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"**Undecided**" by hannabanana14

Veronica and her younger brother, Anthony II, are taken to their grandparent's farm house in the middle of Amish country, for the summer. Unfamiliar with farm life, they learn the ways of the land, meet new people, and find new love.

Category: Book: 1st Chapter

Tags: camping, family, friends, summer, farm

You can do an inline review of this work in the review tab.

          ****Please review from your heart, be truthful and if you have any suggestions for the title or story, feel free to say and if you aren't going to read it, please wait twelve hours and get a new one, it wastes my time for people to just read the first sentence and just say it was good or bad.****

 

Chapter One

               Almost to their grandparent’s house Veronica and Anthony’s mother tapped them on the leg to get their attention. They both simultaneously removed their ear-buds to listen to their mom Sophie. Pushing her light brown wavy hair out of her face, Sophie bent over in her seat to get her purse. She retrieved a folded up crinkled paper and handed it to Veronica.

               “What’s this?” Veronica asked, taking the paper and unfolding it slowly.

               “It’s an email I printed out. It’s from your grandparents. It’s all of their rules and different things they want to know by tomorrow, I would have answered for you but I wasn’t sure what to say so we decided to just let you guys tell them yourselves. Now read.”

               “Okay…” She opened the paper and started to read it in her head and then aloud “It says; the rules of our home please go over before coming over. One: Veronica and Anthony will both have to do chores and help around the farm. Two: Every evening they must be in their rooms by 10:30 and up in the morning, presentable, by 5:30 A---“

               “Wait what?” Anthony said in complete shock, “Did you say awake by 5:30?”

               “And presentable.” Veronica said back, rolling her eyes and finding where she was interrupted.

               “That is way too early…” Anthony folded his arms in disgust and stared out the window at the passing farms.

               “Anthony keep it to yourself, and you better be polite at their house! If your father or I have to drive five hours to come retrieve you in the middle of the summer because you are misbehaving, you will be grounded until you graduate.” Sophie said with a stern, serious sound in her voice. Anthony Sr. nodded his head in agreement, as he grabbed the directions off Sophie’s lap.

               “Anyway, they must be up and ready, presentable, by 5:30 A.M. except Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. Three: There will be sneaking out and absolutely NO lying.” Veronica read the rest to herself before speaking again, “It says that they want to know our favorite fruit and veggies, and different things to eat and drink. And they want to know what we are allergic to.” She said to Anthony, grabbing his arm and making him look at her so she knew he was paying attention.

               “I already told them your allergies. I just didn’t want to tell them the wrong things you like so they said Mommom and Veronica were going to the market tomorrow.” Sophie said as she took the paper back from Veronica and spun herself back around to help Anthony Sr. with the directions.

               Veronica glanced at her brother as she put her ear-buds back in her ears. Her brother was already bobbing his head to some heavy metal band. She could hear her step dad chatting with her mom about getting there. She rolled down her window as she pressed play on her new MP3 player her and her brother received for the summer. She previously loaded it with her favorite songs from Adele and Katy Perry and then some other random songs her step dad had on the computer. She stuck her head slightly out the window, taking big heaves of air as the smell of cow manure filled her nose. As she tried to hum to Adele’s new song Set Fire to the Rain, she could feel her stomach climbing farther up her body, closer to her throat. Every time she was in the car for a long time she got real car sick and needed fresh air, and reading that stupid set of rules made it ten times worse than it normally did. Anthony Sr. missed the road he was supposed to turn on so he made a sharp U-Turn making Veronica gag as she almost puked. She quickly held onto the safety handle on the car ceiling as she took short deep breathes through her nose. She kept thinking about the chances of getting to their grandparents and puking on their kitchen floor. Finally, she let herself sit normally in the seat and rolled up her window. She fixed her left ear-bud that had fallen out when they took a crazy turn. She could barely make out the words her mother had stated ‘almost there’.

               Veronica and Anthony stared out the car windows as they passed the many rolling hills of cows and cornfields. They passed a few houses with Amish buggies parked in the yard. Thinking to her, Veronica noticed the difference of the houses they passed as they drove down the dirt road. Looking out the window it looked like they were driving in the desert. Clouds of smoke and dust flying all over the road and up over the car. Veronica noticed a bright blue house being built with a fancy Mercedes sitting in the drive; apparently, some rich people lived here…

               The car came to a stop as a rundown white house appeared behind a huge willow tree. It was a nice house by the looks of it but it was faded in some spots and it looked old. There was a brown wooden fence to the side of the house by the willow tree with a shed-like thing in the center. Across the dirt road was a huge field and another dirt road going downhill to some trees and a few campers. The front yard had a dog chasing some chickens toward the backyard and veronica could feel her head pound as she attempted to think she would have fun this summer here at this farm.

               Everyone but Veronica got out of the car. She was still sick to her stomach and any sudden movements would make her stomach do summer-salts. She felt the car shake as the bags and suitcases were pulled out of the trunk. She watched as everyone walked into the garage attached to the house.

               “Why don’t they use the front door? Dummies.” She said as she shook her head in annoyance as she got out of the car. She walked over to the trunk and pulled out her suitcases filled with clothes and shoes, and to get her new zebra stripped duffle bag, she had to set down her suitcases and lean all the way into the trunk. As she reached for her bag, her light blue fitted tank top rode up her back. As she pulled her head out of the trunk, she pulled down the back of her shirt, spun around to grab the rest of her luggage, and a young man standing behind her with a questioned look on his face startled her.

               She stared at him for a moment before speaking, “Can I help you with something?”

               “Oh. No, I’m sorry. Um… Do you need help with that?” He stepped closer, holding out his hand.

               “Oh, yeah sure. Thanks.” She handed him her heaviest suitcase and headed toward the front door.

               “You can’t use that door. There’s tons of boxes and stuff packed in front of it, they use the garage door.”

               “Oh, okay..?” They continued to the garage, she didn’t hear his footsteps behind her anymore, so she glanced behind her to see him bent down tying his shoe. She didn’t really get a good look at his face before but he seems nice.

               She continued on and into the garage. There was a set of wooden steps leading to a propped open door and to her left; next to the steps was a faded blue truck that appeared to be as old as her grandparents were. It had the round wheel caps and it was low to the ground and had a few scratches and chips. She headed up the steps, swinging her duffle bag over her shoulder, feeling her hair straightener hit her shoulder, she flinched. As she walked through the doorway, her Poppop gave her a huge hug, his beer belly squishing against her. He took her bags and headed up the steps at the end of the kitchen before Veronica could even say hello. She walked a little farther into the kitchen that smelled of garlic and potatoes. A moment later, the dog she saw earlier, ran past her and disappeared into the dark room next to the steps. She followed, as if searching for a clue to some mystery, and found her Mommom and step dad sitting on the couch watching the news. After greeting with her Mommom, she asked about the boy she had met a few minutes ago.

               “Oh, that’s our helper. Your Poppop can’t mow all of the lawn by himself so his friend who camps at the campground across the road asked his grandson to help out, so every other day he comes up to help.” She gave her a smile that said ‘he’s cute, you’ll like him’.

               “Oh that’s very nice of him!” Veronica could feel her face getting hot; she was blushing.

               “Your brother is up in his room making that list if you want to go join him.” Veronica’s step dad said with a hint of stress in his voice.

               She decided to go up-stairs to see her room when her mom and Poppop came down the steps and almost collided with Veronica. “I’m sorry.” She said to her Poppop and smiled. He was a quiet man with rosy cheeks and smelled of grass and cigarettes.

               Veronica strutted up the steps and into the first room. She could tell this was her grandparent’s room because there was a mat next to the door with cow boots, and then there was a pack of cigarettes lying on the dresser. She decided to move on down the hall to venture toward finding her room. The next room was the bathroom and then at the end of the hallway was a fish tank. She headed toward the fish tank and noticed an empty room with pink blankets. As she walked in, she noticed her suitcase and her duffle bag lying on the floor next to the closet. There was a window above the bed and a dresser in the corner of the room with a lamp and some magazines, her Mommom must have bought them for her. She walked in and sat on the bed, looking at the old-fashioned wallpaper. The room was actually very nice and cozy looking. After thinking for a moment, she wondered where that young boy was. However, she figured he just put the bag in the wrong room. Deciding to put her clothes away, she opened the closet. There were tons of wooden hangers on the rusting medal bar. She plopped her big suitcase on the bed and unzipped it, placing her new set of socks on the bed. Carefully she pulled out each article of clothing, making sure they didn’t unfold. Pajamas, tank tops, under garments, jeans, shorts, a dress just in case something formal was to go on, and some other miscellaneous shirts were separated on her bed by ‘able to hang, and not able to hang’.

               After putting all of her clothes away, she carried her duffle bag into the bathroom down the hall. Her mom had mentioned something about her brother and her sharing a bathroom because their grandparents had a private one in their room. Pulling the ribbon and then unzipping her duffle bag, she placed all of her hair stuff in the bottom drawer of the cabinet and then she placed her ‘monthly’ bag in the way back of her make-up drawer. Her brother was only nine and wouldn’t need a drawer in the bathroom so she can put all of her stuff in here. After putting away the bag of make-up and her hair straightener and blow dryer, she only had enough room in the bottom drawer for her hair clips and headbands. She decided to look in the cabinet under the sink for some-type of container for her and her brother’s toothbrush and stuff. She didn’t find one so she just left her tooth stuff on the corner of the sink, carrying her hairbrush and a few other things she didn’t have room for in the bathroom back into her room.

               When she closed her bedroom door, she turned around and was startled again by the boy! “I’m sorry.” He said as he quickly jumped up off the floor.

               “Its okay but what are you doing?”

               “I was just bringing up your bag but I noticed that your alarm clock wasn’t plugged in, so that’s what I was doing… I’m sorry.”

               “Thank you! Its ok, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so rude.”

               “It’s okay; I shouldn’t have just entered…”

               “No you were only trying to help. I appreciate it.’ Veronica smiled as she stepped closer.

               “You’re welcome… I’m Jared.”

               “I’m Veronica.” She held out her hand.

               “Nice to meet you Veronica.” He shook her hand and stepped closer.

               He had such gorgeous green eyes, and his hair was a dirty blonde brown color. She glanced down and back up, giving him a full look, he had a nice body. He was slender but well-built and had noticeable muscles in his arms. “Well I have to go back to my camper. Will I see you on Saturday?”

               “Yes, you will. I’m staying here all summer so I will see you whenever.” She smiled at him and stepped out of the way so he could leave. Her heart was fluttering and she could feel her cheeks get all tingly as she was holding in a laugh. She always laughed when she thought someone was cute. Just one of her many random quirks… She hated her laugh because she hated her teeth, she had an embarrassing gap between her two front teeth that people made fun of her for.

               She ended up taking off her flip-flops and setting them against the closet door along with her duffle bag. Suddenly a yell came from outside, so she climbed onto her bed, making it squeak, and looked out her window to see who had yelled. There Jared knelt, picking up a pile of spilt hay and some chicken feed. Jumping off her bed she ran down the hall barefoot, and then jumped down the steps, falling over the cat on the last step. She got up, brushed her shirt off, patted her hair, and walked through the living room and out the sliding glass door. Quickly she walked toward the horse barn so she could help him pick up the hay.

               As she reached the bright red barn, she stopped. He was already up and had the hay in the fenced in area for the horses. Once she realized she had no real reason to be outside at this time, especially bare-foot, she turned and walked toward the house. She was shaking her head furiously, embarrassed at herself for thinking she could make it out here and what would her excuse be anyway, that she just happened to be staring out her window and noticed he knocked over the hay and dropped the chicken feed. What would he even say, thank you, or would he think she was stalking him?

               Just as she opened the door, a hand turned her around. Jared stood there somewhat awkwardly, with a nervous look on his face. “Did you come out to help me?”

               “Oh... You noticed. I’m sorry I didn’t come down fast enough to help, I tripped over the cat…” She answered with a slight giggle.

               “I saw you in the window.” Jared answered with a wink.

               “I-I-I didn’t mean to snoop. I just, I heard someone yell and I-I didn’t know who it was and-“

               “It’s okay, no biggy.” Jared laughed as he looked at her hair glowing in the sun.

               “Oh. Okay.” She said, putting her hands behind her back, leaning on her toes and back on her heels. She smiled and they had a moment of silence, looking at each other.

               “So, I have to go. I will um—see you later I guess…”

               “Okay yeah. Yeah I will uh—see you later.” Veronica had a look of depression on her face, wishing she could see him more, talk to him maybe some more or something but she had to go inside and eat and he had to go back to his camper because it was getting late.

               Jared turned to walk away as Veronica stared at him, thinking to herself “Wow, most guys have flat butts… Not him.” As he turned the corner, she quickly ran the other way, past the horses and around to the front yard. As she got around to the front, a flock of chickens attacked her, making her scream. A second later Jared was at her side laughing.

               “It’s not funny.” Veronica said in defense.

               “I’m sorry, your right, that’s not funny.” He shyly smiled and went to turn back toward the road.

               “Wait. Jared.” She hesitated. “Um… Can I see you tomorrow?”

               Not turning around he answered “Sure.”

               Veronica’s stomach twirled and her heart pounded. She was so excited! She found a hot guy that she gets to spend her summer with! Happy, she skipped back to the house, just in time for her Mommom to meet her at the door with a suspicious look on her face.

               “What are you doing?”

               “Coming inside…” Veronica would not look her in the face, nervous her Mommom might have seen her flirting with him.

               “Mhm and why were you outside barefoot? Your feet are covered in mud.”

               “Oh. That… Well I was just, um… I was talking to Jared.”

               “I see. What did you two talk about?”

               “We didn’t really talk, we just kind of stood there and chit-chat…” Veronica looked up at her smiled and walked past her and ran upstairs.

               Veronica passed her brother who was coming out of his room and toward the steps, “its dinner time.”

               “I know, I have to go to the bathroom…”

               Veronica sprinted to the bathroom, sat on the edge of the tub, and ran some hot water to wash her feet off. At first, the water was ice cold and then scolding hot before turning warm. She scrubbed her feet, making the tub turn a brown color, and then drained the water and stomped on the carpet to dry them off. Once they were somewhat dry, she ran down the steps for dinner. It was as if no one even noticed she wasn’t there already. Therefore, she grabbed her plate off the kitchen table and walked to the stove. She plopped some garlic potatoes and a chunk of juicy chicken on top of her potatoes. As she sat down everyone looked at her.

               “I’m sorry I wasn’t down earlier. I was washing my feet…” She looked at everyone, embarrassed, and then at her food.

               Everyone started eating and then disappeared into the living room. Mommom was clearing the plates off the table as Veronica sat there, with a discouraged look on her face. She decided to help clean up by running some water in the sink to wash the dishes. Veronica started making bubbles with the soap dispenser when her Mommom patter her on the shoulder.

               “Are you ok?”

               “Oh, yeah I’m good… How about you? Are you doing okay? I’m so happy to be here this summer. I missed you.” Veronica smiled and went back to rinsing the forks.

               “I’m okay, and I’m glad you all are here too.” She grabbed Veronica and gave her a squeeze. “You can stop that. I got these.” She hinted for Veronica to join the others in the living room.

               “Oh. Okay. Well um, can I sit in here with you? I don’t like baseball…”

               “Oh yeah, me either.”

               “Okay, cool. Well Mommom, so what did you see earlier?”

               Veronica sat down on the breakfast stool as her grandma tossed the dishtowel at her. “If you’re gonna flirt sweetie and not want anyone to see around here, you have to do it in private, in the barn or behind a bush.” She winked at Veronica and they laughed.

~Later that Evening~

               “Time for bed!” Poppop yelled.

               Anthony and Veronica were playing chicken war, an interesting game Anthony made up where you through chickens at each other, in the yard. Veronica yelled at Anthony to stop and ran inside, pushing him to the ground. He screamed and said she hurt her but she just ignored him. Sophie and Anthony Sr. said good night to everyone and disappeared up stairs to tuck Anthony in bed. Veronica gave her grandparent’s a huge hug, said goodnight, and walked up stairs into the darkness.

               She knocked on her parent’s room and walked in. “Um, are you leaving tomorrow? And do we need to get up that early tomorrow morning?”

               “Yes and no.” Anthony Sr. laughed “you can sleep in until like eight… And we are leaving around lunch time.”

               “Oh. I’m gonna miss you.” Veronica walked farther into her parents’ bedroom, which was actually the library, and gave her parent’s huge hugs.

               “I love you.” Anthony said, giving Veronica a kiss on the head.

               “I love you too. And I love you mommy.”

               “I love you too sweetie.” Sophie said, giving Veronica a smooch on the cheek.

               “Sleep well.” Anthony said as he shut the door behind Veronica as she headed to her room for the night.

               After getting ready for bed, Veronica went to her room, closing the door behind her. She shut off her bedroom light and tiptoed to her bed. As she was about to climb under her several quilts she heard a slight knock on her door. Sighing, she got out of bed and walked over to the door, opening it slowly. Behind the door stood her brother, tears running down her face. Without saying a word, Veronica invited her brother in and gave him a huge hug. Anthony had heard wolves howling from outside his window and ran to his sister’s room, terrified. Veronica covered him up next to her and rubbed his back until he fell asleep. Thinking to herself about tomorrow, she fell asleep.




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Category Name: My Thoughts

I did not enjoy the chapter. The chapter was okay. I really enjoyed the chapter.

This section is for overall comments and general ideas. The score should reflect how much you enjoyed the chapter.

Category Name: Character Development

The characters were not credible, interesting or unique. I don’t care about or understand the characters because they were poorly developed. The characters where somewhat credible, interesting and unique. I partially understand their thoughts, feelings, and actions. I somewhat connected with and care about the characters. The characters where credible, interesting and unique. I thoroughly understand their thoughts, feelings and actions. I felt connected with and started to care about the characters.

This is act of bringing a character to life on the page. It is a combination of the author’s description of the character and the character’s dialog, action, and thoughts. Though all characters should be believable, the protagonist and antagonist are usually the most developed characters.

Category Name: The Beginning

The chapter did not introduce a problem. I really don’t want to read the next chapter. The chapter introduces a problem for the protagonist, but I don’t know why it’s important and/or it does not feel like an immediate resolution is needed. I might read the next chapter. The chapter introduced an immediate and important problem for the protagonist. I really want to know what happens in the next chapter.

The first chapter, especially the first sentence, needs to pull a reader into the story and make them crave more.

Category Name: Setting

I don’t know when or where this chapter takes place. The setting was inadequately described or inappropriately used. I know when and where the chapter takes place but I can only vaguely picture it in my mind. The setting did not add to or distract from the chapter. I know when and where the chapter takes place. The setting enhanced the chapter and helped me better understand the characters or plot.

The setting is where a story takes place. The choice of setting and its description helps the story come alive in the mind of the reader. Appropriate setting contributes to the plot and mood of the story.

Category Name: Mechanics

The story contained so many mechanical errors that it was hard to follow the plot or understand certain sentences or paragraphs. Occasional mechanical errors were distracting, but these errors did not inhibit me from being able to understand the plot or connect with characters in the story. I rarely if ever noticed mechanical errors. As far as I could tell, the writing was clear and correct.

Mechanics includes sentence structure, verb agreement, grammar, spelling, voice, punctuation and aspects of basic style.

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Category Name: Dialog

The dialog caused more confusion than clarification about the characters. It was almost impossible to follow. Some of the dialog helped me learn about the characters and revealed new facets of their personalities. I could follow the dialog when paying close attention. The dialog helped me learn about the characters and revealed new facets of their personalities. The dialog flowed well and was easy to follow.

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Click on a paragraph or highlight text from the paragraph to provide inline comments. While detailed grammar correction is welcome, the purpose of inline commenting is to spark the author's creativity. This is best done by expressing feelings, questions, and concerns you have about the story while you are reading.

1.           ****Please review from your heart, be truthful and if you have any suggestions for the title or story, feel free to say and if you aren't going to read it, please wait twelve hours and get a new one, it wastes my time for people to just read the first sentence and just say it was good or bad.****

2.  

3. Chapter One

4.                Almost to their grandparent’s house Veronica and Anthony’s mother tapped them on the leg to get their attention. They both simultaneously removed their ear-buds to listen to their mom Sophie. Pushing her light brown wavy hair out of her face, Sophie bent over in her seat to get her purse. She retrieved a folded up crinkled paper and handed it to Veronica.

5.                “What’s this?” Veronica asked, taking the paper and unfolding it slowly.

6.                “It’s an email I printed out. It’s from your grandparents. It’s all of their rules and different things they want to know by tomorrow, I would have answered for you but I wasn’t sure what to say so we decided to just let you guys tell them yourselves. Now read.”

7.                “Okay…” She opened the paper and started to read it in her head and then aloud “It says; the rules of our home please go over before coming over. One: Veronica and Anthony will both have to do chores and help around the farm. Two: Every evening they must be in their rooms by 10:30 and up in the morning, presentable, by 5:30 A---“

8.                “Wait what?” Anthony said in complete shock, “Did you say awake by 5:30?”

9.                “And presentable.” Veronica said back, rolling her eyes and finding where she was interrupted.

10.                “That is way too early…” Anthony folded his arms in disgust and stared out the window at the passing farms.

11.                “Anthony keep it to yourself, and you better be polite at their house! If your father or I have to drive five hours to come retrieve you in the middle of the summer because you are misbehaving, you will be grounded until you graduate.” Sophie said with a stern, serious sound in her voice. Anthony Sr. nodded his head in agreement, as he grabbed the directions off Sophie’s lap.

12.                “Anyway, they must be up and ready, presentable, by 5:30 A.M. except Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. Three: There will be sneaking out and absolutely NO lying.” Veronica read the rest to herself before speaking again, “It says that they want to know our favorite fruit and veggies, and different things to eat and drink. And they want to know what we are allergic to.” She said to Anthony, grabbing his arm and making him look at her so she knew he was paying attention.

13.                “I already told them your allergies. I just didn’t want to tell them the wrong things you like so they said Mommom and Veronica were going to the market tomorrow.” Sophie said as she took the paper back from Veronica and spun herself back around to help Anthony Sr. with the directions.

14.                Veronica glanced at her brother as she put her ear-buds back in her ears. Her brother was already bobbing his head to some heavy metal band. She could hear her step dad chatting with her mom about getting there. She rolled down her window as she pressed play on her new MP3 player her and her brother received for the summer. She previously loaded it with her favorite songs from Adele and Katy Perry and then some other random songs her step dad had on the computer. She stuck her head slightly out the window, taking big heaves of air as the smell of cow manure filled her nose. As she tried to hum to Adele’s new song Set Fire to the Rain, she could feel her stomach climbing farther up her body, closer to her throat. Every time she was in the car for a long time she got real car sick and needed fresh air, and reading that stupid set of rules made it ten times worse than it normally did. Anthony Sr. missed the road he was supposed to turn on so he made a sharp U-Turn making Veronica gag as she almost puked. She quickly held onto the safety handle on the car ceiling as she took short deep breathes through her nose. She kept thinking about the chances of getting to their grandparents and puking on their kitchen floor. Finally, she let herself sit normally in the seat and rolled up her window. She fixed her left ear-bud that had fallen out when they took a crazy turn. She could barely make out the words her mother had stated ‘almost there’.

15.                Veronica and Anthony stared out the car windows as they passed the many rolling hills of cows and cornfields. They passed a few houses with Amish buggies parked in the yard. Thinking to her, Veronica noticed the difference of the houses they passed as they drove down the dirt road. Looking out the window it looked like they were driving in the desert. Clouds of smoke and dust flying all over the road and up over the car. Veronica noticed a bright blue house being built with a fancy Mercedes sitting in the drive; apparently, some rich people lived here…

16.                The car came to a stop as a rundown white house appeared behind a huge willow tree. It was a nice house by the looks of it but it was faded in some spots and it looked old. There was a brown wooden fence to the side of the house by the willow tree with a shed-like thing in the center. Across the dirt road was a huge field and another dirt road going downhill to some trees and a few campers. The front yard had a dog chasing some chickens toward the backyard and veronica could feel her head pound as she attempted to think she would have fun this summer here at this farm.

17.                Everyone but Veronica got out of the car. She was still sick to her stomach and any sudden movements would make her stomach do summer-salts. She felt the car shake as the bags and suitcases were pulled out of the trunk. She watched as everyone walked into the garage attached to the house.

18.                “Why don’t they use the front door? Dummies.” She said as she shook her head in annoyance as she got out of the car. She walked over to the trunk and pulled out her suitcases filled with clothes and shoes, and to get her new zebra stripped duffle bag, she had to set down her suitcases and lean all the way into the trunk. As she reached for her bag, her light blue fitted tank top rode up her back. As she pulled her head out of the trunk, she pulled down the back of her shirt, spun around to grab the rest of her luggage, and a young man standing behind her with a questioned look on his face startled her.

19.                She stared at him for a moment before speaking, “Can I help you with something?”

20.                “Oh. No, I’m sorry. Um… Do you need help with that?” He stepped closer, holding out his hand.

21.                “Oh, yeah sure. Thanks.” She handed him her heaviest suitcase and headed toward the front door.

22.                “You can’t use that door. There’s tons of boxes and stuff packed in front of it, they use the garage door.”

23.                “Oh, okay..?” They continued to the garage, she didn’t hear his footsteps behind her anymore, so she glanced behind her to see him bent down tying his shoe. She didn’t really get a good look at his face before but he seems nice.

24.                She continued on and into the garage. There was a set of wooden steps leading to a propped open door and to her left; next to the steps was a faded blue truck that appeared to be as old as her grandparents were. It had the round wheel caps and it was low to the ground and had a few scratches and chips. She headed up the steps, swinging her duffle bag over her shoulder, feeling her hair straightener hit her shoulder, she flinched. As she walked through the doorway, her Poppop gave her a huge hug, his beer belly squishing against her. He took her bags and headed up the steps at the end of the kitchen before Veronica could even say hello. She walked a little farther into the kitchen that smelled of garlic and potatoes. A moment later, the dog she saw earlier, ran past her and disappeared into the dark room next to the steps. She followed, as if searching for a clue to some mystery, and found her Mommom and step dad sitting on the couch watching the news. After greeting with her Mommom, she asked about the boy she had met a few minutes ago.

25.                “Oh, that’s our helper. Your Poppop can’t mow all of the lawn by himself so his friend who camps at the campground across the road asked his grandson to help out, so every other day he comes up to help.” She gave her a smile that said ‘he’s cute, you’ll like him’.

26.                “Oh that’s very nice of him!” Veronica could feel her face getting hot; she was blushing.

27.                “Your brother is up in his room making that list if you want to go join him.” Veronica’s step dad said with a hint of stress in his voice.

28.                She decided to go up-stairs to see her room when her mom and Poppop came down the steps and almost collided with Veronica. “I’m sorry.” She said to her Poppop and smiled. He was a quiet man with rosy cheeks and smelled of grass and cigarettes.

29.                Veronica strutted up the steps and into the first room. She could tell this was her grandparent’s room because there was a mat next to the door with cow boots, and then there was a pack of cigarettes lying on the dresser. She decided to move on down the hall to venture toward finding her room. The next room was the bathroom and then at the end of the hallway was a fish tank. She headed toward the fish tank and noticed an empty room with pink blankets. As she walked in, she noticed her suitcase and her duffle bag lying on the floor next to the closet. There was a window above the bed and a dresser in the corner of the room with a lamp and some magazines, her Mommom must have bought them for her. She walked in and sat on the bed, looking at the old-fashioned wallpaper. The room was actually very nice and cozy looking. After thinking for a moment, she wondered where that young boy was. However, she figured he just put the bag in the wrong room. Deciding to put her clothes away, she opened the closet. There were tons of wooden hangers on the rusting medal bar. She plopped her big suitcase on the bed and unzipped it, placing her new set of socks on the bed. Carefully she pulled out each article of clothing, making sure they didn’t unfold. Pajamas, tank tops, under garments, jeans, shorts, a dress just in case something formal was to go on, and some other miscellaneous shirts were separated on her bed by ‘able to hang, and not able to hang’.

30.                After putting all of her clothes away, she carried her duffle bag into the bathroom down the hall. Her mom had mentioned something about her brother and her sharing a bathroom because their grandparents had a private one in their room. Pulling the ribbon and then unzipping her duffle bag, she placed all of her hair stuff in the bottom drawer of the cabinet and then she placed her ‘monthly’ bag in the way back of her make-up drawer. Her brother was only nine and wouldn’t need a drawer in the bathroom so she can put all of her stuff in here. After putting away the bag of make-up and her hair straightener and blow dryer, she only had enough room in the bottom drawer for her hair clips and headbands. She decided to look in the cabinet under the sink for some-type of container for her and her brother’s toothbrush and stuff. She didn’t find one so she just left her tooth stuff on the corner of the sink, carrying her hairbrush and a few other things she didn’t have room for in the bathroom back into her room.

31.                When she closed her bedroom door, she turned around and was startled again by the boy! “I’m sorry.” He said as he quickly jumped up off the floor.

32.                “Its okay but what are you doing?”

33.                “I was just bringing up your bag but I noticed that your alarm clock wasn’t plugged in, so that’s what I was doing… I’m sorry.”

34.                “Thank you! Its ok, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so rude.”

35.                “It’s okay; I shouldn’t have just entered…”

36.                “No you were only trying to help. I appreciate it.’ Veronica smiled as she stepped closer.

37.                “You’re welcome… I’m Jared.”

38.                “I’m Veronica.” She held out her hand.

39.                “Nice to meet you Veronica.” He shook her hand and stepped closer.

40.                He had such gorgeous green eyes, and his hair was a dirty blonde brown color. She glanced down and back up, giving him a full look, he had a nice body. He was slender but well-built and had noticeable muscles in his arms. “Well I have to go back to my camper. Will I see you on Saturday?”

41.                “Yes, you will. I’m staying here all summer so I will see you whenever.” She smiled at him and stepped out of the way so he could leave. Her heart was fluttering and she could feel her cheeks get all tingly as she was holding in a laugh. She always laughed when she thought someone was cute. Just one of her many random quirks… She hated her laugh because she hated her teeth, she had an embarrassing gap between her two front teeth that people made fun of her for.

42.                She ended up taking off her flip-flops and setting them against the closet door along with her duffle bag. Suddenly a yell came from outside, so she climbed onto her bed, making it squeak, and looked out her window to see who had yelled. There Jared knelt, picking up a pile of spilt hay and some chicken feed. Jumping off her bed she ran down the hall barefoot, and then jumped down the steps, falling over the cat on the last step. She got up, brushed her shirt off, patted her hair, and walked through the living room and out the sliding glass door. Quickly she walked toward the horse barn so she could help him pick up the hay.

43.                As she reached the bright red barn, she stopped. He was already up and had the hay in the fenced in area for the horses. Once she realized she had no real reason to be outside at this time, especially bare-foot, she turned and walked toward the house. She was shaking her head furiously, embarrassed at herself for thinking she could make it out here and what would her excuse be anyway, that she just happened to be staring out her window and noticed he knocked over the hay and dropped the chicken feed. What would he even say, thank you, or would he think she was stalking him?

44.                Just as she opened the door, a hand turned her around. Jared stood there somewhat awkwardly, with a nervous look on his face. “Did you come out to help me?”

45.                “Oh... You noticed. I’m sorry I didn’t come down fast enough to help, I tripped over the cat…” She answered with a slight giggle.

46.                “I saw you in the window.” Jared answered with a wink.

47.                “I-I-I didn’t mean to snoop. I just, I heard someone yell and I-I didn’t know who it was and-“

48.                “It’s okay, no biggy.” Jared laughed as he looked at her hair glowing in the sun.

49.                “Oh. Okay.” She said, putting her hands behind her back, leaning on her toes and back on her heels. She smiled and they had a moment of silence, looking at each other.

50.                “So, I have to go. I will um—see you later I guess…”

51.                “Okay yeah. Yeah I will uh—see you later.” Veronica had a look of depression on her face, wishing she could see him more, talk to him maybe some more or something but she had to go inside and eat and he had to go back to his camper because it was getting late.

52.                Jared turned to walk away as Veronica stared at him, thinking to herself “Wow, most guys have flat butts… Not him.” As he turned the corner, she quickly ran the other way, past the horses and around to the front yard. As she got around to the front, a flock of chickens attacked her, making her scream. A second later Jared was at her side laughing.

53.                “It’s not funny.” Veronica said in defense.

54.                “I’m sorry, your right, that’s not funny.” He shyly smiled and went to turn back toward the road.

55.                “Wait. Jared.” She hesitated. “Um… Can I see you tomorrow?”

56.                Not turning around he answered “Sure.”

57.                Veronica’s stomach twirled and her heart pounded. She was so excited! She found a hot guy that she gets to spend her summer with! Happy, she skipped back to the house, just in time for her Mommom to meet her at the door with a suspicious look on her face.

58.                “What are you doing?”

59.                “Coming inside…” Veronica would not look her in the face, nervous her Mommom might have seen her flirting with him.

60.                “Mhm and why were you outside barefoot? Your feet are covered in mud.”

61.                “Oh. That… Well I was just, um… I was talking to Jared.”

62.                “I see. What did you two talk about?”

63.                “We didn’t really talk, we just kind of stood there and chit-chat…” Veronica looked up at her smiled and walked past her and ran upstairs.

64.                Veronica passed her brother who was coming out of his room and toward the steps, “its dinner time.”

65.                “I know, I have to go to the bathroom…”

66.                Veronica sprinted to the bathroom, sat on the edge of the tub, and ran some hot water to wash her feet off. At first, the water was ice cold and then scolding hot before turning warm. She scrubbed her feet, making the tub turn a brown color, and then drained the water and stomped on the carpet to dry them off. Once they were somewhat dry, she ran down the steps for dinner. It was as if no one even noticed she wasn’t there already. Therefore, she grabbed her plate off the kitchen table and walked to the stove. She plopped some garlic potatoes and a chunk of juicy chicken on top of her potatoes. As she sat down everyone looked at her.

67.                “I’m sorry I wasn’t down earlier. I was washing my feet…” She looked at everyone, embarrassed, and then at her food.

68.                Everyone started eating and then disappeared into the living room. Mommom was clearing the plates off the table as Veronica sat there, with a discouraged look on her face. She decided to help clean up by running some water in the sink to wash the dishes. Veronica started making bubbles with the soap dispenser when her Mommom patter her on the shoulder.

69.                “Are you ok?”

70.                “Oh, yeah I’m good… How about you? Are you doing okay? I’m so happy to be here this summer. I missed you.” Veronica smiled and went back to rinsing the forks.

71.                “I’m okay, and I’m glad you all are here too.” She grabbed Veronica and gave her a squeeze. “You can stop that. I got these.” She hinted for Veronica to join the others in the living room.

72.                “Oh. Okay. Well um, can I sit in here with you? I don’t like baseball…”

73.                “Oh yeah, me either.”

74.                “Okay, cool. Well Mommom, so what did you see earlier?”

75.                Veronica sat down on the breakfast stool as her grandma tossed the dishtowel at her. “If you’re gonna flirt sweetie and not want anyone to see around here, you have to do it in private, in the barn or behind a bush.” She winked at Veronica and they laughed.

76. ~Later that Evening~

77.                “Time for bed!” Poppop yelled.

78.                Anthony and Veronica were playing chicken war, an interesting game Anthony made up where you through chickens at each other, in the yard. Veronica yelled at Anthony to stop and ran inside, pushing him to the ground. He screamed and said she hurt her but she just ignored him. Sophie and Anthony Sr. said good night to everyone and disappeared up stairs to tuck Anthony in bed. Veronica gave her grandparent’s a huge hug, said goodnight, and walked up stairs into the darkness.

79.                She knocked on her parent’s room and walked in. “Um, are you leaving tomorrow? And do we need to get up that early tomorrow morning?”

80.                “Yes and no.” Anthony Sr. laughed “you can sleep in until like eight… And we are leaving around lunch time.”

81.                “Oh. I’m gonna miss you.” Veronica walked farther into her parents’ bedroom, which was actually the library, and gave her parent’s huge hugs.

82.                “I love you.” Anthony said, giving Veronica a kiss on the head.

83.                “I love you too. And I love you mommy.”

84.                “I love you too sweetie.” Sophie said, giving Veronica a smooch on the cheek.

85.                “Sleep well.” Anthony said as he shut the door behind Veronica as she headed to her room for the night.

86.                After getting ready for bed, Veronica went to her room, closing the door behind her. She shut off her bedroom light and tiptoed to her bed. As she was about to climb under her several quilts she heard a slight knock on her door. Sighing, she got out of bed and walked over to the door, opening it slowly. Behind the door stood her brother, tears running down her face. Without saying a word, Veronica invited her brother in and gave him a huge hug. Anthony had heard wolves howling from outside his window and ran to his sister’s room, terrified. Veronica covered him up next to her and rubbed his back until he fell asleep. Thinking to herself about tomorrow, she fell asleep.

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