Just Say It

Chapter 1 ~ Who We Are

This is no ordinary story. This is a story about a life, how I came to be. My name is Stacy Kline. I was born and raised in a small town in Kentucky. I'm a teenager, a wild being, feeling young and free. Adults look at us as a reckless species known to torment others and destroy the peace. But they are all hypocrites, they were once teenagers too. But for now I will tell you something, we are a confused group of kids, taking everything that comes to us and making sure we know how use it in the future, or that's what adults think. I once read in a book that, one day everything will make sense. So for now, we will laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears, and keep reminding our self the everything happens for a reason. That's my life motto, and it couldn't be any more true.

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Wind blew through my hair as I rode my bike down the sidewalk. The summer heat was thick and laid across my back like a blanket. I could feel the tiny beads of sweat slowly making their way down my face and into my eyes, the sun penetrating my cheeks with its rays which would leave a sunburn later on. My legs pumped up and down, pressing hard against the rusty peddles. With each turn a loud crunching noise would come from the chains of the bike. Not only was my heart beating hard from the exertion of riding a bike but also the fear that any moment this old rusty bucket you call a bike could fall apart beneath me in a million pieces.

"Hello Miss. Stacy" an elderly woman called to me and waved with one hand while the other grasped a hose that continued to spurt water out it's end.

"Hi Mrs. Luna!" I waved to our neighbor, taking my eyes off the road to smile at Mrs. Luna watering her flowers as I rode past her little yellow house.

I kept peddling as fast as I could making my legs burn. I had to get to the multi market before it closed. Mom had given me a list earlier and it totally slipped my mind. Every second that passed felt like an eternity, my heart was racing and I could practically feel time nipping at my heels. I would be in so much trouble if I didn't get the stuff on this list. My excuses were running thin and the 'I'm sorry, I forgot, I promise I will do it tomorrow' card was starting to loose its power. Although I wouldn't be using as many excuses come this fall.

I could feel my body start running low on fuel. My pace becoming slower and slower. Almost there, I kept chanting to myself.

When the tiny store came into my vision I let out a long sigh "I made it."

I swerved into the parking lot, and quickly jumped off throwing my beat up bike against the brick wall. Not even bothering to attach my bike to the bike rack, which was mere meters away, I the took off to the store doors. Closing my eyes I let all of my muscles relax from the tension that had built up from the frantic ride over here and continued walking towards the doors. All was well as my legs carried along across the uneven pavement. It was late in the day but the Kentucky sky was clear of clouds letting in all of the sun's harsh rays. But in this moment complaining about the heat was not my main priority, dodging my mothers wrath was on top of my list.

When I opened my eyes I screamed as I was abruptly stopped by a large hard object.

"Ouch!" I groaned stumbling backwards.

"I'm so sorry!" a low voice started apologizing.

When I looked up I came face to face with a young man about my age. His hair was a dark shade of brown, and his skin smooth with a light sun kissed glow. His blue eyes roamed over my body making sure I was alright. His arms extended slightly from his body as if he was ready to catch me at any moment if my legs collapsed from under me. I felt my cheeks heat up and turn even more red than they were already due to the amount of exercise I had just endured.

"Uhh- it, its ok. Really, I'm fine." I mumbled, looking down at my worn converse and jean shorts. taking a step back to give me some breathing room.

"Ok." he said giving a shy smile as he ran his hand through his hair.

I gave a small smile in return and shuffled past him into the store. I peeked over my shoulder before I entered and saw the boy looking at me. I felt my blood run cold knowing I had been caught in the act . He gave a smile and chuckled to himself before he turned on his heels and stalked off to his jeep.

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"Mom I'm back!" I yelled as I opened the screen door sliding into the cool air conditioned house.

I kicked off my shoes at the door and walked towards the living room. I looked around, but seeing no one I continued on into the kitchen. No one was in the kitchen either so I assumed everyone was out at the neighbors house or at a friends house. I let out a sigh and threw my leather satchel on the wooden table. Walking over to the refrigerator, I started to unload the groceries.

My family lived in a smaller sized house. It was only my Dad, Mom, my little brother Clayton who is 14 and I, so the need for a large house was non-existent. We aren't poor its just we have no need for a large house. "The smaller the house the closer the family" my mom always says.

After putting away the groceries I walked into the living room and plopped down on the couch and switched the television on. I flipped channels until I came to a show that seemed interesting. I was so exhausted from my emergency run to the store that I couldn't help but let my eyes close. Personally I hate taking naps because I feel like I waste half of my day on sleep. But I think today can be an exception.

As my body drifted between a sleeping state and consciousness I felt something touch my nose. I contorted my face as the cold, wet object remained on my face.

"Ahh!" I screamed when I opened my eyes seeing as though I was face to face with a furry snout. I scrambled on the couch and grabbed my chest where my thumping heart remained. I sat there regaining my breath. When I looked around and saw nothing, I looked a little farther over the couch. I had to giggle to myself when I saw my large German Shepard crouched on the ground with his paws over his head and his tail between his legs.

"Koda!" I exclaimed "Did you wake me?" I asked him as I tried to hold a stern look. His large head lifted slowly and looked up, but once he saw me he jumped up and started licking me.

"Haha ok, ok I get it boy!" I giggled as he tried to climb up onto the couch with me. I grabbed his face in between my hands and shook him back and forth. I giggled at his excitement and slid off the couch to his level. We continued to play until the front door flew open and in waltzed Clayton and his friend David.

"Who goes there?" I yelled making my voice lower to sound like a man. Both boys looked at me with curious glances. I chuckled and stood up to sit on the couch again. David and Clayton walked over and placed themselves on the other end of the couch. "What, you guys don like me?" I pouted sticking my lower lip out.

"Clayton told me that I was not aloud to talk to you." David, Claytons friend stated with no emotion as they kept their eyes glued to the T.V.

I pursed my lips "And why, might I ask." the boys only shrugged. I sighed at their silliness and stood up.

"OK, well if you guys are going to be difficult I'm going to go upstairs." I started making my way across the room. Once I got to the first step I smiled to myself and turned around before I yelled, "Oh yeah! One last thing." I started, " You guys are sleeping on the couch!" I heard Clayton shoot up from the couch and run after me. I ran up to my room as fast as I could. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Claytons figure gaining speed.

"Ahhh!" I screamed just as I made it to my room and slammed the door then locked it. Clayton pounded on my door.

"That's not fair!" Clayton whined.

"Life's not fair." I whispered as I slid down to the floor.

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