Provoked

by S. Donahue

  “Can you guys excuse me for a minute? I’m gonna get a beer and go to the bathroom.” I turn to head out to the hallway when I spot the woman from the bar. She is beautiful. She walks through the doors and stands there, just looking around.

  I am shocked to see her. I must look like an idiot, the way I’m staring at her.

  I go to the makeshift bar and order a beer, not taking my eyes off of my dream girl.

  CHAPTER 8

  Hailey

  I REACH THE GYMNASIUM. I picked out the perfect red strapless dress for the reunion. It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, so red is appropriate. I accented my dress with a pair of silver Marc Jacob heels and dangling silver earrings. My hair is free-flowing down my back with large bouncy curls at the ends. I feel confident in my appearance. No one is going to bring me down tonight. It has been ten years, and I have matured into a sophisticated woman who can handle anything life throws at her.

  The smell of the hallway brings some bile to my throat. My heart pounds out of my chest as I turn the door handles. I am about a half hour late for the party. I was debating with myself whether I should go or not up to the last minute.

  I can hear the music coming from the room. Jesse McCartney’s “Beautiful Soul” is playing. The gym is set up like a school dance. This is mortifying, because I never actually ever went to these things in high school. The gym is dim with a glow from the mirror ball. I especially hated this room in the school. This was where the torture took place. The pain that I endured all comes flooding back…

  ***

  It was 2005… Senior year.

  I hated gym class. I had it third period. Our gym classes were co-ed, but the lockers weren’t. I dreaded having to go to the locker and change in front of the girls in my class. I had to keep telling myself that this was my last year of high school. I only had seven more months of this.

  I could feel my body start to sweat. First it was my hands, then it was my armpits. I walked through the gym toward the back. Some of the boys were out on the court playing basketball while they waited for class to start. I was stalling, which was why I was running late. I was hoping everyone would already be out of the lockers by the time I got there. No chance of that happening.

  Carrie, Paulina and Laney were all hovering in the corner, doing their hair and putting on lip gloss. They were gossiping about everyone in the school. I mean can you get any bitchier?

  They spotted me. Carrie stood up.

  “Oh look, girls, it’s Hailey the hippo,” Carrie said.

  “I would be so embarrassed if I was you,” Laney said to me, laughing. “You can’t even run. You’re the laughing stock of the school.”

  As much as it hurt, I ignored them. I didn’t want to get kicked out of school for fighting. I tried to walk away, but then Carrie caught me off guard with what she said next.

  “Don’t think I don’t see the way you look at my boyfriend, like he’s some kind of piece of meat you want to eat. You can get those thoughts right out of your head, because he would never want to be with a pig like you.”

  That pushed me over the edge. The tears started falling down my face. I couldn’t bear this pain any longer. I never wanted her to see me cry, but I just couldn’t help it. I knew a boy would never look at me like they looked at her. I knew I was destined to never have a boyfriend or someone who loved me. I’d never step foot in my senior prom because nobody in that school will ever ask me. I just didn’t want the popular bitch at school to point that out to me… in front of others.

  I ran to the stall and cried my eyes out.

  “Come on, girl. She’s a cry baby. She can’t handle constructive criticism,” Carrie said in a snotty tone as she exited the locker room with her cult in tow.

  I was late for class. That day we were supposed to be playing dodgeball. I couldn’t go out there in front of everyone. They would all be staring at me. I couldn’t have Chase look at me like they did.

  I decided that it really didn’t matter at that point. I changed into my clothes and put my bag into a locker on the other side of the room. I spent my life hiding from others. I exited the locker room and jumped into the line without being noticed, but how can someone like me go unnoticed?

  “Hailey, you’re late for class. See me after,” Miss Carter said, embarrassing me in front of everyone. I heard snickers coming from some of the students.

  Miss Carter was calling out the names of students who would be on each team, in alphabetical order. You know what that means? Chase O’Brien and Carrie Porter would both be on the same team as me. Carrie looked disgusted that I was on her team. It’s not like I picked the teams, because believe me, she would be the last person in the world I would want on my team. We were all near each other because they were only teams of ten with two different games going on. A total of forty students, and I got stuck with those two.

  “I can’t believe I have to be on a team with you. You are useless,” Carrie said.

  “Just stand behind me, Hailey. I’ll make sure you don’t get hit with the ball,” Chase said. That was the first time he ever spoke to me directly… Then Carrie had to go and ruin it for me.

  “It’s not like they won’t be able to see her behind you, baby.” She smirked.

  I was mortified. I could never look at Chase again. I ran out of the gym class into the hallway so no one would see me cry. My heart was torn. The ridicule had gone too far. I cried into the wall. No one was around; no one even saw me run out.

  We were by the door when it happened. I got myself together and turned to go back inside. Chase O’Brien was standing behind me.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “I’m fine. I’ll be fine. I’m used to it,” I said, tears flowing down my face.

  “Don’t let her get to you. She’s my girlfriend, but she’s a bitch.”

  “Go back inside, Chase. Just let me be. I’ll be fine,” I whispered.

  “I don’t want to see you like this.”

  “You don’t know me. You are one of them, as far as I’m concerned.”

  “I’m not one of them. I’m me, and I don’t like to see someone hurting.”

  He reached his hand out to my face and wiped away my tears. “Be strong,” he said as he turned around and walked back to the gym.

  I stood there in shock. The tears were still flowing. I got myself together and went back into class.

  CHAPTER 9

  Chase

  “WHAT ARE YOU DOING over here?” Parker says, punching my arm.

  “She’s here,” I say, taking a sip of beer.

  “Who? Carrie?”

  “No, the woman from the bar.”

  “So we went to school with her. Who the hell could it be?” he asks.

  “I don’t know. I don’t recognize her.”

  “Where is she?”

  “Over there talking to Mrs. Ward.” I nod in her direction.

  “I don’t know her. We need to somehow scope out her name sticker.”

  “What do you want me to say? Oh hey, I think we have a connection. Will you marry me and have my children, but I have no idea who you are?”

  “How about you start with, ‘Hi, I’m Chase.’ See if she knows you. There you go. Do that.”

  “I’m not going up to her.” I refuse to make an ass of myself.

  Busting in on our conversation, I hear, “Chase, is that you?”

  I turn around and recognize Laney. “Yes, hi, Laney. How are you?” I kiss her on the cheek.

  “Better now that I got to see you.” She turns to P. “Parker, always a pleasure,” she says sarcastically.

  P broke her heart. She was madly in love with him, and he played her Parker-style. I don’t blame her for hating him. She chased him, and he ran farther and farther away.

  “Carrie was looking for you, so I hear,” Laney says to me.

  “Oh really? That’s nice.” I give Parker a look that says I’m going to kill him for bringing me here. I look over at my mystery woman as she talks and smile
s with the teacher. Carrie is making a beeline straight toward me. I want to run. I want to hide.

  “Chase,” she calls out, running to me and pulling me into a hug. She looks run-down and trashy. Her hair is greasy and her teeth are messed up.

  “How are you?” I ask, trying to be polite.

  “Great… ya’ know.” That is her response.

  She sure as hell doesn’t look great, but I would never say anything. Leave it to my best friend to open his mouth, though. He hates Carrie so much. He even hated her back in high school. He just tolerated her because of me.

  “Been partying hard there, Car?” Parker asks her.

  “Yeah, I’m always a good time. Maybe we can hang out sometime,” she says to him, looking at me to see my reaction.

  “I’m good,” he says, making a crazy face. He whispers under his breath to me, “She looks like a crack whore.”

  “I’m ready to get out of here,” I whisper back.

  “Me, too. Let’s go pick up some real women at a classy joint.”

  “It was great chatting with you ladies, but me and my boy here have to get going,” he says to them.

  “Really,” Carrie says, pouting her lips. “The night is still young. By the way, Chase, I’m writing a romance novel about our time together and then my issues after. It’s my way of healing. I’m hoping to have a happily ever after, then get it published. I’ve been reaching out to companies.”

  “That’s really awesome, Carrie, but I’m in a relationship with someone,” I lie.

  “Wow, um... Well, fuck her. You were mine first. We were meant to be. Maybe we can go out and talk some. My mom can watch the kids.”

  Did she just fucking say kids? Plural…!

  “Listen, Carrie, I can’t. I have to go… really.”

  “Here’s my number. Call me.” She takes my phone out of my hand and puts her number in. I take my phone back from her and literally want to spray it with Lysol.

  “It was nice seeing you. P, let’s go… now.”

  “Bye, Laney,” Parker says, winking his eye.

  Laney and Carrie glare at each other and go their separate ways.

  Parker and I head toward the door so I can make my escape.

  CHAPTER 10

  Hailey

  IT’S AMAZING how much a smell or sound can bring back a memory. For me, the hurt never went away. I can lose a million pounds, have a million dollars, but the scars are there for life.

  As I look ahead of me, I see Chase O’Brien standing there, staring at me. He looks confused, unsure; then he just walks away to the bar. I don’t have the nerve to approach him or say hi. I check in at the table. They give me a tag with my name on it. The people working the table are from the Home and School Association, so they wouldn’t have recognized me anyway. I don’t put the name tag on. Even after all this time, I still don’t want anyone to know who I am.

  I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn around. It is Mrs. Ward, my senior year English teacher.

  “Hailey, is that you?”

  “Yes, you recognize me?” I ask, kind of surprised that she recognizes me after all this time.

  “Of course I do. I’d never forget your face. Looks don’t always make a person. How are you?”

  “I’m great, actually. I own a publishing company.”

  “That is phenomenal. You always loved English class.”

  “That was about the only class,” I joke.

  “Are you married with any children yet?” she asks.

  “No, just me. I’m just concentrating on my business right now.” Why does everyone ask that question? I’m gonna be twenty-eight. Why do I have to rush down the aisle? Have they seen what I have to choose from out in society?

  Mr. Dalton walks up to us. He taught senior algebra. “Rich, do you remember Hailey McCormick? You taught her senior year,” she reminds him.

  “Yes, yes. How are you, Hailey?”

  He has no clue. I can tell by that surprised look on his face.

  “I’m great,” I say, smiling. I’m used to the shock by now. The weight loss is quite noticeable.

  “Mr. Dalton is my husband. We were married about five years ago. We fell in love, first with teaching, then with each other.”

  “That is awesome.”

  Mr. Dalton kisses her on the cheek and excuses himself.

  I hope I can find my one true love someday. I look over from the corner of my eye and see Chase talking to Parker and two women. One looks like Carrie, but she looks really bad. As much as I hated her, I really hope that isn’t her. I notice Chase trying to get away from them. He walks away and heads for the door.

  It is now or never. If I don’t talk to him, he will be gone forever. If I say hi, I may look like a fool. I need to think quickly.

  “Mrs. Dalton, now,” I say, smiling. “Can you excuse me for a moment?”

  “Sure, sweetie. I’m just going to converse over there.” She taps my arm.

  I turn toward the exit. He is almost out the door.

  “Chase!” I yell out. He turns back, looks around, and spots me. Then he whispers something to Parker and starts to walk toward me. I stand there speechless. I don’t know what to say next.

  “Hi,” he says.

  “Hi,” I reply.

  “Were you at Shawnee’s Pub a few weeks back?”

  Oh my God, he saw me. I’m mortified.

  “Yes, I was.”

  “I saw you there. I thought you looked familiar to me, but I was unsure. Obviously I know you—we went to school together.”

  “Do you really know everyone you went to school with?” I ask then wait for his response.

  CHAPTER 11

  Chase

  I HEAR SOMEONE calling my name. I turn to see who it is. I’m hoping it isn’t Carrie.

  It is the mystery woman. She’s standing there looking sexy as hell. I tell P to wait for me in the car and walk toward her. I have to see her. As I get closer, I can feel the familiarity. She looks scared.

  “Hi,” I say when I approach her.

  “Hi,” she says back. I have to ask her if she was at Shawnee’s pub a few weeks back. It was her. She confirms it. I knew it when I saw her tonight. Plus, I’ve been thinking of her ever since that day I saw her in the bar.

  “Obviously I know you,” I say. “I went to school with you.”

  “Did you really know everyone you went to school with?” she asks.

  “Of course.” I look deeper into her eyes. I know them. I remember looking into them. I remember the sadness. I remember the tears. I see the pain she endured. I know who my mystery woman is.

  “Hailey?”

  “Yes, Chase. It’s me.”

  “How are you?” I don’t want to say anything about the weight loss. I’m sure she knows she lost weight.

  “Great. How about yourself?”

  “I’m good. Work a lot.” I’m not lying. That’s what I feel like I do all the time.

  “Yeah, me, too. Well, it was great seeing you.”

  She is trying to end our conversation and walk away. I can’t let her get away so easily this time. “Wait,” I call out to her. She turns and looks at me. “I’d like to hang out or something.” Oh God, that came out so wrong—like I’m twelve. “I mean maybe we can catch up.” Good comeback.

  “That’s not a good idea.”

  “Why not?” I ask. I’m not sure why she is backing away from me. She looks over at Carrie, who is standing off to the side, staring us down.

  “I just can’t,” she says, looking away.

  “Don’t pay her any mind.”

  “I don’t want to get involved between you two, even though there’s nothing between us anyway.”

  “Hailey… wait! You think I’m still with her?”

  “Sure seems that way.”

  “God no. I haven’t been with her for six years. I haven’t even spoken to her until tonight. She wanted to talk, and I blew her off and told her I had to go. I’m totally not interested in her, not at all.
”

  “I don’t know what you want me to say.”

  “Say you’ll go have a drink with me.”

  “When?” she questions, skeptically.

  “Right now. I’ll drop Parker off at my house to get his car. We can even take separate cars—just follow behind me.”

  I am hoping she says yes. I want to catch up with her, but I don’t want to do it at the reunion because I need to get out of here and away from Carrie.

  “I’m gonna pass. I’m sorry. Maybe another time.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I own McCormick Publishing. You can contact me there if you need to get in touch with me.”

  “That’s it? Can I have your cell phone number?”

  She hesitates. “I don’t know, Chase. I really don’t. I’m not sure why you want to talk to me or catch up with me. I’m just me. I never changed who I am. I’m still the same person I was ten years ago, just with a different body.”

  “I know who you were then, and I want to know who you are now.”

  “I’m sorry, Chase.”

  “Me, too.” I turn to walk away then turn back to her. “You will be hearing from me.”

  She doesn’t stop me, so I leave the building. When I get to the car, Parker is on his cell phone.

  “What the hell took so long? I was falling asleep out here.”

  “She turned me down.”

  “Who?”

  “Hailey.”

  “Do I know who that is?”

  “We went to school with her. She ended up being my mystery woman.”

  “Wait, Hailey the Heifer?”

  “Really, P, fucking really. You’re the reason she won’t give me the time of day.”

  “Hold up. I never called her that. That’s what everyone else called her. I was just confirming who you were talking about. Why are you snapping?”

  “I was just thinking back to a time back in school… That’s all. Let’s just go. I’m going home. I’ve had enough for one night.”

  “Well damn, if my ex-girlfriend showed up to the reunion looking like a crackhead, I would go to a bar.”