{"id":12430,"date":"2020-09-04T09:53:36","date_gmt":"2020-09-04T13:53:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/adrummergirlslife.com\/?page_id=12430"},"modified":"2024-06-19T09:39:16","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T13:39:16","slug":"me-and-kris","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/adrummergirlslife.com\/?page_id=12430","title":{"rendered":"Me and Kris"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Whipping around, I saw Kris Beckley smiling at me \u2026<\/em><\/h1>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

My history book dropped to the floor<\/em>\u00a0with a glorious flutter of pages and a \u201cflappity flap\u201d sort of noise. Standing in front of my locker, I bent to pick it up, then reached for my Junior Trigonometry book from the shelf.

\u201cUh \u2026 Amanda Fagen, right?\u201d came a deep voice from behind me. Whipping around, I saw tall, blond Kris Beckley, a senior, smiling down at me.

\u201cYeah, that’s me,\u201d I replied, shutting my locker door. Kids were noisily bustling about, trying to get to their next class.

\u201cAh \u2026 well \u2026 Amanda,\u201d he began a little awkwardly, \u201cI wanted to know if you\u2019d like to go out with me.\u201d

\u201cYou want me <\/em>to go out with you?\u201d I repeated, feeling puzzled. I thought he was already with someone; another senior, Tricia Cooper.

Kris seemed pretty nice. I didn\u2019t know much about him, but I\u2019d seen him around school. I never thought he\u2019d be interested in me. Then I asked, \u201cWhat about Tricia?\u201d

He hesitated and glanced at the floor. \u201cWell \u2026 we broke up. Tricia and I aren\u2019t together anymore.\u201d

\u201cOh,\u201d I replied, studying his gaze. \u201cSure \u2026 sounds good.\u201d My face probably reflected the shock I felt. I was wowed, actually.

\u201cCool,\u201d Kris beamed at me and turned to leave. He dashed down the hall, nearly mowing down Ms. Perry, the girls\u2019 gym teacher as he called back, \u201cSee you tomorrow!\u201d

I stood staring after him as the bell rang, having lost track of time. I had to get to trig class.\u00a0Well, kid,<\/em>\u00a0I thought,\u00a0someone likes you.\u00a0<\/em>Someone actually likes Amanda Fagen. Took long enough.

I put my backpack over my shoulder and headed to class in the now empty hall. Except I hadn\u2019t zipped it shut. Then the most wonderful thing happened \u2026 everything inside it spewed every which way!

Glancing around to see if anyone was watching, I bent over to get my stuff. The hall was bare, except for the matron at the end near the exit sign on the lookout for kids trying to cut out of class.

Nice going<\/em>, I told myself.\u00a0You just got asked out and the first thing you do is spill your backpack all over the place<\/em>. I sighed and collected it as fast as I could, and was on my way.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

CHAPTER TWO<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I gathered up my homework from the dining room table and hopped over to Mom, who was sitting on the sofa. \u201cIt\u2019s this problem.\u201d I pointed to an equation in my Trig book.

Just then, my phone beeped and a notification popped up. Kris had just sent me an add on the Book. Smiling, I tapped to accept, and felt a little rush of excitement when I saw his avatar. He was smiling, just as he did that afternoon.

\u201cAmanda, who is that?\u201d Mom peered at my phone.

\u201cKris Beckley, from school,\u201d I replied. \u201cHe asked me out today.\u201d Jenelle, my kid sister, poked her head out of the kitchen. She\u2019s in fifth grade, and enough of a smart aleck to start right in on me.

She raced over to look at my phone. \u201cWhat does he look like?\u201d I showed her his social profile pic. \u201cWoooooo, he\u2019s cute. Kriiiiis likes Amanda!\u201d

\u201cCut it out,\u201d I rolled my eyes.

\u201cIs he a nice boy?\u201d asked Mom. She keeps an eye on my social media and of course, if I\u2019m going out with someone, she and Dad want to clear that too.

My phone beeped again, and this time it was a call through the app. It was Kris. Mom nodded so I went to the family room to take it. His face appeared with a big grin. \u201cHey!\u201d he said.

\u201cHi,\u201d I replied with a smile. \u201cYou move quickly, don\u2019t you?\u201d

\u201cYeah, well I just wanted to see if you\u2019d like to hang out Friday night.\u201d I glanced around to make sure Jenelle wasn\u2019t lurking, then replied, \u201cSure … where?\u201d

\u201cHow about the movies?\u00a0Fast Break<\/em>\u00a0is playing downtown. Mind if my friend Chuck tags along?\u201d I shrugged and he continued, \u201cmy mom is letting me take the car.\u201d

I didn\u2019t know who Chuck was, but it was okay with me. I\u2019d probably have to check with my parents about all of it. \u201cI\u2019ll DM you if I can go,\u201d I told him.

\u201cAwesome,\u201d he said with a wink, \u201cdon\u2019t keep me waiting.\u201d And with that, the screen went blank.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

CHAPTER THREE<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I turned again and there was Jenelle, eagerly waiting for a summary. \u201cGo away,\u201d I waved my hand at her.

\u201cDid he ask you out?\u201d she pried.

\u201cYup.\u201d I left her standing there and returned to the living room, joining Mom again on the couch, my homework problem forgotten nearby. Dad was sitting in the recliner now, scrolling through some options using the TV remote.

\u201cCould I go out on Friday night?\u201d I asked them.

\u201cGo out where, and with whom?\u201d Dad asked, his eyes not leaving the TV screen.

\u201cWith Kris Beckley, the boy who just called me.\u201d I sighed dreamily and closed my eyes. \u201cHe wants to go to the movies. We\u2019re going to see\u00a0Fast Break<\/em>.\u201d

\u201cOh no,\u201d Mom piped up, shaking her head. \u201cLast time you went to the movies with a boy, he left with his friend and you were stranded in the parking lot after dark. That is not okay.\u201d

\u201cMom, he\u2019s driving this time, not a friend,\u201d I pleaded. \u201cHe\u2019ll have his parents\u2019 car. And a friend of his happens to be going. Kris is a nice guy; he\u2019d never pull something like that. I\u2019m fifteen, not a baby.\u201d Then I added hopefully, \u201cI can always use the ride app.\u201d

Mom and Dad exchanged glances. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, but your mother is 100% correct, Amanda. Clearly, we erred last time in allowing you to go. Wait until you\u2019re a bit older.\u201d Jenelle was sitting nearby, watching the whole thing.

I was incensed. “Are you kidding <\/em>me right now?” I grabbed my homework from the sofa and snapped, \u201cNow you\u2019re saying only old people can go on dates.\u201d

Dad\u2019s nostrils flared. \u201cThat shows how much respect you have for your elders, young lady,\u201d he barked. \u201cWe\u2019ll have none of that attitude in this house.\u201d

I lost control. \u201cYou say that because you\u2019re one of them!\u201d My mom gasped as I dashed up to my room. \u201cLet her go,\u201d Dad bellowed. My throat was full of tears as I slammed the door.

I didn\u2019t message Kris. He\u2019d figure it out. There was a soft knock at the door and knew it was Jenelle. \u201cGet LOST!\u201d I shouted, and heard her tiptoe back down the hall.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

* * *<\/strong> <\/span><\/strong> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The next day, I knew I would see Kris by my locker after Biology. I would explain the whole thing.

Sure enough, I found him standing behind me as I shuffled the stuff in my backpack. He had his hand on the wall and was leaning, balancing himself. His mouth was stretched into a wide grin.

\u201cI didn\u2019t hear from you last night,\u201d he said.

\u201cI know,\u201d I scowled, embarrassed. \u201cMy folks won\u2019t let me go. Sorry.\u201d

Kris kept smiling. \u201cNo worries \u2026 How about, uh \u2026 we grab some ice cream after school at Murphy\u2019s? Would your folks mind if I take you?\u201d

I love ice cream \u2026 I couldn\u2019t possibly refuse. I was still mad at my parents about the previous night, and I wanted to go. Not that I wanted to piss them off or anything, but it wasn\u2019t at the movies, and it wasn\u2019t at night.

I sent a text to my mother about it. She responded and gave me a strict curfew of 5:00 with a note to not spoil my dinner. \u201cI can go,\u201d I exclaimed.

\u201cMeet you outside in front after school,\u201d he grinned. He whistled loudly as he disappeared around a corner. I was stoked and couldn\u2019t wait for the day to be over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

CHAPTER FOUR<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It was raining and I was standing under the eave outside the front of the school. Kris hadn\u2019t shown up yet. My phone read 3:15, a half hour after the buses left.

The rain picked up, and the wind drove a spray where I was standing with a couple of other students waiting for their parents. I started to feel annoyed. Where\u00a0was\u00a0<\/em>he? As the clock inched closer to 3:30, I felt damp and no longer in the mood for ice cream.

I was about to text my mom when I spied Kris, soaked in the rain, dashing toward me.

\u201cAmanda!\u201d he huffed breathlessly, his face flushed. \u201cYou\u2019ll never believe what I just went through so that I wouldn\u2019t break our date. I know I\u2019m late,\u201d he joined me under the eave. \u201cI got into a fight with Bud Navarro.\u201d No wonder he looked like crap.

\u201cWhat\u00a0happened<\/em>?\u201d I inquired.

\u201cBud likes you,\u201d Kris explained, leading me back inside where it was dry. He really looked a mess. \u201cI said I wasn\u2019t going to be at practice after school. He asked me why and I told him we were hanging out \u2026 had a date at Murphy\u2019s. Bud went, \u2018with Amanda Fagen? Yeah right!’<\/em> in a jeering tone, and I asked him what\u2019s his problem and told him to butt out. He shoved me against the lockers.\u201d Kris paused.

\u201cWell, what else happened?\u201d I urged.

\u201cI\u2019m like\u00a0what the hell, Navarro?<\/em>\u00a0and shoved him back \u2026 and he charged me and grabbed my head with both hands. I uppercut his jaw and he staggered backward \u2026 lost his balance and hit the floor. His mouth was bleeding. Then Coach Dawson came out and saw us.\u201d

\u201cThat sucks \u2026\u201d I tried to calm him down. \u201cSorry.\u201d

\u201cI didn\u2019t wanna get busted for fighting. But he came at me first. Coach hauled both of us into his office, then down to the principal. They called our parents and we\u2019re probably gonna get punished. By the time I got out of Mr. Sweeney\u2019s office, I knew I was late and I took the shortest way here by cutting through the courtyard. Let\u2019s get outta here.\u201d

He put a hand on my arm, willing me to go with him. By that time, it was a quarter to four, and the rain had eased quite a bit. We walked the two blocks to the ice cream place.

As I thought about it, I realized I liked Kris. He fought the most popular guy in school for me, and he\u2019d probably get suspended or something. As we let ourselves inside the ice cream shop, the aroma of sweets and a cool breeze came over us. I was happier by then. I was glad we were together.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

* * * <\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

We sat down at a table facing each other, and Kris ordered two hot fudge sundaes from the waitress. He was still pretty much a mess, but that didn\u2019t stop his silly smile. We dug into the feast. I was hungrier than I thought. I didn\u2019t care if my dinner got ruined; this was delicious.

When we were done scraping our bowls, Kris leaned on his elbows and stared into my eyes. \u201cI have something to tell you.\u201d The expression on my face urged him to continue.

He took a deep breath and swept his hair back with his hand. \u201cI\u2019m really into you,\u201d he said, the grin dimming only slightly.

\u201cI\u2019ve always liked you. I\u2019ve sat behind you in Assembly and stood behind you in line in the caf, but you never noticed me. I sat near you in the bleachers during the pep rally and at games. Even when I was with Tricia, I thought of you. You didn\u2019t notice me at all.\u201d

I was suddenly feeling overcome with shyness. \u201cI had no idea, Kris.\u201d

\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t guess what gave me the guts to ask you out. Because I don\u2019t know what it was, either,\u201d he added with a chuckle as he took the check. He left a $10 on the table.

I glanced at my phone and it was quarter to five. I knew I had to get home, and I would have to hurry.

\u201cThanks for the ice cream \u2026 but I gotta go!\u201d I was out of my seat and heading for the door before he could react. I didn\u2019t want to mess this up with my parents, who expected me by 5.

I burst out the door, and started running toward home. The rain had started again, and my footsteps squeaked on the wet pavement.

I heard Kris behind me, running and calling \u201cwait! Amanda, wait!\u201d When we reached my block, Kris caught up with me and stopped me as the rain continued drenching us.

I was in his arms, now under a big tree, but I panicked and tried to break free. I had never been liked by a boy before. I hardly knew Kris Beckley.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

CHAPTER FIVE<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

He held me fast. \u201cLet me GO!\u201d I shrieked.

\u201cHold it! Keep cool \u2026 calm\u00a0DOWN<\/strong>!\u201d he held me close and my panic quieted. I knew my face was a mess of tears, rain and smudged dirt. I was fuming at myself for acting so babyish in front of Kris just because he liked me that way. I turned my face away from his in shame.

\u201cShhhh \u2026 Amanda \u2026 try this \u2026 you\u2019ll feel better.\u201d He let me go and reached into his jacket pocket. His hand came back out, holding a half-smoked joint.

Taken aback, I knew exactly what it was, stared at it and then at Kris. He was calm and smiling again, under the tree, in the rain. \u201cReally, it will help. Try it, Amanda.\u201d

I backed away slowly. \u201cI don\u2019t want it.\u201d

\u201cPlease \u2026 it chills me out when I take a couple of hits. It\u2019s just a harmless friend of mine.\u201d His voice was soft and soothing. He tempted me, holding the joint, and I studied his face. I suddenly felt more comfortable, and braver than before. I\u2019d forgotten all about the time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

* * * <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

We strolled in the opposite direction now, and Kris led me to the lot behind the Sav-a-Buck, and we sat on the ground under the overhang of a dock. Being there with Kris made it all okay again, even though we were soaked and in the puddles.

Huddled next to me, Kris snatched a lighter from his pocket. He put the joint into his mouth and raised the flame to the burned end. It lit, and Kris leaned back against the wall with ease as he took a drag. He sighed and puffed again, and closed his eyes.

\u201cAmanda \u2026 here.\u201d With fog in his eyes, he pulled the joint from his lips and handed it to me. I hesitantly took it, and held the damp end where he\u2019d smoked from.

Is this the Amanda who was running home for curfew not too long ago?\u00a0<\/em>I thought.\u00a0What about Mom and Dad? They\u2019ll be pissed.<\/em>

But my mind was filled with knowing that if I did this, I\u2019d probably be accepted not only by Kris, but by his friends as well. I wondered whether Tricia smoked pot with him. I slowly lifted the joint to my mouth.

\u201cThat\u2019s it \u2026 take a nice long drag. Thaaaat\u2019s it.\u201d I did, and went into a coughing fit. I returned the butt to him and choked. When I finished gasping, he lit another one and handed it to me. \u201cTry again \u2026 you\u2019ll like it. I promise.\u201d

I took it from him and puffed on it, this time a smaller breath. I didn\u2019t cough as much, and began to feel a sensation of calm, almost like being in another world \u2026 a chill place, as he\u2019d said. I took a couple more drags, then gave it back to him.

Kris sucked in on the joint, and we lay back against the wall, giggling. I didn\u2019t care if anyone came out on the dock and caught us. We just sat there, laughing together.

Kris then gathered me into his arms, this time I went willingly \u2026 and he kissed me. Our makeout was so \u2026 awesome. I felt so close to him then. Lost in him. The butts now stubbed out in the puddles, our kisses were passionate.

Dark was starting to fall. We lay there laughing again. I glanced at my phone then, and it was blown up with texts from Dad.\u00a0Crap.<\/em>\u00a0I knew I was in for it. Even though I felt the high of being with Kris, I knew I\u2019d better get home. Now. I texted back:

sorry!!! lost track of time. home soon.<\/span><\/strong><\/em>

I hoped it would be enough \u2026 but I had my doubts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

CHAPTER SIX<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Kris walked me home, but disappeared into the darkness once I got to the door. The street lights were on. I turned the handle and crept into the foyer.

I took off my wet shoes, and slowly climbed the stairs that led to the living room. Jenelle was in her pajamas, playing a game on her tablet.

\u201cWhere are Mom and Dad?\u201d I casually asked, trying to act as if this was just another evening after school. No one could ever know about what Kris and I did earlier.

\u201cThey\u2019re waiting for you in the family room,\u201d she announced. She stared at me. \u201cWhatcha been doing, Mandy? You look really bad.\u201d

I knew I did, but didn\u2019t explain. \u201cI\u2019m fine,\u201d I said. \u201cI\u2019m going to wash up. I\u2019ll be back.\u201d

I changed my clothes and did what I could with my hair, stringy and plastered to my head. When I thought I looked presentable, I calmly went downstairs to see my parents.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

* * *<\/strong> <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Suffice it to say that Mom and Dad were not pleased. At all. Dad demanded that they meet Kris if I were ever to see him again.

I\u2019m not sure they bought my story about losing track of the time and just getting caught in the rain. I added that at least he\u2019d walked me home, and apologized again profusely.

Once I got to my room, I shut the door and locked it, turning on my bedside lamp. It gave a dim light, just enough to make the room feel cozy.

I lay back on my bed, and blinked as I stared at the ceiling. My mind still felt foggy, and I knew I\u2019d dodged a bullet with my parents. I thought for sure they\u2019d ground me.

I thought about the day\u2019s incidents, playing them over in my mind. This morning, I was a perfect kid with a clean conscience. Now, I believed I\u2019d fallen in love, and had experienced something daring and cool with my new boyfriend.

My stomach fluttered thinking about the makeout with Kris. He knew what he was doing \u2026 not his first rodeo for sure. I felt bad for Tricia that he was mine now, well maybe a little bit. Marijuana was actually pretty nice, too.

I turned over, and the next thing I knew, I awoke in my clothes and the sun was up.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

* * * <\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Going to school that day was like a holiday for me. I was so carefree and happy, because I knew that when school let out, Kris and I would head back to Sav-a-Buck and smoke and make out.

Even though I awoke very tired, I felt fine. Fantastic, actually. Even the Biology exam didn\u2019t ruin my day, and I thought I got at least a C. All through the day, my mind was on the three fresh joints tucked in a hidden pocket of my backpack.

The only downer was finding out that Kris had definitely gotten busted for the fight with Bud Navarro. Since it was self-defense, they both were suspended; Kris for a day, and Bud for a week (out of school). He\u2019d gone at Kris, so he deserved everything he got.

It felt weird to know that the fight was about me and that Bud actually liked me too. He didn\u2019t have to be a jerk about it, though.

We had a blast that afternoon, but I didn\u2019t stay too long \u2026 an hour or so. I wasn\u2019t about to catch it with my parents again. I thought of cutting out classes the next day to hang out with Kris, but then decided against it because of that. I\u2019d just have to toe the line if I was going to keep seeing him.

\u201cAmanda,\u201d he hugged me at my locker that afternoon. \u201cYesterday was awesome. Even with the rain,\u201d he said, leaning in for a kiss.

I smiled up at him, and kissed back. We hugged, and with another kiss, he winked and headed off to his next class.

I stood there in a daze as kids swarmed about in the hall, and gazed after him. I realized with a jolt that this was happening way too fast. I had to stop myself.

He knew <\/em>that I had a curfew the other day, and that I needed to get home. Yet, he lured me away and introduced me to the world of smoking pot, and made out with me, all while knowing my parents would be flipping out.

I was now standing near my locker feeling like I\u2019d been kicked in the stomach by a horse. I wondered whether the reason Kris was all-in was because he just wanted someone to get buzzed with.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

CHAPTER SEVEN<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Now don\u2019t get the impression I didn\u2019t care about Kris. I did. I couldn\u2019t deny that this was crazy and we could both get in a\u00a0lot\u00a0<\/em>of trouble.

I checked his social media page, and his profile was set to \u201cin a relationship.\u201d I got a little rush from that.

Some people had posted asking about the fight, and he let them know why it happened. He got a bunch of Likes and some questions. Bud didn\u2019t comment anything on the post \u2026 probably embarrassed, as well he should be.

We hung out after school a few times behind the Sav-a-Buck, under the ledge, now \u201cour space.\u201d There were no deliveries made when we were there, and no one caught us.

I got a call from Kris one night and asked me out to drive to Schooner Point on Saturday night with him, a beautiful lake where you can have a campfire. And make out, of course \u2026 and maybe smoke.

\u201cAt night?\u201d I responded, remembering the conniption my parents had.

\u201cSure,\u201d came his reply. \u201cWe can drag a little and be alone and just hang out.\u201d

I thought fast. It sounded amazing. Mom and Dad were to be out all evening, and Jenelle was going to a sleepover. It was perfect. \u201cYeah,\u201d I answered, \u201cI\u2019m down with that.\u201d

\u201cAwesome,\u201d came his voice. \u201cI\u2019ll be there around 8 with the car. Be ready.\u201d

\u201cI will,\u201d I whispered, and ended the call. Alone at night, with Kris \u2014 and nobody had to know about it, as long as I got home before my folks did.

I was so excited. I went over to my dresser and stared at myself in the mirror.\u00a0Amanda Fagen, you did all right<\/em>. Handsome Kris Beckley wanted to be with me<\/em>. This overrode my misgivings about the speed of our relationship.

The night Kris came to get me was a beautiful one. It was a mild spring evening and the breeze was soft. The stars were out and the rising moon shone full and round.

I was waiting for him on my porch wearing a light windbreaker when he drove up in his parents\u2019 late model Cadillac CTS. Kris tapped the horn lightly, and I made sure the front door was locked before bounding out to the car.

Smiling, I climbed in on the passenger side and nestled into the plush seat. \u201cHey,\u201d I greeted.

He leaned over and we kissed. \u201cDid you bring some weed?\u201d I asked as he eased the car out into the street.

\u201cEnough for an army.\u201d

\u201cGood.\u201d I snuggled up to him as he drove, feeling happy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

* * *<\/strong> <\/span><\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Kris turned onto a dark road off the main highway and sped on with high beams blazing. Then, he made a right onto a dirt road, and after about a half-mile of bumps and shakes, Kris steered through a clearing in some bushes. He finally brought the Caddy to a stop in an open space in front of the lake.

He shifted into Park and cut the ignition, then turned to me in the darkness. \u201cWhaddaya wanna do, Amanda?\u201d he asked.

He\u2019d asked me here, I thought, puzzled. \u201cWell let\u2019s get out,\u201d I suggested.

\u201cOkay.\u201d We climbed out into the clear night and Kris escorted me to the edge of the lake. We sat down at a picnic table, and I was mesmerized watching the moonlight ripple on the water, and he put his arm around me.

Soon, we were kissing and his arms enveloped me, pulling me in as close as possible. I felt a little jolt from being so close, and seemed to melt blissfully into him. I could kiss him forever.

I wanted to \u2026 but I knew then that this is how people could get in a terrible jam. I forced myself away.

We sat silently watching the lake for a bit. It seemed like he was thinking of something. \u201cLight one up,\u201d I said.

Kris reached into his pocket and lit a fresh joint, and took a long drag before handing it over to me. I puffed and settled back against him, and we shared it back and forth until it was spent.

A hawk suddenly screeched overhead and startled us, and we both broke out laughing. We used up another joint and began kissing again. We laughed at everything possible. I cracked up at the moon. We shivered with laughter in the cool night.

I was used to pot smoke now. It made regular cigarette smoke smell alien, and that always gave me a headache. I was content and having a great time.

Kris handed me a few more joints. \u201cThese are to hold you over until next time. Think of me when I\u2019m not around.\u201d I tucked them into my jeans pocket, not knowing what he meant. I\u2019d only smoked when I was with him.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

CHAPTER EIGHT<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Kris led me to some grass nearby, and we lay staring up at the stars. Kris rolled over and gathered me into his arms again, and leaned in for the best makeout yet. He hadn\u2019t shaved, and I could feel my mouth getting raw \u2026 and I didn\u2019t want to stop.

As high as we were, I was still completely aware of what was going on; I was just super chill and in the moment.

Then, Kris pulled a stunt. I felt his sweaty hands slip up my shirt and\u00a0under my bra<\/em>, and he groped me and kissed me deeply, moaning in delight.

\u201cKris \u2026\u00a0Kris!<\/em>\u00a0What are you doing?!\u00a0NO!<\/strong>\u201d I squirmed out of his embrace and fixed my shirt. He looked shocked.

I got up and, flinging off my sneakers and socks, waded out into the lake. Kris got up and ran to join me in the water, and tried to feel me up again.

I was sure that by that time, Kris had no idea what he was doing. How the hell would he drive us home? He was definitely more far gone than I was.

I pushed him away so forcefully that I ejected myself backward into the cold water. I briefly went under the surface, and I sensed him coming toward me again.

I righted myself, and headed for shore. I\u2019d had enough. I flopped back on the grass and he joined me. We were both soaking wet, a throwback to our first time together, and I was in his arms again, but I didn\u2019t push him away. I felt sleepy. I wanted to just lie there and rest.

We lay there under the stars. Kris kissed me, and then we both passed out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

* * *<\/strong> <\/span><\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I was awakened by the call of a dove, and rubbed my eyes, feeling chilly. It was morning at Schooner Point.

I sat up with a start. \u201cKris!\u201d I shook him several times. He twitched and opened his eyes.

\u201cHoly crap.\u201d He got to his feet. \u201cI gotta get the car home!\u201d I scrambled to get my shoes and socks, strewn off to the side, putting them on. I hastily brushed dirt and sand off my clothes.

We stumbled to the waiting Cadillac. Kris peeled in reverse, into a K turn, and shot forward through the opening in the bushes. Soon we were back on the dirt road, then on the highway in the direction of home.

He glanced at his phone. \u201cDamn<\/strong> it,\u201d he grumbled, pounding the wheel. \u201cI\u2019m gonna catch hell.\u201d The drive was silent from there on.

Kris dropped me off without a word, and when I shut the door, he gunned it and disappeared down the street.

Stunned, I turned to look toward my house. The blinds upstairs were down and I knew my folks were still asleep; that is, if they hadn\u2019t waited up for me.

I looked like a drowned rat again, but this time, I felt really<\/em> crappy. My stomach was upset. I knew I was screwed.

My phone was missing \u2026 probably slipped out of my pocket in the lake last night. I imagined all the texts and calls from my parents that I\u2019d probably missed.

At least Jenelle was still at the sleepover and wouldn\u2019t witness this going down. No lie would fly this time. I was in for it, and knew I deserved whatever I got.

Digging in my pocket, I found I still had my house key. I quietly turned the door knob, bracing for the worst. It had been his idea to go out, but it was my call whether I went, and how I handled things at the lake. I had to own that.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

CHAPTER NINE<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

As expected, Mom and Dad were flipping furious. I was grounded to my room for a month, could not use the phone or computer, and couldn\u2019t watch TV \u2026 no radio, either.

Mom had found a roach under some paperbacks in my nightstand. She tore apart my room after that, but didn\u2019t find anything else.

I was sunk, and took my punishment. I had no explanation but the truth. I was forbidden to see Kris.

His words echoed in my mind \u2026 \u201cI gotta get the car home! \u201d That\u00a0<\/em>was his concern, not me. The\u00a0car.<\/strong>\u00a0And his\u00a0own\u00a0<\/em>neck, not mine. I was angry with Kris now. He\u2019d said he liked me, but did he actually\u00a0care<\/em> about me?

The next night, Mom, Dad, and Jenelle went to a family party. I was not allowed to go with them. With no phone or access to the computer, I had no choice but to stay off social media.

The joints from my jeans pocket were pulp, so I flushed those. I knew I still had a small bag of weed, rolling paper, and a lighter in a sock at the back of my closet, pinned into an old Halloween costume. I\u2019d also hid the joints from my backpack there, and looked forward to when my family left so I could have a smoke after dark.

After pouring myself a soda, I went out back behind our shed. I was perfectly concealed between that and the corner of the fence, and had just enough light to do what I\u2019d planned.

I sat Indian-style and arranged everything on my World History book. I took out a piece of rolling paper, put a few pinches of marijuana on it, and started to roll it tight. When I\u2019d created a cylinder, I licked the edge and pressed it carefully. Kris had taught me how to do this. I was prepared to chill on my own for the evening.

I pulled out the lighter and lit the joint, puffing hard. I let it rest in my lungs before exhaling. The night was quiet and mild. I felt at ease there by myself.

When I was done, I headed inside and flushed the roach down the toilet, then finished my soda. In a daze, I flopped on my bed, head spinning, suddenly feeling upset with myself. My stomach was on board with that, too.

I couldn\u2019t think clearly, and I was anxious about school the next day. I closed my eyes and drifted off into a fitful slumber, and didn\u2019t hear my family return home later that night.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

CHAPTER TEN<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I was stuck being grounded, but knew Kris would be at school; there\u2019s no way my parents could have prevented that. I wanted to avoid him, however. I didn\u2019t want to see him. He\u2019d been a jerk, and a careless one, and I\u2019d gotten in serious trouble.

He cornered me by my locker first thing and I froze, feeling a flash of annoyance. \u201cAmanda … I\u2019m sorry,\u201d he began.

He turned up my face toward his, forcing me to look into his eyes. \u201cI mean it. I screwed up. I was a jackass. Please, believe me.\u201d

\u201cI\u2019m grounded, Kris,\u201d I growled. \u201cDo you have any\u00a0idea\u00a0<\/em>of the crapload I caught when I got home?\u201d

He sighed and looked away. \u201cI know. I\u00a0KNOW<\/strong>.\u201d He punched the locker, startling everyone around us, and I felt embarrassed.

His hand was sore now, and he gripped it with the other, and I was glad that he\u2019d hurt himself. He\u2019d said how sorry he was, but in the light of day, he didn\u2019t care about me. My suspicion was right all along \u2026 he just wanted someone to drag and make out with.

I didn\u2019t think I wanted to go on with this relationship. I hadn\u2019t slept well the previous night, thinking about everything, and knew something had to change.

I turned and slammed my locker shut, slinging my backpack over my shoulder. \u201cAmanda, I said I was sor\u2013\u201d he began.

\u201cGet outta my face!\u201d I pushed past him. I didn\u2019t want to hear anything else. The bell sounded and he lunged my way, trying to stop me, but missed as I darted through a group of kids. He obviously didn\u2019t have a clue what I was really upset about.

\u201cAmanda!\u00a0Wait!<\/em>\u201d he shouted down the hall. I knew his eyes were glued to me as I turned the corner.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

EPILOGUE<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For the rest of the day, we avoided each other. I hoped Kris got the message.

I thought long and hard about where my life was going, and I just knew I didn\u2019t want him included anymore, and I was done with smoking pot. It was all about him, anyway.

The trust of my parents and my future were too much to gamble with. I had just started looking at colleges, and didn\u2019t want to mess that up.

I didn\u2019t give a rap what Kris Beckley thought, because it was obvious where his priorities were. It occurred to me that Tricia had probably dumped him. Girl was right on the money, if that\u00a0was\u00a0<\/em>the case.

That day, I went up to my room and took my stash out of the closet, hiding it in my backpack. I would get rid of it tomorrow.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

* * *<\/strong> <\/span><\/strong> <\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The next day, I left a little earlier than usual and walked toward the Sav-a-Buck. I rounded the corner of the building toward the Dumpsters. I saw the ledge where Kris and I had been and felt a slight twinge of regret, because after all, we did have fun together.

I knew I\u2019d have to do this before I lost my nerve. I got the stuff out, and quietly dropped the bag into the opening, and heard a soft\u00a0thunk\u00a0<\/em>as it hit bottom.

There, it was done \u2026 I was done. I turned on my heel and headed out of the lot, toward school.

Running into Kris during the day wasn\u2019t a problem anymore, because he obviously knew it was over.

The following weekend, my parents bought me a new phone. I could use it only for calls and texts; no social media or Internet privileges.

We were back on an even keel, on the level all the way. I did my homework when I got home every day, and helped with the dishes and whatever else. I said I was sorry \u2026 for everything<\/em>, and they knew I meant it.

Jenelle came to my room one night and asked me what happened. I simply replied that things didn\u2019t work out. Being with Kris was fun \u2026 until it stopped being fun. It was all behind me now.

On the upside, Bud Navarro approached me at school after lunch and asked me out \u2026 to his younger brother\u2019s birthday party. Not much more innocent than that.

He came to our door to meet my parents, and really impressed them. I went, and had pizza and cake, and we played games. He drove us in his own car, a much older one than Kris\u2019 parents\u2019 Cadillac.

I found out Bud is actually a pretty nice guy, excepting the fight. He thought Kris was punching above his weight with me, and knowing what I knew now, I couldn\u2019t disagree with him. He apologized for getting them both suspended \u2026 he admitted that was a total jerk move.

Things with Bud looked good. School was going well, and my home life was much better. It had been a learning experience, I guess. That\u2019s all life is. From then on, I was going to give it my best shot.

When I get my social media back, I\u2019ll be updating my relationship status!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\r\n
\"Me<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n
\"\"<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whipping around, I saw Kris Beckley smiling at me \u2026 My history book dropped to the floor\u00a0with a glorious flutter of pages and a \u201cflappity flap\u201d sort of noise. Standing in front of my locker, I bent to pick it up, then reached for my Junior Trigonometry book from the shelf. \u201cUh \u2026 Amanda Fagen, … <\/p>\n

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