Ardenstone - Page 2c
From Create Your Own Story
"No, thanks." Kas said, politely refusing the offer. She had heard of the health warnings, and knew her father would flip if he found out that she had been smoking.
"I thought all you city girls smoked?" Jade said, her grin spreading further across her face. "Don't worry. David doesn't smoke either, and we don't mind. It's not good for you anyway." Kas relaxed a little at that, relieved that she wasn't going to be forced into something she didn't want to do. She watched however, while Jade took one herself, placed it in her mouth and lit the end.
"Can I have some more drink?" Kas asked, conscious that she might have caused some offence to her guests by refusing something that was offered.
"Sure." Jade replied, and poured some more of the fizzy amber drink into her empty cup. Kas thanked her, and was about to say something else when Kim walked up and sat down beside Kas.
"What was the capital like?" Kim asked, "I've never been, but I heard that it is really big."
"It is." Kas replied. "In the centre, some buildings are hundreds of floors high, with spires stretching up toward the clouds." Kas talked at some length about the city and her favourite places there, the restaurants, shopping centres and the school she went to. Kim was fascinated by the size and grandeur of the capital, stating how romantic it all sounded. In truth, Kas spoke about her old home with a slightly bias tone, and skipped over all the bad things that happened in the city. There was a lot of crime there and the roads were far more dangerous than the narrow lanes around Ardenstone, but Kas was sure Kim would prefer to only hear the good parts. Jade and Lawrence listened for a while too, while David, who was paying close attention, added comments on the places in the city he had seen. Kas finished her drink at one point, and found it had been refilled again a moment later, so she carried on drinking between sentences, despite feeling strangely light headed.
"Did you have a boyfriend there?" Kim asked after Kas had told them about the huge park she went to with her friends in the spring. Kas shook her head, and replied that she had not really thought about it. Jade looked at her with curiosity and quizzed Kas on the boys she knew there.
"Have you not even kissed a boy yet?" Jade asked, her question suddenly sounding full of concern. Kas looked at her drink and shook her head, which prompted another series of probing questions. Kas answered as best she could until at last Jade put down her drink and grabbed her hand.
"Kas, you are going to be my new project." Jade said, enthusiasm replacing concern in her voice, and her wide eyes brightening with thoughts and ideas. "Together we are going to find you a boyfriend." Kim seemed delighted by this idea too, and explained that there were plenty of boys to choose from. Kas looked over at David, hopeful of seeing his reaction, but he was looking at his watch until, without warning he stood up.
"Kas, it's nearly eleven." He declared. "I promised your dad I would have you home half an hour ago." Kas frowned, and looked around the group, but David insisted that they had to leave. Jade gave Kas a hug, and promised to find a boyfriend for her soon. Kim thanked her for coming, and even Korvan stood to say good bye. Kas was slightly overwhelmed as she walked away, pleased that everyone had been so welcoming. David helped her over the gate and soon they were walking down the lane together. The two cousins talked about the evening as they rounded a corner, into complete darkness as they followed the winding road. Kas asked him about the others there.
"Well, Jade is seventeen," He started, "and has always been the leader of our group. She can be quite controlling at times, but she doesn't mean much by it. She's been with Lawrence for about two years now. He's older though, about your brother's age. Korvan is Jade's brother. He's twenty eight and runs The Range with their father." Kas looked surprised that Korvan was so much older, but David continued, "Despite his appearance, he wouldn't hurt a fly. I think Korvan and Kim have something going on, but they never talk about it. Kim is alright, enthusiastic and full of energy, but she is kind of the baby in the group, except for when Sam comes."
"Who is Sam?" Kas asked, almost bumping into David as she walked beside him. He put an arm around her waist to keep Kas upright.
"Sam is Lawrence's little brother. He's only twelve, but he's already as tall as Kim." David explained, laughing slightly at the thought. "He has this huge crush on Kim, but she likes older guys." As they neared the house, David slipped his hand from behind Kas, had took her hand in his. She stopped, surprised for a moment by the change, and David took his opportunity. His left hand cupped her chin and he pressed his lips against hers. Kas stumbled into him, unsure what to do, but he had enough strength in his arms to hold her up as he kissed her.
"How much cider did you drink?" He asked afterward, when he had steadied her once more. She wobbled in front of him, trying to focus.
"Cider?" Kas asked, confused. David checked his watch. It was dead on eleven, and her house was in sight. A number of thoughts filled his mind.
What should David do?
David Fellows
David is a sixteen year old student, who has lived in Ardenstone his entire life. Kas and David are cousins, by virtue of her father and his mother being related. David has short brown hair, and is roughly the same hight as Kas. David has been attracted to Kas for over a year, before she moved to Ardenstone.
Plot Notes
Cider is a strong alcoholic beverage. Like smoking, alcohol is addictive and bad for your health. Most countries have a minimum age of 18 for alcohol consumption, and higher in others. It is illegal to drink alcohol in some parts of the world at any age. Alcohol can also have an intoxicating effect, reducing a person's ability to think clearly and making them more compliant to suggestion. Alcohol can also reduce response times, and cause people to act out of character. Under no circumstance should you attempt to operate a vehicle or any type of machinery after consuming an alcoholic beverage of any type.
Option Notes
Having consumed alcohol, Kas is unable to think rationally. The options available may not lead to the outcome you expect.
Be careful what you choose.
