Generation 2-Chapter 7: Birthdays and New Beginnings

I tossed and turned that night, despite my resolve not to. Thank berry that it was the last day of school. Ever. I couldn't stop smiling at the thought of that. I had talked to Dad about that the night before after we had celebrated his birthday.

Dad was looking handsome in his middle age although I think it was dulling his fashion sense.

I had told Dad and Mom earlier in the week that I didn't think I wanted to go away for college that I thought I might keep working at the spa and go to Coconut Community College until I figured out what I wanted to do then maybe transfer to the more local Sweet Valley University that was a short commute. Mom was very disappointed and hasn't really talked to me since she had been hoping that I'd be a doctor and go to Sugarverd or Brown Sugar University, but Dad had given me a thumbs up and told me he had faith that I would be successful and carry on the family name in a positive light.

Truth was, the only thing that really grabbed my interest was paranormal psychology but the program was very difficult to get into and my formally awesome grades had gone downhill slightly my senior year....probably due to the fact that my mind was always somewhere else.....

As Bubbles and I walked out of Sugar Valley High School for the last time we were so excited that I nearly forgot about the previous night. Bubbles told me that she was going to wait on B. Foster who had ran back inside to say goodbye to some of his buddies from the wrestling team. She asked me if I wanted to wait but I didn't think I could take the two of them together.

What to do, what to do?

While lost in thought about the fact that I had successfully completed high school, I found myself wandering over to the park. I kind of felt like I was forgetting something, and was feeling rather dazed to be honest.

I put my hand out towards the flutterbies that were flittering about and one landed on my hand. I smiled as a stared at the silken wings. So beautiful but so fragile.

I wandered over towards the swings and sat down. Sugar Vally really is a beautiful place I thought to myself. I allowed my mind to drift and suddenly something clicked. I glanced at my watch...Oh no! Juniper and I are supposed to meet here, I'm not ready for this! No sooner than the thought crossed my mind I heard my name.

"Candy" I turned in the direction of that twangy voice. I saw him standing by the park entrance and walked over.

"Hi"

"Hi" he looked a bit like he was struggling for what to say. That can't be good I thought.
"Candy, I am not really sure what to say...Your confession threw my for a loop last night. I mean, we were having a lot of fun together but then you kind of started avoiding me, for months and months. And then there's the age difference. I can't help but wonder what your parents would think." He paused and looked at the ground and it took everything I had not to let my lower lip quiver. This is not going very well at all!

 
"But I also can't deny that I do have feelings for you too...It's just..."

I didn't wait for him to contradict himself, I threw myself into his arms and he pulled me in close and hugged me back. It felt every bit as good as I'd imagined and he smelled soooo good. The enchantement was broken as I heard a familiar voice behind me say "Well well, what do we have here?"

I had not noticed that Bridget had been standing behind us the whole time. She snicked and walked away.
 "Shitake mushrooms!" I said, "She'll tell mom."

"Well that's the other thing I wanted to talk to you about Candy." he looked concerned "If we are going to try to have any sort of relationship, you and I are going to have to speak to your parents first, and I also won't be asking you out if they disapprove or until after your 18th birthday and I hope you understand. I don't want us to start out on the wrong foot."

Relationship? Did he say 'us'? I was probably grinning like an idiot .My heart was pounding in my ears. "Fine, let's go now then. Damage control against Bridget."

We got into the truck and drove toward the house. Neither one of us said much but I think I was a little too enamored by the fact that he was sitting in the sit next to me.

"Let me go inside first to kind of see what's going on" he nodded his approval and waited while I went in. I motioned the okay and saw that Mom was on the phone with Bridget in the bedroom and dad was hanging out in the living room.

He leaned over and whispered in my ear "Why don't you give your dad and I some time to talk, just remember what I've said please." I nodded and felt butterflies in my belly. I sat down in the kitchen with Bubbles who had just made a snack. She gave me a whats-this-about look and I leaned in and quickly rehased all of the details of the past hour to her. She grinned from ear to ear and then noticing my look of concern and having that twin-sense that I need distraction started talking about our joint birthday party with B. Foster that was coming up in a couple of days.

I couldn't help but glance over occasionally at Dad and Juniper.

Things appeared to be going well. I heard snatches of the conversation regarding something about college, birthday parties and weddings. The last one made me raise an eyebrow but who knows what they were actually saying with my dad. Juniper finally waved good-bye and gave me a thumbs up and a wink. I felt my heart lurch, But I thought he'd at least stay for a bit...what the heck?!

Dad came over and sat by us. "That's a good fellow you've found there Candy. And don't worry about Mom, I'll smooth things over." I must have looked a little lost because he summed up his talk with Juniper, "Well I told Juniper that I appreciated you guys coming to us first, that I could understand how a young fellow could think the world of my sweet little girl" I blushed a bit at this, "And that you were to not just run off and get married before you went to college or I'd kill you both." My eyes were probably as big as saucers because he started laughing.
"I'm only kidding Candy, well sort of." Dad smiled, "By the way, he told me to tell you that he'd see you at you guys' birthday party on Sunday."

I went to bed that night thinking about everything that had happened that day. I was still a little puzzled and insecure about the whole situation. I dreamed about school, Juniper, Bubbles and B. Foster but mostly dreamed about the birthday party itself. Sunday felt like a long time to wait but then again I had waited this long....

Generation 2-Chapter 6.5: TEASER!!!!!! (Didn't want to leave you all waiting anymore so....a short new chapter for you)

As soon as I knocked on the door I felt all my convictions flee and a sense of panic started to set in. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, maybe I should just run but...too late.

The door opened and facing me was those gorgeous violet and gold eyes and I forgot not only the need to run buy also my intended purpose there.

"Candy! What a suprise! I thought maybe you'd did poorly on that paper I helped you with a while back because I haven't seen you since." Juniper said with a big grin."Come on in"

I stepped inside slowly. Pull yourself together girl! "I...um...no I didn't fail the paper...that's not why.."


"Candy what's going on? Is something wrong?"

"I..um..I'm....I'm in love with you Juniper!" I just blurted it out. This was apparently all I needed to launch into my whole full blown out confession. I told him everything, from the first day we met to present.

He continued to look at me for a moment with his mouth agape the moment he started to collect himself and say something I found my legs and ran to the truck.

I cannot believe I just did that. Why did I run away? I can't stand  to face him telling me I'm too young or treating me like a little sister. As I pulled away I saw him standing there with a puzzled look on his face. Well at least it's not unrequited now...even if it might be unreciprocated.

By the time I had arrived home...my cell phone was ringing...I heard the familiar chime as it rolled over to voicemail...I looked at the caller ID "Juniper". I was just about to sit it down when it rang again in my hand. Again the caller ID said "Juniper". Hmm...maybe I should answer. No I just can't...not tonight. Not right before the last day of school.

My phone chirped again, this time telling me I had a new text message. It read:

            Candy, I understand you not wanting to answer the phone but can you meet me tomorrow?       I'd really like to talk. At the park maybe?

Against my better judgement I picked up the phone texted back: Yes

 ****

Note to my readers:
I know you think I'm being cruel to once again leave you hanging in the balance, but I promise I'm not. Chapter 7 will be out soon but I have to get a chance to sit and edit some more pictures and write the chapters out. RL has just been very busy especially with work. I don't want to promise a certain time but I'll try to have at least one whole chapter out very soon.

Generation 2-Chapter 5: Makeovers and Teen Angst

I took a deep breath in and walked into the salon...makeover here I come (ready or not). I saw a few familiar faces as I walked in but no one payed me much attention. The nice lady at the counter greeted me, took my name and walked me back to a room for my makeover.

The first outfit I tried on was not me, at all. I think it might have even made my butt look a little big.

Two hours later and a large pile of clothes and this was the result.

I definitely felt a little more fashion forward and even a little grown up. I hoped mom wouldn't freak out when I walked in like this. Heck, I hope she did a little, maybe that would mean I looked good adult enough to catch a certain someone's eye.....

***

I arrived home just in time for dinner, I sat down and ate waiting to see who would notice my new look first. To my surprise and disappointment, no one seemed to pay me very much attention. In fact we kind of ate in silence, it seemed Pepper's absence was still causing a thick tension in the house.

I helped clean up after dinner and then decided to place a call to a certain household. I was a little shocked when Juniper actually answered the phone. I ended up talking to him for about an hour and tried to play it off as getting to know the Breeze's and volunteering to show them around that weekend. Not only was I trying to play it cool but I noticed Mom eyeing me a bit suspiciously.

School seemed to tick by very slowly for the next few days. The only way I think I was able to keep my sanity was by humoring myself watching Bubbles and B. Foster together. He was coming home with her everyday after school and becoming a permanent fixture at our house. She said they were just friends but I'm not so sure...

Looks like a little flirting going on to me.

Honeydew's 18th birthday was Wednesday and we celebrated her being an adult by all the girls going out shopping. Honey decided to follow me and go for a new edgy look that took after the band she had joined, only she changed her hair again.

Lucky Honey, she seems to have gotten all of Mom and Dad's best features and looks like she belongs on the cover of Rolling Stones now.

Meanwhile, Mom's 50th birthday was getting close, you'd never know it to look at her but as the big 5-0 drew closer, she started working out quite frequently.

When Friday came around and that 2pm school bell rang, I almost ran into the house.
 "Dad can I borrow the car? Please?"

"Sure honey, here are the keys, but first...where are you headed and who with?"

"Dad" *eyeroll* Mom's birthday is Sunday and I need to get her a present" (And I need to see if I can find Juniper)

"Okay sweetie, just be safe and don't forget, curfew at 11pm on the dot."
"Yes, sir" 

I already knew what I wanted to get Mom so I stopped by the jewelry store and picked up a pair of earrings. I decided to take a ride around town and see if I saw anything fun going on that I could introduce Juniper to and to my dismay nothing much was happening. I was just about to call Juniper when I saw him at the Bistro Baguette.

I parked the car and called out to him. He smiled and waved, then motioned me over.

"Hi Juniper! How's it going?"

"It's going. I'm trying to get my bearings about town. I was actually thinking of giving you a call and taking you up on your offer or being my tour guide."

"Of course! I'd be glad to show you around town, then do you think you might want to grab a bite to eat?"

"Sure thing!"

I drove him around town and showed him all the important spots: grocery store, city hall, bookstore, etc. The conversation flowed smoothly with him but everytime our eyes would meet, my heart felt like it would flutter out of my chest. I was surprised at how quickly the time flew by and it was starting to get a little late so we decided to head back to the Bistro Baguette.

As we ate, the conversation geared towards family and school. Well, conversation is probably an overstatement, I was babbling on about the Pepper situation, Bubbles and B. Foster and Honeydew's sudden interest in touring with her band, The Buttered Biscuits, after graduation.

Just when I thought things couldn't get any better than having spent the whole afternoon and evening with my crush, his foot bumped up against mine. Immediately my face flushed a little and I again felt my pulse quicken. I started to pull it away but just in case he had done it purposefully I kept it there. I was about to lean in and start getting a little flirty with Juniper when I heard my name.

My teacher, Miss Lasagna was standing right behind us with my mom's friend Melon Daquiri and both women were looking a little strangely at Juniper.
"Hi Candy, I'm glad I ran into you. You left without turning in your community interview today."

A look of shock must of ran across my face, I had totally space on the assignment. "Umm..."

"You forgot didn't you? Well, your one of my best students and I'd hate to see you get a zero, so why don't you see if this young man will let you interview him."

I turned and faced Juniper, a bit humiliated and gave him an apologetic look.
"Of course I'll help you Candy."

I ran out to the car and pulled a notebook out of my backpack. We sat down (close enough together for me to feel his warmth I might add) and I bumbled through some questions. I might have actually enjoyed the experience if Melon and Mrs. Lasagna hadn't been hovering nearby staring at the back of Juniper's head.

It was obvious that the romantic mood was over by the time I finished the report. In fact I was more than a little humiliated. I waved goodbye as I climbed into the car and then once he was out of view I banged my head on the steering wheel. Seriously, seriously? I cannot believe this great day ended up like that. If Juniper didn't already think of me as a little sister, he probably did now.

I forgot about most of that for a short time when I walked into my room and saw this.....

She and B. Foster just friends hmmm...........:)

Generation 2-Chapter 6: Reconciliations and Reunions

I avoided Juniper for quite awhile after that. It was a little harder now that B. Foster had been around the house even more since Bubbles had started dressing like my twin again (I don't think it's all her fault that she's inappropriate).  And the two of them had officially become and item. In fact, they had been voted cutest couple for the yearbook. I had been voted cutest. Yay....not really. High school was becoming a bit lack luster for me. I was glad that it would be over in a few months. I still hadn't decided what I wanted to do. I planned on going to college but I didn't know if I would end up working at the spa for the entire duration.

Honeydew was still living at the house when she wasn't on tour with the band. They were doing surprisingly well so she wasn't home very much. But, when she was, she would either writing new songs or painting.

Bubbles and B. Foster were an annoying presence most of the time. Okay....so they are kind of cute, it's just my bitterness that fate has caused me to fall head over heels with an unattainable guy. A beautiful, sweet......*record scratches* Stop it Candy, move on, I'm sure he has.

Mom's 50th birthday came and went. She still looked as beautiful as ever to me.

On a happier note, things with Pepper had returned to a healthier state. Mom and I had finally summoned the courage to go over there after seeing a picture of Pepper in the paper holding Amos, his son, and congratulations for him opening his own martial arts school. I had been semi-staying in touch with him through email but had yet to return to his house for fear of facing Juniper.

When Mom walked up to the door and knocked, Bridget answered. I decided to hang back a bit and let them have a private discussion that had been almost two years in the making. To my amazement, Bridget actually smiled at Mom and shook her hand. Before I knew it, a green eyed little boy came crawling out of the front door. Mom immediately scooped him up and held him close. She started crying and then Bridget started crying and well I guess you can say they made up. At least to a civil-terms halfway point.

We spent the whole day over there. When Pepper arrived home that evening he looked utterly shocked to see Mom sitting on the floor playing with Amos.

I thought at first things would get a bit ugly but he seemed to relax after a few minutes and accepted the situation.

Mom did apologize to Pepper and Bridget that day while I played with Amos. I was definitely happy to have my brother back in our lives, and knew now that I would probably tell him what I had not told anyone else; That I was harboring feelings for his blue neighbor....eventally.

I began spending a lot of time over at Pepper's house, in fact I was babysitting for Amos most weekends. As graduation and mine and Bubbles 18th birthday party approached, I knew it was finally time to tell Pepper. I was sure Juniper had a girlfriend or fiance or something by this point so it wouldn't hurt to tell someone. Maybe I would feel better afterwords.

"Pepper, can I talk to you a minute? Your gonna think I'm crazy but...." The whole story spewed forth after that and Pepper just sat and listened in silence. When I was done he looked at me thoughtfully and then looked at Amos sleeping.

"You need to tell him Candy."


"Pepper! I can't, you know he's a good bit older than me. Mom and Dad would have a stroke, and..."

"Candy" he interrupted my torrent , "You'll never run out of excuses why you shouldn't but you will run out of time." He paused and continued. "Juniper is a really nice guy and I know from talking to him that he does want to settle down and that he has a good head on his shoulders. He's been on a few dates with a few other girls but he always just kisses them on the cheek and waves good night from the front porch. I don't think he's found what he's looking for in any of them yet." "Look Candy, I can't make you any promises, but what if...ya know...can't go on carrying around unrequited love forever."


I didn't say anything else about it. I hugged him, kissed Amos on his cheek and pulled the covers up to his chin and grabbed my purse to leave. Pepper's voice followed me out the door.
"You know little sis, I once let a good thing slip away from me because I couldn't tell her what I felt, I was lucky enough to have another chance but not everyone is..." I nodded and closed the door behind me. Of course facing me was the Breezes' house. Deep breath. Here goes nothing.