"I know. Maybe she knows why I called her."
I looked at the door to see if Eva was coming in, when I noticed Danielle getting up from a booth by the door.
"What she's doing here?" I asked as I watch Danielle going to the door.
Ashley turned to the direction I was looking.
"Is that the Belmont bitch that embarrassed you at the homecoming dance?"
"The one and only. I'll be back," I said as I quickly got up from the booth. I raced over to the door and blocked it before Danielle could leave.
"Well isn't it a small world. What brings you by here?"
"I should be asking you the same thing since you stay nowhere near here."
"I do have friends in this area."
"Oh please. You and I know that Parker and Belmont can't stand each other."
"You seem perfectly fine mixing the two."
"Who do you possibly know at Parker?"
"That's none of your business. Now can you get out of my way?"
"Not until I figure out what you're doing here."
"You really want to know why I'm here?"
"Yeah, I do."
"I was waiting for you actually. I know you like to come here to hang out with your friends. So tell me, how is your new friend doing?"
"What the hell you talking about?"
"I'm talking about Brandy. You two became so close since you arrived at Belmont."
"Where is this going Danielle?"
Danielle smiled as she leaned in closer to me. I suddenly became startled by Danielle's behavior as I pulled away from her.
"If I were you, I would watch your back with your new friend. There's a lot you don't know about her."
"Why should I listen to you?"
"I think you might want to listen to this. When you do find out about Brandy, it won't be pretty."
"Why don't you go do something constructive with yourself for a change?"
"As I recall, you're the one who barged your way through here like some manic. With your history, I don't think that's wise to do."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Don't think I don't know about your life prior to Belmont. And before the week ends, so will everyone else," she said as she pushed past me to leave. As she was leaving, Eva was walking in. The two bumped into each other, causing Danielle to trip on her Steve Madden's.
"Watch where you going, heifer," Danielle said.
"I know she didn't just call me a heifer," Eva said. She was about to go after Danielle, but I pulled her into the diner.
"Why you didn't let me go after her?"
"Because she's not worth it. Come on," I said as we went toward the booth.
Ashley looked up from her menu and sighed.
"What happened with Danielle?"
"The usual. She's just like Theresa. All talk."
Eva sat down beside Ashley and pulled out a menu.
"What brings us all together? We haven't done this in a while."
"I just wanted to see how you were doing. I haven't been spending any time with either of you, and I'm sorry for that."
"Girl, we all know how busy you are with school and cheerleading and of course Michael, so we understand," said Ashley. She looked over at Eva, who gave a weak smile at us.
"Yeah, we do," she said softly.
I had to know if something was wrong. I was starting to become really concerned about Eva.
"Eva, is something wrong? You've been acting weird for the past few days. If something is wrong, you can always tell us," I said.
"No matter what it is, you can tell us," said Ashley.
Eva looked at us with a sympathetic look on her face. She looked at me and started to nod her head.
"There is something wrong, Char. I didn't know how to tell you this and I've been contemplating in my mind what I wanted to say to you, but I couldn't find the words."
I knew something was really wrong with Eva because she was starting to babble. Eva usually babbles when she's nervous.
As my impatience started to grow, I took my hand and put it on Eva's.
"Tell me what's wrong, Eva. Whatever it is, it can't be that bad. You're my best friend, so whatever you have to say we can get through it."
Eva looked at me as a tear started to roll down her cheek.
"You want to know what's up with me; fine, I'll tell you. But what I'm about to say, you're not going to like."
"Like I said, we can get through it, whatever it is."
Eva started to clear her throat while I looked at her impatiently. My patience was really starting to wear thin now. I wished Eva would tell me what it is. I mean it can't be that bad....
"When I met Michael at Belmont's homecoming, that wasn't the first time I saw him."
I gave a confused look at Eva as I rose up in my seat.
"What? You met Michael before?"
"Remember the party Kevin and I went to? The one some kid Kevin knew threw after the Elkins game against Parker."
"I guess I do. Why?"
"Michael was there with Danielle, and while Kevin was neglecting me yet again with his buddies, and Danielle was being her usual bitchy self, I was left at the refreshment table with Michael. We had a couple of drinks and we talked for the whole night. To me, that was the best conversation I had with a guy in a long time. He was sweet, and thoughtful."
"Get to the point, Eva." I said in a disappointed tone.
"I'm trying to tell you what happened and you're getting upset with me."
"How do you want me to act? First off, you lied to me. You told me you never even met Michael, and now this."
"I know you're upset, Char, but let E finish," Ashley said.
Eva looked at Ashley and looked back at me.
"We talked some more when Michael asked me if I wanted to go upstairs. I said yes because the crowd was making it hard for us to hear. We went upstairs to one of the guest rooms and talked about school and our relationships. And then we kissed."
I could tell all the color was starting to drain slowly from my face. I suddenly became nauseous from the news that was just sprung on me. I couldn't believe Eva would keep this from me! And Michael! I didn't even know where to start with him. Not only did he never bother to mention that he kissed my best friend, but he had the nerve to play like he never met her before.
"I don't believe this," I said to myself.
"We were wasted, Char. We didn't know what we were doing."
"Why you didn't tell me? You made me think the reason you didn't like Michael was because of the lack of time we were spending together. Now it's clear that it was actually because you two kissed, you two can't stand the sight of each other. Tell me Eva, did anything else happen between you two?"
Eva looked at me and burst into tears.
A lump started to form in my throat as I watched Eva crying hysterically into a paper napkin.
I didn't want to believe that Michael and Eva kissed, let alone had sex. I didn't know if I could handle it if they did.
After Eva took a hold of herself, she looked at me and sighed.
"No, Charlie. We stopped before it got to that point."
A sigh of relief swept through me as I looked at Ashley.
"Eva, why you didn't say anything about this?" Ashley asked.
"Why you think I didn't? I was scared. I didn't want Charlie mad at me, nor Michael for something that happened before they even met."
"I understand that, but don't you think I wouldn't get mad if I found out a few weeks after Michael and I started dating? "
"I'm sorry Charlie, but I'm not the only one involved in this."
"Oh don't think Michael is off the hook, because he's not. What I don't get is the fact that you are my friend. Friends supposed to tell each other everything, no matter what it is."
"What are you saying? We're not friends?"
"I'm not saying that. I'm just wondering how close we really are if you couldn't come to me like a woman and tell me about Michael."
"You know what, screw you. You think you're so righteous all the time, but I got news for you. You need to stop acting like you're this person who can't do anything wrong. I'm so sick and tired of that from you."
"What is that supposed to mean? I never said I was superior or anything close to it."
"For someone who's so happy with herself and her relationship, why are you still pinning over Derrick?"
I looked at Eva in shock. I looked over at Ashley, who shrugged her shoulders at me.
"I didn't tell her," she said silently.
"No one had to tell me that you're still in love with Derrick. A blind person can see it."
I knew the question I was about to ask Eva could end our friendship will indefinitely.
As Eva was starting to leave the table, I got up from my seat and yelled out to her.
"Do you have feelings for Michael? If you do, I need to know."
Several people stopped their conversations to look at the two of us. Eva turned around and looked straight into my eyes.
"Wouldn't you like to know if I did?" Eva asked.
She turned around and went straight to the door. I watched as the door close, wondering if the comment she made meant what I thought it meant.
Ashley looked at me and put a hand on my shoulder.
"I'm so sorry, Char. I didn't know Eva knew Michael. I'm just as shocked as you are."
I put my hand on Ashley's and sighed.
"I know. You think she has feelings for Michael?"
"I don't know honey. What I do know is that she knows something about you that can destroy your relationship with Michael. If she does, she could use it to her advantage."
I looked at Ashley as all the emotions I had built up started to surface. I wanted to ask Ashley "what relationship?" My relationship with Michael was all built on lies. If Michael lied about this to me, what else could he be keeping from me? I know I'm not completely honest with Michael about my feelings for Derrick, but Derrick is not Michael's best friend! I can't believe he would keep this from me for so long. As far as Eva goes, there's more to her story than what she told us. All I know is that Michael and I had the first test of our relationship. And from what I'd seen earlier, we were failing. Big time.
24. Derrick
What a day! I thought to myself as I walked toward my house. After a long exhausting day at school, all I wanted to do was go home and take a deserved long shower and nap. As I was approaching the doorstep, my cell phone started to ring. I quickly reached in my jean pocket to retrieve the device. I was surprised as I looked at the person's name on my phone. I didn't know whether to answer it or not, but something inside of me told me I should.
"Hello," I said in a calm voice.
"Hello Derrick. How are you today?"
"I'm fine Mrs. Perry. This is a surprise. Is something wrong with Charlie?"
"No, it nothing like that. I was just calling to see how you were holding up these days since I haven't seen you in a long time."
"I'm doing great. I'm still in shock that you're actually talking to me, let alone that you kept my number."
"Why wouldn't I talk to you? I always thought you were the perfect match for Charlie. I still think you're perfect for her. To this day, I still don't know why you two broke up."
I sighed as I walked into the foyer of my house. So Charlie never told her mom why we broke up. Figured she wouldn't. From the time I knew Charlie, she never really had a close relationship with her mom.
"That's something I don't want to get into Mrs. Perry. I hate to be rude, but I just walked into my house and I'm really tired from school, so I better go."
"Okay, but before you do, I wanted to know if you could come by the house later on so we could talk."
"About what?"
"There are some things I wanted to ask about you and Charlie, if you don't mind."
"Listen Mrs. Perry, my relationship with Charlie is over. I don't think there's much more to talk about."
"Oh really, I wouldn't think that."
"And how would you know?"
"Why don't you come by the house around six and I will tell you."
"I don't think that's a good idea, Mrs. Perry."
"I won't take no for an answer. You can stay for dinner too. I'm making pot roast; your favorite."
I didn't know whether to disappoint Mrs. Perry by telling her no, or disappoint Charlie by being inside her house. I was about to tell Mrs. Perry I couldn't make it, when she interrupted me by telling me she'll see me around six and hanged up. I stared at my cell phone in amazement. Charlie's mother is sure pushing for Charlie and me to get back together.
Maybe having Mrs. Perry on my side is not a bad idea. I thought as I ran upstairs to take a shower. I had a dinner to go to.
Michael
After unpacking many of my things, I was finally resting comfortably in front of my new big screen television, watching True Blood. As I was about to lie down on the soft, beige sofa, my doorbell rang.
Just as I was about to get comfortable, I thought as I went to the door. I looked through the peephole and noticed it was Charlie standing on the other end. I was kind of surprised that Charlie was back, since she said she was going home earlier.
"Hey baby. I thought you said you were going home?"
"I was, but I had to see you."
"Really; well I'm glad you came back. I missed you."
Charlie looked at me and gave a small smile. From the expression on Charlie's face, she didn't come by for a social visit.
"Is something wrong? You looked extremely upset."
"Can I come in?"
"Sure," I said as I made room for Charlie to walk inside. As she walked in, she turned directly to me with a look of rage on her face.
"How could you."
"How could I what? What's going on Charlie?"
"Why didn't you tell me about you and Eva? You think what happened wouldn't faze me, because it does."
I stared at Charlie with a blank expression on my face. How did Charlie find out about me and Eva? I could try to deny it, but what would that accomplish?
"Let me explain."
"Explain what, Michael? There's nothing to explain. I can't believe all this time that you two knew each other and didn't bother to tell me what happened."
"Charlie, it was before we even met. I didn't even know you and Eva were friends until homecoming."
"I knew you were going to say that. I don't want to hear about you and Eva knowing each other in the past and that it wouldn't affect me. Did it ever occur to either of you that I would like to know that you two had shared something before you met me? I know it happened in the past, but I still would like to know what took place between my best friend and my boyfriend."
"We didn't know how to tell you Char. I know we should have, but we thought if we kept it in the past, we wouldn't hurt you."
Charlie looked at me and started to laugh.
I looked at Charlie and shook my head. While I told her the reason for lying to her, she was standing in my apartment laughing as if what I said was the funniest thing she ever heard.
"What so funny?"
"You and your lame ass excuse. 'We didn't want to hurt you.' Whatever Michael. Since we got this all in the open, is there anything else you want to tell me? Speak now Michael because the truth train is leaving the station," Charlie said while folding her arms across her chest.
As I watched Charlie staring at me with her eyes wide open, I felt like my world was starting to crumble. I can't believe Eva told Charlie about us. I really thought we could keep that night between us a secret, or at least until I had the nerve to tell Charlie. I know I should have told Charlie, but I didn't want to lose her. As I looked at her now, the look she was giving me, I felt like I was losing her already. Even though I should come clean about Brandy and Steve, I couldn't. So instead of me telling Charlie the truth, I begin my trail of lies again.
"No Charlie. This was all I was keeping from you," I said with a straight face.
Charlie started to smack her lips. She went up to me and took both of my hands.
"I just want to know one thing. Why you didn't tell me that you and Eva kissed? I wouldn't have a problem with what happened between you two. The only reason why I'm upset is because you two kept it from me."
I looked at Charlie with a confused look on my face. Eva told Charlie that we kissed! Charlie doesn't even know we slept together! Before Charlie caught on to why I was looking confused, I took her hands and put them up to my lips.
"I'm so sorry for not telling you about Eva. From now on, I'm going to be completely honest about everything that's going on with me. I love you and I don't want anything to come between us."
"Promise,"
"I promise."
Charlie came closer to me and wrapped her arms around me. As I smelled Charlie's delicious scent on her skin, I couldn't help but wonder if I would be holding her this close again. If she ever finds out what really happened between Eva and me, and about me and Brandy, she would never forgive me.
"I love you," Charlie said as she snuggled her head onto my chest.
"I love you too."
After Charlie left to go home, I quickly closed the door and ran straight to some boxes that were left on the floor. As I started my search, I pulled out everything from shirts to sweats pants. As I stretched my arm to the bottom of the box, I found what I was looking for and pulled it out. I gave a sigh of relief as I stared at my little black book.
"Good thing I didn't throw this out," I said as I went over to my bed.
Now I know I didn't remember the night I slept with Eva, but I was pretty sure I put her number in my book. All the numbers of girls who I talked to resided in this book. I was going to throw it out after I met Charlie, but something inside of me told me not to. As I flipped through the E's, I found Eva's number. I picked up my cell phone and dialed her number carefully. As I waited for her to answer, I started to pace back and forth around my bed.
"Hello," Eva answered with an attitude.
"I guess you remember my number?"
"Why are you calling now? And how you remember mine?"
Our Love Page 19