Unraveling (Second Chances) - By Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,88
to do, I cleaned the kitchen counters and put away the clean dishes.
“I’m ready!” Karlie yelled and I heard her feet thump down the steps.
She had changed into a pair of leggings and a loose, cape-like, sweater that was long enough to be a dress. Her bright red-orange hair hung down her back.
I finished putting the dishes away and grabbed my car keys.
I had made up mind that I was going to get a new car, one I wanted, but it turned out mine wasn’t in as bad condition as Jared believed, so I opted to have it fixed. It meant fewer questions my mother would ask, because if she saw that I bought a new car, I’d get a ton. Getting it fixed was one less mother-induced headache I would have to deal with.
I pulled into the strip mall parking lot and grabbed my wallet. The frozen yogurt place and the nail salon were in the same section, so we’d just walk.
I ordered vanilla with sprinkles and Karlie got lemonade flavor.
We took a seat at the barstools that looked out the large glass windows that faced the parking lot.
“This is really good,” Karlie sighed.
I swirled the vanilla frozen yogurt around my tongue and swallowed. “Yeah, it is.” I dug in for another bite.
“Thank you for doing all of this, Katy. I know you don’t have to,” Karlie licked her spoon.
“I wanted to,” I shrugged, staring at the rainbow sprinkles. I was never very good when people thanked me for something. I was doing this because I wanted to, not for approval or praise.
“You’re a good person, Katy. I’m glad my brother found you. It’s about time he found a kindred soul.”
“I’m the lucky one,” I told her and it was true.
A smile lit her brown eyes. “I’m glad you feel that way about him, he deserves to have someone love him the way you do. I hope-” she looked distantly out the window. “I hope I can find someone that loves me the way you and my brother love each other. I want that all consuming, one in a lifetime, kind of love. I just don’t know if it’s in the stars for me.”
“Of course it is,” I said, tilting my head to study her. “Why don’t you think so?”
She shrugged, swirling her yogurt with her spoon. “I’ve been hung up on someone who won’t ever love me back, for so long that I don’t know if I’ll ever get over it.”
“Holden,” I stated and she nodded.
“The guy’s a jerk most of the time,” she ran her fingers through her bangs. “I honestly don’t know why I’m so attracted to him. He just frustrates me. But then, there are these moments, where I see something in him and it’s like everything in me sings and I get butterflies and feel all weird inside. But I know that he’ll never feel the same way and I should move on, but I can’t, Katy, and that makes me so angry. He’s only ever going to see me as his best friends little sister.” She stared off into space. “Plus, with the age difference thing, I’m always going to be a kid to him. I don’t look like the women he dates. They’re women with curves and hot bodies and here I am with my super thin dancer’s body, with absolutely no curves. I’m just a girl,” she sighed. “I’ll always just be a girl in his eyes.”
I could see the sadness in her eyes and it did something to me. I felt protective of Karlie and I hated to see her so sad. This was her day.
“No more boy talk,” I finished off my frozen yogurt. “Today is about all things, girl.”
She smiled and threw away her half-eaten frozen yogurt. “No more boy talk, promise,” she held out her pinky.
I hesitated a few seconds before hooking mine with hers.
“Come on,” I opened the door, “the nail salon is a couple of stores, this way.” I pointed to the left.
We walked under the covered awning; I spotted a Starbucks and ducked inside. I needed some coffee.
Armed with coffee, we made it to the nail place, just in time for Karlie’s appointment.
“You’re not getting anything done?” she asked, her brow lifted in puzzlement.
“Nope, this is for you. The fact that I don’t like to be touched isn’t very conducive to a manicure and pedicure.”
“Oh, right,” Karlie’s cheeks colored. “With the way you and Jared have been, I forgot about that.”