I cranked up my music as I jogged out of the school parking lot, backpack bouncing a bit and my ponytail swinging from side to side. I was only 3 miles from home, which never seemed to be enough. Oh, in middle school, especially 6th and 7th grade, the 3 miles had been difficult, exhausting even. But now, as a freshman, it was easy. I could jog it, even with my 20 lb backpack. And I love the route home. I live in the country, so walking (or jogging) home was always relaxing, so scenic. Plus I have to build up my muscle and endurance for Raider, I can't let my team down! These thoughts raced through my mind before Twenty One Pilots swept my mind clear. It was Ride, my favorite.

I was only two-thirds of the way home before I heard screaming, even through my earbuds. I ripped them out, listening hard. Who was screaming? And why? I frantically jogged faster, trying to locate the sound.

My worries were instantly soothed, like a swipe of aloe to a burn, when I heard the shrill sound again. It was a child's delighted scream. I was instantly relieved, then curious. I knew every child on my road, and I'd never heard these children before. I wondered if perhaps someone had moved into the new house I'd seen being built for the past year, and if the children I'd heard lived there.

I found the answer to that question when I rounded the corner, and saw three children playing in the yard of the newly built house. There was two girls and a boy, squealing and running around and laughing. I smiled at the adorable picture they made, there in that moment. I kept jogging, putting one earbud back in as I went by, smiling at them as I passed.

"Hey!" One of the little girls yelled. I paused, instinctively, Don't Stop still beating in my ear. The girl, maybe seven, ran towards me. I smiled, slightly confused. She stopped in front of me, smiling shyly. "What's your name?" She asked in a sweet little voice. I bent down and tapped her nose with my fingertip and grinned. "My name's Lucy. What's yours?" "My name's Kat." She replied with a giggle. Her brother and sister walked over and told me in shy little voices that their names were Scot and Angel. I smiled widely at them. "It was lovely to meet y'all, but I gotta get home now. My daddy will miss me." I told them and stood up, shouldering my backpack once again. I jogged away, waving at them and smiling as I took the bend that led to my house.

~Kat's POV~

"Brenden, Brenden!" I squealed as he walked through the door. I flew at him as he set down his orange and blue backpack on the floor. He caught me in his arms as I wrapped my legs around his waist. "What is it, my little hurricane?" He asked with a chuckle. "I met a girl today! She was jogging past and I said hi. She was really nice." I said excitedly. "And she's pretty too." I added, sneaking a peek at his face. "Really?" He looked a little surprised. "And what was this girl's name?" He asked, interested. "Her name's Lucy. She has red hair and grey eyes and long legs." I told him. He laughed. "She sounds great. Have you had your snack yet, hurricane?" He set me down gently and led me to the kitchen. "I like Lucy." I said absentmindedly as he got out yogurt for our afternoon snack. He paused, but only for a moment.

A/N The reason why and how she knows every child on her road is because she's a babysitter, and a really good one at that. So naturally, she'd babysat pretty much every child on her road.