#keandra schaefer

"ARRRRRGHHH, I'M GOING TO MAKE HIM PAAAAAAYYYY!" Jordin managed to screech out some intelligible language through her screams.

"Should we hug her or something to calm her down?" Eric panicked.

"Eric we are beyond hugging." Kea let out a tired sigh. "Get the keys."

"You're not serious! You're taking her to see the boy who stood her up?"

"If I don't, she'll go anyway. And at least if I'm there, I can stop her from murdering him. But honestly, I'm hoping this boy has a reasonable explanation cause if not I might just have to murder him myself for causing this."

Keandra knew her daughter was a lot of things. She was spoiled, a brat, and far too much all of the time

But she was still her daughter, so despite all those things, that didn't mean she was OK with some boy backing out of taking her to the formal at the 11th hour. He'd have to explain that to 𝘩𝘦𝘳.

Elsewhere...

It was a quiet evening at the Grove Ranch.

Umber had just finished laying the last bales of hay for the horses and after prepping meals for the upcoming week, Juniper was ready to relax for the evening. The only thing left to decide was how to spend their night.

"I don't like the idea of Wren spending all night in the stable. Maybe I should—"

"Don't, Jun. He said he wanted to. He doesn't even want us hovering nearby."

"But didn't he say he had a party or something he was going to tonight?"

"He said it wasn't important. He's where he wants to be tonight."

"I thought the whole point of sending him to school in the city was so his whole life wouldn't just be the ranch. He should be making friends, having fun."

"And so should you." Umber gave his wife a stern look. "Give yourself a break, Jun, and let yourself relax during these quiet moments."

"Come on now, watch TV with me." Umber gave her a warm smile. "There's a Bonanza marathon on."

"Well…I do love Bonanza." Juniper gave a weak smile in return.

"I know you do." Umber snuggled up next to her, and Juniper snuggled back in return.

He was right, they should enjoy their quiet night.

And enjoying their quiet night was certainly a plan they may have been able to make good on if not for—

If she were smart, she wouldn't tempt the wrath of Keandra Schaefer and would've did what her mother said and headed to the car.

But Jordin was far more daring than anything else. She wanted to do one last thing before ending her night.

"I guess our formal is ending early." Jordin turned to Wren.

"It looks that way." Wren said bashfully.

"A proper date would give me a goodnight kiss, but I won't force you. I understand. You've never kissed anyone before, have you?"

"I…no, I haven't."

"Wow, most guys probably would've lied about that. But you're not most guys, are you, Wren Grove?"

"Jordin, this is not a romcom. Say goodbye to that boy now, or 5 months without an allowance will turn into 8." Keandra's patience waned.

"Well, I can tell you I'm an amazing kisser, so if you ever need someone to practice with."

"Jordin!" Kea's impatience grew.

"I'll see you around, Wren."

"Yeah, I'll see you." Wren said in return as he waved a hand to see her off.

That look on his face. He really did look sad to see her go. Maybe he felt something for her. It wouldn't be surprising to her if he did.

So Wren took Jordin's hand and he allowed her to lead him through a slow dance. There was no music, so Wren did what he did best: he improvised.

"What is that you're humming?"

"Oh, um, You Are My Sunshine? It's Luna's favorite, and I am supposed to be cheering her up right now, so I'm multitasking."

"You know, I'm not really a fan of sharing my moments, but since it's for Luna and she and I are in a tight race of who's having the worst day ever, I'll allow it this once."

"That's nice of you."

"You don't have to say that, we both know that's not true."

"You can be tough, but you're alright."

"Tough, huh? There's no way you could know that. That's what my BFF always says about me, and she's known me forever."

"Well, I may not know people well, but I do know horses. And despite how you blew in here, Luna has been docile this whole time. That means she likes you, and that means something."

"Does it now?" Jordin then wrapped her arms around Wren's neck, her fingers looping thru his hair just above the nape of his neck. "What does that mean to you?"

They had been close before, a proximity Wren had accepted as a part of partnered dancing. But now she was even closer. His breath caught.

"Cat got your tongue?"

"No, I…" But just as quickly as Wren found his words, they were gone again.

"Ya know, when I came storming in here, there was a part of me that thought you could possibly not be interested, but now I think the opposite is true. Am I wrong?"

Wren's throat grew dry.

"There's a simple way to answer this if words are too difficult. If I'm right you could just kiss me."

Wren's eyes widened

"Or I could kiss 𝘺𝘰𝘶. If you don't want me to, all you have to do is move out of the way."

She made it sound simple, but how could he move now that he was so fully in her orbit?

She stared him down, daring him to make the first move. But he was paralyzed by her sultry gaze. There was no way he could ever be so bold.

But Jordin was another creature entirely. She took the initiative and leaned in. He could feel her breath on his lips, seconds away from connecting, but—

"Jordin Michelle Schaefer, if you don't step away from that boy this instant!"

The stable doors slammed shut behind her as Keandra firmly cemented her presence breaking up the moment.

"Mom?" Jordin swung around, "What are you doing here?"

"What am 𝘐 doing here? Now, I know you lost your mind!"

"I just spent the last 20 minutes with the Groves, and not only did they tell me that you don't even know this boy, they've never met you, you threatened them, and you damaged their property!"

"Hold on! Not all of those things are true. I never threatened them!"

"You came in making demands!"

"I came in making a 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 demand, and I don't recall damaging a thing!"

"Oh, so their front door that's now just chilling on the floor of their porch just magicianed itself there?"

"Their house is like a million years old, it is not my fault it just happened to break off."

"I don't care if their house is a billion years old. That door was perfectly in tact before you touched it, and now we owe the Groves §1000 to replace it. Oh wait, not we, 𝘺𝘰𝘶."

"Me? But I don't have that much money."

"Oh, don't worry, the Groves and I talked over how you'll be paying them back."

"Say goodbye to your allowance and weekends for the next 5 months. You'll be doing chores here at the ranch till your debt is paid

"But that's not fair! Weekends are date nights, and without an allowance, how will I buy things?"

After Jordin blew her top, she felt bereft.

What was this feeling that was bubbling up inside her? Doubt? No, not that.

Insecurity.

She'd always had the confidence to face any and everything, but now…could she really have been stood up. 𝘏𝘦𝘳?

Her bottom lip began to tremble.

Noticing their daughter's increased state of distress quickly spiraling toward water works town, Kea made a call.

"Eric, you can say something now."

"Now?"

"She needs a soft touch right now."

"Oh." His heart pinched at seeing his baby in pain. "Jordie, whatever you want right now, we'll do."

"Anything?" Jordie's vulnerable layers started to surface.

"Yes, anything you want. We can go for ice cream, or go shopping, or, what about that spa day you wanted? It's yours."

All that stuff sounded nice, but it wouldn't make up for this moment

"I…I think I—" and then a buzzing sound broke in.

It was him!

He was calling!

"Everyone shut up!" Jordie shushed them all as she answered the phone.

"Hellooo." She said with a sickeningly sweet lilt to her voice. It was almost scary how quickly she could turn off the morose and flip back on the confidence. "Babe, are you pulling up?"

There was a pause as someone spoke frantically on the other end.

"I see. Well, if we're going to be late already there should be several shops on your way to me for you to buy me gifts to make it up to me. Should I text the list to this number?"

But then a palpable coldness accompanied the next extended pause. Jordie's jaw drew tight.

"Unacceptable—you can't! You—" And then it became clear there was no longer any frantic talking on the other end of the line. Whoever it was, he had hung up.

After that, it wasn't just the line that went cold, the room had grown cold to match.

Jordin had gone eerily still and silent. However, she visibly began to tense up. Her fists began to ball. Her face began to strain.

"Should we… say something?" Eric whispered to Malachi to his right on the couch.

"What we should do is take cover."

"Take cover?"

"She's about to blow."

"Blow?!"

When they left the room, Jordin's parents were waiting for them in the living room to see them off before heading out for their romantic getaway.

"There's our girl!" Eric said as he eyed his daughter. "Your mother thought you'd gotten sucked into primping."

"Daddy, you mustn't make fun of the effort a girl goes through to look nice. This is Cordelia's first date. What kind of friend would I be if I didn't make sure she looked perfect?"

"You look very cute Cordelia, but I have to wonder why you're all done up and my daughter isn't."

"What do you mean?" Jordin tried to act innocent.

"Do not try that with me, little girl. I was a teenager once upon a time. And in my whole lifetime of knowing you I've never seen you dress so casually to go out."

"You and Daddy are so confusing!"

"You hated the outfit I tried on yesterday for 'showing too much skin' And now today you hate my outfit for what? Not showing enough?"

"Hun, maybe Jordie has a point? Does it make sense for us to come down on her for wearing something more appropriate?" Eric was open to her plea.

"Eric, we talked about this. You can't keep letting yourself get railroaded by Jordie. She isn't always as innocent as you think."

"Mo-om! It's not a play. The Fall Festival will have tons of hay and you know my skin is delicate. Thus cute but functional hoodie for coverage."

"Besides it's supposed to get pretty chilly tonight, so I can either wear this hoodie or stay wrapped in DeShawn's arms all night."

"I vote hoodie!" Eric chimed in.

"I guess I'll trust you, with the utmost caution." Kea gave in. "But I will be checking in with Drea. Often."

"So tell DeShawn to keep his hands above your waist and below your bust and don't do anything you don't want Drea reporting back to me." Kea warned.

"Don't worry, Mom. Auntie Dre won't have anything but glowing reviews to give you. Now you and Daddy enjoy your trip."

Jordin had managed to win her parents over, but Cordie still had butterflies in her stomach.

"OK, if..."

"If?"

"If you promise to be my real maid of honor for my vow renewal tomorrow? I know it's short notice and you don't have to say yes—"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"What kind of friend would I be if I didn't have your back for that?"

"Kea, you're amazing!"

"Girl, I know!"

The two sung their hearts out to commemorate their new friendship to a pretty thin crowd singing Henford's greatest hits.

Neither were that good, but it didn't matter. Andrea was having fun and letting go, something she hadn't been able to do in so long.

"What I'd give to not have to start from zero in the friend department, but knowing me I'll be so busy organizing things in the new house I won't have time to make new besties in Oasis Springs."

"Oasis Springs?"

"Yeah. Did I not say that's where we're moving to?"

"Shut up!"

"Girl, I didn't say anything!"

"I know," Andrea laughed, "But Keandra, Oasis Springs, that's where I Iive!"

"Get out!"

"For real!"

"OK, now we really gotta celebrate! Karaoke, we're singing tonight and commemorating this new friendship."

"It's OK to miss her and it's OK to be sad about missing her. But what's not OK is having her live rent free in your mind causing chaos and confusion when, I'm sorry girl, she's the one who broke the relationship. You've got to be kinder to yourself!"

"As long as I'm your fake maid of honor, I'm gonna make sure you are and that you get your life tonight!"

Andrea giggled. "Thank you, Kea, I needed that. Ya know, I'm glad we ran into each other. Kind of wish we met closer to home so we could be more than vacation friends."