Maddy 46-50

12

The next few months went quickly. Kristen was caught up in a whirl of activities. From homework to Christmas shopping, Kristen barely had time to breathe. The only relaxing times she had were the ones spent talking with Skye in their dorm room, and the hours she spent with Sam when he tutored her. Kristen lived for her tutoring sessions. With her newfound love of Sam, they were her perfect excuse for spending long hours with him after school and on the weekends. Thanks to Sam’s tutoring though, Kristen was beginning to average low A’s; she even had a ninety-eight in her English class! Although this was quite an achievement for Kristen, she couldn’t help worrying that Sam would decide she was fine on her own, and didn’t need anymore help. If that happened, then she would lose all of her time with him, and that was something she definitely did not want to happen. The only thing dragging her down was guilt. Guilt because she had made no effort to help Skye with Sam, and guilt because, in spite of the fact that she knew that Skye liked Sam, she continued to flirt with him whenever Skye wasn’t around. At first, Kristen had been able to just forget about the love triangle, but as time progressed, and Skye kept asking, the harder it became. On top of all that Kristen had another storm brewing in her life. Her parents were coming for Christmas.

Up until Christmastime, Kristen had had no connections with her former life. On Christmas Kristen’s parents flew down for a visit. When they arrived, Kristen had no idea what to expect. She hadn’t seen them for months and the last time she had, their relationship had been on thin ice. As soon as she greeted them in the front circle, Kristen realized all of her worries were going to be realized. The atmosphere was tense and her parents barely looked at her.

At first, Kristen made an effort to be friendly, engaging, and to show her parents how much she had changed. After being blown off countless times for conversations with teachers, and Sister Mary-Janice, Kristen gave up. For the rest of their tour Kristen just spoke like she was being forced to, and offered no more information than was needed.

Things finally began to look up though during the parent-student dinner. Kristen’s parents sat with Skye’s grandmother and Sam’s parents. (St. George and St. Claires combined their dinners.) All three gushed about how nice and polite Kristen was, and how she seemed like such a sweet girl. It was only after that, that Kristen’s parents actually began to warm up to her.

Later, when they were saying their goodbyes, Kristen’s parents pulled her aside.

“I think I speak for both your father and myself when I say, we are extremely proud of how you’ve acted.” Said her mother.

“From what your teachers and the other parents had to say about you, it’s clear to both of us that you are a completely different girl than the one that lived in Jacksonville.” Added her father.

“Thanks.” Said Kristen smiling genuinely, as she hugged her parents.

“Oh and sweetie, I’m glad you’ve found some nice friends, Sam and Skye are keepers. Especially Sam.” Said her mother with a wink as they she got into the car.

“Mom!” Yelled Kristen, exasperated. Not only was that comment embarrassing, but Kristen had gone about a half an hour without thinking about the Sam and Skye issue.

“Oh I’m just messing with you honey.” Said her mother with a laugh as she gave Kristen her last goodbye hug. “Love you.”

“I love you too, mom.” Said Kristen.

As she walked back to her room Kristen thought about what her mom had said. She was right, Sam and Skye were keepers. If she wasn’t honest with them then she wasn’t going to keep either of them for very long, she realized.

As she walked back to her room Kristen thought about what her mom had said. She was right, Sam and Skye were keepers. If she wasn’t honest with them, she realized that she wasn’t going to keep either of them for very long.

When Kristen walked down the dark hallway to her room, she noticed something unusual. The door to her little home was ajar, its light spilling into the coal black hallway. As she crept closer she could hear voices coming from inside. Who the heck is in there? Thought Kristen.

When she arrived at her door she peered in. She was met with a most unexpected sight. There, sitting on her pink geometric comforter sat Skye and across from her sat Alison. Why the heck is she in there? Thought Kristen, as she strained to listen to their conversation.

“Come on! I’m telling you the truth!” Said Alison it what seemed to be a frustrated tone.

Telling the truth about what? Thought Kristen

“Alison, I really think you saw someone else, Kristen would never have done that.” Replied Skye calmly.

What would I have never done? Thought Kristen, quite confused at this point.

“And what makes you think that she wouldn’t?” Asked Alison.

“Well, I told her that I liked him, and I think that she would have respected that.” Said Skye.

What did I do!? Thought Kristen exasperated, although she now knew that whatever it was, it had something to do with Sam.

“Psh, Kristen is exactly the type of person who would kiss someone else’s man!” Snapped Alison.

What!? I never kissed Sam! Thought Kristen as she jumped up ready to barge in and defend her good name. What Skye said next though sat her right back down.

“You know I think you’re the one that’s got it all wrong. Kristen would never try to steal Sam from me. In fact she’s been talking to Sam for me for about a month.”

“You honestly believe that? You honestly think Kristen’s been trying to help you?” Said Alison in frustrated disbelief.

“Yes.” Answered Skye simply.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” Yelled Alison in frustration, as she stormed out of the room, and right past Kristen, not even noticing her.

After Alison was gone, Kristen stayed in the hallway, as the guilt settled in. She had just witnessed something that was proof of just how good of a friend Skye was. All that time that Kristen had avoided helping her, Skye had never doubted her. Seeing how much Skye trusted her, and seeing how Skye defended her, filled Kristen with an overwhelming sense of guilt. She had been nothing but horrible to Skye. Skye deserved to be treated better than that. So far Kristen had acted just like Alison said she had, minus the kissing part of course. Knowing that sitting there wouldn’t make anything better Kristen picked herself up and walked into her room.

“Hey, where have you been?” Asked Skye, in a cheerful voice as soon as Kristen walked in.

“Oh I’ve just been helping my parents pack up the rental car.” Said Kristen as normally as she could.

“Okay.” Said Skye with a genuine smile, “well I really tired so I gonna’ crash but Merry Christmas!” She added as she flopped down on her bed.

“Merry Christmas to you too.” Replied Kristen with a yawn, realizing how tired she was as well.

Five minutes later as she closed her eyes to go to sleep, Kristen thought of a way to fix everything, it’s like they always say, no matter what you have done, you can always make the next thing you do the right thing. She thought with a smile.