Prove Me Wrong

by Tessa Marie

  I shift my hand and hear shuffling in my pocket. I reach into the inside pocket and pull out the envelope. I forgot to destroy it.

  Quickly, I had glanced at the paper inside the envelope, but when I saw mine on top and what I wrote I got angry and shoved it back inside the envelope swearing to destroy it. I haven’t looked at it since.

  The paper is still crumpled on the inside, not neatly folded like when Roxy put it in the box three years ago. Curiosity piques my interest as my hand reaches in for the paper. In my fingers are three crumpled pieces of loose leaf. One for me, one for CJ, and one for Roxy. Each piece holding the goals of our former selves.

  A shadow stretches out in front of me and I glance up, seeing the very last person I expected. “You trying to get frostbite?” Roxy asks.

  I’d say I’m surprised to see her, but nothing surprises me anymore. It’d be easy to say something rude, continue this ridiculous war of ours, but I’m tired. I’m just so done with it. If I had a towel I’d wave it in the air and surrender.

  “No, I knocked Russ out. He has a hard face.” I hold my hand up for Roxy to see.

  “Can I sit?” she asks and I move over in response. She plops down beside me and maybe it’s because it’s the first time we’ve been this close without hauling insults at each other, or maybe it’s because once upon a time she was my best friend and the best listener I knew. Either way for whatever reason, I spill my guts. I tell her everything. I tell her about my dad and about Hailey just grateful to get it off of my chest. She listens just like she always did and I have to ask. “Why are you being so nice to me anyway? In case you forgot you hate me.”

  “Hailey told me,” she says.

  Of course Hailey told her.

  “I don’t hate you. At least not anymore.”

  And it was as if all those lost years had been found.

  “Hailey thinks I told everyone about her and Brady. I didn’t. You have to believe me.”

  “I know it wasn’t you. It was Amanda.”

  “That bitch.”

  “Pretty much. Unfortunately for Hailey, she’s getting the brunt of my bad karma.”

  “What’s in the envelope?” she asks. I hold it up, keeping my fingers to the sides so the writing is visible.

  “Oh.”

  “CJ found it in his closet. I was supposed to destroy it, but I forgot to.”

  “You didn’t read it?”

  “I read the first sentence I wrote and didn’t want to read any further.”

  “You want to read them now?” she asks, then quickly retorts. “Actually it feels weird to do this without CJ here.”

  “That’s funny. He said the same thing about you.”

  “Did he?” Her face lights up and in that moment I know she never got over him. Which only explains why every time they come in contact with each other it turns into a heated argument. Sexual tension can be a bitch.

  “He did. So why don’t we wait for him then, and we’ll do it how we originally planned.”

  “You mean it?”

  “I’ve wasted the last ten years of my life on petty bullshit. I think it’s about time I grew up and let it go.”

  “Couldn’t agree more.” Roxy and I sit on the bench looking out at the ocean until I realize I’m late for work. Luckily I didn’t start drinking. Stan would not have been pleased. I leave Roxy on the bench and take off toward my car.

  I’m twenty minutes late and knowing Hailey will not be in, I run through the doors tying my smock behind me.

  “Luke, you’re late,” Stan comes out of his office.

  “I know and I’m sorry.”

  “It’s okay, just don’t do it again,” Stan’s voice lingers as he returns to his office.

  That was easy compared to the hell I’m going to get from Cecilia. The look on her face tells me she knows everything. Hailey must have stopped by to ask for the time off and Cecilia, I’m sure, got all of the details out of her.

  Out of everything I’ve been through today, seeing my aunt after ten years, talking to Hailey’s mom, punching Russ, making amends with Roxy this could prove to be the hardest of the tasks.

  I think about ignoring her, but that could make things worse. I see CJ at the end of Cecilia’s register, and I know he’ll back me up. Slowly I make my way closer.

  “Hey guys,” I say as casually as I can.

  “Uh uh,” Cecilia mumbles while she finishes ringing up her customer.

  “Lot of shit’s gone down I’m assuming,” CJ says and I just nod. He doesn’t pry. He knows I’ll fill him in on everything when I get a chance. Besides he has to run bags. As soon as he’s gone and Cecilia’s line is clear I go over and sit on the counter.

  “Just let me have it. I know it’s coming. But for the record I think I should be cut a little slack.”

  “I don’t have much to say. Just that she deserved a chance to explain and you never even gave the poor girl that.”

  “Cecilia, come on, it’s more complicated than that.”

  “No, it’s not. It is what you make it. Luke Hannon just isn’t the boy I thought he was because the Luke Hannon I thought I knew would have stood by his girl no matter what.”

  Then out of nowhere Carl appears and mutters, “I told you boy, dangerous territory.”

  He did say that way back when and it proved to be right, but if being in dangerous territory means I can be with Hailey then bring it on. And after the way I treated her just trying to get her to talk to me is going to be very dangerous territory.

  Then in a moment of clarity all of those chick flicks make sense. All of this time I thought they were a load of crap, but when it comes down to it when you fuck up big time you need to prove you’re willing to do what it takes to make things right, and that’s what I need to do. I need to show Hailey how much I truly do love her.

  Becky always knows exactly what to say and do. I arrived a little after three to a huge hug followed by a pint of chocolate Haagen Dazs ice cream. Sometimes a girl just needs a day to be completely indulgent. I’m a strong believer in chocolate cures everything. Unfortunately for me, Luke seems to be chocolate resistant.

  “Well, you still have me.” Becky and I are on her bed. She’s propped up against the wall and my head’s in her lap. Brady’s sleeping in his portable crib; it was a long car ride for him.

  “But you’re two hours away. That doesn’t exactly help.”

  “But I’m just a phone call away. So what are you going to do?”

  “What can I do? He obviously made up his mind.”

  “You did kind of spring it on him.”

  “Don’t take his side.”

  “I’m not. I’m just saying, maybe he needs time to recover from the shock. I mean when you told me you were pregnant I needed a few minutes to comprehend what you were saying. And my parents, it took them forever to come to terms with their daughter’s best friend being knocked up.”

  “Gee thanks.” We both laugh and it is the first time I’ve laughed since Luke left.

  The rest of the night we spend doing each other’s hair, gossiping about every person from my old school, talking about how I have the cutest kid in the world, and just enjoying the time we have together. It is limited. I have to go home tomorrow morning. I have a new life and as hard as it’s going to be for me to return I have no choice. Life goes on.

  I can’t believe Brady slept through the entire night. It was either that or Becky woke up with him. But there’s more of a chance of a mythical creature sent to care for babies poofing into the room to rock him back to sleep than there is of Becky attempting to tend to him without waking me up. She’s good with him, but she’s still uncomfortable dealing with anything baby related. She would have woken me up at the first peep he made.

  “I already miss you.”

  Brady giggles, and Becky kisses his cheeks. “I’m going to miss you too, cutie pie.”

  “We miss you too, Becks.” I shift Brady to my side so I can give Becky the hug she deserves for standin
g by me and for being the best friend a girl could ask for. “Thanks for everything.”

  “Call me when you get home so I know you made it okay.”

  “You got it. Love you.”

  “Love you both.” I secure Brady in his car seat and Becky stands in the driveway as I pull out. I make my way down the street and watch her waving in my rearview mirror until I can’t see her any longer. Seeing Becks was exactly what I needed. No matter how hard times get, she’s the one person that never judges me and who will always be there. It’s nice to know you have that one person to rely on. Still it sucks she’s over two hours away.

  If I don’t hit traffic I should be home by three. I’m dreading school tomorrow, the whispering, the stares and points, and most of all seeing Luke and not being able to kiss him or slide my hand into his as an escape.

  Yeah, tomorrow is going to suck.

  ***

  I couldn’t have been more right about school sucking. Everywhere I go I hear people whispering; I appreciate the ones who attempt to cover their mouths while talking about me but I still know I’m the topic of discussion.

  In homeroom Luke completely ignores me, which only makes me feel even more pathetic every time I sneak a glance in his direction. I also notice a lot of tension between Russ and Luke, and I wonder if it has anything to do with the newly black eye Russ is sporting. It’s not like I have anyone to ask. Just another reminder of how truly alone I am.

  I don’t even attempt lunch. That would be the equivalent of running through a gun range with a target on my back. Not happening. I’m braving my classes, which is more than enough.

  The only place I can think to hide is the first floor bathroom. Pathetic, I know. I have officially become one of those losers. Everything is falling apart around me. I text Mom to see how Brady is and what they’re up to. It’s the highlight of my day. In the end I will always have Mom and Brady.

  In the locker room I’m back to my old self-conscious self. Not technically old, considering I only had a single day of confidence. In the bathroom I pull my pants on over my jeans. I’m going to throw the I-have-cramps out to the coach. I’ve seen other girls get away with it and just as long as they change into their gym clothes they still get credit.

  Walking to my spot on the floor, I try to keep my head down, expecting any minute to accidentally catch a glimpse of Luke. When I don’t, I scan the gym for him. Coach Hamilton blows the whistle and still no Luke. He probably couldn’t stand to look at me one more time today. Can’t blame him. I wish I could, but I only have myself to blame. I messed up.

  The cramp excuse works, but it’s followed by a warning that it will only fly once in a quarter, but considering this quarter is almost over I’m not too concerned.

  It’s boring sitting on the sidelines while everyone else is playing. We started basketball today and when I say I couldn’t have picked a better day to sit out I mean it. Coach has everyone paired off, passing and dribbling. Luke has always been my partner and without him here, and with me labeled as the whore, I would’ve been flying solo.

  When Coach blows the whistle I cannot jump up fast enough. If I had to sit through another five minutes of bouncing balls I think I would have literally gone insane. I run down to the locker room, take my gym pants off, stuff them into my locker, and take off to the parking lot. The faster I get out of here the better.

  The trees pass me by one by one like they always do. However, a sign posted on a tree catches my attention. It would have caught my attention regardless, but the fact Hailey is scrawled across it in black paint makes me press on the brakes just to make sure I’m not seeing things.

  First, I squint, then I close my eyes and reopen them. Nothing changes. It still clearly says Hailey. It has to be another Hailey. I take my foot off the brake and continue on down the road until another sign catches my attention. This one says I’m and then two trees down Sorry. A wave of disbelief washes over me as I continue. Could it be? I take my foot off of the gas and coast down the road. Each tree has a sign and each sign has a different word. Hailey. You. Are. My. Exception.

  As I pull up to my house the words on the last sign bring tears to my eyes, but even more so is where the sign is perched. In his signature black hoodie, dark jeans, and Doc Martens, Luke holds Brady on his side. In his other hand he’s holding a white sign that at first glance looks like the rest, but on closer examination it isn’t. Not even close. On the sign in Luke’s hand are the three words I thought I’d never see or hear. I Love You.

  And as if that wasn’t enough, he picks the sign up, replacing it with another that reads: And Your Son.

  My cheek starts tugging at the sides of my lips. Every emotion I’ve kept at bay come flooding out in a stream of tears. It takes me a minute to gather the courage to get out of the car and walk towards the two boys I love more than anything.

  Luke meets me halfway. Brady reaches his hand out to me and I take hold of it, placing a kiss on his little fingers. The sun illuminates Luke’s blue eyes, and I’m no longer scared to look into them. I never want to take my eyes off of them.

  “I love you, Hailey, and I am so sorry. I don’t even—”

  “I love you too,” I say, placing my finger over his lips. I take his face in my hands and pull his mouth to mine. So many times before I’ve kissed Luke but this time it is so much more. It is fueled by longing, passion and love.

  I feel Luke’s lips curve up into a smile as he slowly pulls away and starts to laugh.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I didn’t even have to use my peace offering.”

  “And what was that?”

  He reaches into his pocket and takes out a pack of peanut M&Ms.

  Brady giggles at the sound of the paper and starts bouncing in Luke’s arms.

  “That’s right, Brady,” Luke says as I step back for a second to absorb it all. Brady is still giggling and Luke is giving him his undivided attention. He gives Brady the yellow pack to shake.

  “Come here.” Luke wraps his arm around me and pulls me into an embrace with my two favorite boys. For the first time in my life everything has fallen into place.

  The crowd is on their feet and with two outs, a score of one to two, and a man on third, the game is in my hands. Over my shoulder Coach Peterson is screaming out my name, followed by, “Come on! You got this.”

  My eyes follow the sounds of the crowd as I take a second to line up my swing. Everyone is here cheering for me. If you would have told me at the beginning of the school year I’d be up to bat on the school’s varsity baseball team with my family, best friends, and the two most important people in my life, my girlfriend and her baby, in the stands I’d have told you that you were nuts.

  I glance over to CJ and Roxy, who are holding hands. Three years after sealing the envelope we finally read the letters. Who knew in that envelope not only did they write their goals but also confessed their feelings for each other. After reading, we destroyed the letters and swore we’d never mention it again.

  Aunt Barbara and Mom give me a thumb’s up and I smile.

  Through the season, the six of them have become my own personal fan club. They have yet to miss a game. I consider Hailey and Brady my lucky charms, and that’s why right before I’m about to step back to the plate and take my swing I catch her eyes and wait for that smile I have fallen in love with.

  She has Brady’s hands in hers, and they’re clapping together, and as soon as she looks up our eyes meet and the smile forms, giving me exactly what I need to win this game. A quick tug on my hat in her direction, it’s our code for I love you, and I’m ready.

  The pitch is thrown and I stand ready. The ball’s coming right down the middle I wind back and crack. The ball smacks my bat and flies out into center field.

  “It’s going… It’s going… It’s gone! It’s gone! It is outta here!” Coach Peterson’s voice rises above the rest as I round the bases bringing home the team’s final victory of the season.

  “Luke, y
ou did it!” Coach Peterson meets me at home plate with the rest of the team who dive on top of me. “I knew you had it in you, kid.” He pats my back and then, completely unexpected, he yanks me into a monster hug.

  The crowd is still screaming, everyone descends the bleachers and makes their way to the field. My eyes instantly drift to Hailey. All of this is because of her. She walked into my life and completely turned it upside down in the best possible way.

  “Man that was some freakin’ hit!” CJ pats me on the back, so overcome with excitement I think I might need to give him a tranquilizer.

  “Luke, that was seriously awesome.”

  “Thanks, Roxy.”

  My eyes are still on Hailey as I push past the crowd only to be stopped again by my mom and aunt.

  “Luke, I am so proud of you,” Mom says, wrapping me up in one of her you’re-my-favorite-son-in-the-whole-world hugs. My aunt waits until Mom lets me go then jumps right in.

  “I am too,” she says.

  “Thanks.”

  I’ve spent so much of my life comparing myself to my dad. Almost positive my DNA determined who I would be. The only thing my DNA determines is what I look like. The rest. That’s on me. Which is why in the fall, I’ll be walking onto a college campus as a Liberal Arts major. Just until I can figure out what it is I really want to do.

  The money I saved to soup up my car, combined with student loans, was enough to pay for my first semester. I needed to do that. Prove to myself I was capable. It was my only request when I accepted the money from my aunt.

  My gaze lands on Hailey and her tooth slips over her bottom lip. Brady bounces in her arms, waving his T-Rex. There’s no doubt in my mind I want to be with Hailey, and if I want to be with Hailey I need to be a father figure to Brady. It comes with the territory and even though, as Carl said, it’s dangerous territory, it’s worth the risk.

  I push past the last crowd of people. Brady’s reaching his arms out to me so Hailey hands him over, his T-Rex dangling from his fingers.

  “Did you see that, my little man? Homerun!”