Prologue

The memory comes back to me for what feels like the millionth time that day. I don’t know why I’ve been thinking about him so much, lately. He doesn’t deserve my constant thoughts, but I guess I’m not in complete control of what I think about. During this time, I lived with my Aunt Taylor and Uncle Don for reasons I still don’t quite know.

I was in Mr. Mills’ science class. It was my last week before I moved back to Alaska with my mom. He had us copy the notes from the old-fashioned chalk-board while he searched frantically for a paper he must’ve misplaced. I was surprised that not a single gray hair moved on his head.

Van King came tiptoeing in, late as usual. His attempt to not be noticed apparently didn’t work because Mr. Mills handed him a detention slip.

He chose his seat right beside me. It was amusing watching him fumble with the computer cords as he tried to get to the seat.

When he finally sat down, he looked straight at me.

“Hey, Korra. What did I miss?” Van asked. It was funny how innocent he sounded.

“Do you really care?” I pester, raising my eyebrows.

“Not entirely.”

“Then why are you asking? And most importantly, why are you sitting there?”

“I have one answer that will apply to both of those questions.”

I stare at him, eyebrows raised, waiting for his answer. Eventually I give him a hand motion, telling him to continue.

“To talk to you.”

I glared at him and looked down at my notebook. “I’m not giving them to you.”

“Fine, but tell me this; Are you going to the dance tonight?”

“No, I don’t dance.”

“That’s a shame. You should really consider it; you might get to dance with that one special guy.”

He pushed a red strand of hair behind my ear and smiled. There was something about the way he flipped his dirty-blonde hair and his green eyes glistened in the sun.  I was puzzled by the way I felt.

I did go to the dance that night, and there I realized something very important.

I’m crazy about Van King.

 

Chapter 1: Sophomore Year

 

Okay, well, I’m Korra Grace and this is my experience with romance. My love story is not a very pleasant one. It’s no Cinderella story, but it’s a little more realistic. How often do you see death and heartbreaks in fairytales? Exactly. So I could tell you some totally fake story of a prince and a princess who fall in love and live happily ever after, or I could tell you what really happened. But in order to do that, we have to trace back to sophomore year.

*****

I walked in from the rain, leaving a trail of footprints on the hardwood floor as I walked into our small home in Alaska.

“Mom, I’m home!” I shout.

No reply. Why isn’t she ever here?

I re-tied my red hair and replaced my contacts with thick, bulky prescription glasses, making my green eyes look ten times bigger than normal. I walk over to the laundry and take off my old, sweaty volleyball uniform and switch it with a fresh outfit.

Ring ring, ring ring.

“Hello?” I say as I answer the phone.

“Korra, you need to leave.” my mother whispers.

A wave of emotions overcome me. I felt confused, scared, and shocked all at the very same time. I guess I felt more sad than anything, cause tears started falling down my cheeks.

“Korra, talk to me!”

“Where do I go?”

“I already called Taylor and Don. You need to pack tonight and get on the earliest plane you can tomorrow morning. I will be fine, but you to catch that plane, got me?”

“Yes.”

We say our goodbyes, bawling. This was really happening, I was going back to Reels, California. Where Van King is. My life is going to change, and I am unsure weather it is for better or worse.

Chapter 2: The Arrival

 

Despite the fact that I was extremely tired on the plane, I could not sleep, which gave me about five hours to think, so I came up with a pros and cons list.

Cons: I am leaving my home, mom, and volleyball team behind.

Pros: Reels is where Van, Contessa and Mac live, and as much as I love her, I don’t have to deal with my mom twenty-four-seven, and I don’t have to deal with the tormentors at my school anymore.

Maybe a fresh start won’t be so bad.

*****

When I finally got off the plane, I waited at the baggage-claim for my aunt Taylor to get me. To my surprise, she brought everybody: Hazel, who’s 15, like me, the twins Parker and Winter who are both eight, and Shay, who’s an infant at only two months old. Needless to say, the ride home was not a very quiet one.

*****

Everything had changed. Nothing about Reels was the way I remembered. My aunts house even seemed bigger, which is odd since they added a puppy, Sky, and a baby since I’ve been here last. My Aunt must have been working pretty hard last night, because the room had a desk, bed, nightstand, shelves and dresser for me, with the same furniture on Hazel’s side of the attic. I began pulling things out of my carry-on, my laptop first. The beginning of a new life.

Chapter 3: Reels High

I tiptoed up the stone staircase into the small school. By the looks of it, there’s no way the school had more than five hundred students, but that didn’t change the fact that I was petrified of Reels High. I know most of the kids are nice, if not all, and it’s comforting knowing that I won’t be the only new kid to the school since it’s the first day of school, but I’m still scared to walk down halls where I was a stranger.

I took a deep breath, and pushed open the doors. My friends, Tess and Mac, come running toward me. How do they recognize me?

We’re all as different as friends could be. I’m the smart one (technically) with red hair and brown eyes, Tess (whose full name is Contessa) is the preppy cheerleader of our group and has darker skin and blue eyes with short, curly dark brown hair. Last but not least, Mac (whose full name is Mackenzie) is the military girl with short, black hair and brown eyes.

We took some time to reminisce and then the bell rang for first period. AP English. Fun.

*****

“Willow,” Mac whispered, “Van’s looking at you.”

“Really?” I asked.

“Don’t tell me you still like him,” Tess asked.

I blushed.

By this time it’s seventh period. I had realized two things: one, way more people remember me than I ever thought possible and two, Van would not take his eyes off of me.

“Hey, there.” I heard a voice say. I jerked around, trying to see who it was. Immediately I recognize Van’s old friend, Jacob. He, too, was taken by surprise when he saw me. “Wow. You’ve changed.”

“Is that a good thing?” I chuckled.

“Oh, yeah! You’ve changed-but in a good way.” He blushed.

“It’s fine, I knew what you meant.” I said, chuckling again. “I can definitely say I’ve made a few minor changes since sixth grade,” I say, thinking about my old hair, glasses, and braces.

“Well, you look great.” He smiled.

“Who are you flirting with now, Jacob?” Van joked. “Wow. Korra, you look amazing.”

“Thanks. Apparently four years does a lot to a girl.” I teased.

Van laughed.

As if on queue, a girl (who definitely didn’t live here in sixth grade) flaunted her way toward the group.

“What are you doing, Van?” She demanded.

Van’s eyes widened again, but this time with fear. “Sorry babe, just catching up with some old friends.”

“Who is this?” She asked, trying to act kind and sweet, but something didn’t seem right.

“Brenna, this is Korra. She just moved back to Reels.”

She shook my hand. “Hello, Korra. I hope you’ve liked your first day at Reels High.”

“Thanks.”

“Of course. A friend of Van’s is a friend of mine.”

“I should go catch the bus. It was nice catching up with you guys!” I exclaimed, awkward with the situation. Quickly I ran to the buses.

 

Chapter 4: Truth Damages

 

1. Aspin: I know who you are. I’ve heard a lot about you and your “thing” for my boyfriend.
2. Grace: You don’t even know what you’re talking about.
3. Aspin: Yes, I do. Everybody does. Don’t try to play it off like it’s some game. Look, you can’t come to this school and try to steal somebody’s boyfriend. That’s how you’ll make a lot of enemies. Including me.
4. Grace: I’m sorry you think that’s what I’m doing, but it’s not. I’m not even interested in dating right now, I’m focusing on school and getting used to Reels again.
5. Aspin: Stop trying to play dumb with me. Don’t come around him again and don’t show anybody these messages, or you will regret ever coming back. I will make your years at Reels High a living hell.

I was in disbelief at the words on my computer screen. I knew there was something up with her fake attitude and preppiness.

I tiptoed on the carpet over to Hazel’s bed, and handed her my laptop, seeking advice.

“Listen to her.”

I stared at her for a second, confused.

“She really does have power. Stay away from Van, and whatever you do, don’t show anyone else this.”

My head began to go down, slumped. I finally got to talk to Van, and this girl was  now in the way of that. In the way of me and my forever-long crush.

“Listen, Korra. I know you like him, but you really do need to listen. If you don’t, you will regret it. She will make your life a living hell.”

“Why should one girl have that kind of power?” I asked, irritated.

“I don’t know, but she does. Listen, I know you don’t understand but you really do need to do what she says or you’re in for the ride of your life. And it won’t be a fun one.”

I dragged myself back to my side of the attic, and thought for a while, upset that I couldn’t even have a chance with Van. Eventually, I came to my own conclusion. I was not going to let her get ahold of me. I’m new at this school, and I am not about to let other peers control me. I will do what I like, and I sure as hell will not let some chick come between me and Van. I took a screenshot of the message, and sent it to Van.

*****

My heart was racing. I could feel my pulse pumping in my chest. I was scared of what was going to happen at school, and more afraid of what was going to happen in the future. When I saw Van walk up to my locker, I became hopeful.

“I am so sorry about what she said. I am going to talk to her.”

“No, please. I just wanted to let you know what was going on. I really shouldn’t have even sent it to you. I-”

He grabbed my hand. “I need to talk to her. I’m done with her attitude. She can’t prance around the school demanding things from people. She’s gotten way out of hand.”

“Fine, just please don’t mention my name. In fact, just leave the message out.”

“Alright, I will. I promise.” He lifted my hand up to his lips and kissed it.

*****

Everyone was looking at me strange. I began to have a feeling of curiosity, or maybe I was just creeped out from being stared at. I’ll say it was a little bit of both.

“Where do you think you’re going?” I heard an all-too-familiar-voice demand.

“To my next class.” I reply feebishly. I knew all too well what Brenna knew.

“You’re going to pay for what you did.”

“And what is that exactly?” I remarked. At this point I noticed everyone staring, shocked that the “new girl” was standing up to Brenna Aspin.

Her face was tomato-red. It seemed as if steam would come out of her ears, like in the old cartoons.

“Look, I don’t know who you think you are, but you better back-off.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You know perfectly well what I’m talking about. I told you not to tell Van.”

“Tell Van about what?”

“Don’t act all innocent. You know you caused me and Van’s breakup. You sent him the messages.”

I couldn’t help but smirk a little. Van broke up with Brenna for me.

“You won’t be smiling for long. You’re going to regret what you did. Just wait. You will get what you deserve,” Brenna threatened.

“What would that be? Have you considered that maybe Van broke-up with you because you’re self-centered and he is done with your games and how you treat others?”

“Remember, Korra. Lies damages relationships, but so can the truth.”

What’s that supposed to mean?

Chapter 5: The Note

The next day, the news of the break up and the conversation I had with Brenna had spread around the whole school (although, with it such a small school that wouldn’t be too hard to accomplish).

“So, are you going to homecoming?” Tess enthusiastically asked.

“I’ve told you many times before, Mac. I’m not into that kind of stuff,” I answered as I crammed my English book into my pigsty of a backpack. I wonder if they remember how clumsy I am.

“What if Van asked you?” She giggled.

Contessa just rolled her eyes. It's as clear as a crystal she’s not very fond of Van.

I just shrugged my shoulders. Honestly, I would say yes to Van right away, but some things are better left unsaid.

Tess, once again, rolled her eyes, not being very subtle about her dislike towards Van. Does she know something I don’t? I let my curiosity get the best of me and started wondering what turned her against Van. I shook the thought away, saving it for later.

Something was weird about the way they were acting. Just then the bell rang, interrupting my jumbled thoughts.

*****

On my way to the lockers, I noticed it wasn’t just Mac and Tess. Everyone was acting strange.

Once I got to my destination and spun my combination, I noticed a rose and a ripped piece of paper peeking out of the slits of my locker. On the front was a piece of our recent chemistry assignment, but on the back was a note: Call me after school today. ~Van (546) 236-9894

*****

I ran into the house, tracking mud behind me but sprinting too fast to notice it splashing on the back of my jeans. Nobody would be home until late that night, with everyone having their own special commitments. I dropped my backpack at the foot of the bed and sat in my rocking chair. I reached in my pocket to grab my cell-phone and the slip of paper. I typed in his number into my Samsung, and pressed call.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Van, it’s Korra.”

“Hey! Looks like you got my note? I was wondering if you wanted to go with me on a date tomorrow at 6:30 and see a movie? We would get dinner before, of course.”

I suddenly got the chills and moved to the other side of the room, by the fireplace. I stared at the orange flame for a few seconds, before finally responding.

          “Sure,” I said, trying to keep my cool, although I probably already lost that by leaving a huge gap between his question and my answer.

“Cool! Im excited. See you at school tomorrow?”

“Yeah, of course. See you tomorrow.”

I heard the line click. I set the phone on my night stand and debated whether it was reality or if I was dreaming. I gave it approximately two minutes and started screaming of excitement.

 

Chapter 6: The Date

When I awoke the room was cold I didn't recognize where I was, right away. I slowly removed the floral comforter from my skin, revealing the goosebumps covering my limbs. It wasn’t until I smelt the fresh aroma of bacon and eggs that I realized I fell asleep in the family room, somehow. I dragged my feet into the kitchen.

“Morning, sleeping beauty,” my aunt taunted. I slide up on the barstool as she sets a plate down in front of me. I picked at my eggs and then checked the clock and realized I was late. I scarfed down the food, the eggs burning my throat, but I was in too much of a hurry to care. I slipped on some jeans and a black-and-white blouse. I ran the comb through the snarls in my red hair as I brushed my teeth.

I was prepared for another day at Reels High.

*****

The day went by with the snap of my fingers. Before I knew it, I was in Van’s car, on our way to the restaurant. I was nervous. I didn’t even know what to say, and I’m just going to come out and say it; I’m completely out of Van’s league. His Toyota pulled into the fanciest restaurant in town, Creek Side. A rose and a lightly lit candle, only at our table, supporting my belief that this was not a restaurant friends go to, but one for a couple.

I recognized our waitress as a junior named Victorria. When she comes to take our order, I almost say I’m not hungry. I hated the thought of Van spending money on me, but I couldn’t deny that I was starving. Van orders for the both of us, and Victorria leaves, flashing a winning smile. I hated how obvious it was that she was flirting with Van.

We finished our meal and sat outside, to enjoy the creek.

“What are you doing next Friday?” Van asks. He dips his fingers in the creek, as if testing the temperature of the water. I just shrug. Part of me is nervous about why he asked, but a majority of me has a feeling that I’ll be satisfied with whatever will happen.

“Just say it!” He murmured to himself. Was he nervous? This made the butterflies in my stomach flutter even faster. “Will you go to the homecoming dance with me?”

“Yeah, sure,” I say. I didn’t question it, that just wasn’t what I thought he would say. To be honest, I completely forgot next week was homecoming.

“You sure?” He asks. His eyebrows are furrowed. I am at a loss for words, so I just nod and smile.

*****

I walk in the door at eleven o’clock on the spot. The lights are off except for the occasional flashes from the TV in which Shay fell asleep in Parkers arms. I pushed the power button and tiptoe up the stairs.

“Where have you been?” Hazel asks.

“Hazel! You scared the crap out of me!”

“You still never answered my question.”

“I was at the movies, okay?” I turn and go to my bed.

“With who?”

“Why do you have to be so nosy?”

“Again, never answered my question.

“Van.”

“I wouldn’t go out with him again. You will come out of this relationship with a broken heart, Korra. From either Van or Brenna.”

          I turned to my laptop and sent a message to Mac and Tess.

          K. Grace: My house, tomorrow, one PM! Bring sleeping bags and pillows.

 

Chapter 7: The Warning

 

Some time passes. The end credits for the slasher movie "Bloody Hearts” rolled on the screen around it was about midnight.

"So, what was this sleepover for? I know you don't like hosting these without a reason," Tess asks, "not that I'm complaining."

I tell them every detail about the date, accidentally leaving out the detail of Homecoming.

"Korra," Tess starts, "Van isn't a good guy. He will break your heart."

"Why does everyone keep saying that!" I snap. "Everyone keeps acting like they know whats best for me, and I'm tired of it!"

"Maybe it's cause they do know whats best, Korra! I know Van better than I'd like to, and as much as you think you do, you don't know Van."

"Just let me figure it out myself! This is something I've wanted since sixth grade, and nobody's going to make me turn back but myself."

"Fine, Korra. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Dead silence overtook the room.

"Okay, change of topic." Tess interrupts. "Are we going to homecoming together?"

"I am. Don't know about Korra, she's probably going with Van. Mac pesters.

"Mature. Of course we're going together," I lie.

Technically, it wasn't a complete lie. We’re going together, I'm just going with Van, too. Eventually, we all fall asleep, but I had guilt written all over my fragile heart.

Chapter 8: A Taste Of Normality

"I'm being serious, Korra," Mac warned. "Be careful with him."
"Oh. My. God. Mac, I am finished with your warnings! I have told you a million times to just LEAVE. ME. ALONE!"
"It's me or Van. I can't be your friend if you're going to do this to yourself!"
"Fine! Then  I choose Van!"
I immediately regretted those words as Mac walks away with watery eyes. I lean back on the lockers, sliding down to the floor. Great, I think, I may have just lost Mac. Forever.

My head is resting on my knees when Van strides over to the lockers.

Ringgg. Ringgg.

“Here, I’ll walk you to your class,” he says as he extends his hand, offering to help me up.

I force a small smile and take his hand. I expect him to let go of his grip once I’m up, but he continues to hold my hand. In a second, all my stress goes away. All my worries evaporated into thin air.

For once, I didn’t feel like the unwanted one. The one who never fit in. The new girl. For once, I didn’t feel like the girl with the guy who’s way out of her league. For once, I felt like I was wanted. No, needed. For once, I had a taste of normality, and it felt amazing.

 

Chapter 9: Homecoming

It was like a scene out of a movie. Headlights shine through my open window. I dash over and see Van’s truck on the sidewalk. My light-purple dress drags behind me as I cascade down the spiral stairs, out to the driveway. After a short drive, we arrived at the school.

Van gets out of the truck first. He comes over to my side, opens my door, takes my hand, and I step down from the truck. Everything was so perfect. Almost too perfect, I think. I shake my paranoia and come to my senses.

Looking up, I am given nothing but deja vu.

“Crap,” I bite under my breath. Tess walks off, over to the gym, Mac following right behind her.

No words express how I felt. I had so many mixed feelings that were jumbled up. I had butterflies because I was on a date with Van, yet I felt guilt for the way I treated my friends. I was head-over-heels, completely in love,  and the excitement was overwhelming, yet I had a bottomless pit at the bottom of my stomach.
The night goes on. People dance to the beat of the music, as do I and Van. I feel bad for smiling, yet I still do. He leans in and kisses my forehead, then our lips touch. I felt like I was floating on clouds, and although my emotions were all over the place, there was once emotion I was sure about: I was in love, and he loved me back.

“I’ll be right back, Babe,” he whispers in my ear.

He called me Babe! I scream inside. “Okay.”

*****

The music stops, and I still couldn’t find Van. I would just go home, but he was my ride. My search brings me to the main hall. I hear people behind the door to the drama room, so I look inside to see if whoever was in there knew where he was.

This is where my love story took a fall for the worst. But don’t be mislead; the moment I saw Van and Brenna behind that door was only the beginning of my tragedy of a love story.

 

Chapter 10: Heartbreak

I’m screwed is the only thought running through my head. My friends have disowned me. My date cheated on me. I have had to leave my home, my mom. What am I supposed to do?

“Korra, please wait,” Van begs.

“You know the sad thing, Van? I actually fell for it. I actually thought you liked me, but I was so wrong. So horribly wrong.”

“No, Korra, please don’t. I don’t know what happened. I-”

“Just stop wasting your breath, Van. It’s not going to work,” I snap as I walk out the door. I call Taylor, explaining everything as she comes to pick me up.

We arrive back to the house and the night comes to an end.

“I’m sorry,” Hazel says.

“You didn’t do anything, it was all Van,” which I one-hundred percent believed. I didn’t even blame Brenna, I completely blamed Van.

“I know, I’m appologizing for not warning you more.”

“I wouldn’t have listened. I thought I knew better than everyone else. Thought I knew Van. I had to learn the hard way.” God, I’m an idiot. Why did I do this to myself?

Hazel sighed. “Can I tell you something?”

I gave her a look that said “sure, but I most likely won’t listen”.

“Van did the same thing to me. And Tess.”

My thoughts were so jumbled.

“Why don’t you just say ‘I told you so’ so we can be over with this conversation?” I snap.

*****

So much was going through my head. The way I treated my friends. How hard me and Van being together must have been for Tess. How dumb I was with the Van situation. How I treated my cousin, the only friend I had right now. I was also angry, not only at myself for not listening for being foolish and dumb. I was furious with Van for doing what he did, not only to me but to  I started seeing my problem: I shut out anyone who tells me what I don’t want to hear.  I ignore anything someone tells me that I don’t like, even if it’s for my own good.

The night goes on, and I try to cry myself to sleep. I feel so stupid for being so hurt. Why am I so hurt? How can he hurt me this much if I was never really, truly with him?

Ding, Ding, I hear as my screen turns bright. I had a message from Brenna Aspin:

1. Aspin: Tonight was only the beginning of the hell your life is going to be. If you think tonight was bad, just wait until tomorrow. You shouldn’t have tested me.

Oh. My. God.

*****

All day I got insulting remarks. “He was way out of your league.” “You are so dumb for even trying.” “Did you really think you could match up to Brenna?”

They got worse and worse as the days went on. Everyone knew of the humiliation I went through.

Chapter 11: Recovery Road

 

The blood ran down my arm as I lifted the knife. I’d never thought I’d result to this, but here I am. Cutting over some boy. How did I come to this? It’s not as if I can help my situation by doing this. It’s been four months, for crying out loud!

But I couldn’t help it. It has become a necessity within the last few months. I felt as if I was giving into Brenna and Van’s games, but that was irrelevant now.Even if I was, I can’t stop. It’s now mandatory in order for me be able to try and get through the day. I don’t know how it works, how it makes me feel better, but it does.

Nobody knew, not even Hazel. There is no one to talk to, no one to confide in. I can’t tell an adult, because it will be reported. I can’t talk to Mackenzie or Contessa because they still weren’t talking to me. I can’t talk to Hazel because she will tell Taylor, which is the same result as telling an adult. I was completely alone.

I wanted to stop, but I didn’t see that happening anytime soon.

I cleaned up, bandaged the wound, and headed out the door for school. Another day of torture at Reels High.

*****

It bothered me more than it should. It bothered me seeing Mac and Tess act like I was never there, happy as ever. It bothered me seeing Van and Brenna all lovey-dovey with eachother.

Why I let it get to me, I don’t know. “Try to bee strong”, my family says. Let me be he first to say, easier said than done.

Before I knew it, it was lunch. For most people, that’s the best time of the school day. Not for me. For me, lunch means sitting by myself, all the time in the word think about the betrayal I felt from Van, making me feel worse and worse about myself.

Some think that I am full of self-pity and I need to get over myself, or that I am sulking just to get attention. While it is possible that I am over-reacting, I am not “acting upset” for self-pity or attention. And I will admit that I am over-reacting. I’m still upset about something that a boy did to me four months ago, and me and my best friends not talking over me chasing this boy. But is it over-reacting if you can’t control how you feel or how you’re reminded every day of your mistakes you made?

Tess and Mac started heading my way. Weather or not that was a good or bad thing, I had no idea.

“We’re really worried about you,” said Mac.

“Why? There’s no reason to be. I’m fine,” I lie.

“No, you’re not,” Contessa says.

“Your nose twitched. We all know you’re lying when you do that,” Mackenzie accuses.

“Fine,” I say. I explain everything, not leaving out a single detail. It felt nice to talk about it, to let someone know what’s going on inside of my head.

They attempt to comfort me, trying to make me feel better. Whether it was talking or their comforting me, I was starting to feel better. Nothing can make me feel one-hundred percent like I did before homecoming, at least not right now, but this is enough to get me through.

*****

A few more weeks go by. The comfort and conversation continued to help, but I still wasn’t fully recovered. I knew recovery would take a long time, but I didn’t know it’d take this long. The cutting is still occurring, but not quite as frequent.

Things had changed while we weren’t talking. Mac started dating the new guy,

Shawn, and Tess had been growing a “thing” with the senior class president, Jacob, for a while.

I wasn’t ready to move on. I still felt very hurt and was in pain over what Van did, even all these months later.

*****

Mrs. Bliss’ door had a pink sticky sticky on it, letting the class know that sixth period intermediate drama will be in the multi-purpose room for a school-wide presentation. When I arrived, the drama class had designated seats. Mine was right by Wes O’Rylei. Great, now I get to spend the whole class hearing him make fun of me.

“Hey, Korra. How are you holding up?” He asks.

“Decent. Better. How about you?” I ask, although I don’t really care.

“Pretty good,” he rubs in, “Except I’m better now.”

I didn’t think anything of it until he started talking again.

“I am free from Van’s grip, so I can talk to you.”

“What, did you guys get in another stupid argument over which Kardashian is hotter?” I remark.

“No, this time, we really aren’t friends anymore. He’s changed, you know. Since you guys were together.

“Ugh, I don’t wanna hear this,” I snap.

We drop the subject, and talk about other random stuff.

*****

Days, weeks even, pass. Wes became a prominent part of our group, although he was a Junior. It was nice. I wasn’t into him, and he didn’t seem to have those feelings for me anymore. Wes became my Recovery Road.

Chapter 12: The Play

The countdown begun. Only 3 hours and 17 minutes until the play was to begin. Although I wasn’t in this play, I was still super excited because I could lay back and relax with my friends. Plus, we were all going to dinner before the play.

Our normal group was there. Shawn and Mac, Tess and Jacob, and Wes and me. At this point, Wes and I were the only unofficial couple in our little circle. Against our friends very many requests, we liked to keep it that way.

One hour and six minutes before the play, we all meet up at the local diner. We eat, pay the waiter, and head to the school to wait in line for our tickets.

*****

The first act of the play finishes out, and everyone heads to the concessions stand during the intersession. Me and Wes reach for a soda. His hand brushed against mine, and he drew back quickly, embarrassed.

“It’s okay,” I chuckle. We both laugh, and act like it never happened.

We head back into the black box theatre for Act Two.

*****

“It must have dropped like fifteen degrees in here. I’m gonna go up to the car and get my jacket,” I whisper. I was talking to Tess, but instead Wes responds.

“Here, you can use mine,” he says as he takes of his letterman's jacket. Was he just being nice, or was this his way of making a sly move on me?

“You’re sure?” I ask.

“Yeah, of course. I was getting overheated anyway.”

I was really cold, so I slipped the jacket on.

We all get comfortable again and are enjoying the show. Wes slides his arm behind my head, making me question once again if he was trying to make a move on me, or just trying to be comfortable.

I know that he was trying to make a move on me, but I was so doubtful. I wanted so bad for us to just be friends. At the same time, it felt good. The question I needed to ask wasn’t if he had feelings for me, it was if I had feelings for him. And I just realized the answer.

I tilt my head a little to the left, just enough to lay my head on his shoulder, and he responds with a smile. He barely lays his head on mine.

*****

The rest of the night flew by. Everything felt different, but it was a good different. Like when you move to a new house that you love. You didn’t necessarily mind the old house, but the new house is the good, healthy change you needed.

Everyone had left but me and Wes.

“So did you feel anything...different tonight?” He asks.

“What do you mean?”

At this point, we were turned around, facing each other. He lightly lifts my chin up and brushes his lips against mine.

 

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 01.05.2016

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Dedicated to the Sierra Ridge Writers Club. Thank you guys for your support and listening to my book.