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Post by celticbear on Feb 5, 2011 22:08:02 GMT -5
K! Great Update! I don't think Damo took the last spot to be mean! I bet he thought she was already signed up! Can't wait to find out whose Partner with who for the project! UPDATE WHEN YOU CAN!
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Post by CelticPrincess24 on Feb 5, 2011 22:16:57 GMT -5
I hope Damian wouldn't be that mean! Please update this soon!
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Post by meg_cahill21 on Feb 6, 2011 12:46:04 GMT -5
update sooooooooooooon!!!!!!!
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Post by oceangirl1 on Feb 6, 2011 15:18:29 GMT -5
Love this!!! Damo can't possibly be that mean!!! With that adorable smile - are you kidding me? LOL Can't wait for the next update
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Post by kccupcake on Feb 18, 2011 20:23:02 GMT -5
Sorry for the long wait!* * * *
Natalie, Turner and I sat on the bleachers outside during roll call for gym class. We casually chatted about our plans for the summer, which was only a matter of weeks away from now. About 7 and a half, to be exact. Turner shared that he’s going to New York for a month to visit his dad since his parents are divorced. Natalie’s going to Scotland to visit some relations. As for myself, I’ll be staying in Ireland, except for maybe a quick trip to England.
“Kathy McClure?”
“I’m here!” My voice sounded hoarse and cracked on the word ’Here.’ I took a long swig of water from my bottle to help soothe my throat.
“Alrighty then. Now that roll call is over let’s get down to business. As you all know, this week’s unit was about track & field and for the past 4 days we’ve been working on different aspects of it. So today we’ve set up everything on the fields and track so you’ll have a choice of which you want to do. There’s shot put, high jump, relays, etc.”
When all directions were done being told, I gulped down the rest of my water bottle so I wouldn’t have to carry the bottle around. Plus, it was only about ¼ filled. I looked for the nearest trash can and tossed the bottle in.
* * * *
Natalie and I took a few turns at the high jump before deciding that we had enough of it. We headed over to the big group gathered by the side of the track. We wanted to see what the whole commotion was about so we checked it out. It looked like some sort of relay or race. As we neared the growing group we could hear whoops of cheers. I tried to peek over someone’s should and saw Damian out of breath and another guy taking shallow breaths.
I saw Mr. Parker walk over to Damian and gave him a congratulatory slap on the back. I’m guessing Damian won. I never knew he was a runner, I thought to myself.
“Ever given thought to joining Track team, kid?” Mr. Parker asked.
“No sir. I’m a soccer kind of guy, though I still like running.” he answered
“Give it some thought, the season isn’t over yet. Plus, with your speed you might just help us win Regionals!”
I couldn’t believe this. He was offering him a spot on the team just like that! Unbelievable. I glanced over at Natalie, she was just as surprised as I was.
“Ah, speaking of which, there’s 2 of our track girls now,” he waved me and Natalie over.
I let Natalie walk over first with me trailing behind. “Yes?” Natalie spoke first.
“This kid is crazy fast, have you been watching him?” he asked, enthusiastically.
“Afraid not, we’ve been over at high jump.” I answered.
“That’s a shame, he’s got great speed,”
I was hoping the annoyance didn’t seep into my voice. “I’ll be sure to see him sometime then.”
“Hey! Here’s a crazy idea, why don’t we have a race right now so you can see!” Mr. Parker clapped his hands with delight.
I gave Natalie an uneasy look and she just returned with a slight comforting smile. “Well, uh, sure. I’m sure one of the guys would like to volunteer.” she answered for the both of us.
Damian’s response surprised us all. “Actually, I kinda hoped to race Kathy,”
I looked at him with a bewildered expression. What kind of game is he playing? Why me?
“Me?” I asked, pointing at myself as if that would help anything. “I’m sure someone else would like to volunteer, maybe even Natalie! Plus, my throat is killing me.”
“Aw, c’mon. A sore throat won’t stop you from racing. Plus, the race can be just for giggles.”
There was no sense in arguing, I was defeated. But despite his words, I knew it wouldn’t be ‘just for giggles.’ But hey, what better way to even the score with him than by beating him at his own race, right?
“You’re on.” Hope you all liked it! Please commenttt!
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Post by CelticPrincess24 on Feb 18, 2011 21:07:39 GMT -5
Oh My Goodness this is AWESOME!!!!!! PLEASE UPDATE SOON!
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Post by celticbear on Feb 18, 2011 22:13:46 GMT -5
OMG! This is going to be some race! Can't wait to find out what happens next! UPDATE SOON!PLEASE!
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Post by oceangirl1 on Feb 19, 2011 23:53:43 GMT -5
Cannot wait to read the next update!!! Loved that "just for giggles" ;D Please post more soon!!!!
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Post by meg_cahill21 on Feb 20, 2011 11:57:55 GMT -5
update sooon!!! i hope Kathy wins... no offense Damo... now UPDATE SOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!
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Post by kccupcake on Feb 23, 2011 19:10:09 GMT -5
Enjoy!
* * * *
It took about 5-10 minutes of stretching before the race finally started. Rules were simple, whoever reaches the finish line first wins. We both took our places and before I knew it, I could the word “Go!” shouted from behind. The race was 4 laps around the track, or basically a full mile. I was pretty confident I could win this race since I ran this event countless times during meets. But who knows, maybe he is faster than me. I guess time will tell, won’t it?
Lap one, complete. I snuck a glance over at Damian to see how he was holding up. He kept a steady pace as me and didn’t seem any less tired then when he started. I knew if we were going to get any distance between us, one of us would have to start breaking out into a sprint soon. So as I made my way around the curve to start my 3rd lap, I began sprinting. I manage to get a good 10 feet ahead, but then he caught up.
At that point that I knew even if he were to lose, he would try to keep the race close enough. As I turned ran another curve I reminded myself to take longer strides and not to ball up my fists so I wouldn’t fight the air so I could go faster. Again, my lead was short lived as Damian actually passed me, going in for the final lap. This was starting to get harder than I thought. I knew I had to run harder, so I did. Leaving only a gap of about 2 feet between us.
Then something started to feel wrong, almost painful. Also, as if things couldn’t get worse, I stumbled over my own feet but I mange to get my footing back. I clutched my abdomen as the pain started hurting even more. I didn’t know why I was having a cramp, I never do when I run I’m usually in good shape. Then realization hit me. The water! I practically chugged a whole bottle of water before gym began, to help my sore throat! I silently cursed myself, thinking of what a silly mistake that was. Coach always told us to take little sips or else you get cramps when running.
“Crap.” I realized I was lagging behind even more so now. The finish line was only about some 25-30 feet away, and of course would get a cramp now! Damian was getting closer to finishing as I was getting slower, and slower…
I could still here the cheers coming from the group forming by the side of the finish line. They were cheering for both of us; “C’mon Damian almost there!” “Let’s go Kathy, bring it in!”
I still wasn’t in any better shape than 10 seconds ago, but the cheers gave me hope. I can still do this. Even if I lose, I gotta keep it close. Then I started running as a burst of adrenaline hit me. The last 15 or so feet I ran like never before, as if my life depended on it. I managed to get by Damian and the finish line a half a second before him.
I clutched my sides harder trying to stop the pain. Then I began feeling claustrophobic as everyone began crowding around us both, giving their congratulations. It was weird, I won- barely, but half a second is still half a second- yet it didn’t feel like such a victory when you have bad cramp pains and all you want to do is sit down and maybe got to sleep. Nonetheless, I made a mental tally. Damian-1, Kathy-1. Even Steven. For now.
* * * *
The next day in photography class I was daydreaming of what I would do over the weekend since it‘s Friday. It’s suppose to be really hot so possibly the pool. Oh! And definitely sleeping in. Maybe bring Emma along to the pool, god knows she needs a breather from the wedding stuff.
“Alrighty everyone. Today we assign partners!” Ms. Travis announced, cheerfully.
Though there’s nothing cheerful about being assigned partners. She started to pass out small slips of paper to only one side of the class.
“The people who received a slip of paper, please put your name on it.” she directed.
Everyone did so, then placed it in the cowboy hat Ms. Travis presented. “The rest of you will be picking your partners from the hat, all by pure chance and luck.”
She went down the rows again and held out the hat to each person. Turner ended up getting his before me. “So who do think ‘Mr. Shamalamadingdong’ is?”
I laughed, thinking that was clever. However, not so clever when they’re discovered by process of elimination. Then it came my turn to pick from the hat. I stuck my hand into the hat hoping to pick Rose, I unfolded my paper and read it silently to myself. I folded it back up.
“Hey Turner, switch with me.” I said.
He looked at me confused. “What? Why?”
“Please?” I begged, sliding the paper onto his desk.
“But we don’t even know who ‘Mr. Shamalamadingdong’ even is though!” he slid it back.
“It really doesn’t matter to me!” We kept sliding the piece of paper back and forth. It was like a game of ‘Not it!’
“Kathy?”
“What?“ I didn’t realize Ms. Travis was already taking down the names of the pairs on her clipboard.
“Who is your partner?”
“Damian.” I said, in a flat tone.
Sorry it was so short! Comment pleaseee!
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Post by CelticPrincess24 on Feb 23, 2011 20:20:59 GMT -5
I loved it! It was short, but it was awesome! Update soon, please.
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Post by celticbear on Feb 23, 2011 21:48:54 GMT -5
I'm glad Kathy won the race! But now comes the fun part! Her and Damo has partners for the photography project! UPDATE SOON! PLEASE!
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Post by oceangirl1 on Feb 25, 2011 21:34:49 GMT -5
Oh of course her partner is Damian!!! This is going to be fun ;D Can't wait for the next update!!!!! Please make it soon
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Post by meg_cahill21 on Feb 26, 2011 9:40:21 GMT -5
of course her partner is Damo... that is how it always go. and then they will start working together, realize that they love each other, fall in love, get married, have kids, and live happily ever after. am i right? i know i am. anyway, great update!!! NOW UPDATE SOON!!!!!
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Post by kccupcake on Feb 26, 2011 20:38:09 GMT -5
* * * *
“Ms. Travis, can we please get new partners?”
We were given the last 15 minutes of class to meet with our partners to discuss our plans. Mine and Damian’s plans involved getting new partners, and pronto.
She showed little apathy towards us. “I’m sorry, but I can’t do it. Everyone’s paired up already.”
“Well then can we switch with another pair?” Damian asked.
“Why are you two so determined to rid of each other?” she asked.
I certainly didn’t want to explain the whole first encounter which was also our first fight and the other events that occurred after. It seemed Damian felt the same way because he didn’t answer also. Well, at first…
He leaned in forward a little bit towards Ms. Travis as if he were about to tell her a secret.
“Ms. Travis, I really can't work with her.”
“And why is that?” she asked, but sounded the least bit interested.
“Well its simple, I’m allergic.”
I listen to him say that as if it were so obvious and the most normal thing to say. Despite trying not to, I heard a giggle escape from my lips. Ms. Travis was looking at him like he was some kind of psycho.
“To what, exactly?”
Obviously, he didn’t think that she would have a follow up question so he stumbled a bit. “Well..uhhh.. I’m allergic to girls…and their cooties..?”
Ms. Travis sat in silence for a moment trying to comprehend what was going on. “Well now, I assure you that --”
At this moment I cut her short to respond to Damian’s response earlier. “Nuh uh! Girls don’t have cooties. If anything, boys have cooties.” I crossed my arms defensively.
“Oh really? And why do you assume that?”
“It’s obvious! Becau --” He stopped me mid-sentence.
“Obviously its not obvious to me though.”
I glared at him for interrupting. “If you let me finish, it’s because --” This time it was Ms. Travis’ turn to cut us off.
“Hold up, Hold up! It’s clear that you two,” she glanced from one to the other “have some seriously weird issues going on.” We both nodded to this. “So what I’m thinking is that perhaps you two will stay partners and eventually resolve them.”
“Trust me, these are resolvable.” Damian grumbled.
That earned him a jab from me to which he shouted “Ow! Don’t touch me! You have cooties!” Again, another jab in the ribs.
However, Ms. Travis chose to ignore everything. “And Damian, if you absolutely must maybe go see a doctor an ask for a cootie vaccine,” I didn’t even try to hide my laughter at this.
She turned to me and continued. “To protect you from any cooties that Kathy has.” This time Damian laughed.
“Now go back to your seats and discuss your plans! I have grading to do.”
And with that we were sent away, still being stuck with one another for partners.
* * * *
“Alrighty, lets just go to the Cliffs of Moher for the landscape part of the project.” I suggested
Unfortunately, we ended up just facing the facts that we’d have to work with each other so we started talking about what we were going to do.
“No.” he answered.
No? Who was he to say no when he hasn’t come up with anything of his own yet! “Why not? It’s perfect! It’s beautiful there so we’re bound to get a great picture there. And everyone knows about it, it’s like a freakin’ landmark!”
“Exactly, since it’s so well known, everyone will go there for their picture. You want to win and get the cover page don’t you?
We both knew the answer was clear so I didn’t bother answering.
He started taking control. “Then leave it all to me, I know a great spot.”
“Care to tell?”
He looked at me smugly. “We’re partners now, you’re suppose to trust me, remember?”
The bell rang, ending the class. Damian got up and left without another word. I grabbed my own stuff grumbling to myself “Partners? Yes. Trusting you? Not a chance.”
So he won this time, but it’s not over yet. As I left the room I did another mental tally. Damian- 2. Kathy-1.
* * * *
DAMIAN’S POV
I was sleeping quite soundly up until my alarm clock went off beside my bed. I rolled over and stretched my arm to reach the snooze button. However, it wasn’t easy trying to find it with my eyes still glued shut from sleepiness. I let my hand roam over my nightstand trying to find it, accidentally knocking over my cell phone. When I finally got my clock to shut up and I reached over the side of the bed and picked up my phone.
I opened it up and it read- 3:30 AM. With a heavy sigh I collapsed back onto my comfortable pillow, briefly thinking about last night. So going out with the guys and playing soccer in the dark only about less than 10 hours before you had to get up was probably not a good idea.
As I finally forced myself to roll out of bed I rethought that conclusion again when I felt sore all over from the soccer game in the dark. Yeah, definitely was not a good idea.
Twenty minutes or so later I was out in the car driving on my way, with a quick pit stop to Starbucks. I got one coffee for me and a second cup of Strawberry & Crème Frappuccino for Kathy. I took a nice long warm sip of fresh brewed coffee as I started thinking.
Today I was taking Kathy to the spot I briefly told her about the other day. However, what I didn’t tell her was that I’d be picking her up today, or that it’d be this early. I knew it was a bad decision on my part, but hey, now it can be an interesting surprise. She’ll probably hate me even more for coming this early and even add it to her mental list of ‘What I hate about Damian McGinty.’ Of course I only presume that she has this list.
Though I wouldn’t be surprise. I, myself kind of have one, of some sort. Although, I thought as I pulled up to the front of her house, I hoped that we could at least put aside our differences for the duration of the project.
I rang the doorbell twice and was in the middle of the third try when the door flew open. It was a woman,- probably in her early twenties- that answered the door. I guessed she was Kathy’s sister based on some similar features. She tiredly leaned onto the doors with her eyes only half opened and alert.
I spoke first. “Hi, I’m looking for Kathy?”
“Down the hallway, 3rd - ” she paused to yawn. “door on the left. I’m going back to bed.” Another yawn and she left going in the opposite direction of the directions she gave me.
It felt weird walking alone in someone else’s house without anyone present. It was only until I passed the kitchen that I realized I was wrong…kinda. I recognized Mrs. McClure from that day on the estate, she was in the kitchen..baking..at 4:30 AM?
“Hi Mrs. McClure,” I finally spoke up. No response. She just kept on mixing cake batter as if I weren’t there.
As I eventually made my way to the front of Kathy’s door I knocked twice. Then I tried calling her name through the door. No answer. I turned the know slowly and poked my head in. I whispered her name again but still no response. I made my steps light as I entered the room fully. I looked around the room a moment.
I was kind of surprised. Usually someone’s room describes their personality. In this case, it was quite the opposite. The room was disorganized and had clothes scattered all over the floor when I usually see her as the tidy and organized type. Maybe I wouldn’t go as far as saying the OCD type, but close enough.
I spotted Kathy in her bed tucked up in a little ball. I slowly made my way over to the side of the bed.
“Hey, get up.” I nudged her a bit, only to have her roll away.
“Not yet, Mom.” she answered, dreamily.
Mom? I don’t have a girls voice…do I? I pushed the thought away as I nudged her again, a little harder this time. “I’m not your Mom. Now get up.”
She mumbled something that sounded like “Go away, Emma.”
Okay, really? I sing baritone for goodness sake! Glancing at my watch I realized we would be late if we didn’t get a move on anytime soon. With a bit of frustration I yanked at the covers. “It’s Damian, now please get up already!”
You could basically sense her sleepiness ware off as alertness kicked in. “Damian?! What are you doing here?!” she tried to grab back at the covers but I just moved them farther away.
“We’re doing the landscape picture today.” I answered, as she took a hold of my wrist to check my watch and then she let it drop.
“Damian, it’s 4:40 in the freakin’ morning. The picture can wait.” she reached for the covers again, intending to go back to sleep. Unfortunately for her, I was faster.
“Nuh uh, no time to sleep. We’re going to be late.”
“Late for whatttt-!” she yelled, as I scooped her from the bed and set her standing next to the bed.
She tried to regain her balance back. “Well that was unnecessary!”
I only shrugged in response. “Go get dressed, and quickly will ya?”
“I’m not going anywhere besides my bed.”
“Oh no you don’t!” I grabbed the covers from the bed for the second time and held on to them. She gave me a deathly stare before she turned around promptly and started to take off.
“Where are you going?”
“The guest bedroom, where there are comforters!”
I took a hold of her upper arm to stop her. “I have some Starbucks in the car with your name on it.” Maybe some persuading will work.
It seemed to work based on the hint of interest in her voice. “Really? What kind?”
“Strawberry and Crème Frappuccino.” I hoped she likes that kind or else I’d have to figure out something else. But who doesn’t like Strawberry and Crème, right?
But I didn’t have to worry for long, I knew I had her hooked because I could see the hesitation in her eyes.
“Fine. I’ll get dressed & go. But FYI, I’m not doing it for you.”
I felt a smile play on my lips. “Fine by me. As long as you get dressed, I don’t care.”
* * * * Yay for long updates! haha
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