High School Hero (Forest Ridge High Book 1)

by Sherri Renee

  “Why didn’t George come downstairs with you?”

  I wrinkled my brow, thinking that wasn’t the type of question I expected. “He fell asleep. He’s spending the night at Tony’s.”

  Matt’s jaw clenched, and I instantly knew what he was thinking. He thought we’d been messing around and George fell asleep after. I wondered what he’d say if he knew we’d never really done more than kiss.

  “It wasn’t like that,” I hurried to explain. “We were upstairs talking, like I said he has a lot on his mind right now. I think he’d been drinking a lot because he just conked out.”

  “Talking,” Matt said. His knuckles turned white from clenching the steering wheel so hard.

  “Yes, talking,” I said firmly. “I’m really worried about him.” Now that my hands were warmer I jammed them back in my pockets.

  Matt glanced at me. “Why?”

  I didn’t want to betray George’s confidence, but it would be nice to share my worries with someone. “When I talked to him about breaking up, he said he couldn’t live without me.” I watched Matt’s expression. “I realize this will sound incredibly vain, but I think he might have meant it.”

  “You think he’d kill himself?”

  I shrugged even though I knew Matt wasn’t looking. Is that what I thought? It was an expression people used on a regular basis. I can’t live without pizza. I can’t live without football. Maybe I was being dramatic.

  “If you’d asked me that question when we started dating a year ago I would have laughed in your face. He’s always been a strong, dependable guy. Lately, though, it’s like his life’s being held together by a very thin thread. I honestly don’t know what he’ll do if that thread unravels.”

  I expected a sarcastic remark from Matt about how George was a big boy who didn’t need me taking care of his problems for him. Because that was about forty-eight to forty-nine percent how I felt. But he didn’t say anything. He’d clenched his jaw tight again. He stared at the road, but I had a feeling he was seeing something besides blacktop.

  Touching the sleeve of his jacket lightly, I said, “You okay?”

  He nodded tersely. “You can’t take a chance with something like that. If things are really that rough for him right now it might not take much to push him off the edge and make him do something crazy.”

  “Like kill himself?” My voice came out like a high-pitched squeak, sounding more surprised than I meant it to. I never expected Matt to agree with my kind of far-fetched concern.

  Matt gave me a haunted look. “Himself,” he confirmed before adding, “Or you.”

  Huh. My thoughts had certainly not gone there. A chill raced down my spine. I worked my shoulders in a circle to chase it away.

  “So, you don’t think I’m overreacting?” Even now I hoped he’d say that was exactly what he thought. That George was fine and Matt and I should move on with our relationship. But I knew he wouldn’t even before he opened his mouth.

  Instead of answering he started telling me a story. “A couple of years ago there was a shooting at my old school. The shooter killed two people and injured a couple more before turning the gun on himself.”

  I gasped. School shootings happened all too often, but I’d never talked to someone directly affected by one. “Were you there?” I asked softly.

  He nodded. “I was there. The shooter and I had been friends in junior high but had grown apart. He’d tried to talk to me earlier that week, but I was always busy with something or other that seemed so important at the time so I put him off.”

  He rolled his shoulders, stretching his neck to the side. “I shouldn’t have put him off.” He glanced at me. I didn’t try to hide the tears in my eyes. “Three people are dead, and I ask myself every day if there was something I could have done to save them.”

  “I’m sorry.” I reached over and put my hand on the back of his neck. His skin was warm and smooth.

  He nodded and swallowed hard. “If anyone had asked me if Travis was capable of taking a life I would have laughed. He was a nice guy. Quiet, but nice. I found out later that things had been piling up on him. Kind of like what you said about George. I guess it got to be too much for him to take.”

  The car glided to a stop in front of my house, but I didn’t move. My heart was shredded from his pain, but I also felt closer to him than ever.

  “Laurie and I weren’t together tonight.”

  His admission surprised me. Especially since I hadn’t asked.

  “She seemed pretty intent on giving me your message that you supposedly didn’t ask her to share. Do you think she took it upon herself to inform me about your situation, thinking she was helping you?”

  Matt studied me intently. The streetlight left half his features in shadows. I couldn’t figure out why Laurie would tell him I wanted him to leave me alone. I’d specifically told her I planned to break up with George. That sentence really couldn’t be misinterpreted. I didn’t think she was trying to help me. But maybe she was trying to help herself.

  “Do you think she likes you?” The only reason I could think of for her conversation with him was to keep us apart. Wasn’t it possible she liked him? A hot ball of jealousy started to take shape in my chest. Laurie and I weren’t the best of friends, but we were friends. Would she try to date a guy she knew I liked?

  Matt glanced out the window, looking deep in thought. “She didn’t act like she was interested in me at all. She about talked my ear off, and part of that was telling me about some guy she likes.”

  That shot down my theory. “You know,” I said as the thought hit me, “I saw her and George talking earlier. Do you think he put her up to it?” That ball of jealousy morphed from green to red as anger replaced it. I didn’t appreciate George playing games like that.

  “He could have, I guess. If he’s worried he’s losing you there’s no telling what he might do.”

  I don’t know if he meant to, but his words sounded ominous and made me worry George might end up hurting someone. With me or Matt being at the top of the list. I couldn’t let that happen.

  “I’ll talk to George,” I said. “I don’t want him to think there’s anything going on between you and me.”

  “But isn’t there?”

  His warm fingers found my hand. I looked down at our joined fingers and swallowed the words I wanted to say, the words that would draw us together, give us a chance. Instead I said, “The timing’s off for us. No matter how I feel about you, I won’t risk pushing George over the edge, like you said. I’m going to talk to him though.” I squeezed his hand. “Maybe I can convince him to get help. Counseling or something.”

  Yep, being an adult was no fun at all.

  Chapter 23

  “After Laurie told me you and George were together she started asking me about my dad’s law firm. I guess she wants to be a lawyer or something. I told her I didn’t know much, but that didn’t seem to faze her. She talked non-stop about law, her boyfriend, what she’d eaten for lunch. I couldn’t get away from her without being obviously rude. The only reason I was able to come outside to find you was because she had to use the bathroom.” His eyes were wide, and he looked slightly frightened.

  I smirked at him. “You were held hostage by a pretty cheerleader and what? You want me to feel sorry for you,” I teased.

  He relaxed and let out a quiet laugh. His eyes narrowed on my face and his smile disappeared. He leaned in until his lips touched mine in the lightest of kisses then pulled back. “The only reason I want you to feel sorry for me is because I can’t do that to my heart’s content.”

  My heart pitty-patted with happiness. And then pounded harder with guilt. I wasn’t a cheat-on-your-boyfriend kind of girl. No matter how messed up the situation was, George and I were officially still together and didn’t that just suck. I sat back until I was pressed against the car door. I squeezed Matt’s hand then pulled away from his touch completely, feeling empty and cold inside as soon as I did.

  “I guess I�
�ll feel sorry for both of us,” I said. I scrunched my lips to the side, fighting back new tears. “Until George and I break up that can’t happen again. I’m sorry.” I started to open the door, but Matt stopped me.

  “No.” He shook his head and smiled sadly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I’ll help you figure out what’s wrong with George, okay? As a friend. We’ll get him the help he needs. Together. You’re not alone in this. No matter what ends up happening between us.”

  I threw myself into his arms and clung to him. No wonder I was so drawn to him. Underneath his blue jeans and leather jacket, he had a big heart.

  “Thanks,” I sniffed. “I wish things were different.”

  He pressed a finger to my lips to stop my apology. “I never expected to fall for the ‘girl next door.’” He grinned at me. “But you’re worth whatever we have to go through.”

  Ahh. . . He made me feel so special. And safe. I would find a way to gently let George go. It was the only fair thing to do for all of us.

  The phone rang entirely too early. I felt around on my nightstand without opening my eyes, knocking stuff off until I found it.

  “Hello.” My voice was barely more than a grumble, but what did they expect calling so early?

  “You are not still in bed?” I couldn’t tell if Michelle was telling me or asking me so I didn’t reply at all.

  “Get up!” she yelled. I cringed at the volume. “We have manis in half an hour. I’m on the way to your house now.”

  “You scheduled manicures in the middle of the night?” My brain felt so fuzzy. I hadn’t slept well, and when I did my dreams were filled with Matt and George. And a gun. It had been up to me to save someone. Did I? I scrunched my eyes. My stomach churned. I couldn’t remember that part.

  “Kristen.” Michelle’s voice scolded. “It’s eleven o’clock in the morning, and the sun is shining. How much did you drink last night?”

  I pressed a hand to my forehead and cracked open my eyes. Streams of bright light seeped in around my curtain. What do you know? The sun was shining. “I didn’t drink anything,” I muttered. “I’m getting up. I’ll be ready soon.”

  I didn’t get up right away. First, I replayed yesterday over in my head from the apocalyptic pep rally all the way to Matt kissing me goodnight. With a groan, I forced myself out of bed. My feet hit the cold floor, and all I wanted to do was tuck them right back under the covers.

  Manicures and dress shopping were not exactly what I wanted to do today. It would be good to get my mind on something besides my messed up love life for a while, though. And talk to Michelle. The thought of asking Michelle what she knew about Laurie woke me up the rest of the way. There was something strange going on with that girl, but I couldn’t figure out her motive.

  My first stop after I forced myself out of bed was the window. I peered towards Matt’s house desperate to see him. He’d been so sweet last night. He was actually concerned about George and what was going on with him and not just focused on himself. How many other guys our age would act like that? Of course, having his friend kill himself probably made him mature faster than he should have had to.

  I saw AB first. She bounded across the front yard, spun in a circle, and tripped over her own feet. I laughed, watching her pick herself up to do it all over again. She made me miss Jammies. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for another dog or not though. I’d be leaving for college in the fall. Since I planned to live in a dorm my first year, I knew I couldn’t take a puppy with me. It was probably best to wait.

  Matt appeared from around the side of the house. My breath caught. He wore a dark blue shirt under his coat today. It looked nice on him. He tossed a red ball for AB. She sat beside him, watching it roll through the grass. I pressed my hands to the cool window pane, leaning closer. Matt squatted beside AB and pointed to the ball a couple of times. He finally ruffled her fur before they went together to retrieve it.

  I wanted to be free to go over and play with them. I needed to figure out how to help George so I could move on. I knew it wasn’t my responsibility to save him, but he’d been my boyfriend for a long time. I didn’t hate him or anything. Guiding him out of the dark spot he was in was the least I could do. I’d do the same for any of my friends. I only wished I knew how to go about it.

  Michelle’s car pulled up out front. I gave it a guilty look and jumped away from the window to run to my closet. I hadn’t realized how long I’d been daydreaming. I pulled a warm gray sweater with snowflakes on the front over my head then slipped on dark jeans and brown half boots. I applied a minimal touch of makeup and I swooped my hair into a ponytail. A glance in the mirror told me I wouldn’t be winning any beauty contests today, but I also shouldn’t make little children cry with fear. I decided that was good enough for me.

  I hurried down the stairs and heard Mom talking to Michelle in the kitchen. The smell of pancakes and warm syrup came from that direction. I took a big sniff, and I followed my nose.

  “Mmmm. . .” Michelle had a plate of pancakes in front of her and had already devoured a good portion of it. “I can’t remember the last time I had homemade pancakes. Thanks, Mrs. McDonald, these are delicious.”

  “You’re welcome.” Mom turned from the stove where she had another batch of pancakes cooking and saw me come in. She wore her flowered apron over her clothes today. “Well, good morning sleepy head. Grab a plate. These are almost ready.”

  “We have appointments for manicures soon. I don’t think I have time.” I glanced hopefully at Michelle as my stomach let out a pitiful grumble.

  She waved a hand through the air. “I rescheduled for noon when I found out you were still in bed. You have time.”

  She didn’t have to tell me twice. I got a plate out of the cupboard and kissed Mom’s cheek, making her smile. “Those smell amazing.”

  She scooped two golden pancakes onto my plate. “Have some fruit with that,” she told me, pointing towards the fruit dish. “There’s still some coffee or there’s orange juice in the refrigerator.”

  I poured a cup of coffee, hoping the caffeine would clear away the rest of my sleepiness, and obediently grabbed a banana before sitting at the table across from Michelle. “Sorry, I overslept. I had a lot of weird dreams last night.”

  “How was the party last night?” Mom asked as she started cleaning the kitchen.

  “It was terrific,” Michelle gushed before I could say a word. “Everyone was in such a great mood since we won the game.”

  “I imagine so,” Mom said. “What about you Kristen? Did you have a good time? I noticed the neighbor boy dropped you off.”

  She turned to give me a raised brow look full of questions. I should have known she’d look out the window when she heard Matt’s loud car stop out front.

  “Matt?” Michelle stopped chewing. Her eyes grew huge.

  I nodded and stuffed a bite of pancake in my mouth. “It was good,” I mumbled around the food. “Matt offered to bring me home since he lives next door. He was just being friendly.”

  I got equally disbelieving looks from both Michelle and my mom. I felt my cheeks flushing. I shoveled down the pancakes, took a few bites of the banana and drained my coffee before grabbing both my and Michelle’s plates and rinsing them so I could stick them in the dishwasher.

  “Hey!” Michelle protested. “Who said I was done?”

  “I thought we had appointments to keep. We should get going.” I did not want to stay here and let Mom and Michelle tag team me with questions about Matt that I wasn’t ready to answer yet.

  “Um-hm,” she said, each syllable dripping with disbelief. Thankfully, she didn’t push it though. “Thanks again, Mrs. McDonald. If all goes well Kristen will be coming home with the perfect prom dress today.”

  Mom smiled. “I’m sure you’ll find something beautiful. You two go and have fun.”

  I grabbed Michelle’s arm and pulled her towards the door. “Bye, Mom,” I called on the way out.

  As soon as the door shut b
ehind us, Michelle stopped walking and propped her fists on her hips. “Girlfriend, you have got some explaining to do.”

  I rolled my eyes and continued towards her car. “Don’t worry. By the time today’s over, you’re going to be sick of hearing about my problems.”

  Chapter 24

  Our toes soaked in warm water while two women intently massaged our hands with warm lotion. I closed my eyes and tried to relax. It wasn’t hard. The pampering felt so nice. Michelle wasn’t having it though.

  “Maybe Laurie’s after both your guys.” She narrowed her green eyes and pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Or maybe she simply wants you not to have anyone. Does she have any reason to have it in for you?” She tilted her head on the chair to look at me.

  I’d filled Michelle in on last night, and appreciated her help looking for answers, but I didn’t think she was on the right track. I shook my head. “Not that I know of.” I lifted my shoulders before letting them drop. “I’ve considered her a friend. I mean, I don’t know her well since she’s so new, but we’ve never had any problems.”

  Michelle wrinkled her nose. “You know, I don’t know much about her either. We’ve never even been to her house. She always has an excuse why we can’t meet there. Do you think she’s hiding something.”

  I laughed. “Like what? She’s leading a secret life as a teen and is really a grown woman with a family. Maybe a CIA agent or something?” I added just to be sure she realized how ridiculous the idea sounded.

  Michelle shook her head at me. “Hardy har har. She could be hiding something. Who’s she friends with at school?”

  I thought about that and darted her a look. “I can’t think of anyone she’s close to. She chats with everyone, but I don’t remember her ever hanging out with anyone in particular outside of cheer. That’s not unusual though. She transferred senior year. That’s a tough time to make close friends. She probably still has friends from her old school that she hangs with.”

  “She could,” Michelle, said but she looked doubtful.