Episode 1: Never Been Kissed: Southwest Cougars Year 3: Age 14, #1

By Tamara Hart Heiner

How many kisses does it take to stay at the top of the popularity food chain?

However many it is, Cassie's determined to keep her place. Even if it involves some crossed fingers and little white lies.

Join Cassie for the most unforgettable year ever!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tamark Books
• Release date: Aug 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393022176

Tamara Hart Heiner

Tamara Hart Heiner lives in Arkansas with her husband, four kids, a cat, a rabbit, and several fish. She would love to add a macaw and a sugar glider to the family collection. She graduated with a degree in English and an editing emphasis from Brigham Young University. She's been an editor for BYU-TV and currently works as an editor for WiDo Publishing and as a freelancer. She's the author of the young adult suspense series, PERILOUS, INEVITABLE, the CASSANDRA JONES saga, and a nonfiction book about the Joplin tornado, TORNADO WARNING. 

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Barbecue Bash

Cassandra Jones opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling of her bedroom, an excited flutter in her chest. She stretched her toes and pointed them toward the far wall.

Today was the day of the big barbecue.

The anxious excitement grew into an army of singing crickets, and Cassie’s limbs bounced and fidgeted in agreement. She couldn’t stay in bed any longer. She hopped up and hurried to the bathroom to brush her teeth, widening her eyes and checking out her reflection in the mirror as she did.

What did Josh see in her, exactly? Of all her friends, she felt the plainest. Her dark hair refused to curl and hung in straight sheets past her shoulders. Her skin looked a little washed out after months of cold weather, but now that it was summer, she should get her color back. When she’d met Josh, she’d been standing in the shadow of her beautiful and vivacious friends, Andrea and Amity. Yet somehow, Josh had liked her more, and today he and his friends were making the two-hour drive from Oklahoma to Arkansas so they could have a barbecue party. Cassie and her friends had planned this with eagerness for a week, and she could hardly believe the day was finally here.

Barely had she put her toothbrush down when her phone rang. Cassie paraded from the bathroom and pounced on it, flipping it open as soon as she saw her friend Maureen’s name dancing across the front.

Hi! Cassie said.

In the bed beside her, Cassie’s sister Emily groaned and kicked her legs. Be quiet, Cassie. It’s too early.

Cassie lowered her voice. What’s going on? she asked Maureen, suddenly afraid the girl was calling with bad news.

I can’t wait for tonight! Maureen said, her voice breathy. I hardly slept knowing we would see Josh and Andy soon! Do you think he will bring any other friends?

He said he would, Cassie said. I haven’t talked to him yet today, but I’ll ask. That warm giddiness filled her chest again. Cassie gave herself a mental pinch, hardly daring to believe that she was the girl Josh had chosen for his girlfriend, and now she was the girl all of her friends envied. Josh was in high school, almost seventeen, and all of his friends were just as cute and mature as he was.

What should I wear tonight? Maureen asked.

Cassie entered her own closet and wrinkled her nose. She was the last person ever to give fashion advice. She would much rather read a book than pick out clothes. I don’t know. You look good in whatever you wear. It seemed like a safe answer, though Maureen was slightly on the chunky side with super long hair that she usually kept in a ponytail. Fashion wasn’t exactly her forte either.

You should wear a sundress, Maureen said. Show off your shoulders. You have such nice skin.

That sounded like a good plan. Cassie fingered the material of several short, sleeveless dresses in her closet. I think I will!

Maureen gave a little giggle. He’s not going to be able to resist you!

Cassie was still smiling after she hung up the phone and changed her clothes. She never would’ve been able to guess a year ago that her friends would be some of the most popular girls in school and that they would treat her like an equal, even someone enviable.

She pulled out the curling iron, determined to make it curl her hair. She wanted to look her absolute best. Maybe she could even pass for fifteen.

Come on, Cassie, Mrs. Jones said, poking her head into the bedroom. We’ve got to go shopping if we’re going to put on that big barbecue tonight.

Right! Cassie squealed.

She searched for a pair of shoes under her bed. But now Emily had sat up and was watching her groggily.

I can’t believe Mom is letting you do this.

Me either, Cassie breathed. She sat up and slid her feet into her sandals. Her parents had made it very clear she wasn’t allowed to date until she was sixteen. But since Josh lived in Tahlequah two hours away, Mrs. Jones allowed Cassie to be his girlfriend as long as they were never alone. She fully supported a barbecue with friends and family in attendance.

Get some cookies for dessert, Emily said, crashing back against her bed.

The two girls had stayed up late into the night talking, but Emily apparently didn’t have an adrenaline rush to propel her from her bed this morning.

I will. Maybe even a pie. And Cassie was going to eat it, too. She had spent the past year struggling with her weight and her attitude about food. She was doing better now, trying to see food as something vital and important that she needed to nourish her body. But sometimes she had to remind herself to eat more than she was inclined.

I’m in the car, Cassie! her mom shouted from the kitchen.

I’m coming! Cassie called back.

She had just barely exited her bedroom when her cell phone rang. She paused in the kitchen, fishing through the little purse swaying from her shoulder. She found the device, and her heart gave a little tumble when she saw Josh’s name. She flipped it open.

Josh! she said, trying to sound like a breathy, flirty girlfriend. This all took so much work. I’ve been waiting to hear from you! What time will you be here?

Hi, Cassie. There was a pause. There’s been a slight problem. I’m not sure if I’m going to make it.

Cassie froze. The world around her froze. She gripped the phone tighter in her hands, refusing to believe his words. You have to. All my friends are coming. My mom and I are about to buy the food. This couldn’t happen. It would be a total catastrophe of Josh and his friends couldn’t make it.

I’m still working on it, okay? I’ll let you know.

No, you have to come, Cassie said. You have to figure out a way. Whatever it takes. She hung up and dropped her phone into her bag, the worry and fear constricting her heart. Then she shoved it aside. Josh knew how important this was to her. He would get here.

#

Cassie tried to focus on her excitement as her mom picked up food item after food item.

Do you want this at the barbecue? she would ask after each one.

Cassie pasted on a smile and nodded, but the worry grew bigger in her chest. Andrea and Amity had already called to say how excited they were, and even Cara had sent Cassie a text to say she couldn’t wait to meet Josh. Beautiful, quiet Cara, the one whose approval Cassie most craved.

All right, I think that’s everything, Mrs. Jones said. She pushed the cart toward the checkout line. Can you think of anything we might have forgotten?

Cassie shook her head. No, this looks great. She swallowed hard.

Her phone rang, and she looked down at her hand where she still held it cupped in her palm. Her throat tightened. It was Josh.

She took several steps away from her mother and the cart, moving into another aisle before answering. Hello?

Cassie, I’m so sorry, Josh said. I can’t come.

His apology fell on deaf ears. Her face flushed hot with rage and embarrassment. We’ve been planning this for over a week! How can you tell me now you can’t come?

I’m so sorry, he said, and he sounded miserable. "My uncle needs my car today, and I can’t find anyone else’s.