Whirlwind Girl

 Harley felt Prom blew away in the wind. She hardly remembered it. So much to do to get ready for Graduation that it was all so frustrating.

She felt she'd neglected Maddie. But maybe that had been going on for a long time, and she just didn't notice until now. Still, she was holding it together with Brick. She knew he came first. Always would. She needed to let KC go just like Maddie said.

And then her cousin Kimmy showed up for Harley's big day on the football field. Graduation. Actually, she was there for a week or two.

"What are you really doing here?" Harley finally asked. Kimmy was the know-it-all who hadn't lasted a semester at her nearby university. Harley was beginning to think the girls in her family weren't very smart. Was it a money matter or just genetic? Not that she would dwell on the topic. She was certain Kimmy would look down on her that she was already taking classes at the local Metro. "Don't even bother with Rafe."

"What?" Kimmy wrinkled her nose in a scowl as she didn't like anything about Harley's graduation party, or the clothes in her closet. "He's just a baby."

"Well, that baby of yours has moved out and has a redhead who he's attached to." 

Harley didn't mean to be in a huff, but it was all so stressful. Brick was going to Lincoln in the fall but he would be at the grocery store this summer. Some things hadn't changed. Even if KC was around. He was acting like a big brother he was supposed to be with Maddie. 

Harley had seen them out at Five Guys that opened. Of course, Maddie was in her pajama bottoms and Crocks, lounging in maybe his old hoodie, sharing a burger and fries with him. 

Oh, it was low. She hadn't expected that. It disagreed with Harley. They were just too casual. She'd wanted to ask Maddie where was Rainy, but she kept quiet. Harley was with Brick then.

"You're so innocent," Kimmy had said to her. "Relax. This will mean nothing to you in a couple of years."

Her pat on the back only disgusted Harley.

Maddie hated to do it, but she waited until after Graduation to break up with Rainy. She didn't know how to break it easy, but she knew they shouldn't keep up a long-distance romance. It would be cruel for both of them.

"You'll be busy. You'll see," she sighed thinking all along how could she stay busy. "I want you to be happy, all on your own."

This was what she'd decided for herself. Even with KC. Yes, he felt like family now, and she wanted to keep it that way. She intended to move out on her own. This meant getting another job. She didn't know where or when, but she'd applied anywhere she could. Really, she just wanted to sleep when she was home.

Junie thought she was trying to do too much. "Its your summer to travel. Have some fun."

"Now, you're beginning to sound like your mother," Maddie just smiled. "I have to get out on my own."

Of course, there was her uncle's old car to worry about.

"Maybe you should give it to KC?" She'd suggested to her Aunt, but her aunt told her she'd rather pay her car insurance. "Boys are more expensive." 

"But he needs a car," Maddie shrugged, wondering the last time KC had driven anywhere.

"He's got a bicycle." 

Still, Maddie worried about him. What if he got in a crash? Soon enough, she noticed how his dad let him borrow the truck. She guessed they'd find a way to pay his insurance too. 

"I should pay you something?"

"How about I work it out with your parents," her aunt said she'd let them know how Maddie wanted to be on her own. 

All the while, she was worried Rainy was upset with her. Still, it was a good time to leave him on his own. Still, she promised she'd text. "Let's just do it on Sundays, but it'll have to be after nine at night." She still worked on Sundays at the coffee shop.