Chapter Twenty-One

Katelyn


I didn't sleep at all that night. For the first time in my life, I was scared. I couldn't believe that my father was sending me to boot camp. But I guess I deserved it for the way I treated him. So I couldn't really blame him...not that I was going to forgive him for it.

A knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. I looked over at my clock. I had two hours before I had to be on the bus. Quietly, I walked over to the door and pulled it open.

"Oh my God! I have tell you something!" Destiny burst into my room with a smile on her face.

I looked at her in disbelief. She must not know yet. I decided. "What?"

She plopped down on the bed, bouncing twice. She looked happy...a little too happy. "Kyle asked me out yesterday."

For some reason, it shocked me. I knew Destiny liked Kyle, but I had no idea that Kyle liked Destiny. "What did you say?" I asked, sitting next to her.

She laughed and rolled her eyes. "What the hell do you think I said? Of course I said yes!"

I wanted to be happy for her. I really did. But my time was slipping away. I had less than two hours to get ready for a summer of hell.

The smile slowly disappeared from my friend's face. "Katelyn? What's wrong?"

Before I could answer, my door slowly answered. "Katelyn?" It was Kyle. He gave Destiny a slick smile before turning to me. "Dad just told me."

I nodded sadly.

Destiny looked confused. "Told you what?"

I looked down. "My dad's sending me to boot camp today."

Destiny's mouth dropped open. "What the hell for?"

"My attitude. Can't say I blame him though." I whispered.

"This sucks ass! How long do you have to stay there?" my best friend asked.

"The rest of the summer." I could feel the hot tears spring to my eyes.

Destiny and Kyle exchanged glances. I knew they felt bad for me, but they didn't know what to say. Neither did I.

****


Taylor


I looked down at my watch impatiently as I wanted on a man to finish my order. I had less than forty minutes to get out of here and to Katelyn's house before she left.

Finally, the man finished with my order and handed it to me. I raced out of the shop and into my older brother Isaac's car.

"What took so long?" he asked as he pulled out of the parking lot.

"The man took forever." was all I said. I was too anxious to speak. Time was slipping away quickly. I had to see Katelyn before she left me again.

With only fifteen minutes to spare, Isaac pulled into our driveway and before he totally stopped the car, I had to door open and was racing towards Katelyn's house. I saw her, Kyle and Destiny packing suitcases into her father's car.

"Hey Tay. Come to say goodbye?" Destiny asked as I approached. "Katelyn's about to leave."

I looked at her, trying to throw a large suitcase into the trunk of her father's car, without much success. I reached over and gently took it from her and placed it in the trunk.

She looked at me with a sad expression. "Thanks."

"No problem." I whispered, staring into her sad eyes.

"Taylor!"

I looked over to where the voice was coming from and saw Issac standing at his car. "What, Ike?"

"You forgot something in my car." he yelled.

Just then, Mr. Jackson stepped out of the house. "Its time to go, Katelyn."

She looked up at me, about to say something, but I stopped her by gently placing my finger on her lips. "Shh. Don't leave yet. I have something for you."

I ran over to my brother's car and grabbed the flowers I had purchased for her, then ran back to her, the flowers behind my back.

"Come on, Katelyn. You can't miss the bus." Mr. Jackson said impatiently.

I stood in front of her, watching tears run down her face. I reached up and gently wiped them away with my fingertips. "Don't cry. Here," I handed her the flowers. "I know these aren't much, but I hope they'll make you feel at least a little better. And before you know it, you'll be back here picking on me." I smiled when she gave a little laugh. "Okay?"

She bit her lip. "I'm scared."

I nodded. "I know."

"Katelyn, car. Now."

She looked at me once more before wrapping her arms around me. "I'm sorry I treated you so badly." she kissed me on the cheek, then moved on to Destiny and gave her a quick hug.

"Write me okay?" Destiny asked, tears forming in her eyes.

Katelyn nodded then hugged her brother. She gave him a sad smile. "Thanks, Kyle."

He smiled. "No problem, sis."

With that, she turned and opened the car door, but I stopped her before she shut it. "Turn the radio to 95.5 and listen okay?"

She nodded as she shut the door slowly. "Okay."

Her father started backing out of the driveway.

Kyle, Destiny (hand in hand obviously), and I slowly followed the car. The windows were tented, so we couldn't see inside, but I could vaugly see the outline of Katelyn's body. She was staring out the passenger window, arms crossed over her body. Then suddenly she reached over to the radio.

*****


Katelyn

I hadn't said a word since Taylor had told me to turn the radio on. I only listened to the songs that were coming on, but nothing I particularly wanted to hear. Then suddenly, the radio radio announcer came on.

"And now. We have a dedication. This goes out to Katelyn, who is going to a far away place, from someone who really cares about her, and his name is Taylor. Katelyn, if you're out there, Taylor wants you to know why he cares for you so much...its That Thing You Do!"

The announcer stopped talking and the music started playing.

You doin' that thing you do
Breakin my heart in two
Like you always do
And you don't mean to be cruel
You never even knew about the heartach
I've been going through
Well I tried and tried to forget you girl
But its just so hard to do
Everytime you do that thing you do

I know all the games you play
And I'm going to find a way to let you know that
You'll be mine some day
'Cause we
Could be happy can't you see
If you'd only let me be the one to hold you
And keep you hear with me
'Cause I try and try to forget you girl
But its just so hard to do
Everytime you do that you do

I don't ask a lot
But I know one thing's for sure
Its the love I haven't got, girl
And I just can't take it anymore

Cause we
Could be happy can't you see
If you'd only let me be the one to hold you
And keep you hear with me
'Cause it hurts me so just to see you go
Around with someone new
And if I know you you're doin that thing
Everday just doin that thing
I can't take you doin that thing you do

As the song ended, I couldn't help but smile. I knew exactly why Taylor had choose this song for me. I eas going to have to write him when I got the chance.

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