***CHAPTER ONE***
Ahhhh Aiden Kennard-Porter screamed as she threw her latest failed photo print across the darkroom in her basement. Her mother Tina came running in and hugged her whats wrong baby? Aiden looked ready to cry this…this is all wrong. How am I ever going to get accepted to RISD with such a blatant lack of talent? Tina just hugged her sobbing daughter oh baby..you know you got your mamas good looks and talent, but you also got her crazy perfectionist streak…you gotta calm down sweetheart. Aiden calmed herself thanks mommy she said sounding more like seven than seventeen.
A few hours later Aiden was seated in the kitchen showing Tina her newly finished collection of sunset on the beach photos, her earlier freakout a distant memory. Aiden bounded to the door when she heard keys outside and threw it open much to the surprise of her other mother Bette. Mom, mom look Aiden yelled dragging her mother to the table. Bette surveyed the photos, she knew good art when she saw it since she did own her own gallery. Theyre beautiful sweetheart Bette said kissing her forehead Im so proud of you. Aiden just sighed happily. She didnt know why, but she always took her mothers praise straight to heart.
Tina put her arms around her wife and their beautiful daughter well pretty ladies how about some dinner at the pier? Yeah! Aiden shouted Chicken fingers!. Bette just chuckled I would give that girl lobster every day if she asked, but she just wants chicken fingers. Tina smiled as long as shes happy.
The three walked to their favorite restaurant and took a seat outside under the setting sun and waited for Summer (their usual waitress)to take their order. Suddenly a beautiful girl about seventeen or eighteen came over and said Hi, im Erica ill be your server tonight. Aiden looked up and choked on her glass of water sorry she said blushing. Wheres Summer? Bette asked. Oh! Shes fine, shes taking some time off to backpack Europe. I just moved here so I took over. Bette smiled well nice to meet you Erica, im Bette, this is Tina and that is Aiden she said pointing to the girl who was earnestly studying her napkin. Erica smiled at all of them alright whos hungry? she asked. Bette ordered the lobster, Tina the grilled shrimp skewers and sure as anything Aiden ordered chicken fingers. My favorite Erica said winking at her.
When they finally returned home Aiden powered up her computer and imed her best friend Kirsten Fairbanks. OMG Kiki I NEED to talk to you. Alright Kirsten agreed meet you at our spot in 10 minutes. Aiden walked downstairs and told her parents she was going out with who? they called back in unison Kiki she said. They both visibly relaxed have fun they called. After Aiden was gone Bette looked at Tina wide-eyed Shes spending quite a bit of of time with Kirsten these days..you dont think…? Tina just laughed God no Bette. Aiden and Kirsten have *always* spent all their time together. Lets face it we had Aiden, a few years later Al and Dane adopt a girl the same age as Aiden, we send them to summer camp, surf lessons and private school together..of course theyre gonna be best friends. But she isnt that close to Blake Bette pointed out mentioning Shane and Carmens son. Well Babe in this crazy family of ours she sees Kirsten as a twin sister and Blake as a pesky younger brother. Fine Bette grumbled agreeing with Tina. Besides Tina noted Aiden has made no indication shes ***** youre right Bette agreed and went back to her paper feeling like a fool for jumping to such ridiculous conclusions.