A New Beginning (Second Chance #1) (25 page)

Karla was awake by five the next morning. She was just too excited to sleep any longer so she grabbed her Spanish book and notebook and went downstairs. Once in the kitchen she sat her stuff on the bar, fixed herself a glass of milk and grabbed a muffin. As she ate she did her Spanish homework. Just as she translated the last sentence Leslie came down.

“Oh. I wasn’t expecting you to be up yet.” Leslie said when she jumped a little and put her hand over her heart.

“I’m sorry. I just couldn’t sleep any longer so I decided to come down, get something to eat and do my Spanish homework. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

              “It’s okay honey. I’m just used to being the first one up. Do you want some breakfast?”

              “No thanks. I’m going to take this up to my room, take a shower and get dressed. I’ll be back down in a little while.”

              “Okay honey. If you want something then I’ll gladly fix it for you.”

              “Thanks Leslie. I’ll be back.” Karla said and walked out.

              After she was gone Leslie started a pot of coffee. Her cell phone rang as she sat down at the bar to wait for the coffee to brew. “Hello” She answered after seeing Bob’s name on the caller ID.

              “Hey sis. I was calling to let you know that the forms from Manuel and Mrs. Martinez arrived yesterday. They both signed them and aren’t going to interfere with y’all adopting Karla.”

              Tears filled Leslie’s eyes at Bob’s words. “That is wonderful news. I can’t wait to tell Andrew. When can we start the adoption process?”

              “Monday morning. I’ll have the papers ready for you to just come in and sign. I am so happy for y’all sis.”

              “Thank you Bob. I am so ready to legally be her mama.”

              “I know sis. I’ll get the papers ready today and I’ll see you on Monday. Love you sis.”

              “Love you too Bob. Bye.” As soon as she hung up the phone she ran upstairs and into her and Andrew’s room. Andrew was just walking out of the bathroom when she burst through the door. “Oh Andrew. It’s happening. It’s really happening.”

              “Leslie, baby, calm down. What’s happening?”

              “Bob just called me. He got the papers from Manuel and Mrs. Martinez yesterday. He’s starting the paperwork today and we can sign everything Monday morning.”

              Andrew shouted and pulled Leslie into his arms. He picked her up and spun her around. “We have to tell Karla. I hope she’s as happy about it as we are.”

              Just then Karla poked her head in the open door. “Is everything okay? I heard shouting.”

              “Oh Karla, honey, everything is better than okay. Why don’t you come in here a minute? We have something to tell you.” Leslie’s smile stretched across her face.

              “Okay.” Karla walked into the room and smiled. Leslie and Andrew were clearly very happy about something and she wanted to know what.

              “Before Christmas Leslie and I talked to Bob to see what all we’d need to do if we decided to adopt you.” Andrew started, but stopped with a worried expression crossed Karla’s face.

              “Okay.” Karla said and took a deep breath. “What have you decided to do?”

              “We decided to start the process. I talked to Manuel about it when we were there because he and your aunt both had to sign a paper stating that it was okay for us to adopt you. Bob received both papers back yesterday and is doing the paperwork right now for us to go in and sign Monday to start the adoption process. Before we do that though I need to ask you something.”

              Karla’s face lit up in a smile. “Sure. You can ask me anything.”

              “Do you want us to become your legal parents?”

              “More than anything in this world.” Karla replied instantly and threw herself into Andrew’s arms. “When will it be finalized?”

              “Bob said it usually takes five to six months.” Leslie told her.

              Karla pulled out of Andrew’s arms and turned to Leslie. “I am so happy right now. I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy in my entire life.”

              “Oh honey, we’re that happy too. We love you and want to be a family, a legal family.”

              “Today is the best day of my life. Not only do I have my first date with Conner, but I get to become a Peterson too.” Tears streamed down Karla’s face as she hugged Leslie. “I have to go call Rylee.”

              As Karla ran out of the room Leslie turned to Andrew with tears running down her face. “I am so unbelievably happy right now.”

              “Me too, baby. Today is an awesome day.” Andrew hugged her tightly for a moment and dropped a soft kiss on the top of her head. “Now let’s go down and get some breakfast. I have a meeting at the hospital in an hour and can’t be late.”

              Leslie laughed at him as they walked down the stairs hand in hand. “Today is one of the best days of my life, too. I have you and now we are going to have a daughter. Who could ask for anything more?”

            
 
Instead of going to Rylee’s house to look at the dress, Rylee brought it to Karla. It was dark pink satin, floor length and sleeveless. “It’s perfect Rylee.” Karla said with enthusiasm.

              “I thought it would be. With your dark mocha skin this pink will look awesome.”

              “Thank you Rylee. I can’t believe your mom would buy you a dress like this. This pink would look awful with your red hair.”

              “I know. I think she was picturing it for Jess or Jenn, but bought it in my size. Oh well. At least we’re the same size.” Rylee laughed.

              “I’m glad she goofed. Conner’s going to love this dress.” Karla said as a knock sounded on her bedroom door.

              When she opened it Callie walked in. “Happy birthday Rylee, did you bring your dress?”

              “Thanks and yes, I thought we could all get ready over here.”

              “That’s what I was thinking too. I talked to Conner and he’s going to have mom pick up Dominic and Chase and bring them over here. Mom wants pictures.” Callie rolled her eyes and grinned. “OMG! That dress is beautiful, but why in the world would your mom buy it for you?”

              “I have no idea, but I’m glad she did. Now Karla can wear it and make all the boys at the dance wish they were Conner.” Rylee said with a wicked gleam in her eyes.

              “I don’t know about all of that, but I think Conner will like it.” Karla told her.

              “Oh trust us Karla. You have a lot of admirers at school, but most of them are just too shy to approach you.” Callie said with a smile.

              “Are you serious? Why me?” Karla asked in confusion.

              “Do you not look in the mirror?” Callie asked in awe of Karla’s inability to see herself clearly.

              “Karla, with your flawless mocha skin, your startling emerald green eyes and your long jet black hair you are the envy of just about every girl at school and the dream girl of most of the guys.”

              “You two are crazy.” Karla rolled her eyes at her friends and they shrugged their shoulders in defeat. “Let’s get ready before the guys get here. We can fix each other’s hair.”

              When the doorbell rang two hours later Callie had just finished the last curl in Karla’s hair. They were all ready to go when Leslie knocked on Karla’s door to tell them the guys, along with all the moms, had arrived.

              When they went downstairs a few minutes later they were bombarded by camera flashes. “Really? Can’t we even get off the steps first?” Callie asked everyone in an irritated tone. “If I fall and miss this dance I will make you all suffer.”

              Everyone laughed and stopped taking pictures until they’d reached the bottom. Then the picture taking resumed. They took pictures of the entire group, just the girls, just the guys and each couple. By the time they all loaded into Leslie’s SUV they were tired of pictures.

“Y’all have fun.” Dominic’s mom shouted as they left.  

              A few minutes later Leslie pulled to a stop in front of the school. “I’ll be back at ten. Am I taking everyone home?”

              They all nodded and she smiled. “Alright. I’ll see you all right here at ten sharp. Have fun.”

              “Bye Leslie and thanks.” Karla said before she shut the door and walked away.

              Conner took her arm and led her into the school. “You look amazing Karla. That dress is absolutely stunning.”

              “Thank you Conner. You don’t look so bad yourself.” She grinned at him and admired how he looked in his suit. His tie was the exact same shade of blue as his eyes.

              “Thank you.” He responded and grinned back.

              They found a table and all sat down for a few minutes before they started dancing. Rylee and Dominic left first, followed closely by Callie and Chase. Conner looked at Karla for a minute before he stood up and took her hand. “Dance with me?” He asked softly as he helped her to her feet.

              “Yes.” Was all she could get out past the lump in her throat; she was finally on a date with Conner.

              After that they stayed on the dance floor almost the rest of the night. At nine-thirty Conner pulled her from the dance floor and out into the hall. “Karla can I ask you something?”

              “Sure Conner. Anything.” Karla responded as she looked up and into his eyes.

              “I know back in November I said that all we’d ever be is friends, but I was wrong. I want more than that. Karla, will you be my girlfriend?”

              Before she had a chance to respond Callie, Chase, Dominic, and Rylee walked out, followed by a bunch of other people. “Con, you’ve got to come back in. Kevin is in a fight with Albert Greene. Apparently Albert was saying something about Karla and Kevin overheard him.”

              “Crap.” Conner said and let go of Karla’s hand. “I’ll be right back.” He looked into her eyes one more time before he ran back into the gym.

              “Where’s Mr. Johnson?” Karla asked Rylee.

              “Inside. I’m hoping Conner can keep Kevin from killing Albert. Zach, Albert’s friend, told us that Albert said some pretty bad things about you and Kevin heard it all. You may have rejected him, but Kevin won’t tolerate anyone talking bad about a female. Especially one who is such a close family friend.” Callie told her frantically.

              “Let’s get back in there and see if we can help. I don’t want Conner or Kevin to get hurt.” Karla told them as she opened the gym door. “Especially over me.”

              When they walked in Conner had Kevin sitting in a chair and Kevin’s friends Bradley and Brody were holding him down. Albert was on the other side of the gym being held down by Zach and a boy named Freddy. Mr. Johnson was talking to him and it didn’t seem to be going well. They walked over to where Conner was with Kevin. Karla held back a little, the signs of violence caused memories to stir and she was beginning to wonder if coming inside was a good idea.

              “Karla, are you alright? You don’t look like you feel well.” Mrs. Wright said from beside her.

              “I’m…I’m…” Karla began and stopped. She had to get out of here. She was starting to lose it. “I’m sorry. I can’t stay in here.” She turned and ran from the gym.

              Rylee, Callie and Conner saw her as she ran out the gym door. “Go check on her.” Conner told them. “I can’t leave Kevin, but I need to know she’s okay. Please go check on her.”

              His pleading tone snapped Callie into action. Her brother didn’t ask for much, but when he did it was because it meant a lot to him. “I’ll go check on her. I’ll be back.” Callie said and turned to walk off.

              “I’m coming too.” Rylee told her. “Conner, she’ll be okay. We’ll make sure of it.”

              “Thank you.” Conner told them sincerely and watched them walk out the doors.

            
 
They found Karla sitting on the steps outside the gym. She hadn’t made it far before she broke down. “Karla are you okay?” Rylee asked her in a worried voice.

              “I honestly don’t know. I saw the expression on Albert’s and Kevin’s faces and was hit by memories from the past. I just had to get out of there. I’m such a coward.”

              “No you aren’t. You’re very brave. You went through a lot in the past and certain things are going to trigger those memories. That doesn’t make you a coward, it makes you human.” Callie told her as she sat down beside her on the step. Rylee sat on her other side and they both leaned against her in a silent show of strength.

              “I need to go check on Kevin. He defended me and I need to make sure he’s alright.” She started to stand up, but they wouldn’t let her.

              “You can go back in there in a minute.” Callie told her then pulled out her cell phone. “I need to call my mom.”

              While Callie was talking to her mom Karla sat there and tried to control her shaking. She’d just gotten it under control when Kevin and Conner walked out and headed her way. “Are you okay Karla?” Conner asked as soon as they reached her.

              “Yeah. I’m alright. Just took a short trip down memory lane, but I’m back now.” She looked from Conner to Kevin and grimaced. “Are you okay?”

              “It looks bad, but I’m okay. I couldn’t sit there and listen to him bad mouth you. The things he was saying were horrible. Bradley, Brody and a lot of other people heard him too.”

              “Thank you for standing up for me. You didn’t have too, but you did. I just hope you’re alright and don’t get into trouble for it.”

              “I won’t. We all talked to Mr. Johnson and several people saw Albert throw the first punch. All I did was tell him to stop running his mouth and spreading lies, he’s the one that got physical and I have the right to defend myself against stupid buttheads.” Kevin grinned a little and grimaced when the grin caused pain to shoot through his face.

              A few minutes later Andrew and Dr. Newberry walked in and walked straight to Kevin. Leslie and Mrs. Newberry were right behind them. Leslie immediately went to Karla and pulled her into a hug. “Are you okay honey? Callie told me what happened.”             

              “I’m okay. I’m just worried about Kevin.”

              “He’ll be alright. Andrew and Mark are going to take him to the hospital and have him checked out. Have you talked to him?”

              “Yes. Apparently Albert was saying some pretty bad things about me and Kevin said something to him about it and Albert punched him. Kevin said some of the other guys heard what Albert was saying, too.”

              “You know that none if this is your fault right?” Leslie asked her.

              “It feels like it’s all my fault. If I had never said I’d go to the movies with James none of this would have ever happened.”

              “It isn’t your fault Karla.” Kevin said from behind her. “This is James’ and Albert’s fault.”

              Karla just shook her head and walked away. If she’d never agreed to go see a movie with James then none of this would have ever happened. She knew it wasn’t rational, but she couldn’t help but blame herself for Kevin getting hurt.

              “Come on everyone. I think it’s time I took you all home. Callie, Conner, are you going to ride with your mom, dad and Kevin to the hospital?” Leslie asked from the door.

              “No. We’re going to go home. Dylan’s there so we won’t be alone.” Callie answered her and they all loaded into her SUV.

              After they dropped off Chase and Dominic Leslie looked over a Karla. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

              “No I’m not alright. I’m sorry Kevin got hurt, I’m sorry I ever met James, I’m sorry that everyone’s night got ruined, I’m sorry about everything.” Karla covered her face with her hands and started sobbing.

              “Karla, no one here blames you for any of this. James and Albert are to blame and they’re the ones that will have to face the consequences for all of this. Mr. Johnson took everyone’s statement and Albert is going to be suspended from school and he may even be expelled if enough people come forward that overheard the things he said.” Conner told her.

              “I know for a fact that Kevin doesn’t blame you, neither do mom and dad.” Callie told her. “They have always told us to stand up for those we care about and Kevin knows how much Conner and I care about you so he did what came naturally.”

              When Leslie pulled into the Newberry’s drive way Dylan was standing on the front porch waiting for them. He walked to the car before Callie and Conner could get out and Karla rolled down her window. “Hey Mrs. Peterson. Thanks for bringing them home. I can’t believe Albert Greene would do something like that. He was always the mellow sort when I knew him. That’s been a couple of years though. He was a freshman my senior year, but we played baseball together and he was always the calm one.”

              “I guess anyone can turn into a butthead when fed lies.” Conner told his brother. “His younger brother has been spreading lies about Karla and apparently Albert believed them.”

              Callie opened Karla’s door and gave her a hug. “Text me when you get up tomorrow and I’ll have mom bring me and Conner over. I think we all need to watch some movies or something and just chill out to celebrate Ry’s birthday.”

              When Karla nodded Callie stepped away and walked into the house. Conner looked at Karla for a second then walked over to her and hugged her too. “I’ll be waiting for your answer to my question.” He whispered then let her go and walked into the house behind Callie.

              “I’ll let y’all get home. I’m heading back to school tomorrow so I’ll see you when I’m home again Karla. Y’all be careful.” Dylan said before he followed Callie and Conner.

              “Okay Rylee, let’s get you home.” Leslie said as she backed out of the Newberry’s driveway. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m ready for a hot shower and bed.”

              Karla and Rylee agreed with her and a few minutes later they’d dropped Rylee off and were home. Karla went straight up to her room and took a hot shower. Within twenty minutes she was lying in bed, but before she closed her eyes she picked up her phone and sent Conner a text. It only contained one word.
Yes.