Willow Falls Gang

Goodbye

Connor

  I woke up at 7:00 so I could bike to Sari's house and we could go to the Community Center together and say bye to Amanda and Leo. I had something big to ask Leo so I was kind of rushing. Once I rung the doorbell about 5 times Sari came out, looking adorably tired with sleep still in her eyes. "What's the big hurry?", Sari asked, obviously a little p.o. "Sorry, I just want to get there before they leave. So how's it been goin?", I asked with a mixture of apology and nervousness. Did I mention I'm terrible at talking to girls? "Not so bad, especially now that you're here.", she replied, her lips curling up in a small smile. I don't think my face has a deeper shade of red than it does now. And that gave me enough confidence to say, "Aww, shucks." Yup, that's my country charm. Terrible is definitely the word for my flirting standards. Surprisingly, she laughed, and in one motion, jumped lightly down the front steps and gave me a peck on the cheek. I kinda just stood there, eyes wide, still as a statue. "Oh, umm... sorry. I shouldn't have done that.", Sari said regretting her actions.  That's when I shook myself out of my love trance. "No!", I said a little too loudly, "It's fine. I liked it. I like you, Sari.", I explained taking her hand. She smiled, "Well that's really good to hear! I was a little worried you just wanted me as a friend.", Sari said laughing nervously. "No guy could be 'just friends' with a girl as beautiful as you." Whoa, did I just say that? That actually sounded not horrible. She smiles and I see stars in her eyes, though it's a bright and sunny day, with the sky cloudless. "You're too sweet. C'mon, let's go say our farewells.", without hesitation she jumps into the basket on her bike and I hop on and start pedaling. "Am I light enough?", she asks, unsure of herself. "Like a feather.", I say. And I'm not lying, she really only feels like 10 pounds, but that's probably just the love light in my head. She says good and starts humming Counting Stars by One Republic. I know the song, and it sounds pretty, so I hum with her. We ride all the way to the Community Center like that.

  When we get there, Leo and Amanda are just about to leave with Angelina and Ray. "Hey, guys! Wait up!", I shout to them. Leo looks up and see's us. Amanda has a smirk on her as soon she see's Sari in the basket, but waves us over. Angelina just looks annoyed. I get off the bike a few feet away from them and walk over. "Sorry we were late, we uhh, slept in.", Sari says as I help her out of the basket. "Well, hurry up. We need to leave in 5 minutes if we want to make good time.", Angelina snaps. "Somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning..", Leo mutters so Angelina can't hear. "Maybe so. I didn't have time to sleep in like you, so don't blame me if I'm a little grouchy!", she exclaims angrily.  "Wow, even free from the curse she knows all.", Amanda whispers. We laugh. Sari hugs Amanda and I see my chance to talk to Leo "man to man". "Hey dude, I gotta ask you something." "Huh? Oh yea sure, whatcha need bro?", Leo asks. "Uh, well, it's kind of..um awkward." "C'mon, man, spiit it out! We gotta go." By this time Ray and Angelina are already waiting in the car. I glance at the girls and make sure they're not paying attention. "Ok. Here goes...", I mumble, "How do you kiss a girl?" "Dude just use your lips.", he says, chuckling. I sigh, "But like, how?" "Ugh, fine. One sec.", he says turning around. Amanda was facing the opposite direction so he tapped her shoulder. She turned around hesitantly and Leo shouts, "BOO!". Amanda lets out a small shriek, but Leo's lips on hers cuts her off. I start laughing hysterically and so does Sari as soon as she registers what just happened. They get pretty into it and Sari and fall on the ground laughing. Angelina hears the racket and opens the door, flabbergasted at the scene in front of her. "What are ruffians doing?!", she screeches at us, "Leo! Amanda! Cut that out and get in the car!" They stopped, said their last goodbyes and got in the car. Ray really pedaled to the medal. Sari looked a little said but she said, "They have phones. I guess we can just text them." "Yea and they'll only be gone for a week.  C'mon, we'd better go ask Grace what our first 'assignment'."