That next morning, Kiralee was down at the local market, buying the basic essentials for her mom.
Butter, milk, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni…Kiralee chanted to herself, scrolling the items on the shelves in the isles. The family’s dinner that night was going to be homemade pizza.
All of a sudden, while paying attention to the shelves and not in front of her, she bumped into a person, spilling their bags onto the floor.
“Oh!” Kiralee yelped, bending down to quickly gather the items. “I’m so sorry, I wasn’t paying attention…”
A sweet, gentle voice answered. “Oh, please, that’s okay.”
Kiralee looked up at the voice. Looking down at her was a slim, medium-height girl with flowing black hair down to her elbows. Her blue eyes were focused on Kiralee’s face, and a broad smile formed on her perfect complexion.
“Do I know you?” she asked, the sweet voice tinkling.
“Um…I don’t think so,” Kiralee said, putting the cans of tomatoes back into her shopping bag. “Sorry again, for knocking into you.”
She shook her head. “It’s fine, really. It just…” she looked frustrated, focusing on Kiralee’s face. “I swear I know you from somewhere.” She laughed. “But I must be going crazy. Sorry,” she laughed again.
Kiralee smiled. “It’s okay. Are you from the reservation?”
“Yeah, actually,” she said, nodding. “I’m new here—and I’m still getting used to all the rain.”
Kiralee giggled. “That
does get pretty annoying sometimes.”
Suddenly, the girl’s eyes widened. “I do know you!” she squealed, smiling.
“From where?” Kira’s eyebrows rose suspiciously.
“Well, I don’t know you, but I saw you at the beach last night with some of your friends.”
“Oh, really?” Kira smiled, the suspiciousness gone. “Yeah, I was there.”
“Yeah—you were sitting next to a tall guy. Was that your brother?”
“Oh, no,” Kiralee shook her head. “No…that was Jacob Black. He’s an old family friend.”
“Oh,” she nodded. She looked down at her bags, then back up at Kiralee. “Okay, well, I better get going…see you around sometime?”
Kiralee smiled. “Sure, sounds good. Hey—I know this may sound a little strange, because, well, I don’t know you that well…but, if you like, my family is having our annual pizza night. You’re welcome to come join us.”
The girl smiled. “I love pizza…if you don’t mind, I’d love to come. But…sorry, I don’t think I got your name,” she said, smiling again. She had very white teeth.
Kiralee stuck out her hand. “Kiralee Clearwater.”
The girl shook it. “Ginger White.”
“Ginger,” Kiralee mused. “Well, Ginger, I live near the beach—3 Reverend Road. It’s a white house with dark green shudders. You’ll be there? You can come around seven.”
“Absolutely. Thanks for inviting me, Kiralee.”
“No problem. See you then,” Kira waved, and they both exited the store.
