The Mystery Boy

Chapter 7

It was such a great day yesterday. I got to join the cheerleading squad, and I grew the courage to tell Mr. Steiner the truth. Now I won't have any reason to cross paths with Ezekiel. If things stay like this, I think life here will be pretty amazing. On top of all that, I get to meet with the cooking club today. Or group. Whichever name works better I guess. I should probably call Beth to make sure everything is still set to happen today. I woke up an hour early. I can either go for a run or take another shower. I took a shower last night but it doesn't hurt to have another. Then again, I can run on the treadmill after school in the private gym. The gym teacher was real nice to me, I'm sure it wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Ugh I don't know what I want to do. That boy with the hood is always running. It kind of makes me want to run as well. But the shower...

OKAY FINE, I'LL GO FOR THE RUN AND THEN COME BACK AND TAKE A SHOWER!

Jeez that took too much thinking, but at least I came to a decision. I'll run for thirty minutes and be back. That'll give me 30 minutes to shower. Okay, I have a plan, now let's do it. It's early morning so not too many people should be awake. I'm just going to put on some tights, tennis shoes and a white t-shirt. I would put on one of my sweaters, but I'm just going to end up sweating in it and that just gives me more stuff to wash later on. I'll just use earbuds instead of headphones this time. Okay its time to go. Its seven o'clock right now, so I have thirty minutes to take a jog.

Okay I locked the door, now I can run.

10 minutes later

This isn't so bad. I should do it more often.  I passed this park. I never noticed it before, but I should go there sometime. I feel like taking this run is having an impact on my everyday life. Now I have more activities to do. I can run some more, and go relax at the park. I'm glad I decided to come outside this morning. The only thing I forgot was some water. I hope there is a*****e around that I can stop at to buy some before I go back home. I'm such an i***t, I brought my wallet but not my water. Get it together Caroline!

Okay whatever, let's just find a*****e.

5 minutes later

Okay I finally found a*****e. I'm a little out of breath now. I have to sit outside for a second. Now that I've seen the neighborhood, it's actually a really nice neighborhood. I'm so happy I came out today. I was being so cheerful this morning. Whatever it was, I'm thankful it happened. Okay let's go buy some water.

Um......

I don't know what to buy. Fiji, Voss... jeez I don't know what to pick. I'm so indecisive this morning. 

...

Fine I'll just get the Voss water.

"Hello, that water all you getting?" the cashier asked

"Yeah this will be it" I said

"You new around here?"

"Yeah I just moved in not too long ago."

"I like your hair. It looks silky. Do you put oil in it?"

"I used to, but not much anymore. I just use conditioner in the shower."

I appreciated how nice he was being to me. Other people have been nice to me, but it has mostly been girls who I have spent my time with and who have been nice to me. After what happened with Ezekiel, it would probably be best for me to avoid talking to boys, but I'm really enjoying this conversation I'm having with him.

"Do you come around this area often?"

"Not really, today was my first time coming around here. I only came in because I didn't really have any water and I was jogging."

"Well come by here again. Or if your ever jogging again, stop by and get some water." He said with a nice smile on his face

"Sure, I guess I could jog a little more often" I said smiling back at him

"I'm Barry."

"Caroline"

We shook hands and I gave him the money for the water.

"See you around" he said as I was leaving the store

"Yeah, see you around too"

After I said that, I left the store and headed for the park that I saw while I was running. I saw some benches there, so I thought it would be a good idea to go there and sit while I relax for a few minutes.

This bench seems pretty new. I feel like they renovated this whole neighborhood just before me and my family moved in. There aren't many people out as I had predicted. It's still really early.

A few minutes later

There is that boy again. The one with the hood who is always jogging by my house. He must be so athletic and in shape. He's always running. You can take a break sometimes you know. Then again, if it makes him happy, then he should do it as much as he likes. Thinking about how him doing something he likes makes me happy. I like when others are able to be happy. I should try to help out others more often. Anyway I need to get back home to take a shower before school.

Later after school

I'm so glad I took a shower before school, especially since I have to go meet the cooking club later on. I feel like I keep getting the name for the group mixed up and wrong. I'm so excited to meet with them. Not only do they like to cook and bake, but they have fun little competition with each other like Beth said. It seems like something that allows people to bond well with each other. If it brings people together, then I'm all for it. I should call Beth to see where she wants to meet so we can go to the group together.

RIng

Ring

Ring

"Hello, Caroline?" Beth said

"Yes, hey Beth" I said back

"Oh hey Caroline, what's up?"

"Nothing, I was just wondering where you wanted to meet so that we can go to the cooking group together."

"Oh yeah, come to the gym and we'll go together"

"Okay see you"

"Bye"

After I met up with Beth we made out way to the teacher's lounge area. They have an oven in there which is really convenient. I was curious to know if they always met up here. But the teacher's lounge was really nice. I guess they have to make this area comfortable so that the teacher's will have a nice break to get them relaxed and ready for the next class. That was a really thoughtful idea.

"So how do you like it Caroline" Bailey said

"It's really nice. And it smells brand new in here for some reason" I said

"I know right? We have to keep things nice and fresh in here so that the principal will keep allowing us to use it." she explained

"You guys are doing a good job with keeping it looking nice and tidy. I am curious though, do you guys always meet here?"

"No not always. We also meet at each other's houses sometimes. It depends on the circumstances."

"Well I'm glad I got the chance to come and meet you guys. I'm looking forward to cooking with you all."

"Well it seems everyone here likes you, so I'm sure you'll have such a nice time here." Bailey ended with a smile

"Thank you so much for allowing me to be here" I said smiling back at her

"Of course, it's my pleasure" Bailey said with the same smile on her face as she walked away

Bailey was the person who started the backing group, so I had been speaking to her the most today. Beth introduced me to everyone else before she introduced me to Bailey, so I had a chance to meet with the others. Everyone here seems so nice and polite. I don't understand why Beth would want to keep this a secret from everyone. I feel like this is something a lot of people would want to be apart of. I should go find her before I leave for the day. They weren't actually going to be cooking today, they just wanted to come meet me. Beth had called them to tell them to come meet me. That was really thoughtful of her. I need to repay her what she's done. Maybe I can go on a shopping day with her. Or I could just ask her what she wants. I guess I'll decide later.

"Hey Beth, I wanted to let you know that I would be going soon." I told her

"Oh yeah that's fine. I guess everyone is going to eat at a restaurant soon." Beth responded

"Aw man that sounds like fun. I wish I could go. But I just wanted to thank you so much for what you did for me. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here and be able to do something That I like so much."

I know I said a little much, but I wanted her to understand how grateful I was for her doing this for me.

"Don't thank me Caroline. Isn't this what friends are for?" she said with a smile

Her words made me feel really good. I was so glad she called me her friend. being a friend to someone is something invaluable, and they aren't always easy to come by.

I immediately hugged her with a wide smile on my face.

"Caroline, why the hug?" Beth said confused

"I'm just so happy and thankful that I met you Beth. I'm sorry if I'm overdoing it, but I'm a really emotional person." I explained

Right when I was done saying those words, I felt a pair of hands wrap around me

"I'm glad I met you as well Caroline. And I don't think your overdoing it, I'm glad you feel this way."

After a few more seconds we pulled away form each other

"Goodbye Beth, I'll see you at school tomorrow" I said as I waved goodbye to her

"See you tomorrow Caroline" Beth said as she waved goodbye back

This is another really good day that I've had. I'm so glad things are happening the way they are happening. All the bad stuff that has happened means nothing now. The good now outweighs the bad. That's really good and it makes me really happy.

A few minutes later

I got picked up by my mom today. While we were driving, we passed by the store that I went to this morning, and then I remembered what the cashier guy said. He wanted me to stop by sometime. Barry was his name. Maybe I should stop by. His hospitality was really welcoming. The next chance I get, I'll make a stop there. Things are really looking up. I couldn't be happier with my new life situation. Despite all the moving, I think I found a place I can settle into nicely. I can go to bed today with nothing but happy and nice thoughts.