Assumptions

First impressions

"Kira! Five minutes and I'm leaving. You can take the bus!"

"I'm here! I'm here! You're last - lock the door!"

Kira races past me and jumps into the front seat.

"In the back. You know the deal - seatbelt!"

"Why can't I sit in front Ma? I'm practically a teenager!"

"Kira, you're eight. Besides it's safer and you have to keep Cole busy."

"I hate sitting by him. He's gonna get his boogies on me. EWWWW! He just ate his boogies! " she screams scooting over and squeezing herself into the side of the door. I click on the lock button just to make sure. 

"Stop! Cole don't be gross! Save the boogies for Grampy ok?"

I pull up to 'the tree' that Kira designated a safe zone for dropping off and picking her up. I can't really blame her for not wanting anyone at school to see our clunker. Even I'm embarassed.

"Is it clear?" she asks ducked down into the seat.

"Yeah, you're good. Now go and have a good day at school. Oh, and can you stay for the After School program? I'm going to be about 20 minutes late."

"Yeah, I'll see ya. Meet you right here ok?" She straightens her back pack and I notice the straps are about to fall apart. I make a mental note to check out the Goodwill store this weekend for a replacement.

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CLAYTON DAVIS

"Clay! I missed you yesterday!" Kendra slams into me and immediately wraps her arms around my waste. She looks up batting her eyelashes at me. Why do girls do that? It's weird.

"Good morning to you too Kendra." Gah! The girl smells like a flower threw up on her. Way too much perfume! And shit! Some of her eyeshadow got on my shirt! Great! Does she honestly believe that all that make up is attractive? I hold back the glare I want to give her for ruining my shirt. Where in the hell is Mark?

"But I had something important to tell you yesterday and when you didn't show, I was so upset. The girls had to work extra hard at cheering me up." Is she actually pouting?

I gently pull her hands away from my chest. Personal space means nothing to this girl.

'Kendra, I told you I wasn't going to be here."  Wow. She actually looks upset. I let out a breath to clear the irritation. I better fix this or she'll make my life hell. I take a step closer to her  and run my finger slowly down her cheek. Girls love when I do this. "So what did you want to tell me?"

She takes a step back, smiles then turns. As she starts walking away she stops and says over her shoulder, "I'll let you know when I'm ready to tell you." She blows me a kiss then sashays away. Her and her girls giggling.

I stand there shaking my head. What the hell just happened?

"I will never understand women."

I turn to look at my best friend. "Mark! Where the hell were you? You left me hanging. I needed backup with Krazy Kendra."

Mark doesn't answer. He's still watching Kendra and the girls walking away. I have to admit. So am I. She may not have a clue but she has other attributes and I do love watching those attributes walk away. Damn!

"AGH! Shit! Shit! Shit!"

We both turn to look. Mark starts laughing and points to an ugly Maroon mini-van. "There she goes again. She needs to junk that piece of shit."