A Clashing Of Minds

While the moms were working on dinner in the kitchen some of the kids had gotten together in the living room to hang out. This group included Patrick, Sasha, Sabel, Kim, Ben, Jasmine, Mallory, Chad, Debbie, Lexie, Helen, and McKayla. The group was just sitting down comfortably and talking about nothing special.

“So, what have you two been up to?” Sasha asked as she looked toward Helen and McKayla.

“Basically just following mom around. I wish we could just settle down somewhere for a while. I think mom is starting to come to that conclusion as well since she told us the other day that she is ready for a break and we will be moving to Big Lake soon.” Helen said.

“That’s great. It will be good to have you around. What are you going to do for college?” Debbie asked.

“I think I am going to do some online classes and then start going in person in the fall just like most of you here are going to do.” Helen said.

“That’s good. It will be great to have you around and to get to know you.” Kim said.

“What about you, McKayla? Will you be coming to Big Lake High School with us?” Patrick asked.

“It looks that way. I wish there was some kind of private school I could attend, but it doesn’t look like Big Lake has one of those.” McKayla said.

“The High School isn’t that bad. You will fit in after a little while. I mean, Lexie and Lanie fit in fine and they are the rich ones in town.” Ben said.

McKayla turned to look at Lexie with a smile on her face since she thought she might have found someone that she had something in common with here. “So, you are the rich family in town?” McKayla asked.

“Well, we are well to do. I wouldn’t say rich. My parents own the resort in town, so I guess you could say we are the money in town.” Lexie said with a shrug.

“And you don’t get bored hanging out with people who don’t have the same amount of money as you?” McKayla asked.

“Not at all. My mom taught me to be down to earth and not think that I am better than everyone else. She did the same with my sisters as well.” Lexie said with a bit of a scowl on her face as she didn’t like the way that McKayla was talking about people that might be less fortunate than them.

“Oh, that’s nice. My mom is trying to do that with me too.” McKayla said.

“And it’s not sticking, obviously.” Helen said under her breath, receiving a glare from her sister.

“You can hang out with Ben, Mallory and me if you like. We will make sure that you learn everything that you need to know about Big Lake when you move there.” Jasmine said.

“I appreciate that.” McKayla said, having one of her nicer moments.

“So, what do you plan on doing after high school, McKayla? Are you planning on going to college?” Mallory asked.

“No, I am going to go into modeling like mom. I only plan on being in Big Lake for the next six months or so. After that, hopefully I will be traveling the world.” McKayla said.

“That sounds fun. If we make good friends during the next six months, maybe I could visit you in some foreign country or something like that.” Jasmine said.

“Sure. If you want.” McKayla said with a shrug as she didn’t plan on getting too close with any of these people, except for maybe Lexie since they had the most in common.

“What are you studying in college, Helen?” Debbie asked.

“I am looking to be a doctor. I don’t want anything to do with modeling or traveling the world. I want to settle down somewhere and have a life that way.” Helen said and McKayla rolled her eyes.

“Nothing wrong with that.” Debbie said as she frowned at McKayla’s reaction.

Debbie, Patrick and Ben had never gotten along with McKayla because of the way that she thought that she was better than them and she was always trying to show it. They were civil with her for the most part, but the more time they spent with her, the more they wanted to shut her up. They were going to try not to do anything to her on this trip, but if she pushed them too far, they weren’t going to be able to keep that promise.

“So, what is there to do that is fun in Big Lake?” Helen asked.

“Well, the winter isn’t the greatest time in Big Lake, but once spring comes you have the lake and camping and then during the summer you have the big festival where all of the tourists come in and fill the town for a few days. The resort definitely likes that time of year the most as people come in all the time for vacation and just some rest and relaxation.” Lexie said.

“Oh, I can’t wait to go camping. That is something that I have never done because of always being on the move.” Helen said.

“We will be sure to take you once it gets warmer.” Sabel said since the group took a few camping trips every summer.

“That sounds great.” Helen said.

“You can count me out of that one. There is no way that I am going to sleep on the ground.” McKayla said. “I am willing to go if I can take a camper though.”

“That’s not camping. That’s the lazy way of doing things.” Debbie said and McKayla just shrugged.

“Don’t worry. We will turn you into a camper. I mean, look at me. I am a girl with money and I love going camping.” Lexie said.

“You go camping?” McKayla asked in surprise.

“I sure do and I love it and if you give it a chance, I think you will too.” Lexie said.

“I doubt that.” McKayla said.

“Stop being a bitch, McKayla.” Helen said from beside her sister.

“I’m not trying to be, but I can’t not be myself either.” McKayla said.

“Fine. Just stop talking down to everyone.” Helen said.

“I’ll try.” McKayla said, being honest. She had been trying to be better, she just knew that it would take some work.

“Thank you.” Helen said.

“Is there anywhere to go running or hiking? I like to run to keep in shape.” Helen asked.

“There are plenty of places for that. Big Lake has a lot of hiking trails and different places that you can run too, for different scenery.” Sabel said.

“Good. Would you like to join me on some morning runs, Debbie and Kim? I heard that the two of you are going to be around once school starts back for the spring semester.” Helen said.

“I am up for that. What about you, Kim?” Debbie asked.

“Yeah. I am good with that. Just let me know when and I will meet up with you.” Kim said.

“Sounds good.” Helen said.

“Do you have a nice gym in town? I do better inside.” McKayla said.

“Yeah, there is a gym in town.” Patrick said.

“What is it like compared to other places?” McKayla asked.

“If you ask me, it is just as good as everywhere else.” Ben said.

“And where have you been to check and see if it is as good as anywhere else, Ben?” McKayla asked with a raised eyebrow, knowing that her cousin hadn’t been to as many places as she had.

“I have been out of town before, McKayla.” Ben said, with a bit of an edge to his voice.

“What, like an hour away?” McKayla asked.

“That’s enough, McKayla.” Helen said.

“Hey, I am just being honest. I bet other than Lexie, everyone in this room hasn’t been any further away from Big Lake than this cabin here.” McKayla said.

Debbie had been holding herself back for a while now, but something finally snapped and she couldn’t take it anymore. “Bitch, stop talking about us like you are so much better than us!” Debbie shouted as she had finally had enough.

“I am better than you!” McKayla shouted back.

“Oh shit. Things are about to get out of control.” Ben said as he saw Debbie get up and stalk over to McKayla.

“Yep. At least it won’t last long.” Patrick said and Ben nodded in agreement.

“Say that to my face, bitch.” Debbie said standing in front of McKayla. She wanted to swing on her younger cousin, but she wasn’t one to start a fight.

McKayla stood up and said slowly, “I am better than you.”

“How are you two sisters?” Debbie looked at Helen when she said this and Helen just shrugged.

McKayla didn’t like the way that her cousin had just talked about her so she slapped Debbie on her right cheek and Debbie raised her hand to rub her cheek. It didn’t take her long to react though as she balled up her fist and threw it at McKayla and hit her right in the eyes and the younger girls fell back on the couch, ****.

“Soft bitch.” Debbie muttered under her breath as she walked back to her seat and sat down.

Everyone was quiet for a few minutes and McKayla finally woke up and glared at Debbie. Debbie just shrugged back at her as McKayla got up from her seat and was about to go over to where Debbie was sitting. Helen grabbed her arm and pulled her back down to the couch.

“Let me go. That bitch hit me.” McKayla said.

“And you deserved it. Sit your ass down and try to stop being such a bitch.” Helen said.

“Mom will hear about this.” McKayla said.

“And mom will agree with me. All you have done is be a bitch to these people since we arrived here. Try to get along.” Helen said.

“Fine.” McKayla threw her hands up in surrender.

She then reached up to her eye and felt how sore she was there. That was definitely going to bruise. She hated that her face was going to be ugly for the rest of the week, but deep down she knew that she deserved to be hit by her cousin. She had been a bitch and she was going to try to be better, but it was just hard to do that when she was used to being the person that was better than everyone else in the room.

“I’ll get you some ice.” Debbie said as she got up and left the room, surprising McKayla.

How could her cousin be so nice to her after she had just punched her? She knew that Debbie was a good person, but she figured that Debbie would want to see her suffer for a while. The way that her cousin was being so kind to her after they had just had a fight was something that she wanted to be one day. Maybe hanging out with these people wouldn’t be so bad for her after all. Debbie soon came back with the ice and McKayla put it on her eye and smiled up at her cousin in thanks. The rest of the time before dinner was spent talking and McKayla even joined in and she had to admit that when she was just talking, she was actually having fun. Maybe this would be good for her after all.