rated *
In NO way am I making a profit from these
characters- they are owned by Random House. And any references made to other
things are not making a profit for me. I am using songs, characters, etc.
without permission.
Independence Day
by Country Girl
“Independence Day is one of the best times of year. You get to be with friends and family and not have school to tie you down. Honey, this is possibly the greatest time of year. I wonder what the rest of this summer has in store for us.” Trixie looked at her best friend with curiosity in her eyes.
“I’m not sure about the rest of the summer, Trixie. But I think this Independence Day is going to be a fun one. Maybe there will be some fireworks.”
“Honey, I know there will be fireworks; there always are. You know that.”
“Trixie, I was not talking about the ones that you light and they explode in the sky. I was talking about a couple that just needs a spark to light the ‘fuse’.”
“Oh, Honey, I like Jim so much. I wish you were right and that the sparks would fly.”
“Then why not light the flame yourself? Make a move, like kiss him or say something hinting at the fact that you have a crush on him.”
“Honey Wheeler, I am shocked and appalled by you!” Trixie shrieked out and then hissed, “You never know, Jim might be near here listening.”
“Quit blushing! Trixie, I know for a fact that Jim is in the garage helping Tom on the Bob-White station wagon. Which means he is nowhere near the lake. So calm down and breathe. You really do like my brother, don’t you?”
Trixie covered her face with her hands and mumbled, “Yes, but you don’t need to even mention it. He doesn’t even look at me like that.”
“Oh yes he does. When he came down ten minutes ago to tell me that Mother and Daddy were on there way home from the city, his gaze seemed to linger on someone in a blue bathing suit. Who knows, he may have just come down to see you sunbathing with me on the dock after we finished swimming. So why not gather some courage and do something? If you can face down criminals, Jim can not be that frightening.”
“You never know, Honey. Even if I am scared, I am not alone. But I might just find some courage and make a move. Right now I have to go home and help Moms pack our picnic basket for the picnic. I think I might just have thought of a plan.”
“Well, what is it?”
“Hush, here he comes! I’m just going to die if he overhears! I will tell you later,” Trixie responded.
“Please, tell me quick. You have about two minutes before he can see us at this angle. So tell me what the plan is.”
“Just wait and see,” Trixie said as she took off running for home.
“Trixie! Come back here and tell me! Trixie? Ugh! You are so cruel, Trixie Belden!”Honey started cleaning up the dock since the Bob-Whites would be at the lake playing volleyball in a half hour or so.
Those two will never get there act together, she thought as she came back out of the boathouse and watched Jim jump in the lake for a refreshing swim.
“Trixie! Where is your mind? That’s the third time I’ve seen you try to pack the fruit salad in the basket and then take it back out.” Helen Belden was a little worried at Trixie’s antics. Lord, she prayed, please don’t let Trixie be on the trail of another mystery. Please. Amen.
“Did you say something, Moms?”
“Yes. I just was pointing out that the fruit salad has been packed and taken back out of the picnic basket for the third time.” Helen looked at Trixie pointedly.
“Gleeps! Sorry, Moms, it won’t happen again.”
“That’s fine, dear. I was also wondering where your mind is. There isn’t a new mystery is there?” Helen dreaded the answer.
”Of course not, Moms! Though the Bob-Whites haven’t had one for a while. But, no, there is not a mystery.”
“Well if it’s not a mystery, then what is it?”
Trixie blushed, “Moms, it’s, uhh, well, ummm, you see it’s, ahhh, it’s, it’s, it’s about a boy.”
“A boy!” Helen couldn’t stop her eyebrows from raising and her voice from sounding shocked.
“Just forget it, Moms.”
“Trixie, it is perfectly normal for you to think about a boy. Is there any advice or help you need?”
“No, I think I can handle it. I just have to get the courage to tell him.”
“All right, if you do need my help, don’t hesitate to ask. Why don’t you and your brothers go ahead up to the Wheelers,. I am almost finished packing and we agreed to be there at six.”
“Okay, I’ll get Brian and Mart.”Trixie walked out of the kitchen to the stairwell landing.
“Brian, Mart, let’s go!”
Thank goodness Bobby decided to go with the Lynch twins for Independence Day, she thought as her brothers came down the stairs.
“Keep your shirt on, Trixie. What is the hurry?” Mart was curious, his sister was acting different.
“I just want to go play volleyball.”
Brian and Mart looked at each other confused, but shrugged it off.
When the Beldens arrived at the lake, Di, Dan, Jim, and Honey had already begun a game of volleyball.
“What happened to waiting on all of the Bob-Whites?” Trixie asked at the sidelines while Mart and Brian headed for the picnic area.
“It went out the window when Di and Dan arrived,” Jim panted back as he spiked the volleyball.
“Getting old and tired, Frayne?” Trixie taunted.
“Not a chance, Belden. I’m just saving up to beat you.”
Step one complete, Trixie thought victoriously, now for step two.
“I bet I could take you one on one right now.”
“Only if I let you win,” Jim snorted.
”How about it, Jim? You and me one on one.”
“We’re in the middle of a game already.”
“Jim, it’s okay,” said Diana. “Honey and I need to talk about decorations for Ben’s birthday party. Don’t we, Honey?” Di winked at Honey.
“Yes, how could I have forgotten? Go ahead and count us out.”The two girls left for the patio.
“Dan? What about you? Want to keep playing?” Jim asked.
“No, thanks, I’m with Mart and Brian. Food is the place to be.” Dan shook his head as he walked off. Do the girls really think I am that dumb?
“Well, Jim, I don’t think you have an excuse now. Unless you are too scared.”
“Trixie, I have four words for you: You are going down.”
“Think again, Frayne,” Trixie threw back as she sent the ball sailing in his direction.
Jim sent it back easy and gentle at first. But soon enough he became engrossed in the game after all of her taunts.
“You can’t take a girl. How sad is that?” Truth be told Trixie was starting to wear out. In the beginning she had been in the lead. But now that Jim was giving it his all she was having trouble even hitting the ball in time.
“You are not going to win, Belden!” Jim spat back as he hit the ball with all his strength. Too late he realized his aim was too good and that he had hit the ball too hard. Thud! Jim watched in sickening horror as the ball hit Trixie in her right arm and knocked her to the ground. He ran over to her.
“Trixie, are you all right?! I didn't mean to hit you. I just got carried away.” He felt like a jerk for hitting a girl. His real parents would be ashamed of him. They had taught him first of all not to hit girls and especially to never get so caught up in winning a game that he forgot it was only a game.
“I’m okay,” Trixie spoke in a small voice. She was stunned not only by his strength and the pain in her arm, but also by the fact that he was sitting on the ground holding her against his chest, stroking her hair.
“Trix, I am so sorry. You will never know how sorry. I feel like a jerk. I can't believe I did that.”
“Jim, I’m okay. Yes, I will admit my arms hurts a little and is swelling some. But it will go away. I know it was not on purpose. I provoked you with my taunts. If it is anyone’s fault, it is mine.”
“Trixie, I shouldn’t have let my anger control me. I would rather stab my heart than hurt you.”
Did he really just say what I think he did. Oh my goodness maybe he really does like me! She looked up into his deep emerald eyes. She stared into their depths for several minutes. As they sat and stared at each other she couldn’t help let out a small giggle.
“What is so funny, Trix?” Jim asked, puzzled.
“Do you want to make up for this?” She pointed at her slightly red arm.
“Yes, I would like to. I feel as if I should.”
“You promise that you will do whatever I ask you to do?”
“Yes, Trixie. I promise.”
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
They were still staring deep into one another’s eyes. Jim was startled at the request. He had expected something like doing her homework for a month or doing her chores. Not kissing her.
“What did you say?” Jim croaked.
“Kiss me.”
He looked into her sapphire blue eyes. They matched how he felt. Scared and hopeful.
“Are you sure you want me to be your first kiss, Trix?”
“Yes, unless you don’t want to. I’m sorry. I probably misread the signals I thought you were sending. I should have never said that. Forget it. I don’t care about my arm. I will be fine. Don’t worry about making it up...” Trixie babbled nervously. She stopped when Jim suddenly began to slowly lean over towards her lips. As she began to say something Jim closed the distance between them. He stopped when there lips were about an eighth of an inch apart.
“Miss Belden, it would be my pleasure.”
The shock in Trixie’s eyes after his statement was something he would never forget.
Jim finally leaned down the last eighth inch and kissed her.
That Independence Day there was more than one type of fireworks to celebrate as one couple braved the fear of rejection and let the sparks fly long enough for a kiss.The End
Author's Notes - This story has not been edited by someone other than myself. I decided to write and submit this story on a whim. I hope those who read this enjoy it and do not find it terrible. This is only my third attempt at fanfic. Thank you to Zap for posting this.