will be fine." I tuck my notebook back into my purse and open the creaky door on my pickup.

Alyson also climbs in, and talks when I start the vehicle. "I don't think of other guys like I do Parker, this is completely different."

"It shouldn't be." I pull out of the parking lot and start my seven minute drive back home.

"What do you think I should do? Should I just ask him out?"

I laugh under my breath, "Oh honey, you can't even talk to him. Don't try to ask him out, it'll make you pitiful."

She agrees and looks down at her hands.

I stay silent for a bit, that was kind of harsh. "Sorry, that was too much. I will get you two together, don't worry."

Alyson nods, and then turns up my radio, since Toes in the Water comes on, and that is definitely our jam. We both sing to it, with my speakers blaring it out the open windows.

I pull into my rocky driveway and we sit for a while until the song ends.

"Toes in the water!!!" I yell after my truck is off and I get out.

"Toes in the sand!!!" Alyson yells back, slamming her door shut and we both laugh on our way inside.

"Hey girls," My dad welcomes us on his way up the deck.

"Hello Mr. Hook." Alyson waves and follows me towards him.

"Dad, have you been outside all day? You have a tan." I reference the redness around the top hem of his t-shirt.

He nods, "Guilty. But I caught six good sized Blue Gill. They'll be great for supper, and I already got a few off them packed and in the freezer." He smiles.

Alyson and I laugh, "Alright! But you shouldn't be outside all day."

"Yeah, be careful in the sun, Mr. Hook, my dad got a second degree burn last week and he's missed a lot of work 'cause of it."

Dad nods again, "Thanks for your concern Ally." My dad's the only person who Alyson lets call her by that name, but only because she doesn't have the heart to tell him she doesn't like it.

"Hey, you didn't plan anything for Saturday, did you Zoey?"

I shake my head, "No, dad. I didn't forget about you."

"Good," Dad smiles. "Ally, you want to go too?"

"Go? Go where?" Alyson questions.

"Zoey and I got an invite to the fishing competition in Morgan City." He drapes an arm across my shoulders and squeezes me closer to him.

"Oh, that sounds great! But I am busy Saturday, I'm sorry."

"It's fine," I separate from dad and grab Alyson's hand and drag her to the house.

"We'll bring you back some fish!" My dad calls behind us and turns back to the deck.

Inside, Alyson follows me to my room, "You didn't tell me you were invited to the competition! You know who's gonna be there?"

"Yeah, I was going to watch Alec while I'm there. But it's my dad's birthday, so I was going to celebrate it with him there."

"Aww, that's cool. I don't know what I'm doing for my dad, since his birthday's Sunday... But, no. Parker is going to be there, that's who I meant."

Oh yeah. I forgot: Parker fishes too. Great, double duty, and my dad's birthday... Great.

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Hello fellow readers! I know this is a really short chapter, sorry about that. I still have more happening this day( in the book... maybe) so it will continue in the next chapter :) I hope you like it, and if you do, you should comment, follow or vote- I like all of those, but just seeing that you're reading makes me happy too! I'll see you in the next chapter! :)

~Katy