Chapter 17: Chapter 17

School wasn’t as weird had she had imagined. It was normal and surprisingly Chad wanted to still keep her around. She didn’t know if they were friends, but he still offered her rides. They still talked. It wasn’t because he could she had told herself so she wouldn’t get overly happy. She had said it to be guilt.

She still talked to him in school. They walked. He still extended offers for her to eat with him. She had confidence now, and she wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to be close to him. She ended things. When she went home and rest her head on her pillow that was when she realized that she was the one who ended things with Chad Sterling of all boys.

Well he wouldn’t tell his friends that. And she had Adriana to tell now. It was back to two people on her phone. Well there was her mum but she wouldn’t start texting her for no reason. She was a working woman doing everything for them. And she had other things to worry about.

College applications. One by one they were all getting their replies. And she was going to do what she had her mind set on. Law. Dance would remain her bobby and a stress relief. She had gotten her reply. She got accepted. When Adriana was applying for college she had been saying that she should come join her. But she didn’t want to live four years of her college life being compared to her older sister.

And the college she chose was perfect for her. And she still had to think of her mum when she was choosing. She wasn’t as privileged as she’d like. It wasn’t Stanford or Harvard but still perfect. Perfect for her.

She wished that Jason could be a fleeting memory but he wasn’t. He must have gotten the hint that he shouldn’t come close. He didn’t think of looking at her anymore. They still were in the same class, girls flocked him. She heard them talk about her and still ask him questions about her. They could have asked her but they must have been scared.

Stipulations everywhere. Everyone saying what they wanted just because they could. It was frustrating. But this would be the last time she would get to see all their faces again. But if Chad went to the same college she did, she would love it. But that was highly unlikely.

Graduation was close. She wouldn’t get to see the asshole again.

As she shouldn’t.

She had wanted to skip out on that day. It was really nothing special. She’d just get to wear an ugly dress and an ugly hat listening to people go on and on about things she already knew. There was nothing new in the speech they gave. It was already on somewhere.

She was sure she wouldn’t have gotten up to brush her teeth if she didn’t remember that their names would be called.

So annoying.

So she had to go. On the plus side, there in the congregation would be her mum and her sister. The two people that she was certain would always be with her. That wouldn’t hurt her or fall short of her expectations. So she wore the prettiest dress she had bought, the snazziest shoes, and had watched the hair styling tutorial over and over again before she had finally got it right.

But it wouldn’t end there. Adriana had barged into her room with a small chest and had sat her down to do her makeup. She had protested but didn’t do anything to stop her. Her mum didn’t even say anything. Nothing at all. She didn’t complement the dress or question the makeup. It might have been a mistake because she knew she would sweat. There was no air conditioning on the outside.

When they arrived they were sort of late. It was all Adriana’s fault. And also the fact that they would all be sitting close. It wouldn’t be like class that there was a responsible amount of space. Now she would be sitting so close to someone that she hadn’t gotten to know her entire life in high school.

Of all days to be anxious it wasn’t meant to be now.

“Kel!” she heard someone yell.

“Kel!” she tried to locate the person that was yelling her name. It was a face she had seen before, but she couldn’t place the name. It was a guy from the track team she was sure of it. They moved in a clique. She just hoped that she wouldn’t be close to Jason. But last time she checked he didn’t move with them. He moved with girls. She didn’t know why he was yelling her name when they hadn’t talked one-on-one. It was weird.

Walking closer, Chad was waving from behind him. Of course he didn’t want to shout.

“I knew you were a bat, but deaf too” Chad joked.

“And your jokes are still in dry taste” she informed him smartly.

“Saved you a seat” he said sitting down. They were in-between some of the members of the track. She knew that she shouldn’t be searching for Jason but she sort of was doing it. They were graduating so he had to be here. But why did she care?

Maybe deep down she was a good person and wanted to make sure that there were no loose ends before graduating. Well there was no time to think about that. It was starting.

“Are you wearing makeup?” he blurted out.

Trust Chad. It was always him who knew how to make a girl feel special.

It went on. Speech after speech. Till it was time for the valedictorian to say his speech. It would have been good to be in that position, but like it had already been established things don’t work out. There would always be someone that would be better than you at doing what you love.

Sad.

That was really sad.

Anyway back to the speech. After hearing the usual things she stopped listening. If she was the one up there she would have a lot to say. And everything would be from experience.

For her high school was a place for self-discovery. She had found her true self and what she was capable of. Turned out she had a wild side. She also had a vicious side, but there she was no mean girl. High school prepared you for life which was college. It was like an exam that you had to go through trials that would tell you if you were ready or not. Some failed before they even had a chance. It was their choice if they would just give up and not try again. Others would decide not to try at all and just be in a cocoon during all that time. In a safety bubble like it would shield them all their life.

Others would want to make a change. There were others that would want to take on everything headfirst. And others who would want to start late like she had. Maybe in college they would discover themselves. It was either that or be eaten up. She didn’t know if this would make sense to everyone if she was up there. But one thing was for sure, they would applaud her nonetheless.

Then they called names. That she had to focus on. She was in the B category. Chad would be last because of S. It turned out Jason did show up. And there were loud cheers when he made his way on stage. She was sure the track team cheered louder than the girls. Well now she knew the difference between boys and girls. They wouldn’t just start hating. She sighed deeply on the inside. She still needed more time before she could decide on that.

When she heard her name in her ears she could hear her mum clapping the loudest, and she could hear her sister yelling the loudest. She was happy that she had two wonderful and strong women here to support her today. After all the names had been called it was time for pictures. For that she would have to travel through the turbulent sea of students. So for now she would have to take pictures. Well pictures with just one person that a picture with him would matter.

There was a word for what she was doing. Oh God. Well she was okay with her thoughts, they made her happy. She was just thankful that Chad couldn’t hear it. They took a lot of picture with her phone. And she had to go because she knew their little group would take a picture, and she knew that Jason would join in. He was still part of the track team. So she had to leave before he got here. Today was a good day and she didn’t want it to end on an awkward note.

And they wouldn’t just keep Jason away just because of the way things ended between them. So she had to go find her family. She was sure that there would be a celebratory lunch in order. Mum would overlook a few things today she was sure.

Before she could run off though, she was hoisted up. She didn’t scream. Why would she scream anyway? So that everyone could look at her. And besides she was loving looking down at blue eyes. Her legs wrapped round his waists and she wrapped her arms round his neck.

“Who knows if we’ll meet again” he wondered.

“Who knows when we’ll meet again” she tried not to laugh.

“I think a goodbye kiss is in order” he suggested.

There was no need for her to be told twice. If this was going to be the last time she was going to kiss Chad, she was going to make it count. And she had to be quick about it before her mum could see her kissing a boy that was now her ex-boyfriend.

She kissed him like she’d miss him, because she was going to miss him. And she kissed him like she wasn’t surrounded by thousands of students at the moment. For a tiny second she wished that she had done this earlier. Maybe she’d have been able to have an actual relationship with Chad Sterling. They separated and she smiled as she was set onto her feet.

“Well that was nothing like we had done before” he complemented.

She hugged him once again. Who knows when she’d feel so alive like right now? Mum and Adriana weren’t running away, but Chad was. She’d enjoy the moment a little more.

Jason stood where he was. He had seen Chad do the most uncharacteristic thing ever. He had lifted her up and kissed her in front of everyone. There was really no need for him to do that but he did. He just loved to show off. The girls that surrounded were all switching positions before the camera and behind the camera. He wasn’t even focused on that. He was focused on the scene that both Chad and Kelly had made. With everyone doing their own thing one would think that no one would notice. He did. And he didn’t like it.

He had wanted to talk to her today. Because college and everything. He didn’t know if they would ever see each other again. He didn’t want them running into each other in future and have the meeting being so awkward when they remembered their relationship in high school. If there was a time that she was going to forgive him and not send him away it was going to be now.

But Chad had swooped in and had done what he always did. Try to be better than him in everything. They hadn’t really had a conversation since that day he had talked to him and Kelly. Well Chad didn’t live a private life, so when the pictures stopped flowing of him and Kelly he had gotten worried. He had also gotten hopeful that she had mulled over what he said and ended things with him.

But with what he saw just now that didn’t seem to be the case. They were still together. They just stood there hugging each other amidst the multitudes of students like they were the only ones there. He couldn’t keep looking at them. He focused back on the girls. Well on the bright side this would be the last time he’d get to experience crazy girls like this. College would be different, hopefully he’d be free of thirsty girls. He wasn’t complaining. He liked it a lot, but sometimes it was unneeded. Now, he really needed the distraction.

“Lady Killer!” someone yelled.

Looking up it was Chad. Kelly wasn’t there anymore. He excused himself from the girls. The track team were his closest friends. Yes he didn’t eat lunch with them or hang out with them in school, but it was because of the girls. When he still used to eat with them girls would come around, but it was only for him. All the other boys would just be like chopped liver. It was annoying and after it happening just one time, Jason didn’t eat with them anymore. They talked and hung out outside school, but in school was totally different. The only time they had to themselves was the track and the locker-room.

He walked up to them and Chad was quick to place an arm round his neck. That lowered him a bit but he didn’t care. He was exhausted for some reason.

“Don’t act like you’re not going to miss me”.

“I’m not” he grunted out his answer. He really wasn’t because Chad was going to be a constant presence in his life. They were family friends after all so he wasn’t going to be getting rid of the questionable blonde anytime soon. They did take pictures together. It was just another day, so he didn’t see the need to be emotional. They had phones, they would talk, and they would see each other. It was just time for everyone to become responsible and decide if they would carry others along towards their future.

His parents had brought him over. It was unfortunate because he was in the mood to leave. When he found his parents they were with Chad’s parents and looked like they were going to have lunch somewhere.

What Joy.

“So how’s Kelly?” Jason was quick to ask. He wasn’t going to be silent about it. They were walking towards the restaurant but decided to walk far behind because adults loved to walk slowly.

“She’s okay. Going off to be a lawyer”. Chad looked to him a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Two of you are friends. I’m surprised that she didn’t tell you” and she put her hand over her heart.

“Thanks for telling me” it annoyed Chad the most when his taunts went unanswered. Silence was the best thing to give to him.

“Yeah” he sighed. “Since we’re going off to college we thought it was best we end it”.

Jason literally stopped walking which caused Chad to stop too.

“What?” Chad asked confused looking at the ground. “Did you step in bird poop or something?”

“You just said you and Kelly are no longer together” he said so he could hear it again. It was unfathomable. Unbelievable. Someone she had been in love with for so long and she just ended everything with him. It was impossible. It must have been mutual….maybe?

“Was it after graduation?”

“No. We’ve been broken up a long time. Just after you caused a scene at her house” Chad continued to walk.

Jason didn’t even move. First they had not been together for that whole time and yet they had acted like nothing was wrong. Secondly, Chad knew about what he did and didn’t say it to a single soul. He hadn’t misjudged him. He knew there was nothing for him to gain even if he did that. Lastly, was he the reason they broke up?

“And why did both of you break up?” he wanted to know the actual truth. It couldn’t be because of college. There was no way that she would just accept that and let it be. Chad didn’t give an answer though. He only smiled back at him.

He was such a child.

Kelly fell onto her back. She couldn’t move. She realized now why her mum didn’t let them indulge in junk food. It was addictive, and she had gone overboard. She couldn’t move and her eyes were heavy.

A goodnight’s rest seemed to be in order. But before she could sleep with the lights still on, there was something she had to do first. She picked up her phone and that was a struggle to get it out from her purse that was next to her on the bed. She scrolled through her contacts with difficulty until she remembered that she had blocked him.

It was an easy process to undo what she did. And after that she dialed the number.

Jason had been getting ready for bed when his phone rang. He had been expecting literally anyone to call him…..apart from the name that appeared on his screen.

He had saved her name as ‘Weird Kelly’ so he wouldn’t be able to think that there was another Kelly calling him. He was slow to answer, but before it ended he slid to answer and just held it by his ear. He didn’t say anything. He could hear her breathing. Could it have been a mistake? There was no way. She had been the one to block him.

“Asshole” he heard her call weakly over the phone.

It hadn’t been a mistake. He didn’t know if he should be happy or not.

“Weirdo” because that was all he could think of. “Nice of you to call me”. He wouldn’t hold it against her. She had reacted just the way she should have.

“Thanks” she said. “You remember that road trip that you said you wanted to go on after graduation?” a yawn accompanied that question.

“Y-yes I do” he didn’t know why she was acting so normal. Like nothing had happened. When did he become the weird one?

“Have room for one more?” she droned.

“Yes I do” he stood up because he couldn’t sit still anymore. He began to pace.

“And when do you set out?” there was a lot of shuffling noise like she had dropped the phone, or she had switched positions.

“I was thinking tomorrow. Just to get away from all the…..post celebratory stuff.

“Good” she whispered. “Pick me up” it wasn’t a question.

“Sure. W-what time will you be ready?” he couldn’t stop himself from sounding excited. There was no answer. He brought his phone down to look at it and the call was still ongoing. “Kelly, hello?”

He could still hear her breathing. She must have fallen asleep.

He ended the call and sat down on his bed. He buried his face in his palms and groaned loudly. He scrubbed his face up to his hair, dragging the strands to feel something other than nervous excitement. She had called him just like that. They had talked just like that. Now, would they makeup just like that?

He would see tomorrow morning.

“So you’re telling me you can dance?” Adriana asked.

“Yes” she nodded. “You already knew”.

“I knew you could dance. I didn’t know you were good” she said bewildered.

“You bought me my stupid ballet slippers!” she grunted. “Yes. As something to…..” her eyes slid over to their mum in the kitchen. She was on the phone and there was something akin to a smile on her lips. “As a parting gift”.

The doorbell rang.

Kelly stood up, but she didn’t go to the door. She ran up the stairs instead. That was strange and a total bitch move. She had just gotten comfortable. She stood up and dragged her feet to the door. Opening it, it was to see a boy. She had never seen him before. And she knew it was not one of her friends from college. Could be close to Kelly’s age.

He was easy on the eyes. Really pleasing.

“Hello” she smiled. “Who are you looking for?”

“Good morning. I’m here to….”

Hurried footsteps cut him off. Behind Adriana stood her imposing mother. Jason gulped and the two women heard it.

“And what are you doing here?!” her tone was one not to be messed with.

“Good morning ma’am. Last time we….when we met wasn’t the best time” he began. Her stony stare destroyed his confidence. Even Kelly’s wasn’t like that. That was because most of the time she was wearing glasses. Now he knew what she would look like without glasses. And that glare.

“I told you not to come here didn’t I?”

The girl, which he guessed was Kelly’s sister was just looking back and forth between them. Her lips rolled and her eyes with obvious interest.

“Yes ma’am, but Kelly was the one who called me” he explained himself.

“Yes!” Kelly said from behind them. Her mum didn’t turn but her sister did.

She had changed now and was holding two containers of pringles. She stepped out of the wall that the two had made and stood before Jason. She didn’t smile at him. She looked fairly normal. She turned to the other two. “I called him over. We’re going for a ride. We’ll be back later”.

Anastasia just stared at Jason like her eyes would set him on fire. That was really uncomfortable. Was this what Kelly went through? Well she was learning from him.

“No later than seven thirty” was what Anastasia said before stepping in. She was an adult already. It was time for her to make decisions concerning boys. She could only give little advice and not choose for her. There was a cycle already. She got pregnant and lost her mum. Adriana did so and almost lost her. What would she have her children when they asked for their grandmother? She had to stop this.

She had to let them live their lives now.

She went back to her call that was still ongoing.

“You should be careful with her. Our mum is dating a cop” she leaned closer. That was playful and all, but it sounded threatening. “Bye Kel. Take care” and she closed the door slowly, her eyes on them the entire time. She leaned against the door fanning herself with both arms.

“So that’s the boy” she said to herself. His face had been priceless. Was it wrong that she found the scared look on his face attractive?

He looked to Kelly and she looked back. Dressed casual, hair up and she had the green and the black pringles in her hands. He remembered her telling him that those two flavors were the good kind.

“Are we still going to stand here or do we have little road to cover?” she questioned smugly.

He nodded and they went to the car.

As soon as they settled in he was off. He didn’t want to be in front of her house anymore. So he knew he wouldn’t be coming by anytime soon.

“I’m sorry” that was the first thing he said.

“I guess I should apologize too. I did lie and play with your feelings as you did to mine. I realized that after I won the bet and found out that there would be no need for you to keep upholding a lie, so I figured out that it must be the truth”.

“Smartass” he mumbled. “Heard you and Chad broke up”.

“Yeah” she replied opening the container and the aroma of barbeque went round the car. She didn’t elaborate further. She took one chip and pushed her chair back. Her leg went up to rest on the dashboard. He would have complained, but she was wearing socks.

“Why?” he asked.

“You” she replied simply.

Before he could get happy she explained further.

“Not that I like you or anything” she said turning to the window.

“Oh!” he nodded in understanding. He had to accept that life wasn’t a movie. There was no movie logic helping him in this. If it was, they would be the endgame.

“Chad was more concerned about you than me. I didn’t want to be second while you were first. It would be weird. You two can continue with your rivalry”.

So it seemed she broke up with him. He still couldn’t believe it even though he was here.

“Did you really think that because we got to know each other that we would end up together?” she asked softly.

“It did for me” he mumbled.

They were both silent. Kelly watched other cars go by while he kept his eyes on the road.

“So what now?” she put another chip in her mouth. Luckily he had brought water. “Because I am lost”.

“I don’t have an answer” he said breathily. His fingers squeezed the wheel. This was all so confusing. “What do you want to do?”

“I want to enjoy this road trip, eat my pringles, and see what happens next between us all day”.

He smiled which he really didn’t want to. ‘Me too’ he thought.

Anything could happen with her.

She was just Kelly Blinch. Unpredictable. The one that the lady killer feel for. The one that didn’t come to like him in the end. He was looking forward to how things would turn out between the two of them today.

The End…