Promise-Chapter 5

Chapter 5



     Kari tossed and turned in her sleep as that dream came again like it did every night since she was 5. A nice smiling man walked up to her, leaned down and took her hand. "Hello little Kari. I'm your new daddy." Then she was on stairs listening to shouts and watched as the lady daddy said was mommy ran past her. She heard the door slam. So she walked up to daddy and tugged on his sleeve. "Is mommy coming back?" Kari asked and looked up at him with big blue eyes. A tear hit her face. "No! She's gone! AND IT'S ALL YOUR FALT!!"
     She awoke in a cold sweat and bolted upright in her bed. Face stained with tears, panting for air as her eyes darted all around. She realized she was in her room and started to calm down. She hated her room. The walls were black and covered in posters of bands, anime, and her own art work. She had a dresser with a small stereo, CDs scattered about, and a nightstand. A mirror with a little crack in the corner was hung on the closet door. It was a small room so her twin bed hid most of the white carpet. But it didn't matter what she did to it. A cage was a cage, no matter what color the bars. Still a bit winded she shoved off the covers and scooted out of bed. Kari went to the only window in the room, opened it and leaned out. She took slow deep breaths. Damn that fucking dream! he doesn't torcher me enough during the day, I gotta have nightmares too. A light breeze hit her face, feeling cool on her skin. Kari looked up the street and smiled to herself as she noticed she had clear view of Sara's house. Her thoughts were soon interrupted by her alarm that was set for 10:00am. So in one quick smooth motion she rolled across her bed and hit the off button on the clock just to land on her feet. Kari "B-lined" to the door to eat, shower, and get dressed so she can get the hell out and over to Sara's.


     Sara had been up for hours unable to sleep any longer with excitement. So she just got up, ate some of her fav Trix cereal and took a long shower. Sat on the edge of her bed drying her hair with a fluffy white towel and looked over at her Hello Kitty clock. 10:30am. She still had plenty of time to get dressed. But what should she ware? Kari didn't say what they were going to do. Sara hopped to her feet, tossed the towel in the hamper, and threw open her closet. After a few minutes of contemplating she decided on her fav outfit.
     It was a strapless black leather dress that came about mid thigh. The dress split open at the top and bottom to show a purple dress underneath. With this dress she always wore her matching purple spike collar, wrist bands, tail band and belt. Sara then pulled on the matching boots. They too were black leather, with spikes that went up the front and a purple band around the ankle. They came up almost 2 inches above the knee. When she was through dressing she painted her nails black and put her silver hoop earrings in her left ear. All the while glancing at the clock every 5 to 10 minutes.
     12:05pm Maybe I should call her. Sara picked up her cell from where it sat on her desk and sat down on her bed. For a moment she just stared at it. I should wait. Suddenly the phone vibrated. Startled, Sara dropped it in her lap. A hand pressed to her chest she took a slow breath. With a sigh she retrieved the cell and flipped it open to read the text.

                 Hey Sara. I'm on my way.
                   
                                Kari

Sara leapt from the bed and ran to the taris. She leaned out against the railing to look up the street, spotting Kari leaving a house across the street about 4 houses away. A smile spread across Sara's face as she ran from the room, almost trampling her dad in the process as he stepped into the hall fixing his tie.
     "Whah Sara where's the fire?" he was dressed for work warring a white dress shirt, black pants and tie. Her father had ink black hair and the strikingly golden eyes that had been passed on to Sara.
     "Sorry Daddy!" was all he heard as she flew down the stairs.
     
     He made his way down to the kitchen and kissed his wife. "Morning love."
     "Good morning Dear." she replied not looking up from the eggs on the stove. Sara was fumbling around going from one window to another.
     "What has gotten into that girl? She nearly flattened me in the hall." he said as he watched his daughter.
     "Sara made a friend yesterday and they're doing something today." she pulled the pan off the burner and spun around to hug him. "Isn't wonderful!"
     "Really? Its about time. No wonder she's so hyper." he held her close and kissed her gently. "See? I told you not to worry."
     "Yes, but 18 years was far to long a wait." a single tear slid down her face.
     "Now now. No tears in my breakfast love." he wiped the tear away as she giggled and turned back to her cooking. He looked around to see Sara still in constant motion. Her father walked up to her and caught her by the tail. "Hey you! Stop warring tracks in my carpet." she laughed as he pulled her gently into a hug. He spun her around and planted a quick kiss on her forehead. "What's this I hear, you makein a friend and not tellin your dear old dad?" Sara's eyes beamed up at him as she replied.
     "Her names Kari Hara! She saved me by beating up the girls that hurt me the other day!"
     "I love her already. When will she be here?"
     "Any minute now!" and she started to bounce a little.
     "Well calm down a bit and take this." he handed her $30. Sara's eyes grew wide.
     "No Dad! That's way to much!" she tried to give it back. "I couldn't!" He shook his head.
     "You can and you will. I want you to go out and have as much fun as you want today." Her eyes lit up and she threw her arms around his neck.
     "Thank you daddy!"
     "Ouch watch the spikes miss I'm not a pin cushion." he smiled as laughed and let him go.

     The door bell rang. Sara kissed him on the cheek before running to the front door. She wasted no time pulling it open.
     "Hey." Kari said with a wave.
     Hi Kari." Sara said as she lead her inside. Kari looks so cool! Kari was warring a white belly shirt that had a stitched on cracked blue heart and zipper. The skirt was as short as Sara's but had crisscrossed black leather straps with white stitching a matching belt. Her left arm and right leg and right shoulder was covered in fish nets. The right arm and left leg matched the white top and skirt. And to top it all off she wore strapy black leather high heels with the same white stitching. Kari also sported a black tie that hung loose around her neck with 2 tail bands, one black and one blue. Sara nervously touched the purple stud in her nose out of habit. The jumped as her dad cleared his throat.
     "Beg pardon, but do we get an introduction?" Sara's parents were in the door way he father's silky black tail swung contently mindlessly brushing his wife's white one.
     "Oh! Duh I'm stupid. Mom, Dad, this is Kari. Kari meet Mom and Dad."
     "It's nice to-" She was interrupted as Sara's mom suddenly hugged her tight.
     "Thank you Kari." She said her cheek pressed against Kari's. "For helping my Sara." Then she was gently pulled away by her husband. With one arm around her shoulder he started to lead her back to the kitchen. He looked back at them as he went and said over his shoulder. "You kids have fun." then was gone around the corner.
     And with that they left the house. Kari walked along the little path and followed Sara through the gate. She lifted her hand to her cheek and was surprised to find it damp.Was she crying just before?
     "Sorry about that."
     "Don't be. I like your Parents. They're really nice.
     "Thank you.” Sara said quietly "So where are we going?"
     Kari grinned. "You'll see."

     They walked past the school chatting and laughing. In what seemed like no time at all they arrived at an arcade.
     "I... um...I'm not very good at video games." she confessed, a little embarrassed.
     "That's ok. You don't have to be good to have fun." With a big smile she grabbed Sara's hand and pulled her in. They stopped by the money machine and got some tokens.
     "Now you go and play something, I’ll be back in a sec. I just gotta go to the little girls room." with a quick smile, she bounced away and Sara was left alone. She looked around and a Spiderman pinball machine caught her eye. She made her way over and started to play. Kari was right. It was fun and Sara smiled a little as she thought she was doing well. Two large shadows appeared from behind Sara and someone yanked her hair forcing her turn around. The guys were really tall. One's hair was spiked and the other had a nose ring like a bull. Sara never felt so small in her life.
     "Oi! We were on that bitch." the bull leered down at her as he crossed his arms.
     "So what should you do?" said the other with a wicked grin.
     "I...I should..." she shook to much to speak.
     "She's gonna stay right where she is." Kari was back. She marched over and placed herself in between Sara and the 2 boys. "And your gonna leave." Hands on her hips, Kari glared at them. Each in turn. She bared her fangs. Her ears went back and her tail puffed up as she took a step toward them. Sara watched their faces pale and they backed up. Kari growled low in her throat and they turned and ran with their tails between their legs. The spiky haired one ran into a trash can, fell to the floor, and tried to crawling away before he got back to his feet. His friend never looked back.
     Sara had an image of Kari roaring like a lion as the 2 pissed themselves running. She giggled at the funny thought.
     "Ha! Did you see that douche hit the trash! Priceless." Kari said as she turned back to Sara. A triumphant grin on her face. Then her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Hey lets play that!" Sara looked in the direction Kari indicated. It was a dancing game for two people.
     "I don't know. It looks really hard."
     "Nah! It's easy. Come one." she grabbed her hand and pulled Sara along. There was a huge screen that flashed DDR, two stage platforms with arrows on them. It looked complicated but she'll try for Kari's sake. Kari Hopped on the stage and put 3 tokens in it. "We'll play on EASY. Kk?"
     "K." Sara squeaked. A list of songs appeared on the screen.
     "Go ahead. You pick." Kari's bright blue eyes on Sara.
     "Ok. Um..." Sara skimmed through the list and found a song she knew. "How about this one?"
     "Ooo! I love Moonlight Shadow!"
     "Me too."
     Kari hit start. The music began and a rainbow of arrows fell. Sara was over whelmed for a few moments. All the while, Kari held her own. But Sara got the hang of it soon enough. Just when she started to have fun, a crowd began to gather. This made Sara nervous. She missed a step. Then another. Panic rose up, Sara slipped and fell toward Kari. Oh no! But in mid-fall she was caught. Kari spun them around and placed Sara on her feet again. Now she stood where Kari had been. Sara looked over to find Kari grinning at her. She winked and resumed play. So Sara did as well. The crowd gave a cheer. Sara couldn't believe it. She made them think my fall was intentional! The rest of the song Sara never missed a step. When it finished a bunch of bells went signaling a new high score. Tickets spewed out like a jackpot in Vegas. There was a short applause and the crowd dispersed.
     "Dude! That was so much fun!" Kari jumped up and down. A simple thanks just won't cut it this time. Sara thought. So with a nod she smiled. Kari gathered up the pile of tickets a bounced over to the prize counter. "Good days work I’d say. Pick anything ya want."
     "But I didn't-" Sara tried to object but was stopped by Kari's finger pressed to he lips.
     "Nope! Ain't hearin it. It was your fancy moves back there that won, not mine." she smiled and removed her finger. Her lips tingled from the contact. Defeated Sara looked up at the wall of prizes and spotted a stuffed panda.
     "That panda please." she asked the prize man. He got it down from the shelf and handed it over to Sara.
     "Aww! Kawai! Nice choice!" Kari gave it a pat on the head.
     "Yeah! I love pandas." Sara hugged it but looked up as she heard Kari's tummy growl. They giggled.
     "MickeyD's?"
     "You read my mind." Kari laughed.
     "Or your stomach." Sara giggled.