19. Junior. Music Therapy / Photography. Cheerleader. Yeah, that's most likely me singing in the halls and leaving a glitter trail. I'm a real Georgia peach! "Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine."
“And who ever said that would be a bad thing Peaches? Maybe I want you around all the time..” she laughed softly and sighed with a playful wink. “Then I’d be made. A pretty girl who always wants to be around. You get free food. I’d have a cuddle buddy - where’s the problem with that..?”
“Nothing wrong with being different though - makes life a little more fun but.. I really appreciate it. Thank you so much - for taking me in” she smiled at the girl and crossed her arms before nodding “Good. I hope that sticking lasts. We can be a new superhero duo”
“Well, y’just met me. Fer all ya know I could turn out ta be a serial killer or a pineapple-on-pizza eater. Those things tend t’be deal breakers,” Kizzie said with a teasing smile. She mulled Clover’s words over, tilting her head to the side as she tapped her chin. “Hmmm...you drive a hard bargain but I could never say no t’that! The trade-off is worth it. Win-win, yeah?”
If possible, Kizzie’s smile got wider. It wasn’t every days he met someone who got her and her way of looking at things. There were a lot that would view her as naive and maybe a tad childish but with Clover it was like meeting a kindred spirit. “Sounds like it t’me. From the direction of Wonder Woman comes The Grand Adventures of Lucky and Peaches. Comin’ to a theater near you! Though what would the super powers be?”
“Oh my god you’re like a guardian angel!” Clover squeaked and nodded blowing the girl a kiss “I am .. I have to like make you dinner or something. Thanks Peaches” she teased looking up and thanking whoever sent the girl to her.
“I don’t believe that for a second - you are most definitely one of the nicest people I’ve met here and for that I’m incredibly grateful.” she smiled getting back off of the floor and trying for a third time, feeling a little more sturdy.
“I mean - I guess I’ll have to just spend a lot of time with you so that I can get perfect.” she smirked and licked her lip. “If that’s okay with you”
“Fair warning, anyone who even attempts t’make food for me wins my favor. After that, you’ll never get me t’leave you alone. You would be stuck with me for the rest of your life,” Kizzie said with a little laugh. Free food was one thing, free food that someone took the time to make for her with her in mind was another. She couldn’t believe her luck, here she was on the lookout for new people to meet, preferably with a similar outlook and energy as hers, and here Clover was, seeming to fit the bill right off the bat.. Or maybe she could believe it, considering the name of the girl. She couldn’t ignore the major coincidence.
“I try,” Kizzie said with a modest shrug, “I remember how I felt when I first came here. Small fish in a big pond; quite literally in fact. I figure, if i can help someone else not feel so...different, then i may as well end the cycle. New places are hard to get by alone, helps to have a friend.”
She nodded her head in approval at Clover’s completed cartwheel and then allowed her lips to turn up into a smirk of her own. “Nah, y’can’t get ridd’a me that easily. ‘M stubborn as a bull. Like I said, yer stuck with me now.”
“Twinkle toes?” Mike laughed, where did this girl get all these nicknames from?! He smirked though as he said, “Oh she’s something alright. Quite as competitive if not even more then us four men in the house! Excluding my father of course.” Mike shook his head thinking of his stubborn sister and smiled. Even though Mike was indeed a party boy, he always made room and time for his family first. “You’d like her, or maybe you’ve already met? Her names Dolores but goes by Lola.” He informed, making sure she give her full name the Spanish accent. “Sometimes I wonder how she survived in a household full of men. And how both my mother and her put up with us.” He joked.
Mike didn’t refuse the dipping sauce that Kizzie offered him and dipped a pretzel before taking a bite. He closed his eyes a little and smiled. “These are delicious!” He exclaimed to her meeting her gaze. “Like…I could honestly eat just these all day!” There was something different about these pretzels, something homemade. Mike then remembered her question, “I have three older brothers, me, and then my sister.” Mike knew it was a large family to most but to him, he wouldn’t have minded even more. “I can give other stuff a try…but will I stick with it? That depends on what it is.”
Mike chuckling and smirked at her before leaning in closer as he met her eyes. “But Kizzie, thats the whole point of the adventure! We’d get to know each other on the trip! As well as see whatever it is we are seeing! Trust me, Im great company to keep around!” He added with a wink before leaning back and popping the pretzel in his mouth. “But as for hanging out regardless of a trip or not, I’m just a phone call away now.” The smirk never left Mikes face as he searched hers and playfully lingered at her lips and then reached for his Coke. Mike let his player boy self appear for a bit but did his best to not overdo it like he normally did. He actually enjoyed Kizzies company and for once he didn’t feel like ruining it.
"I don’t think I know her, t’be honest. The name sounds familiar but I can’t say that I’ve spoken to her. Or maybe I have? I tend to remember everyone I’ve talked to, though...” She hummed, recalling the faces and attaching names to them but a Lola didn’t fit with any of them. She shrugged. “I guess we just haven’t been in many of the same classes. I’ll see if I can find her, though. She sounds mighty interestin’.” She chuckled. “I don’t think I wonder. She’s gotta have a lotta gumption to be able ta put up with yer big personality. And there’s more of ya so she’d really need to have her head on straight. Women tend to tap into hidden power in the face of adversity.”
At his comment she surveyed the table in between them and the smattering of food, some eaten and still a good amount untouched, that lay there. “I wouldn’t be offended if ya did. We still have all this left.” She motioned to the uneaten part and gave him a sheepish smile. “Mayhaps this was a bit ambitious of us. I think I need a brief break.” Though she would never admit defeat, even she had to concede that she needed a breather to rethink her plan of attack. At his revelation she whistled. “That many? Shoot, bet it wasn’t ever quite at your place. Though it sounds like a lotta fun. Always someone to do somethin’ with. ‘M an only child, gets kinda lonely sometimes. I wish I had a buncha siblings.” Then she shrugged, smiled and said, “The animals are close enough, I guess. Though they can’t talk.” She thought for a moment. “Have y’tried volleyball?”
Her heart jumped when he leaned closer to her face but she let out a breath and kept her nerves steady. “You don’t need ta tell me that, figure I’ve sussed that enough on my own. Can’t say that I would’ve enjoyed my time at the festival better with anyone else I know. And I don’t share my food with just anybody,” she stated plainly. She licked her lower lip and then twisted her mouth to the side. “Well, when ya say it like that who’m I to turn down a chance t’have you come running when it strikes my fancy? It’s like everyone giirl’s dream. What did I ever do ta deserve such an honor?”
“Ha ha! I mean yeah my ego was slightly bruised but I made up for it when it came to the dancing portion of the class!” Mike said with laughter and smiled. “My vocals may have caused someone to go deaf, but my dancing sure as hell wooed them!” A smirk played on his face as he continued to each more nachos. “My younger sister and I are closer in age and therefore, we grew real close together. So, my sister being my sister, she wanted a dance partner and everyone in my family can at least hold their own when it comes to dancing. But, I got stuck with always taking my sister to places and some of those places always involved dancing.” He explained with a small shrug. He didn’t mind dancing at all, and being half hispanic, well it would almost be a disgrace if he couldn’t dance.
Chuckling, Mike nodded at her surprise. “Yeah, basketball and sports in general is something I’ve always liked. Also runs in the family full of boys, excluding my sister.” Mike titled his head a bit as she explained that she didn’t like Hockey as much. “It’s weird but the term originated in cricket. It’s when three shots are made in a row by the same player without being interrupted with a score made by the other team. Normally, its rewarded in the representation of a hat….and now applies to hockey, soccer, baseball, and I’m not sure if any other sports do it. Don’t really remember.” He explained.
Mike’s eyebrows raised as he listened to all the different clubs she was in. He couldn’t help it though, he smiled and said, “Well….I mean it’s great you’re in all those clubs. But if you ever want to get away from it all, shoot me a text and I’d be more then happy to take you to a beach abroad or on a mini backpacking trip! Just remember to live a little every now and then.”
“See, y’shouldn’t have said that ‘cause now I’m gonna have to insist that y’show me yer moves. Y’can’t just drop the hook and expect me to ignore the bait, Twinkle Toes,” Kizzie said, sitting up straighter in her seat at the revelation. Basketball playing, hockey-shooting Mike was a dancer. Who would of thought? Certainly not her, he seemed more the party type“But that’s really nice of you ta do. I bet yer sister really appreciated it. How close in age are you, then? Sounds like a force to be reckoned with. My kind’a gal.”
Kizzie picked up a soft pretzel stick and pushed the plate in his direction, silently offering him the first choice of dipping sauce if he wanted any. “Wait, so how many siblings do you have?” she asked while peering up at him. Either way a ball of envy hit her hard in the gut. At first she didn’t particularly mind being an only child but the older she got and the more she noticed just how many of her friends from home had siblings, a certain longing grew inside her. She would’ve loved to have a companion at home, someone to be there and take her side and to do something with. It would’ve made her transition ten times easier to have someone else to talk to. “Y’must really like to stay fit, then. It works on ya.” She winked. “So is it the sports with balls you’re attached to or d’you give others a try? And yer right, it is weird. Especially since the game is name after a bug.”
She smirked. “Doncha think I have t’get to know ya a little better before ya whisk me away on some grand adventure?” She paused and then added, “Though, now that I say it aloud it’s right up my alley. Adventures are my kryptonite. But, I have t’admit, I’m not well versed in the art of doing ‘nothing’. Besides, what if I want to see you other than wanting ta ‘get away’?” She made finger quotes around the word.
“What about with an audition song? Would you play the music for me?” she asked softly before laughing as the girl watched her cartwheel, she knew that she was being slightly softer on her and for that she was grateful.
“I do?” she tilted her head and smirked “And now you’re a star that helps the newbies become as great as you… or greater?” she teased softly and nodded before getting up and dusting herself off. This time attempting a cartwheel with her other leg - whilst this was a little stronger than her previous attempt it was still a little shaky but she managed to stay upright for this one.
“Oh my god this is amazing..” she giggled and ran to high five Kizzie. “Thanks Peaches, you rock..”
Kizzie shrugged one shoulder. “So long as it has a string section, I can whip somethin’ out. It may take me a few minutes t’read the music right but, given enough time to sound it out, I can get it ta work for ya. Just lemme know what it is whenever yer ready.”
She twisted her mouth to the side, hiding her blossoming smile. “Greater, I think. There are others on the team who are more well-rounded than me. I only fit in one place but I do my best with what I’m given. Part of that is encouragin’ people. You’ll get it. Don’t worry.” She watched on, nodding her head in approval as she took in Clover’s second attempt. The form was still off but it was noticeably better than the other side. Even so, Clover’s excitement was contagious and Kizzie found herself giggling as well and slapping palms with the other girl.
“Oh, I can’t take credit for that. You did the move yerself. Now just practice that a billion and one times and it’ll be perfect. And keep stretchin’, that’s super important. Pointin’ your toes will help and try and keep yer back straight. Do some handstands against the wall ta feel a diff’rence. Shoot, you’ll be a star in no time.”
Clover blushed and shook her head as she was complimented. “Oh shush.” she giggled before the subject was changed, luckily. “That sounds easy enough..” she mumbled before biting her lip and nodding in understanding “H’okay that seems easy enough .. Maybe I will audition then. No I will. You can help me prep” she winked playfully “since you’re already catching me up why don’t you help me get the role I want too..” it was a joke but she couldn’t help but have a pang of seriousness to it too.
Following her over she nodded and tugged her lip into a concentrated frown. Running up to gain momentum she did a sloppy cartwheel before looking up at the girl sheepishly. “I suck.”
Kizzie pulled a face, not bothering to hide her opposition to the idea. Because the only thing that could come out helping would be disaster. She knew where her strengths lie and anything that had to do with a stage and a spotlight was not one of them. “I don’t think you’d want me ta do that, Lucky. I can offer ya support but I don’t know a plumb thing about theatre or anythin’ of the sort. I just play the music. I still don’t even know what the whole story’s about. Though I can point ya in the right direction of who t’impress I think. Look for a Lana Fitzgerald. She seems ta know a lot about what’s goin’ on.” She shrugged. “I just show up when I’m told.”
Kizzie watched on as Clover did her cartwheel and then shook her head. “Nah, y’look just like me when I started. Not everyone was born knowin’ how to do this. It’s okay. I think y’need to straighten your arms a bit more. And maybe try startin’ with your other leg? Coach says we should test a few with different legs out front ta get a better idea of which one is the stronger leg.”
Mike laughed and was glad her attitude and way of acting didn’t change when he was being honest that he would have kissed her by now. It was refreshing to see and scored her some points in his book.
Smiling Mike quickly shook his head at her. “No! Thank god nothing like that happened or else that would have ruined me.” He said laughing. “I just know I’m not made for those degrees or way of life from observing on the outside and seeing what those people who choose that major have to go through. Plus, I can’t hold a key to save my own life.” He added with a shrug. “And acting, well, I’d rather enjoy acting for myself then have to learn how to do it correctly and etc. So sorry to disappoint, but you wouldn’t even have had the chance to waist any of your money!” With a smile, Mike grabbed some of the cotton candy as well and nodded. “Yeah, I’m the captain of the basketball team and play on the hockey team. I like to stay fit and therefore am in the cardio club. But other then that, I’m not in anything else.” His eyes searched her before he asked, “You? You seem to be the kind of girl that’s in a lot of clubs and likes to stay active….”
He paused and thought about what she said and actually considered it. “You know…that backpacking trip actually doesn’t sound all that bad…” He joked and chuckled.
“Oh come now, maybe yer ego would’ve been bruised a bit but I think y’could’ve survived that. Entertainment for the masses has to be a bit more enticing, no?” She teased, wiggling her eyebrows. “Yer giving me a mighty need, Mike. It’s something that I now feel like I have to witness before graduation comes around.” Though she understood what he meant; her own musical abilities only extended as far as playing the cello. Singing wasn’t entirely a problem but, well, she knew she’d never earn a spot on American Idol or something of the sort. The steering wheel and rolled up windows was the only audience she’d allow her voice to entertain. And dancing? Well, if it weren’t for the handwork she put into extra cheer practices she wouldn’t be on the team. She was a flyer this year for a reason.
“Wait, really?” If that were the case their paths would have had to cross many times before; basketball and football games were used to showcase and fix their new routines. Her eyebrows furrowed as she thought back, trying to think if she’d ever heard his name or at least saw his face but she drew a blank. Goes to show how focused she was at the task at hand; still, now she felt a little bad at the revelation. “Wonder how we haven’t met before then. I go to all the basketball games.” Well, she had to but that was besides the point. “Hockey, not so much. I’m not too big a fan of the cold and I don’t think I get the sport, really. Like...what do hats have anything to do with hockey?”
A modest sort of laugh slipped out of her mouth as she tucked her hair behind her ear. “Well, ...yer not wrong. I’m a cheerleader and do gymnastics. And then I’m in the equestrian, orchestra, photography, and yearbook clubs.” Clearing her throat she added, “I would say I kinda like to stay busy more than active. Give me too much free time, I’m like a chicken without a head. I’d go runnin’ off in all directions.” After taking a few gulps of her Coke she brushed the back of her hand against her mouth and said, “Well, if y’ever get up there take pictures for me. Bet it’d be really cool to see in person. Though beaches aren’t that bad either.”
DATE → January 2019
LOCATION → Lankershim Stables
MENTIONS → N/A
SUMMARY → Kizzie realizes that her dream of finding her mom maybe should have stayed a dream.
TRIGGER WARNINGS → N/A
Every time Kizzie blinked she heard the poignant bang of the door slamming in her face. Every time Kizzie blinked a fresh round of tears fell down her cheeks, Every time Kizzie blinked she saw the twisted scowl of disgust and disdain on the woman’s face. No matter how much she tried to distract herself, shook her head like an Etch-A-Sketch to rid herself of the memory, it came back; assaulting her at every chance she got. She kept herself busy, as she always did when she wasn’t in class, but it was those small moments of being idle, those fleeting moments that it all came back to her and ripped her heart open once more. The old stitches sitting on the surface were frayed at this point.
Dagummit. Dag-fucking-gummit!
She scrubbed at her eyes with her palms and made a face at the mascara and eyeliner that had rubbed off on it. It’s what she got for using cheap makeup but, then again, that was all she could afford. As if she needed another blow right now. She felt stupid enough as it was.
Kizzie blew out a hot breath; the cool California breeze carried it away. She wished she could fly away, go somewhere new and try again so she didn’t have to be reminded that she had actually gotten up that morning with her dumb plan, actually skipped her classes, actually took a bus and then an uber to Santa Monica, and actually knocked on that woman’s door.
That woman. She let out a bitter laugh. That woman couldn’t be her mom. She just...couldn’t. Kizzie felt it as she stood on her doorstep, stuttering out the simple greeting: “Hi. My name’s Kizzie Collins. I think yer my momma.” There was something...off. Because her mother couldn’t be that cruel. Couldn’t be that dismissive. Couldn’t be the sort to look down her nose at her and then sneer, “You have the wrong place. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
No matter how many times Kizzie tried to explain, tried to show the postcard, it fell of deaf ears. And then, when the door slammed in her face, the resounding strike of the door against the frame covered the sound of her heart ripping in two.
“It can’t be her,” she whispered. “It just can’t be.” There was no way she was the product of a woman like that. Then again, her mother took one look at her face after being born and decided to leave them. Leave her.... Her fingers curled into her palms, her fingernails debossed crescents into her skin. All the hope she’d previously stored up, that propelled her, that kept the fire within her going, leaked out. And so she sat on that wooden fence, deflated. Hope propelled her, hope had her work hard and brought her all the way out here. And all she could think was what now?
As if in a direct answer to her question, a nicker sounded off behind her to the right. Wiping at her eyes again, Kizzie glanced over her shoulder and a watery smile came to her face as a chocolate brown horse with a white stripe on its nose sauntered over to her. “Hey Wiley,” she greeted her companion. He pressed his nose against her shoulder and she rubbed his muzzle. “Hey boy. Yer worried about me huh?” She sniffed and brushed her sleeve against her nose. “I’m okay, buddy.” Wiley grumbled and bumped his nose against her. “I am, really. But...I’m not really in the mood to be around people right now. How about we go for a ride?” Wiley tossed his head, his mane flew as his muscles undulated and appeared to make him nod. “Thought you’d like the sound of that.”
Kizzie leaned forward, holding onto his muzzle as she pressed her forehead against him. Her eyes fluttered shut and she slowed her breathing. The tears slipping down her face ebbed and dried, the weight on her shoulders released, and the pain in her heart diminished to a dull ache. it didn’t hurt to breathe quite as much anymore but the sporadic prick deep in her chest solidified that the day did happen no matter how much she wished she didn’t.
Her lips formed a line and she backed away, looking Wiley in the eye. He blinked his long lashes and she laughed, rubbing his muzzle again. “Yer right, boy. I think I just need t’clear my head. C’mon, I’ll get you a nice, big juicy carrot and we’ll get ta goin’.” Wiley let out a whinny and she hopped down from the fence. Keeping a hand on Wiley’s flank, she walked the short distance back to the stables to get him into his saddle.
Mike laughed at what Kizzie considered “bad” and smirked. “No, I would have other thoughts on my mind. For example, I would have kissed you by now.” He said casually with a shrug but still kept a playful smile on his face as he continued to eat some of the nachos.
“That is true…at least I know I’m not cut out to be a dancer or sing on broadway.” He joked chuckling and listened to her next question. Overall, Mike liked to have fun and enjoy the fact that he had money. He loved to travel, and did quite a lot of traveling already. Mike also missed a lot of classes but never really had to worry about it for two reason: his parents were always there getting him out of the messes he made and, well he was natrualy good in the business classes that he had to take. However, Mike did look down at his food with a small frown at Kizzie’s question. What would he do if he wasn’t here prusuing his family wishes? Truth was, he didn’t quite know.
This didn’t stop Mike from putting on a big smile on his face as he looked up at Kizzie once more. He could play the part if being a laid back and party boy. True, he did like Kizzie’s company and she seemed like a sweet girl, but that didn’t quite mean he was going to actually show her his other more honest side. “Truth is I’d probably laying on a beach in Spain, it’s always nice there.” He said chuckling and quietly took a sip of his coke.
“Well yer not one for subtleties,” she commented at his statement. “I appreciate that. Though, fer the record, I wouldn’t have opposed.” She popped a cheese and tomato covered chip into her mouth. “Glad to hear that, though, as opposed to figuring out you were some sort’a serial killer or somethin’. That’d be a real bummmer.”
Her eyes widened and she gasped. “Oh, wait, did I miss that revelation? Did ya jump up on stage and try and belt out Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? I woulda paid big money ta see that! Mike...erm...insertlastname here as the fiddler on the roof. Has a certain ring to it,” Chuckling she reached across the table for the stick of cotton candy laid out on a plate near the end of the table. She pulled a fluffy strand of candy off the stick “I take it yer not into theatre, then. Are ya in any clubs or anythin’?”
She hummed in approval at his answer. It sounded like a dream vacation, as much as she could imagine it. California was already new and exotic to her, going outside the country was like going to another planet. And yet he said it with such ease, since it was a feasible jaunt to him, probably. “Well, good thing the semester’s endin’ soon so y’can get there as soon as possible, eh? Though, gotta say, thought you were gonna be one of those backpackin’ to Machu Pichu typa guy.”
Laughing Clover clapped as the girl cheered and nodded “Of course I’m free. Apart from this and drama club I pretty much have no social life yet.. So please.. Take me.. Make sure I don’t turn into a hermit crab - holed up in my room doing nothing” before nodding “Yes. Totally.. I really want to.. Then again I’m scared it may be a popularity concert and usually the new girl never gets a good role..” she frowned before smirking “So. you’re a peach pit?” she tease “That’s great. Wanna start now?”
“Really? Bet that’ll be cleared up in no time. Y’seem like a pretty cool chick, people flock to that sorta vibe,” Kizzie said with a kind smile. “We can take one of the buses. They leave every fifteen minutes.” Thankfully she knew that now. First time she ever took a university shuttle bus she didn’t take the right one and then when she did and wanted to get back she kept missing when they arrived. A simple trip took hours until she stumbled upon other students that went back with her. She hadn’t sent foot on it again until the next semester. Her eyebrows briefly furrowed. “I don’t think it’s a popularity thing like that. Everyone tries out and gets their part, s’far as i know.” She got to her feet and brushed loose strands of hair out of her face, confusion evident on her face for a moment before she burst out laughing. “Guess so! Didn’t think about that! Yeah, now’s a good time. Let’s see what you can do first.” She motioned Clover to follow her away from the rest of the group so they had enough space. “Try the basics. like a cartwheel and a handspring if you have one down.”
“That sounds absolutely perfect! And if he doesn’t have one we could always just go old-school with a cheap waterproof disposable. I know some pretty cool tricks that can make some dope pictures.” Tucker explained, a small smirk appearing on his lips as he watched her get a little flustered.
“It’s a date, then. I’ll go ask the professor now. But maybe y’should bring the disposable anyway just in case we want to change things up. I’d love to see what you can do with it.”
In Mike’s case, the place he lived at was not quite like the place she described. Where he lived it was primarily filled with rich kids and each had their own parties and invited who they want. It was-well a bit more cliquey. Not that he cared really since he was rarely home anyway. He smiled while he listened and continued to eat the fried pickles. When Mike heard the comment about chivalry though, he burst out laughing. “Oh Kizzie, it is dead i’m afraid to say. But….you caught me on a good day.” He said adding a wink at the end and smirked.
It was interesting listening to her story though. Especially the way she spoke about it. She was passionate, that he could tell. She also had a big heart and seemed to be very trusting and kind to others without really knowing them. Mike couldn’t help but worry a bit about that. He felt that she was in the wrong state for a person like her who was kind and honest-not slimy and sneaky like most people here were. But, he simply hoped that she knew how to take care of herself. Mike smiled as she finished her story and quickly shook his head. “No…don’t be sorry. Really, it was nice to actually hear someone talk about how they started and why. Not many people are passionate the way you are and just go to school because their parents pay for it. Me for example.” He said chuckling a little and shrugged. “I haven’t quite found the passion that you already have. But from what I can tell, the description of music therapy go hand in hand with the traits you already have.” With that compliment, he smiled genuinely at her and and reached for the nachos. “Nachos?” he asked.
"Oh, is that so?” The corners of her lips curled upwards into a smirk of her own as she carefully pulled apart another onion ring. She hummed and continued, “Well now, color me curious about what you’re like on a bad day. What would y’have done instead, choke me with the cookie dough?” With that she dropped her smirk and adopted an innocent expression, eyes widening slightly with a lift of her eyebrows though she was fully aware of how her words could have been taken. But that was half the fun of talking to him, she found. She was used to getting along with most of the people she spoke to though the ease varied from person to person. Though speaking with Mike, for some reason, It felt as if she’d known him far longer than she did. She didn’t worry about saying the wrong thing around him; it helped knowing they didn’t have classes together so the chance of it biting her in the ass was slim.
“Well, that may not be so bad a start. Can’t fault yer parents fer thinkin’ you’d thrive here. It is a great school and even if ya don’t find what you want while here, the good thing, y’can find what ya don’t. No better place to weed out the wrong answers. We have a very good view to help take out the sting,” she commented, lifting her chin to motion to not only the festival around them but the greens of the campus and the sparkling cityscape in the distance. “Yer too kind. I just got lucky.” While part of her believed that, deep down she knew a bigger part of her had to make it work. Compared to others, she didn’t have many options. If she didn’t succeed then she’d be sent right back to the farm with nothing to look forward to but a few of her old classmates who had stayed behind potentially courting her. Now that she was older, she realized, it wasn’t a life she wanted. Not yet. She shook her head, ridding herself of her thoughts, and happily accepted the basket. “Now lemme ask you somethin’. If you weren’t here and ya had no strings attached—y’had no business to worry about running—and y’could do anythin’ in the world, what would you be doin’ right now?”
“Yeah of course..it wouldn’t do too much since you’re already so light.. I would even need to bleach it really..” she shrugged “We could always buy some spray in colour and see if you like it? That’s how I decided on pink. Tried out like 7 different shades before I decided on this one” she tugged at her hair and the girl spoke again, she was slightly in awe of the girls voice it had such a nice tone and almost sounded melodic. “No I haven’t yet.. but it makes me more excited to get starter - considering you all get on you know?” she blushed and crossed her arms to stop from fiddling with her sleeves. “I guess I’d have to say I didn’t have a normal teenage life so yeah.. Far from normal me.”
“Stage. Preferably but I’ll do anything.” and then burst into a giggle “You sure can, I’ll even make you part of my entourage. Since you knew me first” she winked and sat beside the girl stretching her own legs. “And why’s that? You’re stunning, tall and friendly. Isn’t that like.. Cheerleader mold?”
“Shopping trip!” Kizzie trilled, throwing her arms into the air with a very cheerleader-like burst of enthusiasm. There were few days she had to phone the pep in but this wasn’t one of them. It was nice to even have a prospect to do something with someone that didn’t have four legs and a long tail. With Ian and Charlie and Georgie and Charlie having practically fallen off the face of the Earth, she had to find other things to do to stay entertained. Not that it was hard for her but she was a sociable person, she needed to be around other people. Staying alone with her thoughts for too long wasn’t the best idea. Especially now. “We can go after classes if you’re free? There’s a shuttle bus that’ll take us into town. Maybe Walmart or Target or somethin’.”
Her eyebrows furrowed at her comment and she hummed, pulling her lips inwards. She was curious about what Clover meant but as she watched her fidget and squirm Kizzie let it go. If Clover wanted to share, she would. Pushing someone never did anything but give them a way to curl in tighter. So the only thing she chose to reply was, “S’far as I can tell, the only thing not normal about ya is yer name, though I’m hardly one to talk.” Of which she followed up with a smile to let Clover know she was teasing. “Oh, so are ya gonna try out for the musical? I know yer new, think y’can still get a part. And then we could hang out there too; I’m playing in the pit—ah!” She shook her head, catching her blunder as her cheeks burned in embarrassment. “Orchestra pit! I’m playin’ in the orchestra pit. With the rest of the orchestra. In our designated area. That’s called the pit.” She forced herself to quit rambling—her tongue became much more loose when she worried that her lack of “city smarts” came to the forefront. It wasn’t as if they commonly threw around the term at her high school. They barely had enough to keep music classes going let alone putting on musicals. She laughed at Clover’s comment as the residual blush on her cheeks faded. “Now yer just tryin’ to butter me up. Yer too kind. You’ll fit right in, don’t ya worry. In fact, I think I was assigned ta you to show you the ropes. We have a competition at the end of the year; I can get ya caught up in now time.”
Newton is Kizzie's birth father. He officially divorced his ex-wife soon after she left him and Kizzie after her birth. Nearly a year later he gave into his feelings for Kizzie's Obstetrician and the two entered a relationship. He and Kizzie grew close due to living alone together during her first year and he considers her his best friend. He is married to Garret and, despite an initial rough period, his community has come to accept his family. Kizzie refers to him as “Daddy”.
Age: 41
Occupation: Head of the Collins farm
FC: Hugh Dancy
Garett Haywood-Collins
Garrett is Kizzie's step-father. He delivered Kizzie when she was born. After her mother left the family, he made it a point to keep checking in on the family. After nearly a year, he and Newton fell in love and entered a relationship. Garrett left his career as an Obstetrician and pursued his art dream while staying home to take care of Kizzie. He is responsible for selling the goods and produce that are grown and created on the Collins family farm at the local farmer’s market every Saturday. He is married to Newton. Kizzie refers to him as “Papa”.
Age: 41
Occupation: Artist, farmhand, ex-Obstetrician
FC: Jude Law
Cassidy Collins (neé Mercer)
Kizzie's mother. Kizzie knows next to nothing about her mother, all she knows is her name and that she left her father soon after she was born. All Kizzie has of her is a picture on her and her father's wedding day. Kizzie claims her mother leaving was the best thing that ever happened to her but, deep down, she would like information on her and her whereabouts and, maybe, to even meet her. Last she heard (aka learned from snooping) that her mother lives somewhere in California.
Age: Unknown
Occupation: Unknown
FC: N/A
Kizzie Collins
Kizzie is a junior at Sea Crest Cove University, studying Music Therapy and minoring in Photography. With adventure in her bones and an ever present smile, Kizzie finds each day as a chance to do something new and make lasting memories. Growing up on a farm in Savannah, GA has taught her that dedication and hard work can go a long way, thus when her mind is set on something she will not rest until she achieves her goal. While earning an equestrian scholarship to the prestigious school, the biggest reason she chose to attend university across the country was to secretly find more about her missing mom. Whether she’s prepared for the answer is the question.
Age: 19
Occupation: Student, Cheerleader
FC: Kat McNamara
*Not pictured: a plethora of cows, chickens, horses, and pigs that Kizzie insists are part of the family but there isn’t nearly enough space to show them all in their glory
