(Saturday)
Kayla checked herself once again in the mirror, touching the top of her head to make sure her sunglasses were still there. She looked around her room and double checked everything she needed. She was dressed in a pair of khaki shorts with a navy blue tank top to match. She had a two piece suit underneath, just in case. Her make-up was done very lightly, not wanting to get weird tan lines. She topped the whole outfit off with sunglasses that had blue shades. Her hair seemed perfect, flowing freely and settling in all the right places. She had a pair of sandals to go with her whole style she was sporting and she had to admit, she wasn’t looking half bad.
The doorbell rang and brought her out of her thoughts. She grabbed some money off her dresser and smiled to herself in the mirror. She was going to go to this gathering and have fun, she was determined to. She answered the door to a brightly smiling Alyissa.
“What’s up girlie?” she asked happily.
“Not much, come on in while I grab my purse,” Kayla said, leaving the door open and walking into the kitchen.
Alyissa stepped in and looked around. She whistled and lowered her sunglasses, “Niiiiiice place!”
Kayla smiled shyly, “Thanks.”
Kayla grabbed her purse and made sure she had a set of keys with her. She glanced around the apartment one more time and turned to Alyissa, “Ready?”
Alyissa nodded her head, “Let’s roll.”
They walked down to the lobby and out the door to the parking lots. Kayla’s mouth almost dropped when she say Alyissa’s blue silver eclipse.
Alyissa laughed when she saw her expression, “Like my car?”
Kayla nodded her head, speechless. “It’s...it’s...” she stuttered. She snapped out of her thoughts, “Do you have any rules for this car?”
Alyissa laughed and shook her head, “Only one...and that’s I’M the only one who drives this baby.”
Kayla laughed lightly, “Your nice about it...I wouldn’t let anyone come NEAR it if it was my car...now I kinda know how Justin feels about his car.”
Alyissa laughed, “But Justin is the biggest brat about his car...let me tell you.”
Kayla rolled her eyes, “Oh I know.”
They both hopped into the car and Alyissa revved up the engine, pulling out of her parking space. She pulled out onto the road and turned on the radio, blaring the sound. She opened all her windows and laughed out loud. Kayla couldn’t help but feel a bit giddy herself, she was ready to cut loose and have fun. With a two week time span until the tour and her exams ahead of her, today was her day to relax.
Alyissa pulled into Lance’s driveway and turned off the car. They both got out, hair blown in all different directions. They looked at each other and giggled.
“Weren’t we supposed to get something for Lance?” Kayla asked.
“Already covered,” Alyissa said, pulling out grocery bags from the back seat.
Kayla smiled and walked over to help her. “Why’d you get so much? Isn’t Lance gonna have anything here?” Kayla joked, picking up her third bag.
Alyissa laughed, “Yeah and the other guys are supposed to bring stuff, so that means I do the shopping and they do all the cooking. Fair deal I think.”
Kayla nodded her head and smiled. When they each had all the bags wrapped around their arms somehow, they walked to the front door. Alyissa struggled and finally rang the doorbell.
They could both hear faint voices getting louder as they came closer to the door. Alyissa edged back a step as Kayla strained to hear what the voices were saying. Kayla didn’t notice Alyissa moving back to the steps and kept straining to hear. When the door opened Kayla got squirted right in the face with a water gun. Her eyes opened wide with surprise and Chris and Joey both gave her a shocked look.
“Your supposed to be ‘Liss,” Joey said, staring at Kayla.
“Sorry to disappoint you,” Kayla mumbled.
JC peeked his head around Chris and laughed out loud. Kayla shot him a look and his laughs died down. He covered his mouth to hold in the giggles trying to come out, but eventually let them go.
“Mmmphmh...sorry...” he choked out. “Let...let me take those...bags...for...you...”
Kayla sighed and dumped all the bags in JC’s arms, “Thanks.”
JC’s knees bent quickly, surprised from the sudden weight. Alyissa was laughing in the back round and followed Kayla’s lead, “Here guys,” she said dumping her bags in Joey’s and Chris’ arms.
They both went down with a grunt and slowly lifted themselves back up.
“Now where’s that curly haired mischief maker boyfriend of mine?” Alyissa asked, placing her hands on her hips and looking at them.
“In the back, swimming I think,” Chris grunted.
“Come on Kayla,” Alyissa said, grabbing Kayla’s wrist and tugging her towards the back.
Joey managed to get the door shut with his hip, still struggling with the grocery bags. Kayla let herself be dragged through the big house, staring at everything with amazement. Alyissa drug her outside and into the backyard where everything was set up for their little barbecue. Alyissa stopped in the doorway and scanned the backyard scene for Justin.
“Found him,” she grinned evilly.
Kayla looked over at her and saw her look, “Where?”
Alyissa pointed to Justin, who was peacefully lounging by the pool. Kayla smiled as Alyissa let her wrist go and walked quietly over to Justin, sneaking up on him.
“What’s she gonna do?” Lance asked from behind.
Kayla jumped in surprise and turned around. Lance smiled at her and Kayla blushed, grinning broadly.
“I don’t know...I’m the new one remember?” she laughed.
Lance smiled and nodded his head, “Not for long.”
She gave him a questioned look.
“Your gonna get sick of us sooner or later, that’s how you know your part of the group,” Lance laughed.
They both turned around and walked outside, walking over to the picnic tables.
“You have a really great place here,” Kayla said, looking around the backyard.
“I really like it,” Lance said excitedly. “I designed and decorated it by myself and I’ve got different themes and stuff,” he went on.
Just as Kayla was about to say something in return, a loud shriek rang out into the air. They both turned around to find Alyissa screaming loudly as Justin chased her.
“You got jokes ‘Liss??? HUH!?” Justin yelled, chasing after her.
Alyissa couldn’t stop laughing, “Justin! Stop chasing me! I can’t breathe! I’m getting a cramp! GO AWAY!!!”
Justin laughed in return, “NO WAY! YOUR GOING IN!!!”
“NO JUSTIN! I just got here! I’m still in my normal clothes! STOOOOPPP!!!” she shrieked.
Justin continued to chase Alyissa around the pool, until she ran off into the grass and towards Lance and Kayla. She ran behind the two and hid, trying to catch her breath.
“Get him away from me!” she gasped.
Justin came up and started to wait for her. Every time she tried to move he would move in her direction, so they were basically running in circles around Lance and Kayla.
Chris and Joey came running out into the backyard and ran over to Alyissa, attacking her with their water guns. They laughed loudly as Alyissa gave a surprised look, forgetting Justin was chasing her. She stood up to yell at them, when Justin ran around and scooped her up.
“JUSTIN RANDALL TIMBERLAKE! PUT ME DOWN BEFORE I HURT YOU!” she screamed, laughing hysterically. “DON’T YOU DARE THROW ME IN THAT POOL!!!”
Justin stopped when he got to the water’s edge and grinned playfully, “What are you gonna do for me?”
“What do you mean, what am I gonna for you? I’m gonna let you live, that’s what I’m gonna do for you!” she said kicking. “Now PUT ME DOWN!”
Justin looked up as if thinking about it. He went to put her down, “Ok...” He grinned and threw her into the pool at the last minute, “SIKE!”
Everyone started laughing as Alyissa came up, sputtering for air.
“You better start running boy...those precious curls of yours are gonna disappear once I get done with you!” she threatened, swimming to the side of the pool.
She climbed out and started to walk towards Justin. Justin was so busy laughing he didn’t get a very good head start. Alyissa pulled him towards her and swung him around, flying him into the pool. Alyissa started laughing uncontrollably as Justin came to the surface.
“All right ‘Liss, truce?” he asked, swimming over to the side.
She stopped laughing and looked down at him suspiciously.
“You don’t even trust your own boyfriend?” he asked with a hurt expression.
Alyissa’s face softened and she nodded her head. She walked over to the edge of the pool and leaned over him. Justin reached up for a kiss and received one, then pulled Alyissa in the pool with him. She came up for air after splashing around and gave him a dirty look.
The rest of them were watching the scene with amusement. JC had come out of the kitchen with a tray of drinks, watching the whole thing by the picnic table. Lance and Kayla were still where they were standing before while Joey and Chris thought it was necessary to run up to the side of the pool and squirt more water in Justin and Alyissa’s faces. Justin and Alyissa were splashing them back as the two guys dodged the pool water and kept shooting their water guns.
When all the commotion was over and people calmed down for a little while, Lance started to fire up the grill and start cooking. Alyissa made her way over to the picnic table, drenched and grinning. Justin grabbed his towel first and made his way after Alyissa. She grinned and eyed his towel. He caught her determined gaze and backed away slowly, trying to get away before she snatched it out of his possession. Alyissa followed slowly, watching him move away. Kayla laughed lightly and walked over to the grill where Lance was flipping burgers and turning over hot dogs.
“Hungry yet?” he asked, sneaking a peak at her out of the corner of his eye.
She shook her head, “Not really.”
JC walked over to the both of them and smiled, rubbing his stomach and eyeing the sizzling meat.
“Would you like a drink?” he asked Kayla, placing his hand on the middle of her back casually.
Kayla turned around and smiled, “Sure, what do you have?”
JC led her over to the picnic table and Lance watched her walk away. Joey came up from other side of him and sniffed the aroma of cooking food. Lance turned around and caught Joey peering over the food.
“Don’t drool Joey,” Lance said pushing him away gently.
Joey pouted and crossed his arms, “I wasn’t.”
Lance nodded his head, not believing him and flipped another burger.
“So when are you gonna ask Kayla out again?”
Lance looked up and over at him, “What do you mean again?”
“Didn’t you guys go out to lunch or something?” Joey asked, looking at him.
Lance nodded his head, “That wasn’t really a date.”
Joey shrugged his shoulders, “Whatever man.”
Lance opened his mouth to protest when Chris called Joey over and he ran away before Lance could utter even a sound. He went back to cooking the rest of the food, humming to the music blaring in his back yard.
Later on when everyone had eaten until they could barely move and they were all starting to leave, Alyissa, Justin, Lance, and Kayla were left cleaning up. Kayla was busily walking around with a trash bag and dumping cups and plates into it. Alyissa and Justin were cleaning up in the kitchen, as Lance walked around his house and put things away. When they were done it was close to seven, the time seemed to have flown by that day.
They all settled themselves down on Lance’s couch and took deep breaths.
“I don’t want to take my exams,” Alyissa complained, snuggling deeper into Justin’s body.
Justin wrapped his arms around Alyissa and smiled, “You have to.”
“I don’t technically have to,” she started. “But it would be good.”
Justin kissed her forehead and looked down at her affectionately. Alyissa closed her eyes and sighed again, falling asleep. Justin let her lay there for a few minutes before realizing she had fallen asleep.
He moved his shoulder and nudged her head gently, “Wake up baby.”
Alyissa stirred and looked up at him, “No.”
Justin laughed lightly and got up, catching her before she fell face first into the couch.
“Your lucky you caught me,” she smiled.
Justin grinned, “I always do.”
Kayla watched them enviously and her gaze softened. She tilted her head to the side and sighed to herself, she wished her life could be like that.
“Time to go home,” Justin said softly, picking Alyissa up.
She groaned and refused to put any strength into her movements, letting Justin support her lazily. He smiled and lifted her up completely.
“I’ll take you,” he offered, heading for the kitchen to find her keys.
“I have to take Kayla home,” she responded in a tired tone.
“I’ll take her home,” Lance jumped in.
Justin glanced over at him and nodded his head. He turned back to Alyissa and finally found her keys. He picked them up and headed for the door.
“Good luck on your exams!” Kayla called after them.
Alyissa gave a small wave and Justin shut the door behind them.
Kayla peeked over at Lance shyly and smiled. He smiled in return and got up.
“You ready?” he asked.
Kayla nodded and looked around, making sure she didn’t forget anything. She grabbed her purse and followed Lance out the door. They climbed into his car silently and he revved the engine. Lance pulled out of the driveway and onto the main road.
“Did you have fun today?” he asked suddenly, trying to make conversation.
Kayla nodded her head, “A lot.”
There was another silence where Lance concentrated on the road and Kayla gazed out the window.
“Where exactly do you live?” Lance asked sheepishly.
Kayla smiled, “Turn right here, I’ll tell you how to get there.”
Lance leaned over and turned on his radio to fill up the awkward silence they were stuck in and distract both of their minds. He found a song he liked and left the radio at a normal volume.
“Have you decided on the tour yet?” he asked.
Kayla hesitated for a second before responding, “I’m going.”
Lance smiled and his stomach did a flip from excitement. He felt a little foolish getting excited over something that small, but it made him happy.
“Alyissa’s gonna kill me for not telling her first, but when I do tell her act like you don’t know,” Kayla joked.
Lance grinned and nodded his head, “No problem.”
Their conversation seemed to pick up after that break. They started to talk about what she should bring on tour and what to expect. Lance gave her helpful tips and before they knew it, they had made it to her apartment building.
Lance got out of the car and opened her door, helping her get out. She smiled and took his hand, getting out of the car. He walked her to the lobby door and hesitated in proceeding to her apartment door, he didn’t want to scare her. They walked into the lobby together and stood in the middle of the big room.
“This is a nice building,” Lance commented, looking around.
Kayla nodded and looked around also. She started rocking back and forth on her heels and fidgeting with her purse strap. Her eyes finally wandered over to Lance who was staring at her intently. Their eyes locked and Kayla held her breath.
“Thank you so much for inviting me,” Kayla mumbled, eyes still locked with his.
“No problem, your always invited,” Lance responded, staring at Kayla.
Lance took a step closer to her and Kayla could smell his cologne strongly. The smell filled her nostrils and drove her senses wild. She blinked and inhaled again.
Lance leaned in closer to her and was caught by the scent of her. The perfume she was wearing seemed to fit just right with her, making her smell sweet, but not too sweet. Her hair was giving off a fruity scent and seemed to blend with her perfume, making her smell wonderful. He swallowed and took a deep breath.
Kayla licked her lips and pressed them together. She let out her breath and inhaled again, holding her breath once more.
Lance leaned in closer, grabbing her arms gently and pulling her closer to him. His head moved in towards hers and he closed his eyes.
Kayla seemed hypnotized, shutting her eyes and waiting for their lips to meet.
“Miss Dudley?” a voice broke through.
Kayla opened her eyes and looked around to find Tracy, the landlord standing in front of her room.
“Uh...yes?” Kayla stuttered, backing away from Lance.
Lance had opened his eyes and blushed deeply, shoving both his hands in his pockets. He backed away slowly and stopped a short distance away from Kayla.
“Casey and Bryce are waiting for you,” Tracy said, crossing her arms over her chest.
Kayla’s heart froze and she prayed that Tracy hadn’t just said what she thought she heard.
“Th-th-thank you,” she managed to get out.
Lance seemed to snap out of his embarrassment and looked over at Kayla curiously. Before he could ask anything Kayla cut him off.
“Well thanks for taking me home, I had a great time, see you Monday, bye,” she blurted out quickly, walking towards the elevator.
Lance opened his mouth to say something, but only managed to get one word out, “Bye.”
Kayla climbed onto the elevator and pushed her floor button, looking at Lance with an embarrassed, worried, and longing look. Lance wondered what she was thinking, but decided it would be insane to chase after her just to ask her.
He turned back around to walk outside and noticed the woman who had interrupted them, watching him closely. He smiled weakly and waved. She shook her head, almost as if realizing she was staring and smiled back. She slipped back into her apartment and shut the door quietly.
Lance walked to the parking lot and climbed into his car. He looked back at the building with wonder, was Kayla hiding something? If so, what was she hiding?
(Monday Morning)
“KAYLA DUDLEY!” a voice rang out.
Kayla ducked her head from surprise and turned around to find Alyissa standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips.
“What’d I do?” she asked innocently.
“Your going on tour and you didn’t tell me yet!?!?” she asked throwing her arms up in the air.
Kayla’s expression relaxed and she started to laugh, “How are your exams going?”
“Oh no, don’t try to change the subject on me!” she declared, walking into the office. “Your in BIG trouble!”
Kayla shrugged her shoulder and grinned, “Sorry...it slipped my mind.”
“Slipped your mind? I think not! Plus the fact that you told Lansten before me!” she said placing her hands on Kayla’s desk and fixing her gaze on her.
Kayla’s mouth dropped open, “He promised!”
Alyissa gave a shocked look, “So it’s true!”
“No...I mean...how did he know?...” Kayla stuttered, trying to save herself.
Alyissa shook her head, “Nope not working.”
Kayla couldn’t help but laugh out loud. She grabbed her stomach and shook her head.
Alyissa tried her best to keep a straight face but couldn’t help breaking out a smile. She ran around to Kayla and hugged her.
“Thank God! Your going to be there with me...and keep me from going insane!” Alyissa said.
Kayla laughed a little harder and nodded her head, “Of course, I couldn’t possibly let you go by yourself...years of therapy may not be able to save you.”
Alyissa broke out into a fit of giggles and both girls sat there and laughed together like they would at a sleep over in sixth grade.
Mr. Collins walked out of his office and found the two girls hugging and giggling uncontrollably. He smiled from all the happiness in the room and gave them a questioned look.
“I take it Miss Harris found out you were going on tour,” he grinned.
Alyissa stood up and fixed her shirt, “Oh yeah!”
Mr. Collins let out a hearty laugh and shook his head, walking back to his office.
“What are you laughing about?” a voice asked, scaring both girls.
They both jumped and turned around to find JC standing in the doorway.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, looking at Alyissa.
“I’m glad everyone is always so happy to see me,” she said sarcastically.
JC gave a small chuckle and stepped inside the office, “That’s not what I meant...I thought you’d be cramming for exams.”
Alyissa sighed, “Don’t remind me...I was taking a break and decided to take a little trip.”
JC nodded his head and walked over to Kayla’s desk to join them.
“I called Justin and was talking to him for a little while before I found out Miss Kayla over here decided to tell everyone else besides me, that she was going on tour with you guys,” Alyissa hinted, flashing Kayla a playful look.
Kayla blushed and ducked her head, “I didn’t...” she started.
Alyissa held up her hand, “I know the truth...no need for excuses!” she said dramatically.
Kayla giggled as JC watched the new found friendship they were creating. He smiled to himself and leaned on Kayla’s desk.
Kayla realized JC was there for a reason and she snapped out of her laughing daze, “Is there something I can help you with?” she asked JC.
JC nodded his head, “I needed to talk to Mr. Collins about a few things, is he in?”
Kayla nodded her head and pressed the intercom button, “Mr. Collins, Mr. Chasez is here to see you.”
“Send him in.”
Kayla pointed to the door and JC got up, walking to the door. He entered and shut the door behind him with a soft click.
“Well, I’ve taken a long enough break and I need to finish studying for my exams, but before I go I’m going to make a quick pit stop for my boyfriend’s pleasure,” Alyissa said getting up and fixing her purse on her shoulder.
Kayla looked up at her and gave her a questioned look, “Pleasure?”
Alyissa grinned slyly and winked. Kayla didn’t ask any more questions, just let out a small laugh.
“See you later and good luck with the rest of your exams,” Kayla smiled.
“I’ll be calling you soon to talk about the tour,” Alyissa said walking towards the door. “So be expecting me!” she yelled over her shoulder, giving a small wave and walking out the door.
Kayla smiled and sighed to herself, she was really starting to look forward to this tour.
Lance looked around the table at the four guys talking excitedly about the upcoming tour, while he remained silent.
“Lance are you ok?” Joey asked, breaking Lance out of his thoughts.
Lance looked up confused, “Huh?”
“I said are you ok?” Joey repeated.
“Oh...yeah fine, just a lot on my mind,” Lance replied, poking at his food.
“You wanna talk about it?” Justin asked, jumping into the conversation.
Lance shook his head, “It’s no big deal.”
“Tell us,” JC urged gently.
“Is it about Kayla?” Chris asked playfully.
Lance blushed and didn’t say anything in return.
“Ooooohhh...it is,” Chris laughed.
Lance shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and looked away, avoiding all eye contact.
“What’s up with you two?” Justin asked, shoving a bite in his mouth and chewing.
“I don’t know,” Lance said scrunching up half of his face in thought.
“You like her?” JC asked.
Lance shrugged again, “I guess.”
“You guess?” Joey asked.
“Well it’s like, I don’t know her so I can’t really say, but what I do know of her I like,” Lance tried explaining. “Did that make any sense?”
“Sort of,” JC said.
Lance sighed.
“Well the tour is coming up and you’ll spending two weeks with her, so you can get to know her better there,” Joey suggested.
“I know,” Lance said.
They dropped the subject after his last comment because Kayla walked into the cafeteria and spotted them sitting at the table. She walked over and greeted them cheerily, sitting down to join them.
“Hi Kayla!” Joey said happily. “Are you starting to pack yet?”
Kayla sighed and shrugged, “I still have at least a week right?”
They all nodded their heads.
“Well then I have time to worry about it later, though I’m really started to get excited about it,” she said, eyes sparkling.
Lance smiled at her and watched her talk, as her eyes lit up with life along with her different expressions. He stared at her face and noticed all her features. Her dark brown hair was neatly pulled back, some up, some down, and pieces fell in her eyes. Her face was clear and looked smooth to the touch, while her light make-up highlighted her eyes and made them jump out. His eyes finally rested on her lips and smiled even bigger to himself. They looked full and kiss able, making him wonder what it would be like to kiss her. He would like to finish that kiss they had started that past Saturday.
His mind suddenly drifted to why the kiss was interrupted and why Kayla looked so scared when the older lady had said Bryce and Casey were waiting for her. Lance hadn’t questioned who those people were, because after all he didn’t want to be nosy, but the thought had crossed his mind more than once in the past day or so.
Lance snapped himself out of his thoughts and looked up when he heard his name mentioned.
“Yeah Lance brought me home, I was fine,” Kayla said, looking over at Lance and smiling.
“Just as long as you got home safe and sound,” JC smiled.
Kayla nodded her head and smiled shyly.
“Did you meet the people that were waiting for you?” Lance asked casually.
Kayla froze and forced a smile, “Y-yeah,” she stuttered.
Lance nodded his head, “Are they your roommates or something?”
Kayla was surprised by his new found curiosity, but tried to play it off. “Yeah well when I moved I needed help with the rent so the three of us decided to split the rent,” she lied.
“Is that why you couldn’t have people over your place?” Joey asked.
Kayla nodded her head quickly. “I didn’t know why my roommates would say.”
“Oh, well you should have just said that,” JC smiled. “We would have understood.”
“Well...I wasn’t...” she started.
“It’s ok we trashed Poofoo’s house and that was just as fun,” Chris piped in.
Kayla giggled and smiled, relieved the attention was starting to drift from her.
Lance smiled to himself and was happy that they were just her roommates, hopefully nothing more than that...the guy anyway.
(The Day Before The Tour Starts)
“I feel like I’m forgetting something,” Kayla said in a stressed tone.
She checked everything in her suitcase once over and looked down at her handwritten list of things to bring. She looked at her suitcase and wondered if she was over packing, after all it was only two weeks. She sighed frustrated and sat down on her bed, running a hand through her wildly flown hair. A soft knock on her bedroom door caused her to look up. Casey was peeking around the door shyly. Kayla’s face relaxed and she smiled softly, motioning for Casey to enter.
‘What is it honey?’ she signed.
Casey slipped into Kayla’s room and walked over to Kayla’s bed. She crawled onto the bed and peeked into her suitcase.
Kayla watched her with amusement and affection, she was really going to miss Casey when she was away. She was really siked to go on this trip, but at the same time really worried that something would happen and she couldn’t be here to do anything about it. She sighed and told herself she was just being paranoid and overreacting.
‘I’m going to miss you,’ she signed to Casey.
Casey looked up and smiled, ‘I’m going to miss you too.’
‘I’ll bring you back something,’ Kayla smiled.
Casey nodded excitedly and smiled.
Kayla opened her arms and Casey crawled into them, resting her head on Kayla’s shoulder. Kayla missed spending time with Casey and felt guilty for neglecting her for her own pleasure at times. She hoped going on tour was a ok thing to do and that Casey didn’t feel rejected anymore than she might have. Kayla sighed, she was just so tired.
Finals had been hectic and she had barely gotten any sleep in the past week. She had successfully passed her exams with B’s and C’s which wasn’t half bad, considering the schedule she was upholding. Work was starting to get even more busy because most of JIVE’s acts were going on tour the upcoming summer and things needed to be done. Paper’s typed, contracts signed, forms filled out, and plans made. Kayla barely had time to sit down and breath, she was in such a rush to do everything. Her lunch break consisted of fifteen minutes for going down to the cafeteria and getting something to drink, then running quickly back up to her office to try and get more work finished. When she came home she had went straight to her room to study for her finals and didn’t come out until the next morning where she would shower, change, and leave for work. This was a repeating pattern for the past week and now that Kayla had to worry about one thing, packing, she was ready to sit down and collapse from exhaustion.
She kissed the top of Casey’s head and stroked her hair gently. Casey snuggled herself deeper into Kayla’s body and Kayla’s grip tightened around Casey’s small body. She looked down at the small child and a tear fell from her eye. Casey looked at Kayla with big innocent eyes, filled with wonder and concern.
‘What’s wrong mommy?’ Casey signed.
Kayla shook her head, ‘Nothing...nothing at all.’ Casey continued staring until Kayla finally brushed her tear away and stood up, ‘What do you say we go out and get some ice cream?' she suggested.
Casey’s eyes lit up and smiled, nodding her head. She hopped off the bed and grabbed Kayla’s hand, almost dragging her out of the room. Kayla laughed lightly and grabbed her purse on the way out. She let Casey lead her out into the living room and out the door.
