Our Love

by Sheena Binkley

  With graduation over, it was time to move on into the real world. I lived up my promise to my parents and got a job working at Forever 21 in the mall. It was pretty cool to work in a clothing store. Not only because I had a killer discount, but I was also able to determine my major, which was Fashion Merchandising. I always had a passion for clothing but never wanted to do any designing, so merchandising was the next best thing.

  Throughout the summer, everything changed for everyone in my life. Since the accident, Chris and Ashley have been inseparable, which meant I never saw my best friend anymore. But it was fine because I was happy for Ashley. Two weeks later on Ashley's birthday, Chris threw her a surprise party at Pappadeaux, a popular seafood restaurant in the area. Turned out the party was not the only thing Chris had on his agenda. That same night he proposed to Ashley in front of her friends and family. She accepted his proposal and the two set a date for next year. Eva and I were in tears when Ashley accepted Chris's proposal. We never suspected that one of us would be getting married straight out of high school; but Chris was a great guy for Ashley and I was glad that those two found happiness with each other. Now the two are at Rice University, Chris on a football scholarship hoping to go to the pros, while Ashley is majoring in Communications. She even decided to try out for cheerleading later in the semester.

  Eva decided to test her luck out at Texas Southern University majoring in Education. I knew Eva would make a great teacher since she loves kids. We tried to see each other on a regular basis, but it was kind of hard with our busy schedules.

  I even kept in contact with Derrick, who was at the college of his dreams, Texas A&M, on a full football scholarship. During one of our numerous conversations, he mentioned that when he walked into his World History class, he noticed a familiar face, which was Danielle. He told me that the two started to become friends because of class but later started to become more. Now he said they were having fun and were happy together. I would have never thought those two would hook up, but I guess anything is possible. Derrick finally came clean with me about the plot he and Danielle had about breaking Michael and I up. I was a little upset with him at first, but I realized that Michael and I were not together anymore, so it doesn't really matter about the past.

  Although it was good to hear from everyone and the happiness they had in their lives, I still didn't hear from the person that mattered so much to me. I really wished that I could have stayed by Michael's side and understood what he was trying to do, instead of being selfish and push him away. He needed space for a reason, and I couldn't accept that.

  Michael would always have a place in my heart but there is someone that helped me ease the void that I'd been trying to fill. One day while working, a guy walked in with his mother and sister. While the two were busily looking at clothes, the guy was busy checking me out. I was looking at him a little, but I didn't know if I wanted to date again, let alone get into another relationship. Not only was he tall, dark, and handsome, but he had a body that was ripped and the most perfect smile I had ever seen.

  After the sister made her purchase, the three left and I helped the next customer. A few minutes later, the guy walked back into the store, introduced himself, and asked for my number. While my co-workers were telling me to go for it, I looked nervously at the guy wondering what I should do. How could I even think about dating someone when my heart was with another guy? I didn't know if I wanted to go down that road again, so I decided not to give him my number. But after a convincing plea from the fine guy standing in front of me, I decided to give him my number. His name is Patrick, he's eighteen, and also a freshman at University of Houston.

  After several attempts of asking me out, I finally accepted his invitation to dinner and a movie. The date was the best decision I could have made because I met a great guy that not only was drama free, but was also fun to be around. He helped me get through my struggles with Michael and to stop feeling guilty for not waiting for him. Patrick was even considerate of my feelings of not getting into a relationship and just being friends, which was a plus because he also got out of a relationship not too long ago.

  Even though we were friends, I still introduced Patrick to my parents. My mom fell in love with him instantly, while my father just gave him a look like he always does whenever a boy is around. I don't know if my mom is more happy with the fact that I'm dating someone else now and not thinking about Michael, or because she felt that I came "back home." I do feel a little more comfortable now walking in public places without people staring. Actually, it just feels weird because to be honest I think I got used to it.

  My thoughts started to become muddled when Terri, my roommate, walked into our room smiling from ear to ear.

  "Guess what I got?" she said as she came over to my bed

  "A million dollars," I said in a sarcastic voice.

  "I wish. I got an invite to a fraternity party tomorrow night. They said I can bring someone. You game?"

  "Sure, why not. My first frat party,"

  "I saw you were all smiles when I walked in. Were you thinking about your man Patrick?"

  "Patrick is not my man. We're just having fun."

  "Have you two done it yet?"

  "Terri, I think that's kind of personal."

  "I take that as a no. What are you waiting for? Believe me if I was you I would have been all on that."

  I started to laugh as I went over to my desk to grab my English book.

  "For your info, Patrick and I are just friends so sleeping together is out of the equation. Like I said, we're just having fun."

  "Char, I know I don't know you that well but from what I've seen with Patrick, it seems that he really cares about you. Don't you think it's time that you made up your mind if you want to be with him or not."

  I looked at my English book with a prolonged expression. I turned to look at Terri and sighed.

  "I don't know if I can."

  "Is it because of Michael? Charlie, you and Michael have been history for a while now. Maybe it is time for you to move on. I'm pretty sure he has."

  "I don't think so. He said he was going to try and fix his life."

  "I sure he is, but he could have met someone during his journey."

  "I don't think so."

  "What if he did? You haven't heard from him in six months. Whenever you ask his friend about him, he always says he's doing well. For all you know, Michael has another girlfriend and his friend is not telling you."

  "Chris wouldn't do that."

  "How you know Charlie? What I'm trying to say is that don't feel guilty because you like someone else. Let go of the past and embrace what's in the present."

  "I'm trying."

  "Try harder. What are your plans today anyway?"

  "Well after Intro to Sociology, I'm going to meet Patrick for lunch."

  Terri smiled. "That's good Charlie. I have to go to class, but I do want details later about your date."

  "It's not a date. It just lunch."

  Terri swung her messenger bag over her shoulder with a smirk.

  "Whatever. Later girl,"

  "Later," I said as I started to laugh.

  As I started to walk out the door myself, I knew today was going to be a long day.

  After an exhausting morning of classes, I wanted to go back to my room and sleep. At least I had a break before my next class, which is my lunch date with Patrick. Just the thought of seeing Patrick made my heart skip a beat. I have to admit I'm really starting to like Patrick but I don't know if I want to take the relationship to the next level. Not until I truly move on from Michael. As I walked toward Cougar Village, I reached in my purse trying to find my phone to call Patrick, when I walked right into someone coming towards me.

  "Whoa," the guy said as he caught me.

  "I'm sorry," I said as I looked up. When I did, a thousand-watt smile took me back to the first time we met.

  Michael stood in front in of me laughing as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.


  "Hi, Charlie,"

  All the emotions that I had held in for so long started to resurface. I couldn't believe after six months of not talking or seeing Michael, He was now standing in front of me and I didn't have a word to say to him.

  "Hi," I said softly.

  Michael came up to me and gave me a hug. I returned the hug but for some reason, it didn't feel like I imagined it would.

  "It seemed like it's been forever since we talked. How are you?"

  "I'm fine. College life is treating me well. I see you're doing really well. You're walking again and everything."

  Michael gave a tiny smile. "I guess it has been awhile since we talked. The doctors couldn't do much for my legs since they were severely damage from the accident, so they had to amputate them."

  "Oh wow. I'm sorry, Michael.

  "It's OK. At first it was hard to accept but later, after Dr. Carter suggested prosthetic legs, I decided to give it a chance. So my father and I went to Dallas to talk to a specialist and they performed the surgery the next week. Now I'm able to walk again."

  "I'm glad you were fortunate to get another opportunity to walk. Even better that you've established a relationship with your father."

  "We made some progress in that department, but we still have a long way to go. But it's good to have my father in my life. I'm glad that he's helping me through this."

  "I'm glad too. Has your mom tried to contact you or..."

  "That's one subject I don't want to discuss. Irene has never been a mother and never will. I thought that with me being in the hospital and trying to get myself together, she would see that she should be there for me, but I guess her socialite ways were more important."

  My eyes started to swell up with tears. It's hard to hear when a parent doesn't want anything to do with her child. I could never imagine my mom doing that to me.

  "Don't cry, because I'm not. I stopped doing that a long time ago.""It's just hard to hear something like that, that's all; but enough about that. What else is going on with you? Most importantly, what are you doing here?"

  "Everything else is fine. I moved out of the loft and my dad and I got a place together so he could help me after the surgery. I've also been in AA for the past few months. It has helped me so much with controlling my life. Today I am 100 days sober."

  "That's good to hear Michael. I'm so proud of you. I know it was difficult for you to take that step."

  "It was, but I was ready to make that change; not just for me, but for my family."

  "Speaking of family how is Steve?"

  "Steve is great. He's talking now and tearing up everything in sight, but he's a great kid. I love him to death. And I'm here because I'm enrolling for next semester."

  "What happened to Northwestern? You had your heart set on going there."

  "I know, but things changed. I have a son now and with the accident, I thought staying in Houston would be the better choice."

  "That's understandable."

  Michael looked at his watch and noticed the time.

  "I didn't know it was that late. I'm meeting someone in a few minutes."

  "Oh, okay; well I don't want to hold you up then. I have somewhere to be too."

  "I guess I'll see you later then."

  "Hopefully it will be sooner than six months."

  Michael smiled. "It will, trust me."

  As Michael hugged me again, I realized that things had changed between us. Instead of us being people that were in love with each other, we were acting like old acquaintances.

  "There you are Michael. What you are doing?" someone asked as she was walking up to us.

  I looked up and noticed Brandy was the person that was talking to Michael. Michael quickly let go of me and went over to Brandy. She gave him a long kiss on the lips and smiled. She looked over at me with a nonchalant expression.

  "Hi Charlie, I didn't know you went here too."

  I looked at the two wondering what to say. So Michael did move on with his life. With his baby's mother.

  "Yeah, small world," I said.

  I looked down and noticed something else that was sort of shocking. I noticed a huge diamond ring on Brandy's ring finger. To me, it looked like an engagement ring, but I didn't want to ask.

  "We better go Mike. Steve's about to get out of daycare soon," Brandy said as she looked over at me uncomfortably.

  Michael looked at Brandy then to me. He realized that I saw the ring because his expression to me was, "I'm sorry."

  "Yeah, we better go. It was nice to see you Charlie."

  I looked at the two and smiled.

  "Same here,"

  As the two started to walk off, I started to yell out to the two.

  "Congratulations on your engagement," I said.

  The two turned around with surprised look on their faces.

  "Thank you." Brandy said as she turned back around and started to tug on Michael's arm a little harder.

  Michael looked back at me one last time before turning around and heading the opposite direction of me.

  I shook my head in amazement as I started to walk to my dorm hall. While I was pinning away for Michael for the past six months, he was rekindling his old romance with the girl that he first fell in love with. Brandy was the one that probably helped him through his surgery and his drinking problem. Brandy was the love of his life, so it only made sense that they worked things out for themselves and for their son. I knew then that it was time for me to move on as well, and I knew exactly how to do that.

  As I walked to Cougar Village, I noticed Patrick sitting on the steps waiting for me. He was dressed in a Carolina blue button down shirt, dark blue jeans and blue and black Jordans with a matching blue baseball cap. In his hands, he held a dozen pink roses. I smiled as I went up to him and gave him a big bear hug. When we pulled apart, Patrick was sort of surprised by the embrace.

  "For an embrace like that I need to bring roses to you every day."

  I started to laugh when Patrick handed me the roses.

  "It not the roses, I'm really glad to see you."

  Patrick put an arm around me as we started to walk to his car.

  "Tough day?"

  "Yeah, but it's better now."

  Patrick smiled and pulled me close to him. He leaned over and gave me a kiss so genuine and sweet that it literally swept me off my feet.

  "How was that?" Patrick asked when we pulled apart.

  "Feels like heaven."

  Patrick and I walked hand and hand into the student parking lot. As I thought back to just a second ago when I saw Michael, I realized that life was all about changes and whatever happens is just a life lesson on what to do in the next situation. When I met Michael, I thought I could never open my heart up to another guy, but Michael was able to help me see that I can fully be who I am to people. I didn't have to hide behind a shell anymore. I can accept myself and accept the next person in a relationship. I was happy to know Michael, and I appreciated what he had done for me. I really hope that I was able to help him as much as he helped me.

  Patrick's voice interrupted my thoughts as he called my name.

  "Char, you okay?"

  I looked over at Patrick with a bright smile across my lips.

  "Yeah, I'm better than okay."

  Patrick gave me a kiss on the cheek and started the ignition. As I glanced out the window, I noticed Michael, Brandy, and Steve walking like the perfect family toward the student parking lot. I smiled at the scene as Patrick pulled away.

  So long Michael.....

  Other Books By Sheena Binkley:

  Available Now:

  In Love With My Best Friend

  Coming Soon:

  Love, Life, & Happiness Series

  Love Unbroken (Riana & Shawn) - December 2013

  The Way We Were (Britney & Jayden) - February 2014

  Trust Me (Cheryl & Marcus) - May 2014

  Love Always (Monica & Donnell) - July 2014

  Music Playlist

  One t
hing I love to do while reading is listen to music. No matter what type of book I'm reading, I will imagine the perfect song that will accompany a particular scene or the book in general. When I wrote Our Love, there were several songs that came to mind that not only described a particular moment between Michael and Charlie, but what each character was thinking through his or her point of view.

  With that being said, I created a playlist that I believe describe the story as well as the characters in the book:

  Treasure- Bruno Mars

  I Need Your Love (feat. Ellie Goulding) - Calvin Harris

  Adorn- Miguel

  Right Now- Rihanna

  Beauty and the Beat (feat. Nicki Minaj) - Justin Bieber

  Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams) - Daft Punk

  #Beautiful (feat Miguel) - Mariah Carey

  The Reason- Hooberstank

  Stuck on Stupid- Chris Brown

  Fine China- Chris Brown

  Ordinary People- John Legend

  I'll Be Waiting - Adele

  Don't Look Back- Miguel

  Lucky Strike- Maroon 5

  Can't Hold Us (feat. Ray Dalton) - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

  Take Care- Drake

  The Other Side- Jason DeRulo

  Tears Always Win- Alicia Keys

  Just Give Me a Reason (feat Nate Reuss) - P!nk

  Stay (feat. Mikky Ekko)-Rihanna

  Mirrors- Justin Timberlake

  Nothing's Real but Love- Rebecca Ferguson

  It's Time- Imagine Dragons

  If you love the songs listed or never heard them, please make sure to check out the Our Love playlist on Rdio (if you are a subscriber).

  Acknowledgements

  Writing is a journey that I hope will never end; and during the journey, there are several individuals that have paved the way for me to do something that I truly love.

  First, I have to give thanks to God for giving me this wonderful talent.

  My husband, Ethan, for supporting me throughout my journey. I love you, sweetie!

  My family for being the first to go out and buy my books! I truly appreciate everything you all have done for me.