By Nicolette Boaz

For Taylor, keep on singing!

Chapter 1…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….mistake Chapter 2…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………misunderstood Chapter 3……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….forget you Chapter 4……………………………………………………………………………………………………………a world of trouble Chapter 5………………………………………………………………………………………………….the unexpected surprise Chapter 6……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..AHHHHHHH Chapter 7…………………………………………………………………………………………………………Whatever Brittany! Chapter 8…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………Oh happy day! Chapter 9 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….What?!?!?!?!?!?!? Chapter 10………………………………………………………………………………………waiting for the right moment Chapter 11……………………………………………………………………………………………………..perfect in every way Chapter 12……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..mean girls Chapter 13………………………………………………………………………………………………………….up and awayyyyy Chapter 14……………………………………………………………………………………………..DAD, LOOK AT THAT!!!!!! Chapter 15…………………………………………………………………………………………………………....UH OH is right! Chapter 16……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….YUM! Chapter 17 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Breakfast… Chapter 18……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Emerson Chapter 19………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..The lie Chapter 20……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………TTYL! Chapter 21………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………The truth Chapter 22………………………………………………………………………………………………….You are nothing alike! Chapter 23……………………………………………………………………………………………….This has to be a dream! Chapter 24……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………9-1-1 Chapter 25………………………………………………………………………………….…………That didn’t just happen!

Chapter 1 “There has been a mistake”

“NOOOOOO” a high pitched voice wailed out through the crowd. ”No, no, no, no, no, no, no! This can’t be!” A little girl ran up to the window that had the kindergarten teacher postings, “there has been a mistake.” The girl said surly.

“What is your name little one?” said the lady at the window.

“Kayla… Kayla Johnson, but you should just call me Kayla. Anyway, there has been a mistake in your class listings and I would like to have it changed back to what it is supposed to be please.”

The teacher stood there trying to take in what had just happened. “Well! You have a can-do attitude, but I am afraid that won’t be possible. This is what your class you are in…” scrolling down the lists she found Kayla’s name,” Look you are in my class! Hi! I’m Mrs. Plotter!” she said holding out her hand.

Kayla didn’t shake her hand she stood motionless. “Wait, so you mean I can’t be in the same class as my best friend?” she said sadly as she pulled a boy in front of Mrs. Plotter. The boy had dark brown hair that swooped to the left. He had bright blue eyes and pink lips. He was wearing a bob the builder t-shirt and basketball shorts. He was almost to pretty to be a boy. “This is Emerson, my best friend that I’ve known since I was a baby. Please let him be in my class!”

Mrs. Plotter was firm. She didn’t want to upset the little girl but she knew it was out of her hands, so she told the truth.” I’m sorry Kayla but I can’t do anything about it.” Trying to be cheerful she said. “You can still be best friends at recess and lunch but just not in class.”

She looked down at the little girl who was pouting and then heard a little squeak that sounded like okay. Then the little girl grabbed the boys hand once again and they both ran off towards their parents.

“We are still going to be best friends forever… right?” Kayla asked Emerson, still pouting.”Best friends forever!” Emerson repeated with a smile.

Chapter 2 Misunderstood

BRRRRRING! The bell rung and Kayla jumped out of her seat. She was 16 now and did not have a best friend anymore. At school she felt lonely. High school wasn’t as fun as she thought it would be. She thought her and Emerson would date in 10th grade when she finally got old enough, but that never happened. He was still going out with Brittany, seen as the prettiest girl at Goren Burg High School in Arizona.

She was the head cheerleader and meanest too. She had blond hair, blue eyes, and was always seen with boys rallied around her. Brittany and Kayla used to be best friends until Brittany became popular and a new girl came then she left Kayla in the dust. It was a different story for Kayla though. Kayla just always thought that she was pretty and she was the best that she can be and people will like her for who she is not what she is. If Kayla even had people around her it was because she was being bullied because she was different. She had brown hair, green eyes and was known as “the weird fashion girl” because she wore things like leggings with cheetah print and shirts that were cute but no one else seemed to think so. She was very pretty though; maybe even prettier than Brittany but she was the most popular and that was the most important thing.

Before the change happened (when Brittany and Kayla were friends) they used to sit by each other at lunch, until a new girl, Colette, came. Brittany and Kayla were never seen apart from each other, but it

all changed when Colette came. Colette was pretty, nice at the time, and had a French accent, so of course almost all the boys were in love with her. Brittany realized that if she wanted to be the most popular girl still that she would have to manipulate Colette a little bit. She decided to make Colette her new best friend and make Colette her sidekick and leave Kayla behind. They were never friends again, and now they hated each other (or did they?).

Chapters 3 forget you!

Kayla shut her locker, standing right there was Colette. “I know you like Emerson.” She said with a smirk and her thick accent that was sometimes really annoying.

“Shut up Colette.” Kayla said trying to avoid the true statement.

Colette was some sort of spy for Brittany, and was by her side at every second of the day, which was why Kayla was surprised to see her by herself for once.

“Kayla likes Emerson, Kayla likes Emerson, Kayla likes…” Colette sang in an annoying tune. Kayla pushed her into the wall then she stopped.

“I said SHUT UP!” said Kayla trying to hold her tears back.

“Sorry” Colette said sarcastically, and then started laughing with the audience who surrounded them. Kayla didn’t know what to say because she did in fact still like Emerson, but she would be dead if she told anyone, so she started to cry and ran down the hall to her next class. She buried her face in her desk, only to create worse matters with Brittany

Chapter 4 A world of trouble

“Silence!” said the teacher as she walked in, of course the class kept talking though .Kayla laid there with her head on her desk not speaking to anyone. “SILENCE!!” the teacher said and a hush fell over the classroom. Kayla sat in embarrassment through the whole class not paying attention to the teacher or anyone around her, just thinking about Emerson. She thought about the great times they had as little kids, pushing each other on swings, playing dress-up(Which was not Emerson’s favorite game at all), and pretending to be anything they wanted to be that day. She remembered how they didn’t care what other people thought of them, and they were always together, and they always liked each other until’ now.

When the bell finally rung Kayla jumped out of her seat to go talk to Emerson but there in the door way stood Brittany, with her arms crossed and the meanest face Kayla has ever seen in her entire life on her face. She was so scared that her legs were trembling and her teeth were chattering. She slowly walked towards the opposite door but she was stopped by a mean sounding, high pitched voice.

“YOU LYING WEIRDO!” Brittany said with a disgust look on her face. She marched up to Kayla and slapped her arm.” You will never like my boyfriend!” she said in a mean voice,” You are ugly, not athletic, and have no potential of being popular so give it up! I will have you destroyed if I hear you are flirting with Emerson!” Kayla hung her head down like she was worthless. She felt like the world had just ended.”Do you hear me!?” Brittany said lifting Kayla’s chin forcing her to look her in the eyes.” You will not talk to Emerson. You will not look at Emerson. You will not even think about Emerson or you will be dead! STOP THINKING ABOUT HIM!!! I know you are! It’s not cool!” Kayla had her throat caught and couldn’t talk. In fact she was afraid to.” Stay Away From EMERSON!” Brittany said as she picked up her pompoms and Juicy couture bag and pranced off into the hallway and left Kayla with tears in her eyes.

Chapter 5 the unexpected surprise

“No! “ Kayla thought, “I can’t even talk to the love of my life?” Kayla had a choice. She could ether run away from Brittany or stand up to her. Most everyone thought that Kayla was going to back down, but Kayla was red with anger. She wanted to show everyone that Brittany wasn’t as scary as everyone thought she was…but she might be.

The next day Kayla marched right up to Emerson. “Um Emerson?” she said tapping his shoulder.”Emerson!” she said louder.

He turned around, “Kayla?!?!” He said.

“Yep…” she said unsure of what to say next.

“Wow!” said Emerson,” You look beautiful! I haven’t seen you in so long!”

Kayla was shocked. “You think I’m pretty?” she said still frozen with excitement.

“Well I said it didn’t I?” he chuckled. Kayla laughed too and pretty soon they were laughing like they were little kids again. “Ha-ha! Wow! I haven’t laughed like that since the fifth grade!” he said, “Hey… do you want to go out to dinner tonight? Just to you know…catch up?” he said with a smile that could have made her faint.

“Of course will! That would be awesome!” she said,” But there is just one problem… Your Girlfriend, Brittany doesn’t like me….” She said worried that that would ruin their planned date.

“She hates everyone! No biggie! Say seven-o-clock?” said Emerson charm fully with an enchanting smile.

“Sure” she said with a smile that could have lit up the whole world.

“Alright, see you then. “He said then walked to his car.

Kayla screamed inside of her body and danced all the way back to her house. She couldn’t stop smiling. She kept thinking about what will happen that night but it was too good to be true! She couldn’t believe what had just happened, and then it hit her. What was she going to wear?!?!?!?!?

After trying on seventeen different dresses, thirteen different shoes, and almost forty different hair styles, Kayla was finally applying make-up. She decided to wear a hot pink dress that was pretty short and was strapless and cute, hot pink high heels, and curled her beautiful long hair until she looked perfect. Little did she know that tonight was going to be a night that she would never forget!

Chapter 6 AHHHHHH!

BEEP! BEEP! Kayla froze. AHHHHH! He’s here! She thought. She ran to the mirror and checked herself for the thousandth time. She had been waiting for this moment her whole life. Kayla ran to the door and yelled bye to her parents then closed the door with a squeal.

She was amazed by the black corvette that was in front of her house. “Nice car!” She said with a smile.

“Thanks! I got it for my birthday last month.” He said smiling also.

Kayla opened the door and sat in the passenger seat like a lady.

“Where shall we go Madam?” he said in an attractive British accent.

“Anywhere you would like sir.” Kayla said back playing along with the childish game. They both started to laugh but he stopped.

“You look beautiful.” He said with his dreamy eyes and handsome face stared into Kayla’s sparkling green ocean eyes. Kayla didn’t tell him but she thought that he looked cuter than she’d ever seen him before.

“Thanks.” She said plainly.

“Do you want to go now??” Emerson said and put his key in the slot.

“Of course…Wait, Where are we going?”Kayla asked curiously because she was very picky about food.

“It’s a surprise!” he said while he pushed on the gas pedal and drove into the beautiful night.

On the car ride to the “surprise” it was silent. Kayla didn’t know what to say. They had been talking like they just didn’t see each other for a month or so, but it had been at least four years. The car started to slow down and Kayla was stunned by the restaurant they were at.

“We are at Jelly Kelly’s???OMG! I haven’t been here since…we were best friends in second grade” She said smiling into his eyes.

” That’s why we are here! I wanted to go somewhere I haven’t been in a long time and I was last here with you.” He said with a grin.

“Wow!” she said smiling so much that she could have annoyed him;”you’re a real charmer aren’t you!”

The restaurant was crowded. Emerson and Kayla were squished together on a bench of the waiting area. Of course Kayla liked it though, but she wasn’t sure about how Emerson felt about it so she didn’t say anything. There were little kids in princess shirts and Thomas the train outfits running around. Kayla guessed that Emerson didn’t think that they were little kids when they went here. Also there were parents yelling ”Jimmy!’ and many other names trying to get their kids to stop eating jellybeans that were on the counters and in the giant candy shop that was on the way out of the restaurant.

“Maybe we should go somewhere else now…” Emerson said unsure that Kayla would like this idea.

“Yeah... I mean it’s really nice of you to take us back to our memories but..” they looked at the screaming kids playing on the jungle gym, and talking each other and both agreed at the same time, “yeah!” They both quickly got up and pushed the door open out to their car.

“Well, where do you want to go now?”He said.

” I don’t care.” Kayla said hoping that they would sit down at a restaurant soon.

They pulled up to a fancy restaurant that Kayla had never been to before. “Do you like this place?” he said.

“Yeah I love it.” She lied.

They walked into a beautiful arrangement. The tables had a white table cloth and a candle with silver wear in place with a fancy folded napkin in the middle of the silver ware. The hostess and Host were standing at the door and welcomed us inside.

“A Table for two please.” Emerson said like a gentleman.

“Right this way” one of the hosts replied. As Kayla followed the host, she started to get nervous. This was her first time to eat on a date! Was she going to ruin it because she didn’t know how to act?

They sat down and Kayla ordered crab legs and a sprite. Emerson ordered the same thing and Kayla was surprised,”You used to hate sprite!” she said

“Yeah I know, but a guy can change his mind.” He said looking into Kayla’s eyes. Kayla got the feeling that she knew what that meant. Her head was spinning. Emerson likes me??????? Kayla thought. Kayla was so dizzy and surprised and passed out and everything else was a blur.

Kayla woke up in her bed with her mom and Emerson and her dad sitting around her.

“Look! Look! She’s waking up!” Emerson said happily.

” What happened?” Kayla said.

“You were sitting and we were talking when you just passed out. I rushed you to the car and took you home where your parents put you here. You’ve only been out for about two hours.”

“I’m so tired!” Kayla said.

“You need some rest.” Emerson said.

Kayla was so zoned out. She didn’t like that their date was over. Will this ever happen again? Kayla thought. She was worried that it never would.

Chapter 7 Whatever Brittany!

The next day Kayla went to school happy and refreshed. She was fully charged and ready to see Emerson again. She was unaware of the dangers of what she was doing though. After she thought about it, Kayla decided that she shouldn’t have gone on that date. She realized she was about to get slaughtered by Brittany, and it was exactly what happened.

Kayla looked at herself in her tiny locker mirror and fluffed her hair. She was about to go to English when she heard the rustle of pom-poms down the hall. “YOU UGLY TWIRP!” she heard. Kayla shut her locker and before she could run, she was surrounded by six girls. Before she knew it, Brittany was in the middle of the circle with Kayla. “Ugh!” she said and slapped Kayla right in the face. Kayla hesitated; she’d never been slapped before. Her face was throbbing and it felt like it was red or purple. Out of anger and pain Kayla slapped her back even harder. “OW!” Brittany said in massive madness. In seconds they were in a chick fight, pulling each other’s hair and kicking and scratching. All people saw was a storm of pink. The girls around them were chanting and saying” GO BRITTANY!” and “BEAT HER UP BRITT!” and even, “TEACH HER A LESSON NOT TO MESS WITH YOU BRITTANY!!” All of the chants from the hall got louder, one chant side for Brittany and one chant side for Kayla. They were all pretty even when Emerson walked in through the doors.

Kayla though Emerson would get mad at Kayla. She thought that he wouldn’t like her actions and that they would be through. Kayla wasn’t that type of girl and he knew that. He knew that it was all Brittany’s fault, so he wasn’t mad.

He marched up to the front of the fight and said, “Hey! HEY! Stop fighting! Get off each other! STOP IT NOW!!!!!!” Finally, the girls stopped. They looked like they had been dragged 500 miles on a rope from the back of a taco truck. Brittany had bruises on her face and arms, and had scratches and cuts all over her body. Kayla looked almost the same except she was holding her nose. “Are you okay???” Emerson said to Kayla.

“I’m fine!” Brittany said, “You should have come in earlier baby! She attacked me!”

Then she hugged Emerson but he pushed her off, “I wasn’t talking to you!” he said as he walked over to Kayla and hugged her, “Are you okay?” he asked.

” No” she said wearily as she dug her face into his football jersey.

“What happened to your nose?” Emerson asked Kayla. “

Brittany punched it and its bleeding.” Kayla said. The whole crowd had their jaws down. They couldn’t believe that Emerson was hugging another girl.

“Brittany,” Emerson began,” you are mean, cruel, and unpredictable and I can’t take it anymore. You used to be cool and nice and you changed once you started dating me. I don’t like the change because you think you’re better than everyone else. Just because you think you are popular, doesn’t mean you can bully people around.” He said gesturing towards the crowd,” you can’t expect me to like you anymore….Brittany, were through.” he said hugging Kayla. Then he turned around, dropped his necklace she game to him, and left Brittany to cry and pout, but left Kayla feeling happier than she has ever been before.

Chapter 8 Oh happy day!

The next day, Kayla was excited. She was singing in her shower, in her car, and in her room. She thought that Emerson was going to ask her to the ball today, because it was the last school day before spring break and it was the day of the spring dance! Kayla was going to ski for spring break and Emerson was going to Florida. She was excited about all of it; the day was going to be amazing she thought.

When she got to school, she opened her locker and fluffed her hair again. She applied lip-gloss then put her books in. She closed her locker and Emerson was leaning against the locker next to hers.

“Hey beautiful!” he said. Kayla blushed and said, “Hi Emerson!” She was getting ready to hear “will you go to the dance with me? … When the bell rung.

“I got to get to class!” said Emerson,”Mrs. Yonder said if I’m late again, I’ll get detention!” Emerson waited for and answer but Kayla just had a sad smile on her face, so he winked and ran down the hall.

Kayla was sad that they weren’t going out yet, but she knew it would come soon, so she went to her next class with a big smile on her face.

“It’s 3rd period!” She thought,”That’s when he’ll ask me!”

Kayla and Emerson had third period together. She was pretty sure that that was when he was going to ask her but that wasn’t correct. She sat at her desk and waited for Emerson. Where was he? She began to worry that the bell would ring right when he got in and they wouldn’t have time to talk. She waited and waited and finally he walked through the door.

“Emerson! Over here!” she said gesturing towards the empty seat next to her. Just then the bell rung and Emerson sat down next to Kayla. Darn! Kayla thought.

“Okay class!” Ms. Kaiser said when she walked in, “Today before we start we are doing assigned seats!”

Chapter 9 WHAT?!?!?!?!?

Kayla’s heart sank. She was really disappointed now, like nothing was going her way. She felt like she had just been hit by a produce truck. She never thought this was going to be so hard to ask your true love out, but she guessed it was. Now she was mad and didn’t want to talk to anyone, but then she figured he might ask her out after this period so she stopped being so tense. She decided to get out her new journal and write in it like a diary:

Dear Diary,

A lot has happened. Emerson likes me again! I am so happy that it’s unreal! I feel so alive now, like something inside of me sprung out of my heart and I have it at my fingertips. I have a feeling that Emerson is going to ask me to the spring dance tonight! I can’t wait because it will be my first real dance. I hope we can actually dance and have a great time but I don’t know if he will actually ask me yet! He keeps avoiding it…is he nervous around me???? I don’t know but I hope not. Anyway, I am going to Colorado to ski and Emerson is going to Florida to sun tan for spring break! It is my first time to ski! I am so excited!!!! My mom said I have to wear a helmet, but I am a teenager now and I don’t need one! She will probably make me wear one any way though! She says that skiing is very dangerous and that if I don’t wear a helmet then I will not get to ski anymore! That would be a bummer, so I am going to actually wear one! I hope I stay warm! Warm wishes,

Kayla

Chapter 10 waiting for the right moment

After third period, Kayla was hoping that he would finally ask her to the dance. She walked into the hallway and felt a tap on her back, it was Emerson.

“Um, Kayla?” he said fiddling with his clothes. “Will you go to the dance with me?” Kayla’s eyes brightened and she felt like a giant weight was taken off of her shoulders. She wanted to sound cool and worthy of the football star, but she couldn’t contain it inside of her.

“Yes!” she said short and quick with a squeal.

“Awesome!” he said awkwardly. Then they turned around, looked back at the same time, smiled then continued to their next class skipping and dancing all the way down the halls.

Kayla was shocked. She couldn’t tell what was going on inside of her head. She somehow knew that he was going to ask her, but she never knew that it would be so amazing to get asked to go to a dance. She day dreamed in every class about what it would be like at the dance together dancing and singing and eating and just having a blast! Kayla wanted to go buy a dress after school, but it had to be perfect, red with ruffles and a strapless top and made in a short cut. She would have to curl her hair and put on her best make-up. She would have to pick red high heels and some cute diamond earrings and a beautiful necklace that Emerson would love. She was going to have a wonderful time… maybe Emerson would even ask her out!

In her last period of the day, 7th, she watched the clock because she wanted to hurry and get started on her appearance. She wanted to look her best for her first dance. When the bell finally rung, Kayla jumped out of her sat and ran out the door to her car. She was going to the store right away since she didn’t have much time.

When she got in the store, Kayla went right to the red dresses. She almost found the perfect dress but there was always something wrong with it. She tried on five dresses! One was too long. Another was too short. One was too ruffled, and another was not enough ruffled! The last one was too dark of a red, but then she found the perfect dress. It was just how she wanted it. It was beautiful in every way, and Kayla loved it! Now she had to run back to her house and curl her hair, but anything could go wrong…

Chapter 11 perfect in every way

“Ouch!” Kayla said to her mother when she burned her ear.

“Sorry dear, I’m just nervous! This is your first dance.” Kayla was surprised that her mom said that. She kind of got mad. She thought she was being annoying sort of.

“You’re nervous? I AM SO NERVOUT RIGHT NOW I DON KNOW HOW TO CONTAIN IT!” she said screaming at her mom.

“You don’t have to yell! I know you have to look “perfect” but you will just have to deal with being you because nobody is perfect.”

Kayla’s mom was older now, but she was very wise. She knew things that helped Kayla get through the hardest times and the best times. She knew what her daughter’s strengths and weaknesses were and she knew that she loved her more than anything in the world.

After more than three hours of curling Kayla’s hair, applying make-up, and getting into her dress, Kayla was finally ready. She looked amazing.

“Wow!” Her mom said starting to cry. “

Don’t cry mommy! I’m still your baby girl!” said Kayla.

“A grown up baby girl!” said her mom hugging her tightly.

”I love you so much mommy!” Kayla said almost crying too.

Kyla was touching up her hair and make-up when she heard her mom say,” Come on Kayla! We’ve got to go honey! You are already late!” she said.

“Okay!” Kayla said back in a cute way. Kayla came downstairs dress and all and she looked beautiful. Her hair was perfect, her dress was perfect, and her make-up was perfect. Everything was perfect and Kayla was excited.

They both got in the car and her mom started it. “I’ve never been so proud of you!” said Kayla’s mom when she pulled out of the driveway. She turned on the radio and the song “love story” came on. “Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone…” sang Kayla.

They pulled up to the school and Kayla hugged her mom, “this is it!” she said then got out of the car and walked into the building with a smile on her face.

The gym doors opened and all Emerson saw was beauty. It was Kayla. Every boy in the room was saying ”whoa” and “wow” and even “who is that?” Everyone in the gym stopped dancing. Emerson walked up to Kayla and said, “You look amazing.” with a “wow” look on his face.

“Thank you” she said as she walked forward, “would you like to dance?” she said. There was a long pause and Emerson was speechless. No one in the gym talked. It was pretty much silent except for the jealous girls whispering to each other.

“Sure” he said.

After dancing for a while, Emerson started to talk again. “We were both young when I first saw you…” he sang when they were slow dancing as the song turned on.

“I closed my eyes and the flashback starts, I’m standing there on a balcony in summer air.” They both sang laughing.

“I could go back to every laugh we had!”Said Emerson

“I could too! I don’t know how it gets better than this; you take my hand and drive me head first fearless!”Kayla replied. ”yeah!” said Emerson laughing.

“I got to go to the bathroom real quick.” said Kayla.

“Okay. “Said Emerson. Then she left the gym in an instant.

She walked out of the gym to see Brittany walking in. She gave Kayla a mean look then walked in and started dancing with the second most popular boy in the 10th grade. Kayla walked into the bathroom and saw writing on the wall. She started to read it and it said, “Kayla Brownwood is a…”

Chapter 12 mean girls

“…horrible person! She has no fashion sense! No prettiness about her! And she is not popular! She will turn on you and steal your boyfriend! All girls at Goren burg high: DO NOT BE FRIENDS WITH HER!

Kayla: BEWARE! FORE THE POWER OF GIRLS ARE UPON YOU……GOOD LUCK YOU’RE GONNA NEED IT!”

Why would Brittany do that? Kayla thought it was because she was jealous or just plain rude but it still hurt her. She sat in the stall, crying her eyes out. Did everyone think she really was a horrible person? She was terrified that by the end of the week she would be without one friend.

She had to get back to Emerson but she looked like a mess and couldn’t go back now! Now she was scared that she would have to go back in to say she wanted to leave. So she did. She wiped her tears off, she wiped away the black from her mascara that was under her eyes, and she straitened her dress and walked back into the gym.

The good thing was that it was dark in the gym so no one could see that she was crying. Right when she walked in, about six boys came up to her and said almost unified, “Emerson is going to ask you out after spring break!” Kayla totally forgot about the writing on the wall of the bathroom and smiled.

“Really???” she said.

“Yeah we don’t lie!!!” said the one in the front of the pack of boys. She walked back to Emerson and smiled.

“Hey can we go now? I’m kind of feeling sick!” She said holding her stomach not smiling anymore.

“Sure” he said,”We will go now. I’m kind of getting bored now anyway.” He said looking disappointed.

When Kayla got home she lay down on her bed and thought about the night. “Wow! It was a pretty weird night!” she thought in her head. Then she thought about what the boys said. “Emerson is going to ask me out after spring break! AHHHH!” she said with a squeal. She started to sing and dance, but she was going to Colorado the next day, and wouldn’t see Emerson for almost two weeks and ANYTHING could happen in two weeks…

Chapter 13 up and away

“Do you have everything Kayla?” said Mrs. Brownwood.

“Yes mom let’s go!” Kayla said urging her mom out the door.

“Okay, Okay! I’m going, I’m going!” she said laughing because she was getting pushed by her daughter. They were going to the airport to go to Colorado and they wanted to be on time for once. Kayla had a little brother named Logan and her dads name was Paul. The Brownwood family was always late to things like basketball games, and volleyball games and always late to get on the plane but Kayla wanted to get there early today. She was too excited to wait, so she was pushing everybody out of the door.

Her excitement rushed through her body. She couldn’t believe that she was actually going skiing! Finally, they all got into the car and they were off to the airport. They raced down the highway and had to stop for tolls but were still there on time. After they got passed security, Kayla checked her watch and realized that they still had thirty minutes until the plane started to load in passengers. She wanted to grab a magazine and some gum before she got on to the 4 hour long plane ride.

When they finally got on the plane, Kayla could relax and stretch her feet out because she was very tired. She remembered that she brought her diary and she could write in it to keep her entertained.

Dear Diary,

Emerson asked me to the dance and the night was perfect until I went to the bathroom and saw that Brittany wrote some really mean stuff about me. I guess she was jealous that I went to the dance with Emerson or something because it was bad enough to make me cry. I had to go back in the gym to ask Emerson to take me home, when his friends came up to me and told me that he was going to ask me out after spring break1 EEEEEP! I am definitely going to say yes. Nothing would ever let me stop and say no. He Is the love of my life that I have liked since I was a little girl and what would ever let me say no? Nothing! I think that spring break is going to be awesome, and I will have a blast! I hope I am a good skier because I don’t want to get hurt or something like that doing something I am not ready to do. I hope there is really good hot chocolate and cookies in bakery items like crescents because I was told it was going to be COLD there! Like freezing cold! That would be bad if the plane lost our luggage because we have all of our winter clothes in there and we wouldn’t be able to ski until almost two days after we get off of the plane! I want to ski right when we get off the plane! But that won’t happen because my parents have to get a rental car, and then check in the room, and by then it will be dinner time, so we will have to eat, then I will have to go to sleep! I will go skiing tomorrow I guess! Anyway, I hope I have a good day today!

Yours truly,

Kayla Brownwood

She put down her pen and felt the airplane drop and her stomach dropped with it. They landed and Kayla was happy again.

Chapter 14 DAD LOOK AT THAT!

After three hours, Kayla got really bored. She began to do anything to be entertained. She twirled her hair, tried to watch the boring movie that the plane was showing, and tried to eat the plane trail mix, but she was too bored. Finally, she remembered that she brought her own laptop that could play her movies! So she got her laptop out of her case, turned it on, and got “Beauty and the Beast” out of her bag. She plugged her head phones into her ears, and the whole world seemed to disappear onto a tiny screen that was playing a Disney movie. Kayla didn’t really know why she was so interested with her movie, but she figured that it was because she was in love with Emerson.

Finally the pilot announced to turn off electronics, and they were landing. Kayla was relieved and suddenly got even more excited. She could feel the cold mountain air on the window as they dropped out from the sky. She pressed her nose to the window and looked at the mountains below. “WOW!” she said in awe. She couldn’t believe how much snow could fall in spring! The mountains were blanketed in snow. All Kayla could see out of the small airplane window was the color white. She was amazed by all of this, when she felt her stomach drop when they finally landed on the land.

Her ears popped and she could breathe again. When the pilot turned off the seatbelt sign, everyone started to get up and get their bags from the over head bin. Finally when everyone was getting off the plane, Kayla froze.

There in the middle of the airport stood a clown! Kayla was terrified of clowns and everyone knew it. “AHHHHHHH!” she screamed pointing at the clown. Her parents started to laugh. Kayla’s parents always laughed at Kayla because she was scared of guys in colorful costumes.

“It’s just a random guy in a clown costume! Don’t be scared Kayla!” said Kayla’s dad, Paul.

“He’s not going to kill you because you’re a man like him! He will kill me and rip me to pieces! I hate clowns!” Kayla said hiding behind her dad.

” Okay Kayla, we will leave now” He said chuckling and hugging Kayla. Kayla did not think this matter was funny, but did not comment on leaving the airport full of creeps.

While they were going to a bus that would take them to the rent a car, Kayla tripped and skinned her knee.”OW!” she said as she skidded across the cold pavement.

“Are you okay?” asked a boy that Kayla didn’t know.

“Yeah … “she said looking up,”yeah I’m fine.” She said blushing to the very cute boy. UH OH! She thought.

Chapter 15 UH OH is right

She was stunned by how handsome the boy was, Kayla thought he was even cuter than Emerson. He had blonde, shaggy hair, blue ocean eyes, and he was very tan. That was a bad thing because the boy was going to the same hotel as her!

“Well its vacation! What Emerson doesn’t know won’t hurt him!”She thought.

”We aren’t even going out!” So she smiled and let the boy help her up.

“What’s your name?”The cute boy asked.

“Kayla. What’s yours?” she replied.

“Landon… You’re really pretty!” he said gazing into her pretty green eyes.

“Um, Thanks?” She said blushing again, “you’re not too bad yourself!”

The boy laughed. He began to lead her towards the bus that would take them to their hotel.

“Right this way ma’am.” He said charmingly taking her hand and leading her towards the bus.

The next 30 minutes went by like it was only 30 seconds. Kayla sat by Landon on the bus. Kayla’s parents didn’t even notice that she kind of liked the boy. The only person that noticed that she kind of liked him was her brother Logan, who was very annoying according to Kayla.

“Who was that boy you were sitting with?” he asked when they were all checked in to their room, “Who?” Kayla asked, still stunned by his beauty. “That boy that you were sitting with on the bus that you like more than Emerson because I saw the way you looked at him, and aren’t you supposed to go

out with Emerson after the break?” Logan said very fast like he had just drank an energy drink. Kayla was shocked that he knew that they were supposed to go out after the vacation.

”how did you know that?” said Kayla.

“I am a smart cookie.” said Logan with a grin on his face.

“I want to know NOW! HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?” Kayla said in an angry voice.

“Well, I was kind of reading your texts to Lindsay!” Logan said cringing like she was about to hit him.

“MOM, Logan was reading my texts! No desert for him tonight, right?” Kayla said in anger. “

Sure! Whatever makes you two stop bickering!” said Kayla’s mom clearly annoyed.

After all of the fighting, they finally got out to dinner at the hotel. The place was called “Snuggly Bear Dinning”. “Really mom, this is the place we are eating?” Kayla said in disgust.

“Yes! It looks family friendly!” said her mom.

The restaurant had millions of kids drooling and probably “doing their business” in a play place that was in the restaurant. The family walked into the baby restaurant and it smelled like a bathroom...

“Okay, maybe we can go next door to the restaurant called “polar food” it looks better.” said Kayla’s mom. Kayla looked to the restaurant that her mother described. It looked WAY better. It had white table cloths and little ice sculptures on the tables. Kayla agreed with her mom and rushed to the other door because she was starving and probably would have passed out without food.

Chapter 16 YUM!

After a long, expensive dinner, Kayla was stuffed. She went to go back to the room and sleep. Her parents and her brother wanted to take a detour in the snow so they let Kayla go to sleep.

In the elevator to her room, Kayla saw Landon. “Hey!” he said.

“Hi.” said Kayla shyly.

“Where are you going?” he asked suspiciously.

“Oh I’m just going to my room.” she replied.

“Oh, well do you want to hang out tomorrow?” he asked.

“Sure!”She said happily,” what do you want to do? Like ski or something?”

“Let’s do breakfast! How about 8:30?” he said.

“Yeah that would be great!”Said Kayla as the ding of the elevator sounded,”well this is my floor, see you tomorrow!”

“Ok” he said back with a superstar smile.

Kayla collapsed on her bed and sighed. She was kind of in love with Landon. He was the cutest boy she’d ever seen; maybe even cuter than the movie stars! He was funny, charming, and defiantly liked her too! (She thought)

Chapter 17 breakfast…

The next morning, at 8:30 everyone besides Kayla was asleep. She got up quietly and wrote a note to her parents: Dear mom & dad,

I am at the breakfast buffet with Landon. If you need me, find me there.

I love you,

Kayla

She left the note on the TV in front of them, and then crept out of the room to the elevator. As she went down the elevator she started to think about the very cute boy, Landon. Finally, the elevator was on the buffet floor. “Don’t eat a lot!” Kayla told herself even though she is what people describe as “too skinny”.

She spotted Landon at the beginning of the line. “Hey!” she said.

“Hi!” Landon said, “Come in front of me!”

“Ok” Kayla said.

“So…..” she began.

“What have you been doing?” he finished.

They kept the conversation going and it wasn’t awkward at all. She began to like him more and more every time he said something. She was a sucker for blue eyes, and his were beautiful. She was falling for him too hard. She kept looking at him and couldn’t take her eyes off of him!

After about thirty minutes of talking to him, her parents came down and told her that she had to go to the room and get ready to ski. Kayla described to them later that what they did was inappropriate and mean and that they should never do that again. Her mom was surprised that Kayla was so mad about this because she was supposed to like Emerson when she got back to school.

“Kayla, aren’t you supposed to like Emerson?” her mom said when they got back to their hotel room.

“Yeah, but he won’t even know about Landon.” she said sharply.

“Okay, but he might find out somehow and you don’t want that to happen!” her mom said in a mysterious voice.

“Who would tell him?” she said in a not so sure voice.

“Well, this hotel is very popular on spring break anyone from your school could be here!” she said

“That won’t Happen!” she said and walked right out of the room.

Chapter 18 Emerson

“Hey mom,” Emerson said “are you ready yet?” Emerson was waiting for his family to hurry up and leave to go to Florida.

“Almost, I have to pack Molly’s bag before we leave though!”

Emerson had a sister named Molly, a mom named Kathryn, and a dad named Todd. Emerson thought Molly was the most annoying sister in the world but he loved her to death. She always cheered him up and always took care of him when he was sick, but she was very mischievous. Emerson was described as the “good child” in the family. He never complained, had very good manners, and was always aware of what was going on. His parents worked a lot and he learned to take care of himself, while Molly needed attention.

They finally got out of the door and into the car and Emerson texted Kayla.

Hey, are you in Colorado yet? He texted.

He waited and waited for the whole car ride and there was no reply. Emerson thought she was already there and was just busy…

Chapter 19 the lie

Kayla was clipping her skis on when she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She got it out and looked at the text message….

Her ski gloves were so big that she couldn’t press the little letters to reply. She would text him later when she didn’t have her gloves on. She hurried and put her phone back in her ski jacket pocket and followed the rest of the beginner skiers in her class.

“Hey” she heard a familiar voice say but couldn’t figure out who it was because of the ski gear, “Its Landon” She looked up and recognized him.

“Oh hi!” she said happily.

“I don’t know if I’m a good skier or not… I am from California and we surf there! Maybe I would be better at snowboarding!”Landon said laughing.

“Yeah, maybe because isn’t snowboarding and surfing similar?”Asked Kayla as the teacher started to talk. Landon shrugged his shoulders and started to listen to the ski school teacher.

“Hello class!” said the Lady, “My name is Carolyn and I will be teaching you how to ski today!” Everyone in the little circle of beginners smiled. She was a really nice, pretty girl that didn’t look over 17. All the boys started to schmooze. They would say “hi my name is…” and “I bet your eyes are stunning under those goggles because you’re stunning out here too”. Things like that make Kayla want to barf because that is no way to flirt with a girl. “Don’t even try.” Carolyn said,”I have a boyfriend!” The boys stopped but started to pout over the pretty girl.

“Okay guys, let’s go over some basics!” said Carolyn. She began to teach the basics of skiing and when they finally got to a point when they could go on a lift, everyone was ready to ski! The bunny hill was easy for Kayla. Carolyn told her that she was a natural skier.

Carolyn moved her to the green runs with a few other kids named Tatiana, Remy, and James. Tatiana was from New York, Remy was from Florida, and James was from Texas. None of them had skied before in their life like Kayla but they were “natural skiers”. Kayla felt bad for Landon because he wasn’t doing do great. He kept falling and twisting his ankles.

Finally after the whole session was over, Carolyn said they could go on the green runs when they were here and if they got really good and wanted to try the blue runs then they could. Kayla was happy that she didn’t have to wear her stupid helmet anymore because it was bothering her but her mother said that the only way she would get to ski is if she had her helmet on so she wore it anyway.

When she got back to the hotel room her parents asked her how it was and if she liked it and she replied good and yes. Then she remembered that Emerson had texted her earlier today. She got her phone out and started to text him back…

Yes I am here in Colorado… We have been here for two days now. Sorry I didn’t txt u back till now but I was skiing all day and didn’t check my phone till now…

She sent it and almost right after she sent it she got a message back from him…

Oh ok… I was worried because I wanted to know that u were ok! So what is up?

She replied…

I’m just about to go to dinner… I got to go… sorry bye!

He said back…

Okay bye I guess…

Kayla felt bad about lying about going to dinner but she really didn’t want to text him right then. She realized that Emerson probably felt like he was put down by Kayla… but Kayla thought he was being weird and stalkerish. Why did he need to know if she was there safe??? She thought.. He is not my mother or anything!

Kayla laid on the bed and thought about herself and how she had changed. Kayla didn’t like how she changed like that! Not at all!

Chapter 20 texting

Five minutes later after she sent the lie text to Emerson, Kayla got another text:

Hey do you want to go to dinner tonight?????

It was Landon.

Sure!

Kayla texted him back very fast and maybe even too eager.

Ok meet you there…now?

She thought for a moment…

That will be great!

Even though she was not happy of what she was becoming…Kayla still had fire in her that wanted a boyfriend really, really, fast…like now! Her parents would not approve, but Kayla went anyway!

Kayla told her parents she was going to get some dinner and that she would be right back, but she did not tell them who she would be going with.

After she closed the door to the room, she almost tripped over four little kids that looked exactly the same. They all looked about four years old and she didn’t know why they would be on their own. “Am I delusional? Or are you guys fourlets or whatever u call it?” asked Kayla in a not so smart tone.

“We are Quadruplets!” said all of them in unison.

”I am Sandra” said the girl in the pink dress.

“I am Kandra.” said the girl in the blue dress.

”I am Zandra” said the girl in the purple dress.

“And I am Luke!” said the little boy in the bob the builder shirt that reminded Kayla of Emerson.

Kayla was amused by the little girls and the one little boy. “Are you guys on vacation?” she asked as she remembered about her important dinner.

“Yes!” they said all at the same time again.

“Well I better be on my way now!” she said as she urged towards the elevator,” Goodbye little ones!”

Chapter 21 the truth

DING! The elevator sounded. Kayla brushed her hair with her hand and then walked out of the elevator towards the restaurant. “Hi Landon… I need to talk to you about stuff… It’s kind of important!” she said right when she saw him and they sat down.

“I have to tell something too…” he said unsure of if he wanted to say that or not.

“I have a boyfriend.” She said in panic, “not a real boyfriend but he is supposed to ask me out and I am so sorry that I kind of tricked you! I feel so bad and I just don’t want you to get mad because I really just wanted a boyfriend because I have liked this boy forever and he finally likes me and I…” Kayla was talking really fast and Landon cut her off.

“Don’t be sorry because I have a girlfriend!” he said like he was in panic too, “I’m really sorry… I shouldn’t have liked you but you are super pretty and your boyfriend-or whatever he is- is a very lucky guy.” he said like he was sad.

“Yeah I guess…” she said awkwardly.

“What is his name?” he asked curiously. “

Emerson.” She said.

“Cool… hey my sister used to date a guy named Emerson!” he said while he was laughing, “What if it’s the same guy!” They laughed for a minute then Kayla got curious. “ wait,” Kayla said scared to ask, “What is your sister’s name?”

“Brittney” OMG! Kayla said in her head

Kayla froze in shock…

Chapter 22 you’re nothing alike!

“Brittney?” she said after a long shock moment, “as in Roberts? She is the cheerleader that almost broke my face? She is your sister?!?!?”

He paused for a moment and then finally said,” yes, I guess…”

Kayla was puzzled. She didn’t think that they looked alike at all at first but now she saw it. They had the same bright, blue eyes and the same full, pink lips and the same pretty, small nose. “But wait! Your personalities are nothing alike! How are you nice and she is mean?”

He was quiet then answered, “She is a girl… I don’t know why but I am just not like her. She got bullied when she was younger because she was not a cute little girl but she grew to be really pretty so she might have bullied other kids and…”

Kayla cut him off and said,” That’s it! That’s why she bullies girls in our grade.”

“Okay…” Kayla said wanting to leave, “I have to go now, but thank you for telling me that! It would have been awkward if you didn’t have a girlfriend…” He waved and she went back to her room awkwardly…

Chapter 23 Has to be a dream!

“Come on mom! I want to ski on the green runs today!” Kayla said happily.

“Okay Kayla let’s go!” she replied and came out of her hotel bedroom dressed like she was a big pink marshmallow.

“Oh mom…! Please! You are embarrassing me! Why are you dressed in that?” she asked laughing.

“Oh you know I’m hip! I’m cool. I’m the cool, hip mom! See the pink!” she said sounding proud of her outfit.

“Okay mom…whatever you say! Let’s Go Now!” she grabbed her mom’s arm and pulled her out the door into the snow.

“Brrrrrrr!” Kayla said,” It’s colder than yesterday!” she held her arms around her stomach and shivered.

“You will get used to it!” her mom said speeding towards the skis. Kayla followed her mom, and got her skis.

After she was all ready she went straight to the lift with her mom. “This is going to be so much fun!” she said to her mom.

They were half way up the mountain and her mom said,” Look! Look at the skiers down there! We are so high!” Kayla looked down and got scared. She was afraid of heights but she decided to be brave.

“There is an all green way down right? I don’t want to do on any blue runs.” Kayla said.

Her mom grew silent then finally said,” Well you have to go on one…”

Kayla froze. She was scared to death and wanted to go back down. Her mom didn’t tell her that she had to go on a blue run or she wouldn’t have gone! She was already almost there so she had to now. “UHHH!” Kayla said in disgust

She got off of the lift and went on the first green run. She had a blast and went on more. She kept going and going and going and finally got to the blue run…

Kayla knew that she had to do it but was really scared. “I can’t do it “she told her mom in fear.

“Yes you can” her mom said to encourage her.

“Okay…is this the only way down?” she asked still in a scared tone.

“Yes, unless you want to go on the black run.” Kayla shivered and then just went.

It was a rush! She was having a blast, but her head started to spin.

Her skis turned outside of her body like the teacher told her not to do. Then she got out of control and she went straight towards a tree.

She screamed and was panicked. No one would ever think that she would run into a tree but she did. She hit her head on the tree and fell down.

All Kayla saw was swirls and then she blacked out completely.

Chapter 24 9-1-1

“Kayla!!!!!!” Are you okay?!?!?!” asked her panicky mother. Kayla did not answer. Mrs. Brownwood got her phone out of her pocket and dialed 9-1-1. She figured it would take them at least fifteen minutes to get up the mountain so she started to cry. Kayla’s head was bleeding and she had a lot of scratches on her face. Her mom couldn’t tell if she was breathing under her great big ski jacket. Her mom was really scared. She started to cry heavier now as a crowd gathered behind her. Little whispers of “what happened” and “Is she okay” came from the people’s mouths.

Finally when the ambulance came and they were in a rescue helicopter, after they checked her they declared that Kayla Brownwood was dead.

Chapter 25 thump

Emerson’s phone rang. He saw that it was Kayla’s mom and answered it…

“What?!?!?!?” he said shocked with unbelief when he heard what she said.

He couldn’t believe what she said. He didn’t believe what Mrs. Brownwood had said. Emerson suddenly realized that she was defiantly telling the truth and he started to cry very heavily.

Suddenly Mrs. Brownwood heard a loud thump on the phone because Emerson had fainted.

Epilogue

It was a year after Kayla’s unexpected death, and Emerson finally stopped moaning and crying every day, her family was doing better, but everyone that knew Kayla was still sad. Emerson was doing well. He was going to school now, and started to talk again. Emerson was really shook up about everything. He lost his best friend/girlfriend (that he has known all of his life) in a second. He still was very popular but everyone in the school was affected by Kayla. Her story made differences in many cities and states, even other countries. Brittney stopped bulling people because she was affected by Kayla too. You would think that she would still hate her but Brittney actually missed her a lot. Kayla donated her organs to people in need. She saved a person’s life with her heart.

Emerson still was in love with Kayla and told everyone that he would not date anyone ever again because he is going to wait until heaven to be with Kayla and spend eternity with Kayla in heaven. Emerson lived the tale he set for his life and touched the hearts of others everywhere.

Written by Nicolette Boaz

Summery

Emerson and Kayla have been best friends since they were 2 years old and were sworn to go out in 9th grade when Kayla finally got old enough. Now it was 9th grade and Emerson was going out with Brittany, the head cheerleader that was really mean. Kayla was very sad, in fact she was devastated but when she finally got enough courage to talk to Emerson, she was threatened by Brittany. Now she couldn’t talk to Emerson or look at him, but as everyone knew, Kayla was a dare devil. Let’s just say… She didn’t follow Brittany’s “rules” and put herself into a world of trouble. Finally, when they have everything good and happy and Emerson and Kayla are almost going out, something tragic happens! Ask to read it to find out what happens!:)