Prove Me Wrong

by Tessa Marie

I wasn’t going to put makeup on today, but with Mom home I have a minute to apply a coat of mascara and some lip-gloss. Life has become a balancing act since Brady became a part of it, but Mom and I are a good team.

  After kissing Brady a hundred more times, I head out to school. It’s a beautiful day. The sun shines bright and there is the slightest breeze that makes this warm September day just perfect. I adjust my big black sunglasses as I pull into the student parking lot. Of course there are no spots.

  I’m about to circle again when I see an opening at the very end of the lot. I drive in its direction only to find Luke getting out of what I’m assuming is his friend’s old, beat up Cadillac. Crap!

  Without acknowledging Luke, I pull into the space. I take my time gathering my things in hopes he’ll be gone. When I look up, he’s leaning against the passenger door of the Cadillac, his blue eyes looking at me.

  I’m a mom who has more important things to worry about than some stupid boy. But when I look into Luke’s gorgeous blue eyes, sometimes I forget.

  Nonchalantly, I open the door, my books in hand, again not acknowledging he’s so close I can barely get out of the car without hitting him with the door. Juggling my books and notebooks until they’re comfortably in my arms, I begin to walk away. I don’t care that my elbow grazes his tight black t-shirt in the process.

  “Hey! Where are you going?”

  I keep moving. Maybe he’ll get the hint. Maybe he’ll just leave me alone. “Hailey! Hey!” His hand settles on my elbow.

  “Oh, hey Luke,” I say.

  “Don’t act like you didn’t see me. You practically took me out with your door.”

  “No, I didn’t.”

  “I know, just wanted to prove that you did see me and purposely ignored me.” A cocky smile settles on his face and I hate that it makes me swoon.

  “Okay, point proven. Now take the hint,” I say, and continue to homeroom.

  “Last night. What you heard was some drunken idiot whom I have no interest in whatsoever.”

  “Save it. You’re all the same and I’m not falling for it again.” I hurry to the door, hoping to put as much distance as possible between us. But when I get there, he grabs it and holds it open for me. He’s relentless.

  “I’m not like that,” he says and he almost sounds desperate.

  “I’m sure you’re not.” He can deny it all he wants, but I know the truth.

  “Let me prove it to you. Go out with me and if I’m anything but a gentleman you never have to talk to me again.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Oh come on! One date, what do you have to lose?”

  “Everything,” I say, and duck into the girls’ bathroom. The pink walls are my only shelter from his annoyingly good looks. God, why do all the guys I find attractive have to be the assholes?

  I hide in the bathroom hoping Luke got the hint and will just leave me alone, but I come to the realization that no matter how long I stay here, seeing Luke is inevitable. I have no choice but to go to homeroom. A quick glance in the mirror confirms this is the best it’s going to get and then I’m back in the hallway, no Luke in sight.

  Room 202 is on the opposite side of the hallway, which means I have no chance of being late. I go in with two minutes to spare. To my surprise, still no Luke. However, creepy Russ is in his seat, his legs sprawled out with his feet resting on my chair. Ugh!

  “Oh. I’m sorry,” he says, removing his feet off my seat, pulling his desk closer to my chair. Yuck. His cologne seems stronger than the other day and it makes me want to vomit even more.

  Once in my seat I inch it up as far away from Russ as I can before I fuse with the desk in front of me.

  “Luke, my man!”

  My body tenses at the mention of his name. I don’t look up. Not even when he brushes past my desk to talk to Russ. I smell his cologne and if Russ’s wasn’t so overpowering I would close my eyes and take in the fresh, clean scent. For once I’m happy Russ is behind me.

  “Hey, Russ,” Luke says with a hint of a smile in his voice.

  “So, Amanda was looking hot last night,” Russ says and my ears perk up. I open my notebook to pretend I’m not listening, but slide back slightly on my chair to get closer.

  “Didn’t notice,” Luke mumbles. I love how he’s trying to play it cool. Using his two word response as if I don’t know what he’s really thinking.

  “She dropped me like a bad habit when you showed up last night, you asshole. The ladies fucking love you. I’d kill to be you.”

  Luke’s jaw tightens. “I’m not interested in her.”

  Little does Russ know, he is like Luke. He just can’t hide behind his charm like Luke does because he doesn’t have any. His bowl cut hairstyle isn’t helping matters either.

  Luke pats Russ on the back and moves towards his desk. I keep my eyes down pretending to read and even though I’m not looking at him, I feel him staring at me with each step he takes. I wish he’d find another girl to chase.

  As soon as the bell rings, I’m determined to disappear into the crowds. Surprisingly, my Converse sneakers aren’t smoking as I bolt down the hallway. It’s possible my name escapes Luke’s lips, but everything becomes muffled around me and Luke is gone.

  Lunch is not as awkward as I had anticipated and I’m thankful to be sitting with Roxy, Turns out, she’s my best weapon against Luke, He won’t even look in my direction when I’m talking to her. Which only makes me wonder what actually happened between the two of them.

  Roxy looks over my shoulder and her sweet disposition morphs into an evil glare but when she looks back to me it’s all rainbows and sunshine. “I can see you took my advice on Luke Hannon. Smart girl. Wouldn’t want to see you get burned like the rest of them.”

  “Is he that bad?” I ask, because a part of me is hoping it’s all an act and he’s not the manwhore I know he is.

  “Look. The road he’s traveling is a one way street with no way out. Don’t let him drag you down there with him.”

  “Were you guys ever a thing?”

  “No!” Her eyes darken and her lip curls. “Of course not. We had a lot of classes together in middle school. I saw how he treated girls even then. It’s not like he hid it or anything.”

  “How’d he treat them?”

  She’s quiet for a moment. “Made them think he’d always be there for them then ditch them, especially when they needed him most,” she says, then her lips press into a tight line.

  It seemed less like a third-party observation and more like someone who had experienced it firsthand. If I was placing bets my money would still be on that they dated and she just wasn’t willing to admit it.

  “Anyway, enough about that. Dana and I are going shopping after school. You want to come?”

  After Brady, shopping took a backseat to diaper changes and feedings. Mom doesn’t have work until eight and it would be a great opportunity to see if any of the stores are hiring.

  “Count me in.”

  “Awesome. Meet us in the parking lot after school.”

  I go to gym and luckily we don’t pair up with partners today. The coaches separate us into two groups for practice drills. Luke isn’t in my group, but that doesn’t stop him from trying to talk to me.

  “You can’t ignore me forever,” he says, running up to my side.

  I turn the other way and head towards the coaches, hoping Luke will just leave me alone. However, it doesn’t deter him; he walks along side of me.

  “You have to believe me when I tell you Amanda and I are over.”

  I stop and face him. “It didn’t sound like that the other night.”

  “Mr. Hannon I believe you’re in the wrong group,” Coach Peterson yells out then points his finger back to Luke’s group.

  Luke’s shoulders go limp. He turns and walks backward. “Meet me in the parking lot?” he asks and I just stare at him.

  “Now, Luke,” Coach Peterson yells.

  “I’m going,” Luke calls back and wit
h one glance at me he rejoins his group.

  As soon as I get in the parking lot, I spot Luke standing against his friend’s Cadillac. I drag my feet toward my car as I scan the lot looking for Roxy or Dana or both.

  Roxy waves to Dana then heads to her car, three cars away from Luke. Perfect. I head toward her, texting Mom I'm going to be late. Luke’s face brightens and a cocky smile forms.

  “Hey Roxy,” I call out and Luke’s smile drops away. He gets in his friend’s car, defeat lingering in the air.

  “Hey, Hailey. Why don’t you follow me to my house? We’ll drop my car off and we can drive together. Dana got tied up, so she’s going to meet us there. She and Paul are having another one of their fights.”

  “Sure.” I hang around in hopes that by the time I walk to my car the Cadillac will be gone.

  Roxy gets in her car and once again I’m on my own. The last thing I want to do is talk to Luke. I’d rather pretend I never met him. After a deep breath, I turn on my heels and head to my car with my head held as high as I can get it without looking awkward.

  The Cadillac is still there. Travis is leaning into the driver’s side window. When Luke spots me, he runs his hand through his hair. Smooth.

  Our eyes catch hold. He makes his move. No. It’s not happening. I jump in the car and before he can get the window down I pull out of my space and behind Roxy’s black Audi A4. Thank God for manual windows.

  We turn onto the main road and ten minutes later we arrive at Roxy’s McMansion—a large brick colonial with green shutters and a white wraparound porch. It makes my house look like a shithole.

  Roxy gets out of her car and hops in my passenger seat.

  “You don’t need to go in for anything?” I ask.

  “Nope, let’s just go.”

  A woman opens the front door, arms folded. Her blonde frosted hair pulled back into a severe bun.

  “Are you sure? I mean it looks like…” I go to point at the house but Roxy grabs my fingers.

  “Just go.”

  I put the car in drive and take off.

  “Was that your mom?”

  “Has anyone ever told you that you’re nosy?”

  My head flinches back slightly. “Actually, no.”

  “Well, you are. But if you must know, yes, that was my mother. She’s a pain in my ass so I prefer to just avoid her.”

  “Oh.” I couldn’t imagine avoiding my mom. She’s my rock in this out of control world. She keeps me grounded. Keeps me sane. Moments like this make me realize how truly lucky I am. Life could always be worse. Much worse.

  “Whatever.” I’ve noticed when Roxy no longer wants to discuss a topic she throws out this word.

  “So what are you looking to get at the mall?” I change the subject for her. It works because her features soften and relief shines on her face.

  “Not sure. Just browsing, unless something catches my eye,” Roxy says. “How about you? Anything in particular you want?”

  “A job,” I confess.

  “That is the last thing I was expecting you to say.” She glances over at me and we both laugh.

  We start by fueling up at the food court. I order a pepperoni slice while Roxy orders a Stromboli. It’s nice to know she’s not one of those psychos who watches everything she eats. I like food and I’m not going to pretend I don’t. That’s why losing the last little bit of baby weight was hard. I had to go full on diet and it sucked. Now that I’m at my ideal weight, I just have to keep up with the exercise which I get plenty of chasing after Brady.

  Roxy takes her phone out of her bag and rolls her eyes before typing on her screen. “What a surprise,” she says as I’m about to put the slice of pizza in my mouth.

  “What’s that?” I take a bite after the words are out.

  “Dana cancelled. Let’s just say her and Paul are making up.”

  “Good for them,” I say and Roxy arches an eyebrow.

  “You wouldn’t say that if you read the text she sent me. I need to bleach my mind to get rid of the visual.”

  We both laugh until we’re holding our stomachs in pain. Then we try on hats and jewelry, acting out scenes from our favorite movies, which surprisingly we have in common. We laugh at a couple of boys who try to hit on us, and Roxy even helps me fill out a few applications.

  I’m having a great time with Roxy and it’s nice to have a normal afternoon at the mall, but Becky keeps popping into my mind. I really miss her and I’m feeling guilty for having so much fun without her.

  “We should do this again sometime soon,” Roxy says when her McMansion comes into view. It’s five o’clock, which means I’ll have enough time to go home and get some homework done before Brady’s seven o’clock feeding.

  “Definitely,” I say.

  Roxy adjusts her top, squares her shoulders and flattens her hair with her hand before she hops out of the car. Her mother peers out from behind a curtained window. The same glower still on her face.

  Her mom watches her and right as Roxy walks in the door, the curtain closes and her mother disappears.

  It’s been a week since Amanda ruined any chance I had with Hailey. Normally I’d move on. No girl is worth the effort. But, I can’t stop thinking about her and this is new territory for me.

  I’ve tried apologizing. Not that it matters. Hailey blows me off every time. I don’t blame her. I know what it seemed like. If I were her I wouldn’t give me a second chance either. Not in a million years.

  What sucks most is the only time I can even get anywhere near her is in gym class. Homeroom has become torturous as I’m stuck watching Russ continuously hit on her. I’d like to hit him instead. Lunch is completely off limits. She’s using her friendship with Roxy to block me.

  Coach hasn’t put us in pairs since the second day and every time we get put in teams she’s on the opposite one and purposely stays in the position farthest from me. She doesn’t come into gym until coach walks in, making it hopeless to talk before class. And when class is over she blends in with the mad rush to the locker room.

  So today, when we’re making our way to the field, I catch up to her and lightly grab her elbow. She quickly glances at me. Her hazel eyes widen and her cute pouty lips turn into a straight line. I muster up my most charming grin before I try to speak.

  “You don’t get the hint do you?” she says, her voice laced with frustration.

  I’ve made progress. It’s the first words she’s uttered to me in days.

  “I guess not,” I say and let my hand drop from her elbow. Her eyes dart to the spot and if I’m not mistaken she’s disappointed I let go.

  She shakes her head, her gaze shifting from her elbow to me. “Maybe I should be more forward then.”

  She storms by me, but I chase after her, falling into step beside her. She tucks a piece of hair behind her ear but it’s too short and falls right back to where it was. A slight smile breaks, her front tooth slightly sticking out from her lips.

  “Please don’t. I don’t think I could handle any more rejection,” I say, surprised at how much truth is behind my words.

  “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you enjoy it.”

  She pushes the same stubborn piece of hair behind her ear, and I hide my smile when it doesn’t stay.

  “It may seem that way, but I can assure you it’s not the case. You won’t give me a chance to explain and I just want you to know the truth.”

  She glances up. Her eyes dull with doubt and hesitation. “How do I even know I can trust you?”

  “You’ll never know if you don’t give me a chance.”

  For a moment she’s quiet, and I’m ready to put my tail between my legs and walk away with the little dignity I have left.

  “Fair enough,” she finally says.

  “Really?” Shock smacks me in the face and I stand there like a dumbass, trying to decipher if this is reality or if I just imagined that.

  “Really,” she says with a laugh.

  I feel like I just won a gold me
dal at the fucking Olympics. But I shake it off and get my shit together before I speak. “So how about after school? What are you doing?”

  “I’m actually job searching. I haven’t had any luck.”

  “I can help with that.”

  “Thanks, but Roxy and I have already filled out an application at every store in the mall, but they can’t work around the hours I’m available… so yeah.”

  “What are the hours?”

  “Like two-thirty to six-thirty.”

  “They’re looking for a cashier at the supermarket where I work. I can put in a good word for you if you’d like.”

  “Seriously?”

  Her face lights up and damn if that isn’t the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.

  “You’d do that for me? Even after. Well… I haven’t been very nice to you.”

  “That is true. Hmm. I’m going to have to think about it now.”

  Her mouth drops in mock shock.

  “I’m just kidding. For you, anything.”

  She closes her mouth, her eyes shifting as she bites her lip. “Thanks.”

  “After school I have to get my car. So you want to meet me at the supermarket, say around three?”

  “Perfect. I’ll be there.”

  “It’s a date,” I say with a cocky smile.

  “No, it’s not. It’s just a friend helping a friend.”

  “Friends. I can do that.” A step in the right direction. Getting her a job is not an issue. Stan, my manager, would rather hire someone I vouch for than some random person that comes in from the street. I’m one of his hardest workers. I never call off sick and I’m always willing to work any overtime that fits my schedule. I’ve never steered him in the wrong direction before. And once Hailey gets the job I’ll get to see her more.

  ***

  CJ drops me off and I run in the house to change into my uniform of black pants, a white collared shirt, and a green smock. A hat also goes with the ensemble but I told Stan I draw the line at the smock. I hop in my car and arrive at Gimbel’s at five to three.

  Gimbel’s is the local supermarket, and unlike most, it’s still family owned and operated, which is why jobs like bag boys still exist. I bag the groceries and carry them out to the customer’s car. It’s all about customer service for them.