3) Job Hunting

I woke up early to the sound of birds singing outside my window.  I smiled at their cheerful song, flew back my covers, and slipped my feet into my extra soft slippers.  I yawned as I wandered to the kitchen.  When I passed the fridge, I saw a note from my Dad.  I scanned it quickly.  It said,

"I'm off to work for the day, and when I'm finished I'll get some groceries.  See you soon, Kate.

Dad"

I smiled softly.  I had the whole day to myself.

My thoughts were soon interrupted by the faint ring of my cell phone.  I hurried to my room where it sat by my dresser.  There was no question who it was.

"Kathryn?"

I stifled a laugh.  Whenever I heard Carter say my full name, it sounded so sophisticated that it was funny.

"Yes?"  I pretended to sound like a servant answering the phone.  "Are you calling for Kathryn Clark?  I'm afraid she's not in at the moment."

"Stop playing games.  I have an important matter to discuss."

"Always important," I mumbled.  When did he ever have any sense of humor?

"What did you say?"

"Nothing," I said quickly.  "You were saying?"

"I'm going to Washington D.C. for a weeks visit.  My father has some business there to tend to, and I'm to go with him."

"Carter, can you please talk normal?  You don't have to sound so-- uppity."

"I am talking normal.  Now, my plane is leaving in a few minutes, so I must go.  See you in a week."

"Okay," I murmured, and hung up.

I returned to the kitchen where I poured myself some orange juice, and then attempted at making pancakes.  They stuck to the pan, and easily burned.  I was about to give up when a knock at the door saved me.

"Jack!  I'm so glad you're here," I said with a little laugh.  "I need your assistance on cooking pancakes.  I'll never be a chef."

He chuckled, and just then the smoke detector went off.

"Oh, dear!" I shrieked, and ran to the kitchen.  I turned off the burner, and placed the smoking skillet under the faucet.  I turned on cold water which only made it steam more.

Jack came to my rescue, and took the skillet from my hands.  "You sure do know how to make pancakes," he joked.

I slapped him with my hot mitts, and then realized I had pancake batter all over my chin and forehead, and my hair was a tangled mess.

"I'm going to go get cleaned up.  Make yourself at home," I said, moving my hands over the living room.  He immediately pulled out some chips, flopped himself on the couch, and turned on the t.v.  I laughed, and then hurried to the bathroom to change.  

When I came back out, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, he was watching the Disney channel.

"What are you watching?" I asked.

"Akeelah and the Bee."

I laughed, and seated myself beside him.  He turned from the t.v., and smiled at me.  I didn't know why he looked at me like that.  It made me feel uneasy.

"So, what are the plans today?" he asked.

I rested my chin on my elbows in thought.  "Give me three choices."

"Okay.  Ice cream, park or summer job?  You know, we better find some job.  If we don't, then we will really be broke."

I laughed at his seriousness.  "We're already broke, Jack."

"So, today is job hunting?"

I shrugged, and reached in Jack's bag of potato chips.  "I'm not excited about it, but I know I have to.  With the hospital bills to pay, and Dad only working at minimum wage, I'll have to work."

"It won't be all that bad," he assured me.

"Well," I said, standing up, and turning off the t.v, "let's go hunt."

~*~

"We really didn't find anything," I told Jack as I licked my vanilla ice cream.  I had urged him to stop and buy some since it was blazing hot out.

He nodded, looking over the 'help wanted' page in the newspaper.

"We have one more stop."

"And that is?"

"The same place we got our ice cream."

I laughed.  "Well, it would be fun to work there," I agreed as I finished the last of my cone, and hurried back to the store.  I did hope they had two spots open.  It would be so much more fun with Jack working with me.  He was the only best friend who knew how to make me laugh until I cried.

Author's Note

Was this chapter boring? I'm sorry if it was!

Anyway, anything to fix? Detailed, honest opinions and thoughts please!! :D

Reviews

[Karli]

I liked this chapter! I can definitley feel the friendship and genuine feelings from Jack and Kate, and I hope you continue with this story! :)

[Short.Nerd]

I like this so far:)

[~Lizzy♬]

You really got into the characters mind and feel everything. It was very well written, but maybe you could have added in what her dad told her on the letter to make the chapter a little bit more detailed. I really love how Katie is based off my personality, I mean she's EXACTLY like me. I would burn something easily too. xD

~Lizzard~

[Blake]

No it wasn't boring! It was great! The only thing bad about this book is the wait for the next chapter. So...how do I say this nicely?....can you hurry up? Lol

[Krystal Nicole]

I liked this chapter also. Great job!!

[Erinne S.]

I liked this chapter. Added some more detail to your characters and had another scene where they were interacting.

I love the descriptions you put in this chapter. I could easily visualize the burning pancakes and them rushing about trying to clean it up. Made me laugh.

So, to sum up...another great chapter! And I can't wait to read more :)

~Erinne