Gypsy Girl

By K.D. Kinney

A Story about FRIENDSHIP and SUMMER LOVE 

Sixteen-year-old Seraphina's life is far from ordinary. Ordinary is what she wants and friends don't come easy when you're dressed like an eccentric and only staying put for a week at a time.The home schooled teen spends her summers traveling the country performing in her mother's gypsy storytelling show with her younger sister, an impulsive Capuchin monkey, and screeching macaw. Not exactly typical. 

When Sera meets Noah at the fair, tall, hot, and seemingly perfect, he's very interested in Sera on day one. First problem: Noah is there for the horse shows and Sera is terrified of them. 

Noah's best friend, Josh, says he's short, pasty, and average compared to Noah. A typical side-kick that never gets the girl. However, as Sera learns more about him, they have more in common than she thought. 

A week full of first kisses, big time crushes, conquering fears, and all the complicated things that friendship can bring, Sera gets far more than she bargained for. If only she can make it to the end of the week making sure that the show goes on while staying true to her heart and not ruining a long-lasting friendship before their time is up. 

*Also titled as "Gypsy Girl and Horse Lovin' Boys"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amber Dusk Publishing
• Release date: Jul 9, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533722706

Book preview

1

Thursday

The view from the castle and pirate ship themed roof was the best part of our traveling home. Once we parked and settled in, I could sit up top to enjoy some quiet time away from my chatty sister, the never-ending demands from my mom, and the zoo stink inside from our pets. I loved watching the carnival rides in motion on the other side of the fairgrounds as they finished their final light check.

The only people on the grounds were vendors, the kids with animals, and carnies. No pungent scents floating in the air of fried foods mixing with beer and the sour smells of overflowing garbage. No screaming from the rides or bumbling drunks. Just the peaceful light show.

Before the fair opened was when I enjoyed it most. However, if I could find a hot boy, and have the courage to make friends with him while we were there, the fair would be so much more fun. Being so shy when I wasn’t performing kinda sucked because there were always hot boys around.

I slightly closed my eyes. The Ferris wheel lights blurred and blended together.

Seraphina? Mom’s muffled call came from inside.

I squinted more. The blended lights turned into swirling rainbows. Oh, how I loved rainbows.

Seraphina, did you feed Millie? Mom yelled from the grass below.

Yes, and she almost bit my finger off. I rubbed where it still hurt from the macaw. It was one of those days I wished we had normal pets and a normal life.

She’s always testy after a long day spent on the road. Why don’t you let her out?

Mom was also testy after a long day on the road. I wouldn’t tell her that. Dealing with the wrath of Mom wasn’t worth it.

Because I want to keep my fingers. She hates me. You know she likes you best. Appealing to Millie’s loyalty to my mom was always the best approach.

I’m just asking for a little help.

I’ll do anything else but that. I rolled onto my knees to peer over the edge. My mom was definitely different than typical mothers with dreads trailing down her back and colored twine wrapped around parts of her chunky hair. She always dressed gypsy with flowing colorful tiered skirts, peasant tops, and bangles she wore all up her arms, even when we traveled. They clanged every time she moved making a spectacle of her gypsyness everywhere we went. I preferred to blend in when we weren’t performing, with the exception of how much I loved wearing quirky shoes.

How about you take Francesca to the bathroom? I think they said there’s a shower facility nearby. Why don’t you look into that for me too? Mom disappeared back into the Caravan. At least that’s what she named the fancy, gypsy-decorated camper.

I was sure that caravans were supposed to be a mass of people traveling together. However, gypsies didn’t travel in large groups around the United States anymore. We were the only gypsies I knew.

Our Caravan was quite the vehicle with whimsical castle turrets on each end with a pirate ship center and colorful gypsy flair inside. I had already extended the mast, complete with pirate flags, and set up the Captain’s wheel in the center. The fancy camper was home to me, my mom, my little sister, a macaw, and a monkey, as we traveled the country to perform our storytelling show, costumed as gypsies.

I sent the rope ladder over the edge, hoping that Cessie really had to go to the bathroom. Mom wouldn’t allow us to use the port-a-potty once we parked and always sent us before it was too late. Most of the time Cessie refused to even try because she claimed now that she was nine, she should know if she had to go. I would make her try anyway because I was the one Cessie woke up to take her to the bathroom in the middle of night.

Occasionally we would run into the creepiest carnies. Sometimes the carnies were the same from past fairs and sometimes they were from a different company we didn’t run into often. Most times, no matter what group they were, they flirted excessively with my single mom, and occasionally me since I suddenly looked a bit more womanly, which made it impossible for me to explore the fairgrounds alone. Cessie was never afraid of them though. It didn’t matter how many times I would tell Cessie to shut-up around them, she would just continue to babble on.

Come on. Cessie bounced on her toes, waiting at the front of the Caravan ready to explore. She wore a headlamp on her head even though the sun was barely setting and the fairgrounds were always well lit when it was dark.

I had been to this fair before. However, we went to so many every summer, it might as well be the first time. We didn’t find the restrooms on the path to the left, but we did find a couple of grubby looking carnies. It was too soon for that.

Hey, little girlies, who are you with? the stumpy, stringy-haired one said. He walked towards us with the tall stick man following on his heels.

Shut it. Don’t talk. I warned Cessie through clenched teeth. She was already turning to talk to them. I grabbed her elbow and pulled her closer to my side. How many times do I have to tell you?

Picking up the pace, I spotted the restrooms. However, I didn’t want the carnies to follow us there so I turned Cessie down a path between the two small animal buildings. There were other people milling around up ahead, mostly teens. I kept an eye on the ground behind us. The distance between us and the carnies grew once we were out in the open again.

Sera, Cessie protested and pulled her arm from my grasp.

Don’t fight me.

Stop. Cessie did just that and her face brightened into a broad smile when she looked up in front of us.

I saw the feet first and halted in time, but the person bumped into me instead.

Excuse me. The boy’s deep voice resonated in my ears before I could take in his face. I glanced at him, gripping my arm as I stepped back, bashfully shifting my gaze to Cessie. I quickly yanked the headlamp off her head.

I’m sorry, I said. When I saw the horse beside the boy, I took two steps back and bit down on the inside of my cheek when terror washed over me.

It’s my fault. I wasn’t watching. I was trying to get away from some girls, the boy said. Thank goodness he was oblivious to my terror.

For some reason my mouth answered before I could stop myself, Well, it didn’t work. You ran into some instead.

He laughed.

I half-smiled up at him.

I guess you’re right. But you don’t look like girls I would need to run away from.

My sister wasn’t watching either because she was trying to get away from some guys, Cessie chimed in. Can I pet your horse? She bounced on her toes.

I flushed, wanting to pinch my sister for her big mouth. The boy watched me when he answered Cessie. If your sister says it is okay, you can.

I hesitated, mainly because I was more afraid of the horse than the hot boy. He had to be sixteen like me, maybe a little older since he was almost as tall as his horse. Thick dark hair curled over the edges of his 49ers baseball cap. His icy blue eyes captured me. I stared without meaning too.

Can I, Sera? Cessie pulled on my hand, jarring me out of my trance.

Oh, yes. I folded my arms to contain my fear as the boy showed Cessie the best way to pet his horse. I didn’t move a muscle while I hid how terror-stricken I was. If the horse stayed right where it was, I might survive. Could I be more ridiculous? We had a troublesome monkey and a temperamental macaw. They were probably meaner than the horse, but I was still scared. Feeling light-headed, I discreetly gasped for air.

Would you like to pet her? he asked me politely. Is your name Sarah?

No, it’s See-ra. S, e, r, a. My sister is Cessie. When she’s being a butt, you can call her Cesspool. I’m good. I shook my head, irritated that more nonsense spewed from my mouth as I glanced behind me where the carnies had been. Thankfully, they were gone. I backed up another step needing more distance from the horse.

Oh, I’m Noah. He stuck out his hand to shake mine.

I kept an eye on the horse, making sure it stayed put as I cautiously placed my hand in his. My heart skipped a beat when our palms touched and it flipped again when he smiled at me. I wasn’t sure how hard or soft to shake it. I was very aware of how his hand almost engulfed mine.

Are you here with 4-H? Do you have any animals? Noah asked.

I shook my head.

We have animals, Sera. We have a monkey and a parrot. Cessie pushed my hip.

That’s not what he means. I grabbed Cessie’s hand and squeezed it, giving her my you’re gonna get it stare.

You have a monkey?

We do. Our mom tells stories, and she uses our monkey, Peppy, and our bird, Millie, in the shows. We help her out. Cessie was always eager to share and was proud of what we did. Me, not so much. At least not when a hot boy was around and my sister was telling him we were part of a gypsy show, nothing normal like showing horses or guinea pigs like the rest of the kids already at the fairgrounds.

However, he was probably showing horses which meant he would probably be there all week. I was very aware that he couldn’t take his eyes off me. And did I fail to mention he was hot? I was absolutely melting. The horse was the only thing keeping me from turning into a puddle on the ground.

At least I looked normal at the moment wearing jean shorts and a t-shirt. If I could get over my fear of the horse, I might make a friend, a hot guy kind of friend. My heart tightened with anticipation of when we could meet again. Hopefully my gypsy costumes wouldn’t scare him off. Sadly, it wouldn’t be the first time if they did.

2

Friday

The first day of the fair felt like the first day of school. However, it had been years since I had been to public school. Butterflies flittered in my stomach in anticipation of the first show. Once that one was out of the way, I would ease into the routine of several shows during the day and use up all the free time I had checking out the vendors, the food, and the kiddie rides in the evenings with my boring little sister.

The fair didn’t open until noon and the first show would start at one. I dressed in my show clothes that would be my wardrobe until the last show at seven was over. After I adjusted my peasant top with the embroidery around the neckline, I tied the coin belt around the waist of my tiered skirt. Mom said that the noise was the best way to intrigue people when I handed out fliers on the first day. The gypsy clothes did a fine job of attracting plenty of attention as it was. Nevertheless, I did what I was told since what money we made would also determine how much fun I could have at the end of each day. I already looked forward to spending my evenings hanging out like every other teen at the fair.

The one freedom I had with my gypsy costume was being able to choose what I wore on my feet. Out of my great collection of shoes, I picked my well-worn combat boots with colorful socks scrunched down at the top. I would wear them on days I felt like I wanted to rebel a little even if it was stifling hot all day long. I knew Mom preferred the sandals. Her favorites were the ones with any sort of ornamentation. She hated the boots. The awesome part about the deal we made was she wouldn’t say a word even when I could tell she hated my shoe choice. Our agreement gave me far too much satisfaction sometimes.

I undid the braids I slept in. My hair waved and the streaks of rainbow color strands I had chalked the night before trailed down my shoulders. I left a few small skinny braids around my temples and pinned several of them on the back of my head. I tied feathers to the ends of the ones I left dangling. After I put on heavy eye makeup to finish off my look, I stacked bangles on both wrists and placed several rings on my fingers. I was not a fan of looking like my mom.

Turning side to side in the mirror, my skirt flared out. I hated my full name Seraphina so much, but it sure fit the outfit. I went to help my little sister do her hair. Mom had chalked the bottom of Cessie’s blonde hair ombre green and blue. I braided a waterfall braid around each side of her head and joined them together in the back.

Do you remember how well we did here last time? I asked.

I think we did great until a big storm blew in that one day. Cessie waved my hand away when I pulled the ponytail holder too tight.

Sometimes I like when that happens and we get out of a show.

Mom sure gets stressed. Cessie pulled on the bottom of her shirt. I think this one shrunk.

I think you’re getting taller. I shoved her off the stool to make her stand. Yep. I’m going to have to start whacking you so you don’t get as tall as me. I gently hit the top of her head.

She batted my hand away and jumped forward. Her movement excited Peppy and Millie in their cages and they shrieked horribly, drowning out the clanging of coins on my waist. I grabbed the fliers and headed out the door before Mom made me take care of them. Cessie followed and jingled behind me. She loved to wear the elastic bands with bells on her ankles.

I swear, we jingle like Christmas. Ugh. I rolled my eyes as we walked down paths where vendors prepared to open for the fair. They were the people too busy to come see the show. However, they all smiled at Cessie and me as we clinked and jangled as we passed by. I plastered my show smile on my face and waved. Cessie watched her ankles, skipping sometimes so she could make the noise sound like something other than a repetitive step, step, step. I guess it was actually jingle, jingle, jingle. She looked ridiculous. The people watching her ate it up laughing at her and eventually asked me about our show. I handed out the fliers to anyone with a hand and even gave them two so I treated each hand fairly. Mom told us not to come back until we passed out the stack or if it was twenty minutes before a show. I had to get rid of a lot.

Let’s go see those animals. There are lots of kids there that would want to see Peppy and Millie, Cessie said.

I hesitated. What if Noah was there? I really liked the tall, extremely good-looking boy with the horse and I would prefer to see him when the shows were over for the day, not while I was dressed like a gypsy. I had lost a few potential friends that way when they decided my costume, my mom, and home must have meant I was weird. Cessie grabbed my arm and pulled me into the small animal building. Surely, we wouldn’t run into him there.

I followed her down the aisles of rabbits and guinea pigs. Cessie, the social butterfly, took fliers from my hand and passed them out to all the kids that were busy tending their animals. The cages of chickens and other small birds lined the other half of the room. The jingling echoed off the walls, even louder than the roosters that crowed competitively back and forth. I pressed my palms against the metal pieces jingling on my hips. Cessie didn’t care and kept dancing to make her bells sing. Singing was what she called the racket she was making.

I headed for the door. Gripping the door handle as if it was patience I desperately needed to cling to, I waited for my ridiculous sister. An older woman was asking her questions about the show. Because she was doing her job, I had to be patient with her. Nope, I wasn’t getting any more patience from the handle. I tapped my foot. That just made more noise.

The door handle pulled out of my hand. It startled me and I stepped back. When I looked up, it was Noah.

I drew in a deep breath and held it. He glanced at me and then looked again. A big smile spread across his face when he pointed at me and then at Cessie.

I flushed as I attempted to smile back.

Seer-a, right? he asked.

I nodded and took another step back. Everything jangled on my waist.

Is she Cessie or Cesspool today? He motioned his head at my sister.

Umm … Cessie. But she’s being obnoxious with the bells on her ankles. I might change my mind in a little bit. I wanted to stuff my hands in some pockets. Unfortunately, there weren’t any. Stupid skirt. Folding my arms across my chest, the bangles clanged until I made them stop. I did my best to hide my embarrassment. This room has great acoustics. I knew the smile I gave him was cheesy. Came with the outfit.

Cessie was finally by my side. I desperately wanted to take our jingling outdoors. I also didn’t want to end our conversation so soon.

Noah! Cessie bounced on her toes and her ankles played jingle bells. How is your horse?

He laughed. My horse is as good as she was yesterday. Were you leaving?

I was just trying to take our noise outside, I said. I’m not in a hurry or anything.

Noah stared at my shoulders. When I glanced down, I realized he was looking at my colored hair and feathers. He held the door open for the two of us. I thought he was just going to let us out. What the heck! He followed. I made sure I didn’t get too weak in the knees. The clothes were embarrassing enough.

You both look very different from yesterday. He still smiled broadly at us. That was a good sign.

We’re dressed for the show. You want to come? Cessie asked.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek. If he showed up, I would probably mess up my part. It didn’t help that the more I looked at Noah in bright daylight, the more attractive he was with the unbuttoned plaid shirt her wore over his t-shirt fit that fit his broad muscled shoulders really well. Why did sleeves rolled up to the elbows look so hot? He still had on his 49ers cap. Dark hair curled around the edges of his hat, calling me to reach out and touch it. But I didn’t.

I don’t know if I can today. I have to find out what the schedule is for my competitions and help the younger kids get their animals settled and ready for judging. I don’t know when I’m helping with some of the other events when I’m not doing that. He patted Cessie on the shoulder as he apologetically looked at me.

Relief and disappointment washed over me at the same time.

I will come though if I can. His eyes locked on mine as his face softened into the kindest smile.

Hmmm. He was very nice. I might have gone into a trance again.

Can we come watch your horse?

Why did little sisters have to ruin everything? "Cessie, you should ask if we can come watch him with his horse. The horse doesn’t perform on its own." I corrected her and then my heart raced when I realized I might have just committed myself to be in a situation where we would be surrounded by horses. I pressed my sweaty palms against my skirt and everything clanged and jangled. I clenched my jaw, forcing a smile on my face.

Well, I will let you know. I’m sure I don’t compete today. However, I’ll tell you when I do. When do you two get done with your shows?

The last one is at seven and then we can roam the fair, I said as a rush of excitement filled my chest.

"I look forward to catching up with you later. I’m here for the week