1. Three Girls
Ooh! This is a good one!”
Mackenzie Davis was riding down the interstate with her father as she cranked up the car radio. She had just graduated high school a few months prior and was on her way to Kansas City for her first year of college.
Mackenzie was an eighteen-year-old, conservative Christian girl with long, thick, curly blond hair and dark blue eyes. She loved dogs, books, and all kinds of music (they were currently listening to oldies) and was looking forward to beginning her studies for a Bachelor of Science in Counseling. Mackenzie didn’t know much on the subject, but she knew she wanted to help people, and this area of study seemed like a good fit.
Mr. Davis (Dr. Davis, actually), who was currently driving, was forty-years-old. He was a Professor of Theology at a seminary in their hometown in Tennessee. Ethan Davis was very friendly and had a good sense of humor and loved his family very much. He boasted a full head of black, thick hair that had much of the same curl as his daughter. He also wore a full beard on his face. Mr. Davis had a close relationship with all five of his children, but he and Mackenzie had always been exceptionally bonded.
“We’re about an hour out,” Mr. Davis said, turning down the radio as the song ended. “You getting nervous?”
“Mmm, a little maybe. But mostly excited! Erica is just a few cars behind us, and Natalee said they’re about ninety minutes away.”
Natalee and Erica were Mackenzie’s best friends. They had all grown up together in Tennessee and had decided, years ago, that when the time came to choose a college, they would all attend the same one.
“Have you girls been texting this entire time?” Mr. Davis asked.
They had left early that morning and had been on the road for about six and a half hours.
“Of course! That was part of the deal. We text each other every hour to see where the other ones are, so when we get there we’ll know exactly where to find everybody.”
Mr. Davis chuckled. “You girls are something else.”
About an hour later they pulled into the parking lot of the college. Mackenzie wouldn’t get out of the car until she saw Erica’s dad pull in behind them and park a few cars down. The girls both jumped out and ran over to each other, squealing and jumping and squeezing their hands together.
Erica Smith was eighteen, of average height and wore a minimal amount of make-up. She had a straight, thin, slightly athletic build. Her dark-blonde hair was very slick and straight and stopped just above her shoulders.
Mr. Davis shook Mr. Smith’s hand, both of them squinching their faces as the girls squealed in uncontrollable delight.
“Things are going to be a lot quieter around town, that’s for sure!” Mr. Smith teased.
Mr. Davis laughed in agreement.
Mackenzie and Erica and the dads were just finishing up at the main office about forty minutes later when both girls heard a ‘ding’ on their phones.
“Natalee’s here!” Mackenzie shouted.
Natalee Carlisle, who was also eighteen, was shorter than both Erica and Mackenzie. She was fond of make-up and always wore fashionable clothing. Her long, thick, light brown hair cascaded halfway down her back and was often curled into big, beautiful waves.
Not two seconds had Natalee’s feet been on the pavement when the squealing and jumping and hand squeezing began again, this time all three girls together. Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle emerged from their car a few seconds later to be greeted by Mr. Davis and Mr. Smith.
Peter and Valerie Carlisle been married for twenty years. Peter was forty years-old and of average height and build. He had a full head of well-kept light brown hair and a short, trimmed beard. He was currently serving his tenth year as youth pastor at their home church in Tennessee. His wife, Valerie, had the perfect temperament for her chosen career as a first-grade teacher. Her brown hair was often twisted back into a pretty bun just above her neck, but would reach down to her waist if left to its own devices.
“I don’t know, guys, maybe we should head back? They seem awfully nervous.” Mr. Carlisle teased.
“Oh, Peter!” Mrs. Carlisle smiled as she playfully shoved her husband’s shoulder.
Two hours later all three girls were checked in, class schedules were received, and box, after box, after box were unloaded into their dorm room. The rooms were quite large and the girls were able to share one room between the three of them. The room had two bunk beds, one bathroom, a sitting area, and two large desks. The communal kitchen and lounge area were located just down the hall.
“Well, ladies, I think this is where we must leave you,” Mr. Davis said to the room. “Mr. Carlisle is going to drop us at the airport before he and Valerie begin their long drive home.”
Mackenzie and Erica’s parents had decided to leave the cars at the school so their daughters had their own means of transportation. Natalee, who was saving for her own car, was happy to apply for jobs on campus until she was able to make the purchase.
“Love you, dad. I’ll miss you.” Mackenzie hugged Mr. Davis as hard as she could. “Give mom and the others a hug from me.”
“I will, Mac.” Mr. Davis hugged her back.
The other girls hugged and kissed their parents’ goodbye, and the three friends started unpacking immediately after the parents had gone.
