A New Beginning (Second Chance #1) (22 page)

              The next two weeks passed rather quickly. Everything at school calmed down after Mr. Johnson’s announcement. Karla and her friends went shopping on Friday afternoon and got Chase’s birthday gift. Karla got four new outfits for her trip and a beautiful gold and diamond cross necklace for Kiara. She had talked to Kiara and found out that she’d been saving to get Manuel a PlayStation 3 and some games so Karla was going to go in with her on that. Leslie had given her some money to get them both something nice, and though she’d hesitated to take it, Leslie insisted.

Now that finals were over and school was out for the semester Karla and her friends spent their time Christmas shopping and spending time together before Karla left for a week. On the Saturday before Christmas Karla, Conner, Callie, Rylee, Chase and Dominic all met at the mall to buy Christmas gifts for their parents. They were at the same jewelry store that Karla had gotten Kiara’s necklace from and Karla was looking at a necklace and earring set for Leslie. The necklace was a silver heart with
mom
written in a fancy script and diamond accents, and the earrings had several silver hearts dangling on thin chains from a diamond. Andrew had given her more than enough money to get the set and the scarf she’d picked out for Leslie, but she hesitated. She thought of Leslie as her mom, but she wasn’t sure if she’d be crossing a line by getting this set for her.

“Why don’t you take a picture of it with your phone and send it to Andrew? He’ll be able to tell you if she’ll like it.” Rylee suggested.

“No. I think I’m just going to get it for her. It’s how I feel. I just hope I don’t make her feel like I’m pushing for something she isn’t ready to give.”

“She loves you and she’ll love that set.” Callie assured her. “Con, do you think mom would like this?” She asked her brother and pointed at a little crystal bracelet with silver hearts dangling from it.

“She’ll love it sis. Karla, I know Leslie will love that set too.”

“Okay.” She smiled at them all and motioned for a sales clerk. When he came over she pointed at the set. “I want that please.”

“Sure.” He said with a smile. “I’ll get it out and boxed up for you. Is there anything else you need?”

“Do you sell cufflinks?” Karla asked. She’d talked to Leslie and she’d told her that Andrew needed new cufflinks for when he went to the hospital fund raisers and had to wear a tux.

“We sure do. What kind are you looking for?”

“Umm.. I’m not sure exactly. Can I just look at several different sets and see if anything catches my eye?”

“Of course you can.” He walked to another counter and pulled out several sets for Karla to look at. She immediately spotted a set of black ones with a silver P engraved in them that were perfect. In the case next to them she spotted a silver money clip with
dad
written on it in black and knew she wanted both.

“I like the black ones with the silver P and I also want to see the silver money clip with
dad
written on it please.”

“Sure.” The clerk said with a smile.

After she looked at the money clip she knew she had to get it for Andrew. “I’ll take both and the necklace and earring set please.”

“I’ll get these all boxed up and meet you at the cash register.” The clerk told her with a huge smile.

As she walked to the register she spotted a small silver chain in the glass case beside the register. It was thin and had a small charm on it that was an interlocking BFF. “Sir, do you have two of these?”

“Let me check.” He looked under the counter and pulled a second one from under the counter. “I do. Would you like these as well?”

“Yes please, but can you quickly box them. I don’t want my friends to see them.”

“No problem. I’ll be right back.” He walked to the back counter and put everything into jewelry boxes before turning back around and ringing Karla up. Once she paid for everything he handed her the bag and she was thankful that you couldn’t see through it.

“Thank you sir.” She told him and turned back to her friends. Conner and Callie were with a different sales clerk and Rylee was with another one. Dominic and Chase were standing just outside the doors so she walked out to join them. “Guys, look what I got for Callie and Rylee.” She pulled one of the boxes out and showed them.

“They’ll love them Karla. What are you getting Conner?” Chase asked with a grin. They all knew how she felt about Conner, but no one ever said anything.

“I have no idea. Any suggestions?” She asked them and Dominic nodded.

“He was looking at those framed vintage Star Wars pictures back at the music store. He even said he’d have to go back after Christmas to get them because today was about buying gifts for everyone else.”

“That’s perfect. Thanks Dominic.” Before she could say anything else Rylee walked out of the jewelry store holding a small bag.

“Well that’s mom, Nathan, Jess, Jenn, and Harper done. I just have Jason and Ryan then you all left. So far so good.”

“Rylee, want to go back to the music store with me? I know the perfect thing for Conner.” Karla asked her with a grin.

“Sure. Dominic, you coming with us or waiting here with Chase?”

“I’ll wait with Chase and let them know where you went. Think ten minutes will be enough time to get it?”

“Yeah. That’ll be plenty of time. Meet you all at the food court for lunch in about ten minutes. If they aren’t done by then, just text me and we’ll come back here.” Rylee told him and kissed his cheek before she walked off with Karla.

“Dominic told me that Conner was looking at those vintage Star Wars pictures when we were in here earlier. There were six of them so I figure I can get him three and you can get him three. How’s that sound?”

“That sounds perfect. He’s a Star Wars nerd and will love them.” Rylee said as they walked through the doors of the music store. After they purchased the pictures they met up with their friends at the food court for lunch and discussed the rest of the day. As they were all talking Karla looked toward the bathrooms and the blood in her veins went cold.

“Karla, what’s wrong?” Conner asked when he noticed Karla had stopped talking.

“Look toward the bathroom,” was all she said before she looked down at the table.

When Conner looked he saw James and Albert standing there watching them. He locked eyes with James and started to stand up. Karla put her hand on his arm and shook her head. “He’s not worth it Conner.”

When James saw Karla’s hand on Conner’s arm he started walking toward them. “Oh no.” Karla whispered.

“Karla, we’re all here. He can’t hurt you.” Dominic told her as he shifted in his chair. James may have been his friend, but he’d defend Karla against him.

James stopped a couple of feet from their table. “Karla I thought you weren’t interested in a relationship right now?”

“I’m not James. Conner is, and always will be, my friend.” She told him. “What do you want?”

“I just wanted to talk to you alone for a minute.” He replied.

“That’s never going to happen James. I’m not stupid enough to give you the opportunity to hurt me again.”

“Why don’t you take off James? None of us want you here.” Chase told him.

“You’re going to take her side over mine, Chase? We’ve know each other since we were five.”

“Yes I’m going to take her side. Not only did she have the bruises, but Mr. Johnson told us all about the security cameras picking up everything, James. You can’t lie your way out of this.”

“Oh those will never hold up in court. Without sound they only show part of it. I’m not worried.”

“Well James, you should be worried because the surveillance cameras at school have sound and everything you said to me was recorded.”

Shock registered on James’ face at Karla’s words. He took a step back before focusing on Chase and Dominic. “I can’t believe you guys are hanging around her after all of this.”

“James, you’re the one at fault in this. You’re the one who hurt her. You’re the one who did this, not Karla. She’s the victim and we support her. Now I think you should leave.” Dominic told him.

“I see how it is. I’ll get you all for this! This isn’t over!” James yelled at them then turned to walk away.

Before he made it two steps mall security was beside him. “I think it’s time you left the mall. I saw all of that and I cannot allow you to threaten anyone within the mall. If it happens again you’ll be banned from ever returning.” The guard told him as he escorted him and Albert from the building.

“Are you okay Karla?” Rylee asked her from across the table.

“Yeah. I think anyway. He just creeps me out. It’s like he thinks none of this is going to come back on him. It’s a little scary.”

“It’s a lot scary.” Callie added. “What’s he doing out anyway? I thought he’d be locked up somewhere, or at least not be allowed to leave his house.”

“He’s not supposed to be leaving his house.” Chase told them. “If I had to guess, his mom’s at work and he was left there alone, so he slipped out.”

“Probably. It’s disturbing that it’s that easy for him to get out. They should be monitoring him.” Rylee pointed out to them all.

“I, for one, am not going to let him ruin my day. Has everyone gotten everything they need for everyone else?” Karla said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. They could all tell that she was trying to not let James mess up their day.

“I don’t. I still need to get several things.” Rylee told them.

“Me too.” Callie agreed.

“Let’s go shop some more then. I saw a really cute scarf that I want to get Leslie then I’m done.”

“Done? Really? How is that possible when one of us has been with you every second?” Conner asked her.

“I’m just good like that.” She answered with a grin and a wink. Her mood started to lighten a little as they finished eating and talked about the gifts they’d already purchased.

When they were finished the girls took off to the clothing store to get Leslie’s scarf and the boys took off together to find something for their dads. “Guys I need your help.” Conner said after they were well away from the girls.

“What do you need man?” Chase asked him. He and Conner had never really been friends until he’d started dating Callie and now he wondered if that was because of James’ dislike and jealousy of Conner.

“I need to figure out something for Karla. I know what I want to get her, but I’m going to wait until her birthday for that.”

“How about some earrings or a bracelet. I know she doesn’t usually wear jewelry, but I think she would if you bought it for her.”

“She wears earrings, she always wears the same pair of earrings actually. Her grandmother got them for her and she never takes them off.”

“How about a bracelet or necklace that matches them?” Chase suggested.

“Humm… I know they’re rubies, which is her birthstone. Let’s go. I have the perfect thing. I saw it back in the jewelry store.” Conner led then back to the jewelry store and was out within a couple minutes. He opened the small box and showed them the single heart shaped ruby that hung from a thin gold chain. “What do you think?”

“I think she’ll love it.” Dominic told him. “I actually got Rylee one similar to it for Christmas. Hers is an amethyst though.”

“I think it’s perfect.” Chase said. “I got Callie a garnet bracelet that I think she’ll love.”

“She will. She loves jewelry.” Conner assured him.

“Let’s go get our dads something so we can meet back up with those three. They may be shopaholics, but we only have an hour before Leslie’s back to get us all.” Dominic reminded them.

“Yeah. Let’s get this done” Conner said with a smile.

Forty-five minutes later they all met back at the food court and walked to the front entrance together. Leslie was waiting for them when they walked out the doors and after they loaded everything into the back of the SUV they headed home.

The night before Christmas Eve Karla, Callie, Conner, Rylee, Dominic and Chase were all seated around the fireplace in the family room of Karla’s house. They’d spent the whole day together just hanging out, watching movies and playing board games. Now they were drinking hot chocolate and getting ready to exchange gifts. “How about we take turns passing out our gifts? I’ll pass out mine and everyone opens what I got them, then Callie can pass out hers and so on.” Rylee suggested.

“Sounds good to me. It’ll make it where we can all see what everyone got everyone else.” Callie said.

“Let’s do it like that. I’m curious to see what everyone picked out.” Karla agreed.

“Okay. I’ll start.” Rylee said and proceeded to pass out her gifts to everyone. “Okay, now do you want to open them all at once or one person at a time?”

“One at a time!” Karla and Callie said at the same time and everyone burst out laughing.

“Okay Karla. You start.” Rylee said with a smile.

Karla opened her package and it was a beautiful emerald colored sweater with gold threading running through it. “Wow Rylee. It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

Callie had one just like it in sapphire blue with silver threading.

She got Dominic a jersey signed by Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, Dominic’s favorite football team and she got Conner a Tennessee Titans sweatshirt. Conner opened his last and was stunned when he saw the vintage Star Wars pictures. “Wow. How did you know?”

“I have my ways Con.” She said with a wink.

Callie passed out her gifts and Conner started opening first this time. She got him a statue of The Millennium Falcon with a little Han Solo and Chewbacca sitting at the helm. “Amazing. Thanks sis.”

“You’re welcome Con. I know how much you like Star Wars.”

She got Chase a Titans jacket and Dominic a PlayStation 3 video game.

“Ry, Karla, open yours at the same time please.” She asked them.

They opened theirs together and gasped when they looked at the beautiful crystal figurines they held in their hands. They were little teddy bears and each held a sign with their names on them. “Wow, Callie. You had these custom made because I know for a fact that you can’t find mine or Karla’s name on anything. I know because I’ve looked.”

“I LOVE it Callie. Thank you so much.” Karla beamed at Callie.

“Okay my turn.” Conner said and passed out his gifts.

He got Dominic and Chase both a video game. He got Rylee a purple sweater and told everyone that Callie helped him pick it out and he got Callie an autographed script from the pilot episode of her favorite television show.

When it was Karla’s turn to open hers Conner, Chase and Dominic all watched her intently. “What’s going on guys?”

“Nothing. Just hoping you like what I got you is all.” Conner answered her.

“I’m sure I will Conner.” She said and ripped the wrapping paper off the box. When she opened the box there was another wrapped box inside it and when she opened that one there was another.

“I’m going to kill you Conner.” She said and laughed when she encountered yet another box. She opened three more boxes before she pulled out a small jewelry box. When she opened it she smiled and turned it around for everyone to see.

“Will you help me put it on please?” She asked Conner.

“Of course I will Karla.” He helped her put it on then sat back down and smiled at her.

Once Dominic and Chase passed out their gifts and they were open it was Karla’s turn.

“Dominic, Chase, open yours first please.” She said softly.

They opened theirs and smiled hugely as they pulled them from the box. She’d had them both a custom jersey made of their favorite football teams. “This is way cool Karla. How in the world did you get these?” Dominic asked.

“I found a website and had Andrew help me order them.”

“They’re beyond awesome. Thanks Karla.” Chase said with a huge grin.

“You’re both welcome. I’m glad you like them because they’re birthday and Christmas presents together.” She said and smiled. “Callie and Rylee open yours together please.”

They opened their necklaces together and gasped. “Karla these are beautiful.” Rylee gasped.

“They are. I can’t believe I didn’t see these. Thank you Karla.” Callie said.

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you like them.”

“Can I open mine now please?” Conner asked impatiently.

“Yes, but yours has two parts. The one I handed you needs to be opened first and then I’ll give you the second one.”

“Okay.” He winked at her and opened the first half of his gift. “Wow. I love these. Wait, Ry got me the other three. You two were spying on me in the music store the other day.”

“Nope. Dominic and Chase were and they told me that you were interested in these prints so we went back. Now, do you want the other part or are you going to keep talking?”

“I want it. Please can I have it?” Conner begged.

“Okay. You have to close your eyes because I didn’t wrap it.”

Conner closed his eyes and Callie put her hands over them because she knew how Conner liked to peek.

When Karla walked back into the room everyone gasped and Conner started squirming under Callie’s hands. “I want to see. Callie move your hands. I want to see.”

“You can move your hands Callie.”

When Callie moved her hands and Conner opened his eyes his mouth flew open. He looked up at Karla then back at the table. Sitting on the table was a glass scale model of the Death Star from Star Wars. “How?” was all he could get out past the shock that consumed him.

“Andrew can find anything on the internet.” She answered with a smile. “I hope you like it.”

“Like it? I love it. Thank you Karla.”

“You’re welcome Conner. Now who wants some more hot chocolate?”

“Actually our moms will be here in a few minutes. Merry Christmas Karla.” Rylee said and walked to the front door as headlights shined through the window. “Dominic, your mom’s here. She’s taking me home too so I guess I’ll see you when you get back. Have a great trip and please be careful.”

“Always Rylee. I’ll text and email you every day. I promise.” She hugged Rylee and Dominic and waved to them as they pulled away. A couple minutes later Mrs. Newberry pulled up and Conner, Callie and Chase left with many hugs and goodbyes.

Once they were all gone Karla went into the kitchen and hugged Andrew and Leslie. “This is going to be the best Christmas ever.” She said and sat between them at the bar.

“I totally agree honey.” Leslie said and wrapped her arm around Karla.

“Me too.” Andrew agreed and wrapped his arm around Karla too.