Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:45:08 -0800 (PST) From: K. S. Subject: Hit and Run pt. 1 This is my first attempt at writing although this piece has been in my head for quite sometime. I encourage all comments good or bad but I would prefer it if you were not to be rude. This story is property of the author and may not be used in any way other than for personal enjoyment without the permisson of the author. Hit and Run by KIS Kara had been working all day. She was tired and her feet knew it. None the less she was walking home as she did everyday. It wasn't so far, the Jeffer's wasn't, about five blocks at most, but today Kara just couldn't take it and so she decided on the short cut. She had went this way before but on the few occasions she had taken the path she always felt some sort of danger lurking in the shadows and felt it was best to stay away from the dark, contaminated ally ways. As Kara was approaching the long ally which would lead her to string of other long allys she heard an awful screaching sound. She looked up and there it was. A huge muscular, beefy looking car was coming right her way and the driver was paying no mind to her or anything else. As crates and pallets went flying so did Kara as she jumped to her safety. Luckily the driver of the car saw her just in time and slammed on the brakes. Kara however was already to the ground holding her head in fear, waiting for what was about to come. "Oh shit! Oh shit! Are you okay?! Please tell me you are okay!" The driver said as she jumped out of the car. Kara's only reply was a muffled groan. "Do I need to call 911? Can I help you? Here, let me look at you." The driver rushed over to Kara to help her sit up and to check out her injuries. "No, no, I'm fine, I just bumped my head a little jumping out of the way." Kara managed to get out as she sat up. Kara was able to sit up but her head was still a little dizzy which made her head wobble around. This scared the driver but Kara refused to let her call 911. After a few moments Kara regained composure and began to stand up. "Here, let me help you." Kara took the driver's hand and finally made it to her feet. "I am so sorry. I should have been paying attention but I wasn't and, and..." "Just be more careful next time okay, you could have killed me." Kara cut off with a demeaning tone. The driver was now at a loss for words as regret and compassion filled her eyes just in time for Kara to get her first good look at them. "I really am sorry." The driver managed to whisper, she then began to pick up Kara's belongings that were scattered all around the cobblestone street. "What were you busy doing anyway? I mean for one you were flying through here and to top it off you weren't even paying attention." Kara asked with more venom than she had meant to. The driver looked up at Kara and again guilt came over her. "I... I was playing with the radio. I know that is ridiculos but it was my favorite song and the volume knob was stuck and I was beating it and..." the driver made a show of her account by using her hands to beat the air as if it were the volume knob. At this Kara couldn't help but to giggle. After the driver realized what was happening she couldn't help but to look at Kara funny. "I'm sorry. It's not funny, I mean I almost died today but you know... the hands." The driver gave an embarassed smile and put her hands down. "So what is your name? I mean I at least want to know who will be filing the police report on my stupiditiy today." "First off, my name is Kara and secondly, I don't think either of us really want to go through the whole reporting process. Besides I gave you your warning and I expect you to stick to it." As Kara finished she stuck out her hand. "And you are?" "I'm Jordan. Sorry for almost hitting you, it was an overly stupid mistake but thank you for not filing anything and trust me, it won't happen again." Jordan stated, finally getting back some of the attitude she normally carried with her. Not that it was a bad attitude, actually is was sweet and charming and especially confident. Happy that everything was settled Kara began to reach for her things that Jordan had picked up but she again started to wobble and lose her balance. Jordan quickly reached out to grab her and then she sit her back against her car. "I don't think you are fit to walk to wherever you're going. Let me give you a ride, I mean it is the very least I can do." Again Kara had to smile. "You want ME to ride with YOU?" She asked as she raised an eyebrow. Jordan smiled. "Good point. Uhm... I'll let you drive." "Oh no, no, no. We would be in worse shape than if you were driving. I have no permit or anything, I have never even ridden a bicycle much less drove a car." Kara said slightly embarassed. Jordan looked at her astonished. "No way. You are so pulling my leg." Kara shook her head and began to blush a little. "Wow... we have a lot of work to do." Jordan said as she opened her passenger side door and motioned for Kara to get in. Kara looked at her funny and began to hop off the hood of the car. "What do you mean "we"? And I told you, I'm not riding with you." "What I mean is I'm going to teach you to drive and," Jordan came around to Kara and began pushing her towards the open car door. "I'm also going to be taking you to wherever you are going." Kara plowed her heels into the ground and stopped Jordan from pushing her anymore. "Look I can't ride with you okay, it's against the rules and besides you could kill me... I mean like really mean to kill me as in some super scary serial killer kind of way." Jordan smiled and released her grip on Kara's shoulders. "What do you mean against the rules?" Kara sighed and turned to face Jordan. "It's a long story, I just can't ride with you okay. I appreciate the offer but I really can't. Thank you for helping me after well... you almost hit me but I have to go." Kara then started off back towards the main street as she figured she would take the long way home after all. "Wait!" Jordan called out but Kara pretended to ignore her and kept walking until she was far from the rats and grime and speeding cars the backstreets had to offer. Jordan watched and waited for Kara to change her mind but she never did. Once again, feeling sorry that she couldn't help anymore she diverted her eyes to the ground and let out a long self-pitying sigh. Beneath her front bumper she spotted what looked like an I.D. card to enter a building or something. She picked it up and began to read. "Slone's Market, Kara." Jordan smiled to herself and put the card into her pocket as she slowly started the beginnings of a plan. Kara on the other hand was at a loss for words. She walked towards the home cussing herself for going against her judgement and not coming this way to begin with. However her heart wasn't in her words as she silently was glad the near accident had happend. She didn't know why but something about it made her feel happy and she slowly let herself smile. As Kara reached her home her knees began to get weak and she knew she had to get some rest. She had recovered from the fall but the adrenaline of it all still didn't drown out the tiredness of school and work. She opend the door and walked up to her room ignoring the call of her younger brothers come see their newly built fort in their bedroom. Kara threw her things on the floor and landed against the bed quickly falling asleep. The next morning Kara was awoke by a gentle nudging of her shoulder. "Come on, wake up sleepy head. It's time for school." Jasmine called out to her as she was getting dressed. Kara sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "How long did I sleep?" Jasmine smiled. "Well I never seen you come in, I was in the study, but Parker and Jenkins said you went to your room right as you got home and you haven't woke up since. What was up with that anyways? Long day or something?" "Yeah something like that." Kara said as she got up to take a shower and start her day. Now Jordan didn't know which Slone's Market Kara worked at but she was putting her money on the one at the corner of Smith and Troll as she couldn't see Kara walking from any of the other ones and ending up where she was at yesterday. And seeing as how it was about seven when the accident occured and taking into consideration the books Kara was carrying, Jordan would assume she went to school. Being as she went to school for a typical day she would get to work at about three-thirty and probably left at around six-thirty. The only thing Jordan could hope for now is that she would be working today between three-thirty and six-thirty as it just so happend, Jordan was really getting low on marshmallows and other "necessities" and wanted to make a quick trip to the store. Jordan walked into the grocery store looking around but seeing no Kara she went on about her business getting three bags of jumbo marshmallows. If she didn't give Kara something to remember her by yesterday she would certainly start today and the next day and maybe even the day after that as she was going to buy the same thing everyday until Kara agreed to go out with her. Walking to the line of registers Jordan quickly noticed a little blonde head with a pink shirt at the far left check-out. She couldn't be certain it was her as she could only see her back but she had this feeling and she was hoping she was right. Jordan quickly stepped in line and as she got to the front of the line she realized that it was indeed Kara but Kara hadn't yet noticed her. "God, someone sure likes marshmallows." Kara thought to herself as she saw three bags being thrown onto her belt. She quickly scanned the items and read the total before looking up. She couldn't help but to be suprised to see a smiling Jordan looking back at her. "Oh, it's you." Kara stammerd nervously. "Yes it's me. And uhm, oh shoot what is your name again?" Jordan asked as she pretended to look for a name tag on Kara's shirt. Kara looked down noticing what no one else had pointed out before now. "Oh yeah, sorry, I lost my name tag. It's Kara, my name is Kara." she said feeling a bit sad Jordan hadn't remembered her name. "Oh well... sorry to hear that." Jordan said as she handed Kara her money and took her things and walked away. Kara took her money and was about to put it into the register when she noticed something funny. The money seemed a lot harder than it was supposed to. At first she thought Jordan had accidently given her her credit card too but when she pulled out the intruder she realized it was some sort of card with a pin and on the front was an attached note. Kara didn't read the note as she didn't think it was any of her business but instead flipped up the paper to read the card. There stood "KARA" in big bold letters along with the store name and hours. She couldn't help but to smile at herself as she realized what Jordan had done. She also realized that the note was meant for her but her customers were getting anxious and so she slipped it all into her pocket for another time. Meanwhile Jordan walked, or more so ran back to her car smiling like the chesire cat. There wasn't much she could do now. She wanted to get to know Kara, boy did she ever but she also knew when to push it and when to hang back. And right now it was time to let Kara make the move and if she didn't by morning then tomorrow she may decide to run out of marshmallows then too. Kara worked diligently through her shift never once holding up customers to read the note or to even place her name tag back on her shirt as she was afraid she would be too tempted to read the attached verse. Kara also never recieved a break as she only worked three hours and you have to work at least four to recieve a ten minute smoke, or in her case soda break. She never skipped a beat though as her shift ended. Walking towards the door to leave she was already reaching into her pocket. Stepping to the side of the entrance she began reading. It was short she noticed but she had no idea it would come to hold so much. It read, "Coffee? I promise I'll drive slow." along with the few words Kara noticed a number. A big number, a phone number. "She wants me to call her." Kara thought to herself. She knew she wanted to, deep down she really did. There was just something about her that Kara wanted more of but she also knew she couldn't call her. "I don't even know her!" Kara aruged with herself as she started the long walk home. "I know, but I really would like to go." "No, no you can't go, you just can't. Besides what would Linda and Ron say?" Kara knew the last argument didn't matter much as they would probably never notice she was gone but still something was stopping her. Again Kara reached her home dog tired. However she did manage to eat dinner before heading off to bed and slipping under the sheets to a very warm, mysterious dream. She again woke to much of the same as the day before and every day before that as Jasmine was a total morning person and was kind enough to wake her. She noticed this morning though that Jasmine was a little more happy than usual. "What got in your pants last night?" Kara kidded with her. Jasmine giggled. "More like what's getting into your pants missy. I found this on the floor. My guess is you fell asleep with it in your hand." She then held up a crumpled piece of paper that indeed looked as if it had been nursed all night by clammy hands. Kara looked down. She was embarassed. For herself and for Jasmine as she thought the number belonged to a boy. "Oh that," Kara said with a shy smile. "that is nothing you need to worry about. I'm not even going to use it. I mean I don't even know he... him." Kara caught herself. Jasmine looked at her funny. "Suite yourself. But I think your lying." Jasmine chided as she threw the note and a pillow at Kara's head and ran off into the bathroom. Kara sat there a moment remembering what had happend the night before. She just couldn't put the note down. She wanted to but everytime she thought about it she seemed to not be able to remember Jordan's face however when she was holding it everything felt solid and real. She hated that she was making such a big deal out of it but there was something about Jordan that gave her comfort, gave her hope and she had no idea why. Starting to feel a little sick, Kara placed the note under matress and vowed to forget it existed. Jordan had waited all night for that call. Every single minute of every single hour from six-thirty until eleven. She was a little dissapointed yet she really didn't expect much else. Kara was shy, at least when you got down to it. She may put up this tough girl front for a while but deep down she was so unsure of herself, of the world, you could see it in her eyes. Jordan didn't stay down for too long though as that just wasn't her thing. She put her game face back on, wrote another note and went to work, waiting patiently until five that evening. It was Friday and Kara wasn't too happy about that at all. Earlier in the week she had suggested working a longer shift on Friday so that she could have Sunday off to catch up on some school work. She was glad to have the Sunday off but that didn't make today any easier on her. Friday was their busiest day and nothing ever seemed to go right, not even in the three hours she was normally there. She didn't think much about Jordan that day. She didn't really want to. Not that she didn't like the thought of Jordan, she did very much so. It was more so that she didn't want to have to face facts that she could never befriend her. It's just too hard to make friends in her situation. Foster home after foster home, school and work, where is the time? True, she would be eighteen in three months but that didn't mean she would be here for those next three months and she didn't like the thought of starting things she couldn't finish which is why she never really made friends to begin with. Jordan again walked into the store with her head held high and huge smile on her face. If anything confidence was her first name it always would be. Kick her, beat her, whip her, smash her, you couldn't break her, too many had tried. This was her life and she was going to live it the way she wanted to. And right now she wanted three bags of jumbo marshmallows. Not bothering to look at the other registers today she got into the same line she was in yesterday and waited, completely ignoring the calls of open registers. Luckily other customers were more concerned with time and she moved fast and was soon throwing her items onto the belt. Kara again never seemed to look up from her register. That is until she spotted something way too familiar. She looked up and again met a smiling Jordan. Jordan quickly eyed Kara's name tag and nodded her head. "I see you found it. That's good." Jordan said knowingly. Kara smiled. "Ahh yeah, thanks for that. I hadn't really realized that I had lost it until well... someone gave it back to me." She then began to blush as she bagged Jordan's marshmallows. Jordan handed her her money and again took up her things and left. Kara on the other hand again felt something odd about the money. She knew it wasn't the same as yesterday but it still felt weird. She flipped the bills over and again saw another note. Against her better judgement she couldn't wait to read the note this time and quickly opened it. "No coffee then? Driving lessons Sunday. I'll tell you where." Kara sighed and laughed at the same time. She was trying to not like this girl, to distance herself from something that seemed so cute and happy but she couldn't and within the three seconds it took her to read the short note she realized that she would never be able to. That night Jordan again waited for a phone call however it never came. She expected it tonight, more so than the night before but she still didn't let it get her down. She thought that maybe Kara was just a bit more shy then she first thought and needed a little more time. She knew that she was making it obvious that she was into Kara and she also knew that Kara, whether she realized it or not, was into her too. This could only mean though, that Jordan had to step it up a bit and she knew just how to do it. Kara again went home that night and couldn't bring herself to call Jordan. She was a little more open to the idea tonight than the previous night but that little voice in her head was still saying no and she couldn't help but to listen. That day at work though, Kara was prepared. She was actually waiting on Jordan and her marshmallows. It was then she realized the agony of waiting and knew she was putting Jordan through much of the same. Kara continued to wait though, she was more alert with her customers than she had ever been but despite her all seeing eyes, Jordan was no where to be found. She was getting scared that Jordan was giving up on her right when she was ready to give in and that evening she sadly began to walk home vowing to finally make the first call. "So you don't do coffee and you don't drive. What is it that you do then?" She heard a voice call from the parking lot she was walking through. She looked up and this time, she wasn't suprised. She was happy, so happy that she couldn't help but to smile. She walked over to where Jordan was leaning against her car and spoke. "No, I love coffee. But I'm scared to drive and I just didn't know which to pick." She felt proud of her quick, confident response until she heard what Jordan had to say. "Bullshit." Jordan said bluntly as she moved from the car to stand in front of Kara. "It's not driving you're scared of. It's me." Kara was a bit taken aback by Jordans comment but she knew it was true, she knew more than anything it was true. "I uh," Kara closed her eyes a moment and decided it was now or never. "yeah, I'm scared of you. I'm not used to this whole making friends thing you know, I've never taken time to make any and so I'm a little rusty about what to do." "Come with me then." Jordan said confidently. "And don't tell me it's against the rules." Kara smiled and knew she was had. "Okay." Jordan hopped into the car and nodded her head towards the passenger door. She waited to make sure Kara was actually going to get in before closing the door and putting on her seat belt. Kara was soon to follow. They didn't say much at first. Kara being too nervous to speak and Jordan waiting for her to loosen up a bit. However the silence was soon too much and Kara couldn't take it. "So where are we going?" Jordan smiled. "You'll find out soon enough." She then innocently looked at Kara and winked. Kara kiddingly rolled her eyes and decided to enjoy the ride. She knew that she could be putting herself into danger. Jordan didn't seem like that kind of person but she was a bit older than her and in a way she was mysterious. The big muscular car, her confidence, it seemed as if she had been on her own a while and also toughend up a bit. Kara could only hope that she wouldn't be taking her somewhere where she had to learn the same lessons Jordan did. Soon enough the car came to a stop, a non-tire screeching, slow and steady stop that Kara was most definetly thankful for. She noticed that they were at the river and soon all of those fears about being roughed up came flooding back. Who knew what kind of gangs and hoodlins were out here just waiting to attack and even more, who knew if Jordan was one of them? Kara couldn't help but to tense up as Jordan left the car, she really didn't want to move. Jordan made it to the front of the car before she realized that Kara wasn't with her. There she looked through the windsheild towards Kara and annoyedly cocked her head then motioned with her eyes for Kara to come on. Slowly she complied. Once out of the car Kara realized that there were rows upon rows of houses lining the hill on the other side. Jordan began walking towards one of the bottom ones. Before reaching the house Jordan turned. "You, you stay here." Kara was very much okay with that and leaned against the car facing the dirty water. Jordan wasn't gone long and soon appeared with two beers and slid up beside Kara. Jordan began opening the bottles and in turn gave one to Kara who took it gladly. "So you drink, that's good, I was worried you didn't do that either." Jordan said good naturedly. "Well you know... it is against the rules but we're here so why not?" Kara replied with a smile. "Haha the rules. That's funny you know... I've never seen a kid with so many rules. How old are you anyway?" "Well see I'm not most kids," Kara said as she hopped farther back onto the hood of the car. "I am a foster child and as of right now, I'm living in a home where there are many rules, rules which I have broken today and rules that I will probably continue to break if you keep stalking me." They both smiled. "I am seventeen though, so three more months worth of rules and then I'm done for good." "Wow... I never really expected that." Jordan said wide eyed. "I just figured you were shy old average Jane." She was making Kara blush and she loved it. "Well that's me. What about you? So far I only know you drive manly cars and try to hit poor innocent people, and oh, again, you're a stalker." Kara kidded. "Haha, well yeah, two out of three isn't so bad. I mean I do drive this big old car but I love it and could never part with it, and I was kind of stalking you but I..." Kara looked into Jordan's eyes awaiting her response. "I just feel like I wan't to get to know you." "Yeah?" "Yeah." Kara smiled. "I guess I feel that way too." From there each talked a bit about their respective lives along with the usual dreams and aspirations. Kara of course talked about ending up parentless and Jordan more so listened, wanting to give Kara as much compassion as she could. And even though Kara pushed Jordan to talk about her own life in more detail somehow, the conversation just never seemed to turn that way. By the time they were done it was way past the time for Kara to be home but she didn't really mind. She was getting comfortable with Jordan and didn't really want to leave. She was going to take this slow though, this friendship, incase she had to up and move or something which was likely if she was going to be spending time with Jordan thus breaking the rules. Besides Jordan was just her friend, there really wasn't much to speed up anyway, right? "I think it's about time for you to get me home, unless you're going to make me walk or something." Kara said as she stepped from the car and streched her legs. "Oh yeah right. Well I think if you start walking now you could make it back to the grocery store around one tomorrow morning and then after that I'm lost because I don't know where you live. So uhm, be safe and maybe we can do this again sometime?" Jordan asked as she reached for a hug. Kara looked at her funny and hugged her back. She knew Jordan was joking but she did sound awful serious. Jordan then took up their beer bottles and began walking back towards the house. It was then Kara started to get worried. "Wait, wait! Where the hell are you going?!" Jordan paid her no mind and walked right on towards the house to the trash can and threw in the bottles. She then turned around and flashed that sexy grin that Kara loved to see and ran back to the car. Kara laughed and rolled her eyes. "That's what I thought." "No, it's not, you thought I was leaving you and you know it!" Jordan kidded as she started the car and turned back towards city limits. Even though both girls had drank that night neither were drunk as they both knew better. Jordan for one would be driving and of course, Kara couldn't let her family know. And so Jordan again drove safely all the way going where Kara directed her and stopping right before they turned onto Kara's street. "Stop here." "Oh so you live there?" Jordan asked, pointing to the nearest house and putting the car into park. "No, I live down that street there." Kara pointed left. "Well why can't I just take you home then?" Jordan asked as she put the car back into drive. Kara stopped her. "Because," she started "it's against the rules." They both finshed. "All right, all right, I get it, you can't be out with anyone, I understand that. Sorry you have to walk home though." Jordan said regretably. "No, it's fine, I've enjoyed tonight so it's worth the walk." Kara shyly smiled and Jordan gladly returned it. "So we'll do it again then?" "Yes we'll do it again." Kara then stepped from the car but not before looking deep into Jordan's eyes. Kara again smiled and shut the door, soon she was gone. Jordan sat there a moment waiting for Kara to reach her house and then she slowly pulled up and looked down the street where she saw a smiling Kara enter a front door. She may not have been able to take her home but at least she knew where she lived. "So where have you been?" Jasmine asked as Kara entered the bedroom. "Out." Kara said cooly. "Out where?" "Out "studying at the library"." Kara said as she looked directly at Jasmine. "Okay, I can vouch for that. But now tell me where you really went." Kara couldn't help but to smile. "I was with a friend." "Is this the friend that wanted coffee?" Jasmine asked knowingly. "Maybe." Kara said as she giggled. "We'll have to talk soon you know that right?" Jasmine stated more than asked. "There isn't really anything to talk about, we're just friends." "Riiiight." Jasmine said as she rolled over and turned out her bedside light. Kara laughed and did the same. The next morning Kara woke up feeling better than she had ever felt. She was happy and relaxed and everything was going right. She had neglected her family for the past few days so she decided that this morning she would change that. She took her shower and was down to help with breakfast in a flash. Her family was not normal, no, nor did she live a very free life, but the Jeffers cared about all of their children's well being and Kara knew that deep down, that is what mattered most and so in many ways she was thankful for them and what she did have even if she did break the rules every now and then. "Well there she is, I was beginning to think you ran away." Linda stated as Kara entered the kitchen. "No, I'm sorry I've just been really busy and tired lately. Sorry I've been scarce." "Well as long as you understand the importance of school we will all be okay. We are letting you work you know, so that you will have money when you chose to leave us but if it starts to affect school too much we'll make you quit your job, is that understood?" "Yes, I understand that. It's nothing really, just a little hormonal I think." Kara smiled. "Well, I can understand that." Linda laughed and began to set the table for the eight of them. After playing with Jenkins and Parker after breakfast and talking to Lacy about her crush Kara made it a point to call Jordan. She wanted Jordan to know that she was going to do her part and she felt that now was the best time to do that. Kara couldn't decide if she was more nervous that Jordan would answer or she wouldn't answer. Both scared Kara equally. However when she heard "Hello?" she almost wished it was the later. Jordan was happy that Kara had called her. She knew that she would, she just didn't think it would be this morning and in many ways she wished she hadn't as Jordan was working and couldn't talk long. However they did decide to go out on Tuesday since neither had to work and that in it's self was enough to make the next day and a half fly by for the both of them. Tuesday came quickly for Kara and the more she thought about it the more excited she got. After coming in from school she made her excuse saying that she was headed to the library to study and made her way down the street to where Jordan had dropped her off a few nights before. Kara looked around and quickly got into the car before anyone saw. She couldn't help but to laugh at the secretiveness of it all. Jordan not getting it just rolled her eyes and smiled. "So where are we going today? Or is that a suprise too?" "What do you think?" Jordan teased. "Of course it's a suprise," Kara said, faking annoyance. "just make sure I'm home by eight okay? I'm supposed to be studying." "Oh I'll give you something to study." Jordan said lustfully and then winked at Kara. Kara couldn't help but to blush. She knew Jordan was hitting on her, she had known it all along. And though she had never really thought about her sexuality she honestly couldn't say that she minded it at all. And she also knew that no matter how much she still wanted to deny it, she felt a little of the same. Jordan seen the small but strong light go off in Kara's head and that is exactly what she wanted. Last night was just about getting to know one another but today Jordan was gonna turn on some romance, not a lot, but enough to start what she hoped wouldn't have to end. And still, she knew Kara hadn't quite thought that far ahead but she was getting there and by tonight, Jordan knew she would be too far gone to even think about anything else. For Kara, it felt like the drive took hours when really it was only about twenty-minutes. Jordan though, had made this drive so many times within the last three years that she could do it blind-folded. This was Jordan's place, her refuge, and until now she had never shared it with a soul. And so they drove and drove finally reaching the backside of a huge cliff. The road here was rough but driveable although not comfortable. Kara was beginning to get worried again until she saw the wonderment in Jordan's face and she knew that whatever this was, it must be good. Finally reaching the top Jordan put the car into park and shut it off. The road continued on to where they were going however Jordan didn't want Kara to spot it for the first time while riding in the bumpy car. Jordan jumped out and went to the trunk getting out a blanket and a cooler. "Beer and brownies." Jordan smiled. "You know... we can't be drinking all of the time, I'll eventually get caught." Kara remarked. "Oh don't be such a baby, we'll be fine, and here, take this." Jordan then threw the blanket to Kara who put it under her arm. Jordan closed the trunk and walked around to Kara and took her hand. Kara was a bit suprised by this and could only look at Jordan for a moment who of course smiled and told her to come on. Kara soon relaxed and let herself be pulled along the old road. They had only walked for a few minutes when Jordan made a sharp left and took them between two bushy trees. It took a bit of manuvering but both of them managed to squeeze through side-by-side. Once through the slender row of pines they were literally on the very edge of the cliff. Kara was at first scared but then she looked down and all her fear went away. Jordan looked over at the suprise in Kara's face and couldn't help but to squeeze her hand. "Wow... this is beautiful. What is this place?" "This is a Christmas tree farm. Crazy, I know but it really is beautiful isn't it?" Jordan asked hoping that Kara would like what she saw. "I would say beautiful. It's like the tree's never end. It's so, so..." "Peaceful." Jordan finished. Both stood there for a moment taking it all in before Jordan stepped away to set the cooler down and help Kara spread out the blanket. Jordan made a show of getting out a couple of beers so that Kara would sit down first. Jordan wanted to be close to Kara and she knew that if she left if up to Kara, she wouldn't sit as near as she liked. Jordan sat down smoothly right beside of Kara with not an inch of distance between the two. Kara noticed this but she never mentioned anything as she took her beer and relaxed into the beauty of the surrounding trees. "So how did you find this place anyway?" Kara asked after a few minutes of silence. "We'll that is a.... story." Jordan and Kara both laughed. "About three years ago when I first got my lisence I got out of my house as soon as I could. Things with my dad were bad and well... my mom died when I was seven and so that left only me and him. He drank a lot, which I guess that's why I started, however he was a mean drunk, real mean. He would beat me a lot and when I turned sixteen I vowed to leave and never look back. My uncle, my mom's older brother, he knew what was going on with me and my dad and he always made a point to come check on me from time to time and so I told him what I wanted to do. He agreed to let me stay with him as soon as I got my lisence because though he wanted to take care of me, he couldn't afford it and he knew that I would need a job thus need a car to get there. So he found the big manly thing as you call it, that I'm driving today and kept it until the day he took me to get my lisence which happend to be the day that I packed all of my things and told my dad to kiss my ass. I moved in with my uncle and got a job as a mechanic assitant and that's where I'm at today. I was so lost then that I would often drive around meaninglessly to clear my head and then one day I found this place and I've been coming here ever since. I know that is more than you wanted to hear but I guess I just got carried away." Jordan finished in an embarassed tone. "Oh, no I'm glad you told me about it all. I mean I whined to you all Saturday night so it was your turn anyway." Kara put her hand on Jordan's knee to reassure her point. She thought for a moment and then said, "So I guess that car has done a lot for you then? I mean it does sound kind of odd, to base your freedom on being able to drive but maybe that's all some of us need." "Now you know why I drive so fast." Jordan kidded which made Kara laugh. "But yeah, it's done a lot for me..." Jordan left that in the air as she leaned into her knees and looked deep into Kara's eyes. Kara at first didn't catch the double meaning but soon it clicked and she was left unsure of what to say. Kara nervously looked away. Soon she felt fingers on her chin slowly pulling her back in the opposite direction. She again met Jordans stare and all was lost. Jordan leaned in slowly giving Kara time to back away, though she was sure she wouldn't. Finally their lips thouched in a soft delicate kiss that lasted but a second. Jordan pulled away and searched for any sign that Kara didn't want her but she found only the opposite. This time Kara leaned into Jordan and kissed her again. This kiss was filled with much more passion and lasted a lot longer. Soon their tounges put into rythm and it was getting hard to breathe. Jordan pulled away first and again looked deep into Kara's soul. She saw sadness there but she saw hope too and that was all she needed to know. She bent in for one last kiss and then moved around to hold Kara from behind. Kara rested her head on Jordan's shoulder and waited for what was to come. "I've wanted to do that since I almost killed you, you know?" Kara smiled. "I can't say that I knew what I wanted then. I can't say I know what I want right now even. But this feels right and so I'm doing it." Kara then entwined both sets of fingers with Jordans. "That's all that matters." Jordan then kissed her cheek softly and left Kara to her thoughts for a while. After a while the sun began to set and as beautiful as it was it was getting cold upon the cliff and Jordan knew that it was getting time to go. She hated to move, she hated to even blink but Kara had to get home. Jordan wrapped her arms around Kara's waist and pulled her in tight then whispered in her ear, " I don't want to move and you don't want to move but we have to get you home." Kara sighed and slowly began to stand. "Okay." Both girls packed up their garbage and the blanket and headed back toward the car. Neither spoke as they we're leaving but as soon as they were in the car each looked at one another nervously. "I had fun today." Kara said at last. "I'm glad, I was hoping you would like it here. I had never shown this place to anyone before." "Well I'm glad I was your first and I think I'm also glad that you were my first, kiss I mean." Kara said shyly. Jordan didn't know but she had suspected that it was Kara's first kiss though she couldn't tell it. She may have not had any practice but she was damn good at it. Jordan could only smile and nod. Kara bit her lip and then slowly moved her head toward Jordan. Jordan wanting much of the same complied and moved her head so that they met in the middle. Jordan was the first to open her lips and she couldn't get enough of Kara in them. They had fufilled the emotional aspects of what had begun but now it was just pure need. Jordan grabbed Kara and pulled her over onto her lap stopping the kiss only long enough for Kara to find a seat. This went on for much longer than intended and soon the car fogged up and the air became too hot to breathe. Kara pulled back and panted "I have to get home." To be continued --