Caught in the Moonlight

Chapter One

I raced down the dirt driveway, my bare feet slapping against the rocks and sand and scattered blades of grass. Looking over my shoulder, I let out a laugh. My blonde hair was flying out behind me as my hazel eyes caught sight of him. He was so gorgeous.

"I'm gonna beat you!" I shouted, sprinting.

"That's what you think!" Josh shouted back, running faster, his multi-shaded brown hair billowing out around his head. His blue eyes were focused on the race. I set all my effort forth into my running, feeling my muscles yearning for a stop as I lengthened my strides and pulled in front of Josh. I'm gonna win this one, I thought as I saw the porch steps not five yards away. I felt Josh's footsteps pounding a few inches behind mine as I stepped onto the porch, collapsing.

"I, win," I panted, smiling at him.

"I let you win," Josh said in one quick breath. I rolled my eyes and reached over, taking his hand.

"I won that, fair and square," I argued stubbornly.

"Whatever you say. Let's let this drop though- your grandma should be done with that homemade lemonade by now," he said, his Southern accent showing, and then standing and then reaching out a hand to help me. I stood without his help and without using my hands, a habit I'd made three years ago, when I was twelve.

"Alright, alright- let's go drink some lemonade. I'm just as thirsty," I said, walking through the screen door. My cousin Beth was lounging on the couch, her long, chestnut hair in a braid and draped over her shoulder.

"Whatcha readin'?" I called to her as Josh and I strolled into the kitchen.

"Twilight," she called back.

"Again? You are WAY too obsessed with that series!" I replied as I pulled two cups out of a cabinet.

"Josh, do you think I'm obsessed?" Beth asked, smiling sweetly. I already knew she liked my boyfriend- I had known since the second we entered Kentucky for the family reunion and saw her checking him out.

"I think you're in over your head and need to get some help," Josh called back, smirking at me. He knew she liked him, too. I walked into the living room to sit on the recliner with Josh in time to see her roll her eyes.

"You two are just jealous that Aunt Hailey is getting ME a horse and not you," Beth said sourly.

I sipped my lemonade. "You're just jealous because I have a boyfriend, and I was allowed to bring him to this."

"MIMAW! RONNIE'S BEING MEAN TO ME!"

I rolled my eyes at her pathetic whines for our grandmother's help. She had always wanted anything I had. She was always trying to be better than me. Yes, I wanted a horse more than anything. Yes, I wished I lived in Kentucky. But at least I was happy with what I had and didn't complain about how unfair my life is and then brag when Aunt Hailey gives me everything I want (which she only does that for Beth because she was there when Beth was born). Instead, I asked Mom if I could bring Josh because I love him and wanted to make sure my family approved. I'd grown up in the south, I'd known Josh since I was two months old, and I deeply valued my family's- especially my grandmother's- approval. I didn't bring him to rub something in Beth's face. 

At this point, Mimaw strode in, back straight as an arrow and long, silver hair pulled back into a ponytail. "Stop this bickering, now! This is the day after a full family reunion! Elizabeth, stop bragging and flirting with this handsome young man! Ronnie-Ann, if she tries something, come let me know. I don't care how old you are- I'll spank fifteen year olds!"