The Stranger She Loved (COMPLETED)

Chapter One

Pssst. Bree whispered Kayla, in her best friends ear.

It was the last class of the day English, and the last day of the semester.

Time to count down. Five

Four.. joined in Kayla three.two..one. Rrrrring!!!!!!!

Yeaaah!! shouted all her classmates as they all got up and rushed towards the door.

Remember your summer projects with your partners said Mr. Dublin.

My best friend and I went with the crowd towards the dorm room to collect our belongings that we have already packed long before in our over eagerness to go home. I cleaned out my locker and said bye to all my other classmates as I went to my car.

On the way I saw my ex and he came over to me.

I was wondering if you could to sign my yearbook? he asked kindly.

Ok I replied and scribbled my initials leaving a little heart above the I. Mark was my boyfriend from high school and a small part of college. We broke up three months ago because of a disagreement but we were still friends.

See you later. Happy Holidays he said hugging me.

Yeah. Same to you. Bye.

When I reached my car, I saw my best friend seated on the front seat and smiled. Kayla was my best friend from fourth grade but we knew each other from elementary school. She had packed all our stuff on the backseat and had sat waiting for me. She was travelling with me because her brother who was a senior at the same college we attended was going to do classes for the holidays so he would use her car.

Hey punkhead I saw you talking to Mark. Yall getting back together now? she asked with a smirk.

No Kayla. We are still friends.

Just asking, she replied with a smile on her face.

Yeah right. So. I said, in a business-like manner. You plan to find Mr. Right this summer?

Not really interested in that just yet she replied. I just want my career to talk off.

Kayla sold was a great artiste and she sold her artwork throughout her holidays.

Okay fine by me. I smiled and started the ignition.

It was going to be to be a long drive home. It would take us six hours to get to our home in Ohio from our school in Birmingham, Alabama but with Kayla beside me belting her heart out to Cardi Bs Bodak Yellow, I knew the journey would be fun.

State after state and highway after highway Kayla sang to every song that came on the radio. One..Two.Three.Three and a half hours, then at the next commercial she said,

Bree lets stop at Culvers and get something to eat am starving.

Okay no problem, I replied.

You must be hungry after all that crowing besides youre always hungry bae. I smiled and turned into Culvers, drive thru in Kentucky.

After we ordered we ate on the way and then Kayla became drowsy. She slept for about an hour then we switched and she took over the wheel. I texted my mom to let her know that we were about two hours away.

I lived with my mother. My father had disappeared when I was three and I was my mothers only child. She had this one special male friend who worked at the local police station as a senior detective. She was a writer and had recently been award Best Book of the Year for her latest novel.

When we arrived in my hometown Cleveland, Ohio Kayla drove down on Lake Drive and we stopped at her house. She lived with her mother, father and grandmother along with her brother of course. I helped her unload her stuff and then said bye to her and her family. As I headed down on Garfield Avenue. I couldnt help but smile as I imagined my mom waiting for me.

When I turned down our street I smiled when I saw that the living room light was on. I entered the garage, prayed then shut the door. I unpacked my stuff from the car and entered the living. My mother instantly took me into her arms and we shared a warm embrace. I hadnt seen my mom in three weeks and man the smell of her blueberry muffins were really welcoming.

Youve gotten fatter Bree, I smiled at her comment then said,

I missed you too mom. I missed you more darling.

Hows Kayla?

Shes fine. Just dropped her off.

Okay lets get your stuff out and you freshened up so we can eat before the supper gets cold. I made your favorites blueberry muffins.

Thanks mom. I replied with a smile.

I went upstairs and set my suitcases down in front of my canopy bed. I took my iPhone from my handbag and left texted Kayla to let her know I was home and inform her of my plans. I then put it to charge and went to take a shower. When I came out of the bathroom I went downstairs to have supper with my mother.

So congrats again on your award mom.

Thanks dear am so glad that they happy that they found the man who killed Ms. Vancouver and her family.

Me too mom and am very proud of you.

Thanks dear. So hows school.

Well we got out summer project from Mr. Dublin to write a novel. Am working with Kayla but we still havent found a topic yet.

Relax dear, replied mom. Its just the first day of summer, am sure you will find something.

✨✨✨✨✨

I got up after eight the next morning and my mother and I went to church. In the afternoon we went to look for my grandmother, Grandma Deloris. Then when we were coming back mom got a call then said we would stop by Daves, her friend from the police station.

Dave lived with his daughter and his parents. He was married once but his wife dies eight years ago from cancer and he and mom were great friends since, His daughter Rosanna, was younger than Kayla and I but we were good friends. She attended the same school that Kayla and I had attended. Westgate Middle school.

Daves house was a modern one with a pool and great yard space. Every time we visited was an opportunity for me to improve my swimming skills with Rosy. This time of course was no different.

When I got home I invited Kayla over to spend the night. We both loved practical the same things, so mom just made my favorite muffins for us then went back to Dave. Kayla and I watched our favorite new series Star then talked for all eternity about boys, her art and of course mom and Dave. I loved Dave and I hope he and mom would just quit playing and just get legal. As usual, best friend and I stayed up until early morning then got a few hours of sleep.

That morning after breakfast Dave left then mom and I dropped off Kayla at her house then went for a girls day out at the mall. We shopped, ate and then ended the day by getting our hair and nails done.

When I got home mom spoke to Dave on the phone then went back to a book she was currently writing. Mom wrote stories on real crimes and even though she was really good at it and sometimes helped cold cases to be solved, I still would have liked it more if she was writing something like romance or just something a little less chilling. But anyways. I went upstairs and Kayla and I spoke until we got tired and both went to bed.

✨✨✨✨✨