Love well Lived

Chapter 1: Family is Everything

(Bzzzt bzzzt bzzzt bzzzt) The alarm clock on the night stand buzzed over and over. A hand sneaks out from under the thick navy blue comforter; reaching over to turn it off. Slowly the covers are pulled down and a rumpled head of brown hair appears. Karter knew she needed to get up. As her hazel green eyes squinted around the room; she deeply regretted staying up and reading her book until midnight.

“Ugh!! What was I thinking?! Who stays up that late knowing they have to get up early? Especially on picture day!” She smacks herself in the forehead grumbling a little more.

“Karter!!! I hope you’re awake! Otherwise you’ll never have time to get ready AND eat breakfast!” Her mother shouts from the hallway.

She stretches her arms above her head. “Well, time to get up, I guess...” She glances around her room; and swings her legs over the side of the bed. Swinging her feet above the carpeted floor; she giggles. At only 5’3” she is relatively short and still feels like a kid when she sits on her bed; her feet never touching the floor. She stands from her bed and walks over to her closet. Quickly selecting a soft pear green silk collared button up shirt. It has a small tie in the front at the hem and is sleeveless. The color looks amazing with her olive complexion and really brings out the green in her eyes. She pairs it with a soft, butter cream, over sized cardigan. Then grabs a pair of high waisted dark blue skinny jeans and brown wedge ankle boots. They have a fun little fringe around her ankles.

Satisfied with her choice she then walks over to her dresser. She opens a drawer and pulls out a pretty set of cream colored lacie bra and panties. Then opens her jewelry box and grabs a long over sized gold necklace with a chunky green stone on the end. A set of small gold hoops and some gold bangle bracelets. Then from the stand next to her dresser she picks a deep mahogany brown stiff brim boater hat. “Funky and cute”. Feeling accomplished and happy with her choices she laid them out on her bed and walked to her bathroom.

This was by far her favorite room in the house. The cold tile under her feet followed by the thick soft rug was always such a welcome contrast. She opened the glass door that surrounded her deep sunk in tub and turned the shower on. The water fell from several different directions giving the feeling of a gentle rainstorm. As the water warmed, she removed her clothes.

Stepping under the water she felt her muscles automatically begin to loosen. Her thoughts began to wander to the day before....

**FLASHBACK**

Karter and her friends were heading to Jarett’s house for barbecue with the rest of the senior class. A kickoff to celebrate a great first week of their senior year. Maya, Brianne, and Cathy; her three best friends were singing; loudly and off key to the playlist she’d just downloaded to her phone. ‘Girls Night Out’ by The Judds; was the current song. She giggled as she drove them past the ballpark and then up the hill that lead to Jarett’s family lake house. She loved these girls to pieces (even if the did hurt her ear drums on occasion); but Jarett was her safe place. Her best friend since childhood. She couldn’t imagine doing life without him.

She parked her Chevy Blazer; next to all the other cars. They climbed out and giggling loudly headed towards the rest of their classmates.

Theo was standing with Brighton under a tree deep in conversation (most likely about the car Brighton has been working on since freshmen year). Eddie and Kalvin were flirting with all the senior cheerleaders. Sean, Brendan, Tanner, and Randall were around the bbq pit talking as Jarett cooked burgers and hotdogs. They were all good looking guys. But Randall always held her full attention.

He had dark brown eyes that looked like pools of melted chocolate. Short black hair with a little Cowlick right above his left eye. A dimple in his right cheek that only showed when he smiled. He was a very stoic person. But when he did smile; it lit up his whole face. His eyes would get this mischievous little glint in them that drew her in every time. Ugh, he was her ultimate crush. Unfortunately; he never noticed her.

The girls sauntered over to where the guys were surrounding the grill. Maya shyly gazed at Sean from the corner of her eye. Brianne stood there looking bored. And Cathy began chatting with Randall in a flirtatious manner that Karter envied. Jarett looked up from the grill and smiled. He grabbed her around the shoulders and pulled her close, whispering in her ear. “You know it’s bad manners to stare. Especially when you’re so obviously jealous.” He leaned back from her grinning from ear to ear. A little glint in his eyes that told her he wasn’t going to let her live down her inability to speak to the boy she had been crushing on since middle school.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She whispered back. A haughty look on her face. Jarett just kept grinning and offered her a soda. She grabbed one and ruffled his hair. She then turned to survey the rest of her class. She knew each and every person here. Perks of living in a small town. Paisley was standing with the other senior cheerleaders Ashton, Jamie, Abigail, and Allison. They were all super nice, although fairly enviable as well. Other than Theo Randall and Sean; they held the top 10 spots in their graduating class. Paisley was actually going to be their valedictorian. The rest of the class was scattered about the lawn having fun and laughing. There were only 32 kids in the whole senior class. But it was still considered a large class for her town.

Karter smiled to herself; then turned back to Jarett about to make a smartass comment about his cooking skills... when she heard “Are you going to come with us too; Karter?” Startled, she looked at the little group around her. Randall had been the one asking; but for the life of her; she had no idea what he was referring to... “Ummmm, where?” She asked while grinning apologetically. Maya chuckled, Brianne snickered behind her soda can; and Cathy laughed and said “Omg, KARTEERRRR!!! Don’t you ever pay attention?” They were all giggling. Karter was well known for day dreaming.

She blushed; a soft pink staining her cheeks. “We were talking about taking Jarett’s boat around the lake later. Cathy and Brianne said they’d go; Maya said she think about it. So I was asking if you’d be joint us as well” Randall repeated for her. He had a soft smile playing around the corners of his mouth and his eyes were twinkling letting her know he was trying hard not to laugh at her.

Karter sucked her bottom lip in and began chewing it. Some of her hair had fallen from her high ponytail and was hanging in her face. Randall reaches forward and tucked it behind her ear. Her breathe caught in her throat at his gentle touch and her cheeks flamed a brighter red. “Oh, sure... yeah I’ll go.” She choked out. Jarett was coughing. He’d been taking a drink when she answered and he laughed at her obvious attempt at soundly aloof. She closed her eyes in embarrassment and reached over and punched his side. He was still laughing as he began to pull the hot dogs and burgers from the grill. She glanced back at Randall just in time to see him smile at her. Her breathe caught again. That boy had to know what he was doing to her.

**FLASHBACK OVER**

Karter finished washing her hair and rinsed it and her body. She stepped out of the shower and onto the soft rug. She wrapped a plush white towel around her body and began to get ready for school. First she applied a curl defining cream to her hair. Then softly dried it with a T-shirt material wrap she kept in her bathroom. She then rolled her hair into the fabric and tied it at the top of her head. When that was done she began to apply her makeup. She had never been one for using much makeup. But today was picture day after all. She dabbed a little BB cream onto her finger and began to pat it under her eyes. Then she grabbed a soft contour kit and used the highlighter at the top of her cheek bones and the bronzer at her hair line and in the hollow of her cheeks. She then took a soft peach rouge and gently applied a minimal amount to the apples of her cheeks and a little on her eye lids. She finished the look off with a black wing liner, mascara, and a nude/peach lip. A quick spritz or setting spray and her makeup was done.

When she had finished applying her makeup she grabbed her favorite green Apple body lotion from Ulta, and lathered it liberally all over her body. She then sprayed a light layer of DKNY Be Delicious perfume. Once that was finished she walked back into her bedroom and began to get dressed. When she had everything but her hat and cardigan on she went back to her bathroom and unrolled her hair from the fabric. She hung her head upside down and gently scrunched it with her fingers as she blow dried her hair. Once it was fairly dry; she flipped her head back up and finger combed her hair until she had what looked like soft wavy beach curls. She then sprayed a small amount of Noughty HELLO soft curls onto her hair. Satisfied with how that looked she pulled out three gold plated Bobby pins. She parted her hair sharply on the left. And pinned it back with a gentle wave hanging close to her right eye. She felt like it had an almost vintage look. Finally happy with her appearance she walked back into her room. Slipped on her cardigan and placed her hat upon her head. She took one last look in the full length mirror that hung on the outside of her closet door. Smiling; she grabbed her messenger bag, she tossed her school books, a five subject notebook, iPad and iPhone and then slipped a few pens in the front pocket.

She walked out of her room and downstairs to the kitchen. Her mom and step-dad both whistled and told her how nice she looked. “You look absolutely divine darling. Somewhere between bohemian Chic and Marilyn Monroe. Although I think a red lip would look much nicer.” Karter chuckled at her mom... “Not for picture day mom.” She responded, rolling her eyes in good spirit. Her step dad chortled at her antics and said “You look beautiful baby girl”. She smiled with a blush and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. She walked around the counter and gave her mom a hug and kiss as well. She then grabbed an apple and protein bar, a bottle of orange juice and headed out the door. “Bye, love y’all! See you both tonight!”.

Karter unlocked and climbed into her blazer. Smiling to herself she hooked up the blue tooth on her phone and hit play on her new playlist. ‘Holiday’ by Weezer started playing as she sang along. Her taste in music was fairly eclectic and she listened to just about every genre and era of music possible. She pulled up in front of Maya’s house. She and Brianne ran out. The climber in laughing and complimenting Karter’s outfit. She made comments about liking their’s as well; and then started the drive to school. Cathy had said last night that she had to be at school early for a student council meeting so she’d be driving herself. Normally they’d all carpool together taking turns on who drove each week.

After about fifteen minutes they pulled up in front of the school. Karter quickly parked in the seniors only parking lot. The girls crossed over to the other student parking and made their way into the school. Upon entering they greet several of their classmates then part ways to go to their lockers and put away their books and grab what is needed for their first period classes. Karter’s first class; none of her girl friends were in; but she didn’t mind. Jarett was in her class and they’d sit and goof around while working on their assignments. Randall was also in the class with them and Karter definitely, didn’t mind starting her day off staring at him.

She smiled as she walked into the computer room. Her first class was yearbook. It was by far her favorite. She loved taking pictures of all the events throughout the year and creating the layouts for each event, sport, class... whatever it may be. It was a fun and laid back class. She gracefully walked to her desk and plopped down; startling Jarett who was deep in thought staring at the layout he had started the week before. He turns to her looking like he’s in over his head. “How is it possible; that it’s only the second week of school and I already feel like I’m behind on my assignments in every class?” He whispers to her. She laughs at his hopelessness and says “when are you ever not behind?” Jarett rolls his eyes and turns back to his screen mumbling under his breathe about how not everyone can be perfect and look perfect all the time. Giggling at her friend; Karter turned to her screen and began working on her page layout. She had been assigned the Senior barbecue page. She was excited to look over all the pictures she and everyone else had taken. As she scrolled through all the images loading from her messages that the other seniors had sent her; Randall walked in. Karter glances up in time to see him. Her breathe hitched in her throat as she took in his messy hair and his soft t-shirt in dark blue, his Wrangler jeans, and Nike shoes. His lettermen jacket draped over his arm allowing her to see all the muscles he had accumulated from years of playing baseball. His eyes connected with hers and she forgot momentarily how to breathe as he smiled his slow easy smile at her. “Good morning Karter.” He said with his voice still thick from sleep. She couldn’t stop the shiver that went down her spine that he elicited when he spoke her name.

Karter heard Jarett chuckling next to her and knew he had caught her reacting to Randall. “Why don’t you just tell him you like him?” He asked her for about the millionth time. His blue eyes twinkling with mirth as he teased her. “Why don’t you just mind your own business?” She said with a huff. Causing Jarett to laugh even harder.

When class was over Karter gathered her things in her bag and prepared to head to her locker once more. Just as she was standing; Randall walked over to her. “So yesterday was fun right?” Karter looked into his eyes as a memory of how he had looked on the boat; the wind ruffling his hair and sweat glistening on his chest, flashed in her mind. “Yeah, it’ was so much fun! It’d be great to do it again before it gets too cold.” She responded smiling proudly at herself for managing a full sentence without blushing or stuttering. Randall smiled back at her; “yeah it would. Maybe next time you and I could go and do a little fishing or something?” He said with a shrug as he ran his fingers through his hair. She glanced at his hair and wished she could do the same. “Earth to Karter! I believe Randall here is trying to ask you on a date...” Jarett whispered interrupting her day dream. “Wha... what?!” She said in shock. Randall chuckled and blushed... “well? Would you like to go out some time? Just us? It could be fishing or dinner or a movie... no pressure or anything...?” He trailed off clearly flustered with the way she was staring at him wide eyed, mouth open and not responding. Jarett nudged her in the side laughing to himself as he stood pretending to still be gathering his things. “Oh, oh uh... YES! I mean yeah, yeah that’d be fun.” She finally responded still in shock. Could this actually be happening?! Was Randall finally asking her on a date? Had he finally noticed her as more than just a friend?!

Randall gave her his easy smile again. “Awesome; so Friday sound good?” He quietly asked. Karter tried to steady her breathing. Afraid she was going to hyperventilate from nerves and excitement. “That sounds perfect.” She said in a breathy voice she didn’t recognize as her own. As her cheeks flushed and even brighter red than before Randall smiled and did a quick little wave and walked away. Karter stood rooted to her spot. Unsure of what just happened or how she should proceed with the rest of her day let alone the week. Jarett chortled behind her; “come on crazy girl. Romeo is gone now and we still have classes to attend.” He gently grabbed her elbow and steered her into the hallway.

The rest of the day Karter had trouble focusing. She kept imagining what kind of date they’d go on, where it would be, what they would do. Would he hold her hand? Would he kiss her goodnight? Would it live up to every expectation she had built in her mind over that last 7 years of school?

When it came time for her to take her picture she couldn’t even focus then. She felt like she was floating on a cloud imagining the possibilities of what could happen Friday evening. During her last class of the day; which just so happened to be athletics she still couldn’t focus. She was seconds away from having a volleyball planted right in her face when Maya grabbed her arm and yanked her out of the way. “Girl you had better wake up or you’ll end up with a broken nose and two black eyes.” Maya whispered into her ear; just as the coach started berating her about how important in sports it is to pay attention.

After her near volleyball collision Karter was finally able to focus. She paid close attention for the remainder of class and afterwards took a quick shower and through her hair up into a messy bun and redressed. She had her messenger bag slung over her shoulder and her hat in her hand; as she dug through her bag for her keys. Just as she located them Maya and Brianne strolled up time her and started cackling and teasing her about how out of it she had been all day. Cathy strolled over as Brianne was talking through her laughter “omg,... hahha, and your face...hahaha... when Maya grabbed your arm and the ball...hahaha.... sailed past...hahaha priceless” she said as she wiped invisible tears from her eyes. Cathy giggled and asked why Karter had been so out of it all day “I mean even in chem labs you weren’t really focused. Guess it’s a good thing we weren’t using any dangerous chemicals.” She teased.

Karter blushed, a soft pink ringing her cheeks. “I know. I’m so pathetic. It’s just, y’all I’ve been fantasizing about Randall asking me out for so long... and now that he finally has... I can’t seem to think about anything else.” She breathed out with a guilty smile. Immediately Cathy’s body stiffened. “Oh, Randall finally asked you out? That’s good. That’s great. I’m happy for you girl.” She said with a rush. “I’ve gotta go... mom wanted me home to help plan her dinner party tomorrow night. I’ll see y’all later. Congrats again Karter. I knew you’d eventually get that date..... you always get what you want...” she said the last part so quietly Karter wasn’t sure she had heard her correctly. She frowned but then shrugged it off.

(Today has been such a good day. Cathy is acting a little strangely but I’m sure it’s nothing.) She thought to herself.

Karter, Maya, and Brianne turned and headed to the seniors parking lot. The climber into her blazer and headed home. After she had dropped them off at their houses; Karter decided to stop by the mall. She wanted to see if she could find the perfect outfit for her date with Randal.

(I still can’t believe he asked me out! I’m not sure my life could be anymore perfect! And certainly nothing can go wrong from here!) She thought with a smile.

She pulled into the mall parking lot and parked her car. She climbed down from her seat and grabbed her purse. Then she locked her blazer up and headed inside.

(I probably should have invited one of the girls to come with me. But I just wanted to do this on my own.) She thought with a small frown.

Quickly she located the store she was looking for and with a smile entered. It was a small boutique owned by a local girl who had graduated a few years before her. She designed and made all of the clothes herself. Karter thought everything she made was absolutely stunning! She headed to the back corner where there was a rack of original summer style dresses.

(One of these is bound to be perfect. Just dressy enough for a date but casual enough that I could wear a swimsuit under it; just in case we do go fishing or something.) she thought with a small giggle.

She flipped through the dresses until she stumbled upon a soft yellow dress. It had cap sleeves, a square cut low hanging neck line. A babydoll cut. And a sweet pink ribbon under the breast line. It fell just above her knees and along the bottom hemline there was small pink flowers and clear beading embroidered decoratively. She smiled to herself as she saw it was the perfect size for her. She pulled it off the rack and proceeded to the check out. She knew she had the perfect shoes to go with it at home. She made small talk with the girl at the register while she made her purchase.

On the way to her car she was softly smiling to herself as she pulled out her iPhone and dialed her mom’s number. There was no answer.

(That’s weird. Mom always answers. Oh well she must be in a meeting still. That answers my question about dinner.) she though with a chuckle.

She placed her bags and purse in the backseat and climbed into her Blazer. On her way home she stopped and picked up some Chinese food. Just one less thing for her mom to worry about. When she got home she took the food in the house and placed them in the oven to keep them warm. Then she carried her bags and school things to her room. She quickly changed into some comfy pajama pants and a soft faded tank top that said “Salty hair and sandy toes” with a picture of the beach behind the wording. She hung her new dress in her closet and put away her shoes and hat from today and placed her clothes in the hamper. When she was done she gathered her school books and started on her homework. So far senior year was a breeze.

Karter had just finished with the last of her school work when the doorbell rang. She walked down stairs when it rang a second time.

(That’s weird... Mom and Dad should have been home by now...) she thought pensively as she opened the door.

What she saw made the color drain from her face... a police officer in full uniform stood at her door with his car still running and the lights flashing. He smiled a sad smile at her. “Can I help you officer?” She asked. Hoping he was at the wrong house. “Karter Joone Eaves?” He asked. “Yes sir. That’s me...?” She trailed off. “Ms. Eaves; I’m sorry to tell you this.. but there’s been an accident. I’m gonna need you to come with me to the hospital. Your parents have both been rushed there and it’s not looking good.”