TO THE BOY WHO STOLE MY HEART IN THE LOVE TRIANGLE

by MADISON HAL

  We headed back to class and then afterwards, I said, “Want to hang out?”

  He smiled and said, “I would love to, but I have practice tonight.”

  I smiled and said, “Yeah.” I knew Michael had a football scholarship, aside from his educational scholarship, so it only made sense that he had practice tonight.

  I offered to come watch, but then I remembered that I still had to get to work.

  He said, “That’s really nice of you and hmm, you know maybe, we can do something later on?”

  I smiled and said, “I would like that.” Then I added, “Yeah, I really want to keep our friendship going like we had before.”

  He said, “That sounds like a good plan to me.”

  And with that, we parted ways.

  After school, while he went to practice, I headed over to my job at the library.

  I stood still, thinking about Michael. I thought, this is insane, I cannot make a choice between three guys. If I can’t decide who I would end up going to the prom with, then how can I decide my future?

  That’s when I realized I was doing great in a lot of my classes, with a few exceptions.

  It seemed like I was falling behind.

  I didn’t want to fall behind.

  I wanted to move ahead. And honestly, I just hoped I could stay focused.

  That’s a moment right in the middle of work I received a text.

  I glanced at my device, and my eyes widened.

  It read, “Are you available for a party, Noah’s having one?”

  I smiled and thought, oh my God-

  Is this really happening, should I accept his offer?

  Will Michael be there?

  Would Hunter be there?

  Will I be amid a love triangle?

  I took a deep breath and thought, how do I respond?

  What should I do?

  Chapter 12

  Maya

  I responded, “Yes, I’ll be there.”

  But then I wondered if I could make it to his party. I still had to come up with an alibi. He sent a text back saying, “Excellent. You will have fun.” I thought out loud, “Hmm, I don’t know if I would, but what’s important is that I show up.”

  That night, thoughts of the triangle swarmed in my head. How will it all end? Who will take me to the prom? Would it be like a Hollywood movie or will I end up getting hurt? Oh well, no point worrying about what you can’t control now, right? So I left it all alone.

  I focused on my schoolwork the next day at school. But just like clockwork, Rebecca stepped up to me. I rolled my eyes and clutched my book bag, ready to ignore anything she had to say. She stepped in my way and my head was spinning. What is her problem?

  “So what’s going on? Do you really think you would get away with this?”

  I said to her, “What now?”

  She said, “You need to decline the invitation right now. You need to tell Noah you can’t make it.”

  I ignored her and head over to class. It was a rough day skipping from one class to another, but eventually we got a break. I headed out to lunch when Noah approached me and said, “Ha, so you are coming over to my party.”

  I laughed and said, “Of course.”

  “Excellent. You want to have lunch with me?”

  “Well, yeah that will be nice,” I replied, blushing.

  But then, just as we started heading over to the lunchroom, Rebecca stepped in our way. She said, “There you are, I’ve been waiting for you Noah.” She pouted and when Noah wasn’t looking, she stared daggers at me. Then she stared dreamingly at Noah and said, “Come on lets go.”

  I knew it was futile to fight her at this point. Plus, I didn’t want him to have the wrong impression of me.

  Noah asked, “is that OK with you Maya?”

  I said to him, “Yeah that’s fine what did you guys go ahead.”

  And then she looked at me and feigned a smile.

  And with that, she grabbed his arm and let him away.

  I looked to the corner and noticed Michael there in my way.

  I quickly hurried up towards him and said, “Hello Michael.”

  Michael smiled and said, “OK, what do you want?”

  I guess you can say he’s known me for years and being my best friend, he knows exactly what makes me happy. So I said to him, “Favor. I want to go to…”

  I paused and bit my lower lip, trying to figure out if this was the best way to proceed with Michael.

  Michael stayed silent for a moment, then he said, “OK, go on, what exactly do you want?”

  And that’s when I told him I wanted to attend Noah’s party and in order to do so, I needed Michael to pretend as though he picked me up.

  He frowned and said, “So basically, what you’re saying is you just want me as an alibi again.”

  I raised an eyebrow and said to him, “You’ve never been an alibi.”

  He laughed and said, “Oh yes. I have many times and now I can’t do it.“

  I folded my arms and looked directly at him and then I said, “And why can’t you do so?”

  He said, “Because I will attend the party.”

  It shocked me to hear he would attend the event; I didn’t expect Noah would offer Michael an invitation.

  It seemed surreal actually.

  He looked at me and said, “I can tell you’re surprised to know that I got an invitation to the party.”

  I nodded and said, “Yes I am, to be quite honest.”

  He said, “Well don’t be. I am a really friendly guy and they know I’m not a threat so why not.”

  I thought freaking hell—

  Yes, of course.

  And that’s when I decided if Michael’s attending the party then that’ll be perfect, we can go together.

  That’s the only way I can go to this party.

  Plus, it would give us a good chance to get back to our friendship. Michael looked at me and then he said, “I can tell you have something up your sleeve, what is it?“

  “I’m just saying that you can offer to pick me up on the day of the party.“

  “So basically you’re saying I should lie for you.“

  “No, you don’t have to tell them anything. Just say Maya and I are going to the party and we will be back later.“

  Michael ran his fingers through his hair, and then he looked at me and shook his head. He said, “Why don’t you tell them the truth? They are your parents, they will understand.”

  I raised an eyebrow, and that’s when he chuckled.

  He said, “OK yeah, we both know they wouldn’t understand.”

  And with that, I burst out laughing.

  And so that’s how we both agreed and the party together.

  Saturday arrived and my folks had no problem with me going. My parents believed him when he said, “It’s a party for the class and I’ll be there with her.”

  My father kept a straight face and said in a stern voice, “That’s fine, as long as you are both back before 10.”

  I thanked my dad and said, “I will definitely be back on time.”

  We headed over to the party and once we got there, the party was already in full swing. I didn’t see Noah at first but the minute I walked in, he captured my hand and said, “There you are finally, you were here fashionably late.”

  I apologized.

  He laughed and said, “It’s okay, the party just got started.”

  Chapter 13

  Maya

  The party was in full swing and honestly, I had a good time. Noah danced with me.

  I turned to the corner to see Michael staring back at us.

  He was not pleased. But then I realized there was nothing I could do. I was here to have fun and I think Michael needs to get with the program. I am allowed to have fun with someone other than him.

  Noah asked, “are you having fun?”

  I wanted to tell him yes I am, but I know eventually one of the girls will take you away.

  But I held back and instead forc
e myself or rather made myself dance and have a blast. From the corner of the room, I noticed Hunter watching us.

  He stepped up and told Noah, “I think it’s my turn now.” And with that, he slid between us and took over and start dancing with me. It was amazing: he spun me around and then he said, “Do you know how to dance? Like swing”

  I raised an eyebrow and looked at him and said, “What do you mean by swing?”

  He said, “Do you know how to do the Lindy hop?”

  I shook my head. He then said, “Would you like to learn?”

  I laughed and said, “Of course, well, can you show me some moves?”

  He said, “Sure, why not?”

  And with that, we danced to music from the 40s - the Lindy hop.

  My dance skills impressed him.

  And to be quite honest, his dancing skills impressed me.

  And that’s when Noah came back and said, “OK enough of that, let me show you how it’s really done.”

  I had a blast dancing with them, but all that came crashing down when Rebecca and her crew walked in.

  Of course they turned up late. Not that I cared. I wished they didn’t even show up.

  Rebecca promptly pushed past everyone and tried to stop the guys from dancing with me.

  Noah said to Rebecca, “Listen, not today.”

  I smiled and thought, wow this is great, Noah stood up for me. I guess something is happening between us.

  He said to me, “I’m not done dancing, let’s keep going.”

  We kept on dancing until finally it was time to make the announcements.

  Rebecca hurried up to the stage, picked up the microphone and said, “Everyone, I hope you’re having a fun time at Noah’s party, isn’t this a blast?”

  Everyone groaned, they did not want to hear her speak.

  She said, “I know you don’t want to hear this, but Noah is such a special guy and since it’s his birthday, we must show him our appreciation by singing happy birthday.”

  And someone yelled out, “Look, it’s not a three-year-old’s birthday, we don’t have to sing that song.”

  She frowned. The guy then added, “Look everyone, sing happy birthday.” Everyone yelled out happy birthday. Rebecca got flustered. She turned to me and whispered, “This is all your freaking fault.”

  She got off the stage and then Noah turned to me and said, “Listen, I’ll be right back.”

  He hurried away.

  And that’s when Hunter swooped in and said, “Are you having fun?”

  I said, “Yeah”

  I glanced at the corner to see Michael standing there mad as hell. Finally, I don’t know what happened but Michael approached Noah and said something to him which angered Noah. Then they started arguing, everyone turned to listen to their raised voices. What could have happened? And that’s when Noah firmly said, “Leave my party! You are not welcome here.”

  I quickly hurried to Michael's side.

  Noah said, “I think Michael’s leaving right now.”

  I said to Noah, “Michael cannot leave, if he leave then I will too.”

  He looked at me with a raised eyebrow and said, “Honestly, you can’t be serious. You were going to leave because he’s leaving?”

  I said to him, “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  Noah shook his head he found and said, “If you go, that’s up to you, I mean seriously.”

  I couldn’t believe it. Noah didn’t seem to care if I left. I couldn’t believe it, Michael stepped out the party and I followed him.

  We got in the car and as we drove home, I realized having a best friend was not so bad after all. Maybe we could be more than friends? The truth is, I didn’t want to cross this line, because I didn’t want to ruin our close friendship.

  We had a great conversation about how it would be so much easier if we were at our old high school.

  But then we would not have all the same opportunities given to us by Shores Academy

  Michael remarked, and I agreed with him and then soon enough, we got to my place. He dropped me off at home and said, I would like to come in but I really need to go home right now, say hello to your folks for me."

  I told him, “Yes I will.”

  And with that, I watched him drive away.

  I hurried to the door, opened it and walked in to meet my mom waiting for me.

  Mom looked at me and asked, “You are home early? Where is Michael?”

  I said to her, “Well, the party ended early.”

  She nodded and then she said, who brought you home? Michael?”

  I said, “Yes.”

  She didn’t believe me.

  She asked, “That’s unusual. Michael usually would never drive off like that. What happened?”

  I didn’t want to upset her. So I said, “It’s nothing Mom, he had things to do. Hmm, I have to go up now.”

  She laughed and said, “Hope you had fun at the party. Time to get back to the books, but Maya, I am glad you had fun though.”

  “I did Mom, good night.”

  And with that, I got ready for bed. I couldn’t sleep for a while. I turned and noticed four missed calls, one from Noah, two Hunter and one from Michael.

  #oh gosh, this triangle is just getting even worse. What do I do about it now?

  Chapter 14

  Maya

  Just when I thought everything was OK, the next day Sunday I tried calling Michael but he wouldn’t pick up the phone. I wondered what was going through his mind.

  Finally, I sent him a text and asked, “Are you OK?” I thought we had a great time last night but something must have gone awry. I thought I would receive a call from Noah apologizing for what happened the night before. But nothing.

  I guess because I didn’t call him right back when I noticed a missed call; I figured my not returning the call upset him. I called Hunter, and I asked, “Is everything OK with Noah?”

  Hunter then said to me, “What’s the big deal about Noah?” His actions surprised me, I didn’t expect my asking about Noah would upset him.

  I said to him, “I thought you guys were friends, and I just wanted to check up on him.”

  He said, “What? Don’t you have his phone number? You might as well call him directly.”

  I thought, oh my goodness, what is going on now? A voice within me said, “Let it go, and relax. Study or play some music whatever it took to get my mind off all three guys.”

  I called a few girlfriends, and we had a chat.

  They did not attend the same school as I did. They asked, “So, have you gotten with any of the popular guys over there?”

  I said, “No.”

  They laughed and said, “Well you know this is a video call and I’m sure you’re hiding something.”

  And that’s the moment my younger sister walked into the room and yelled, “Don’t believe her, she has three boyfriends!”

  I fumed at my sister and asked her to leave my room.

  She said to me, “I could tell Mom all about what your escapades.”

  I grabbed a pillow and tossed it her way.

  She laughed and hurried out of my room.

  And that’s when I turned my attention back to my girlfriends and apologized. I said, “I think I will have to cut this short.”

  They replied, “You have to tell us who these guys are! Please don’t tell us Michael is one of your boyfriends?”

  I frowned and replied, “Well, I won’t tell you then.”

  Imani said, “You better forget about Michael and go for one of the rich guys.”

  I said, “Why?”

  Imani said, “Because they are more than likely to have a brilliant, wealthy future, that’s why?”

  I tried to cut the conversation short.

  Imani said, “Well, sounds like you’re running away from facing reality. You realize the prom is coming up? And I am almost certain that you will end up going with Michael.”

  I said to my friends, “I’ll be honest, I haven’t decided
yet. Oh well, I need to head out.”

  I got off the phone before they could respond.

  The moment I ended the call, I picked up a book to study, but I couldn’t. It made little sense.

  I had to figure out why Michael wasn’t talking to me.

  I don’t think I did anything wrong.

  Michael kept on avoiding me at school, which I found really strange.

  Finally, I cornered him and said, “OK, are you avoiding me?”

  He looked at me with widened eyes and said, “I am not avoiding anyone.”

  Then I said to him, “Well if you’re not avoiding me, why are you not talking to me? I called you multiple times and left you messages over the weekend.”

  That’s the moment he finally told me it upset him when I didn’t give him a definite answer.

  Surprised by his words, I asked him, “A definite answer about what?”

  He said, “A definite answer about the prom! It’s only a few days away, so what is it going to be?”

  I took a deep breath and exhaled. Thoughts ran through my head. How do I respond?

  And that’s the moment Hunter and Noah walked past and smiled.

  I smiled back.

  Michael threw his hands in the air and said, “I guess you made your decision, it has to be one of them. “

  And with that, he stormed off. I sighed.

  Then I decided I was going to let it go. I hurried towards Michael, reached for him and said, “Michael please…”

  He pulled away from me and asked, “So what’s it going to be Maya, will you go with me to the prom or not?“

  Chapter 15

  Maya

  Time was running out, the countdown to the prom had begun.

  I had to talk to my parents about prom.

  I am freaking out about the prom. How in the world do I tell my parents about the prom coming up?

  I have to tell my parents, but then I am also conflicted about how to approach the subject.

  I have to do this; I thought about my grades. While I am doing great in class and it looks like I will get into a university of my choice, I am still concerned about one.

  Yes, my grades slipped in an important class.

  Failing was definitely not an option.