Destination Unknown

by Amy Clipston

  “You have a new boyfriend?” Monica asked.

  Questions rang out throughout the room, and I spotted Tiffany and Kristin exchanging surprised expressions.

  Kristin held her hand up to silence the room. “But I thought Brett came over to your house for supper last night. He said he was planning to ask you to prom.”

  “He did ask me.” My pleasant mood transformed into agitation as their eyes bored into me as if I were on trial.

  “And …?” Kristin threw her hands up. “What did you tell him?”

  “I don’t think that’s any of your business.” I couldn’t stop my biting response, but I started to feel a twinge of guilt when Kristin blanched as if I’d slapped her.

  “You don’t have to talk to me that way.” Kristin’s voice was soft and meek, like a child. “I don’t know who you are anymore, Whitney. You ignore us, and then you snap at us when we talk to you.”

  I opened my mouth to apologize, but Tiffany interrupted me before I could speak.

  “So what did you say when he asked you?” Tiffany’s eyes were wide with anticipation. “Did you say yes?”

  “I told him no.” I shrugged as if it were no big deal, even though my cheeks were on fire.

  “Why would you tell Brett Steele no?” Tiffany asked.

  “That’s just stupid,” Monica chimed in. “But maybe now he’ll ask me.”

  “Did you get back together with Chad?” another girl asked.

  “No, I’m not going with Chad. Let’s drop it. I think you all need to be more concerned about your own lives rather than mine. This meeting is about our team, not my personal life.” I looked down at the clipboard. “Can we get back to the schedule for the rest of the year? I have other things to do this afternoon.” I knew my tone was biting, but their attitudes and nosiness were exasperating.

  “Why are you avoiding the questions, Whitney?” Misty’s voice rang out loud and clear above the curious murmurs. “Don’t you want to tell the team who your new boyfriend is? Or should I tell them?”

  I shot her an angry glance. “As I said earlier, my life isn’t your business.”

  “You have a boyfriend, and you haven’t told me.” Kristin’s expression was full of hurt. “I thought you were my best friend, Whitney. What’s happened to you?”

  The rest of the girls chimed in, asking who it was and shouting out a laundry list of football players. I held on to the edge of the desk to prevent myself from running from their questions.

  “If you’re too embarrassed to tell them, then I’ll tell them.” Misty stood and nearly shouted over the crowd.

  I stood and squared my shoulders. I wasn’t afraid to admit that Taylor was my friend, but I also wasn’t about to give Misty the power to tease me in front of my squad. “I’m not embarrassed, Misty, and I know why you’re acting this way. You’re angry I got you in trouble at J2A because you were mean to my cousin.”

  Misty shook her head. “I’m not getting revenge. I’m just telling the truth. I think the team has a right to know you’re dating a loser. After all, you’re our captain.”

  Kristin threw her hands in the air with frustration apparent on her face. “What is she talking about?”

  “She’s not talking about anything.” I shook my head. “She’s just trying to embarrass me.”

  “You’re blushing, Whitney.” Monica shrugged. “And you must have something to hide, since you won’t tell us who this mystery guy is.”

  I scanned the room and found my team staring at me with wide eyes. I’d never felt like a stranger instead of part of the team until that moment.

  “Just tell us,” Tiffany said.

  “Whitney is in love with Taylor Martinez,” Misty said. “And she loves him so much that she’s helping his sister train for tryouts.”

  “What?” Monica looked shocked. “Why him?”

  “You picked him over Brett?” Kristin’s expression was equally surprised.

  “She’s kidding, right?” Tiffany started to laugh and then stopped. “Oh no. Whitney’s not denying it.”

  I glanced around the room again, taking in all of the curious and confused expressions. My eyes fell on Misty, and she blew me a kiss. I fought the urge to march back to her and smack that expression off her smug little face.

  The room started to close in on me. I couldn’t stand there anymore. Even Kristin, who had been my best friend since first grade, was looking at me as if I were crazy.

  These people weren’t my friends, and I didn’t want to associate with them any longer. I wanted to run, but I wasn’t going to leave the room in tears. I was going to be strong, and I was going to hold my head high. After all, they were the ones who were acting like self-absorbed snobs.

  I retrieved my backpack from the floor and then handed Kristin the clipboard. “I know you always wanted to be team captain, and you resented it when Coach Lori chose me. You’re now the captain.”

  “What are you saying?” Kristin’s eyes rounded. “You’re quitting?”

  The room suddenly fell silent as the other girls watched us.

  “No.” I shook my head. “I’m not quitting. I’m resigning.”

  Kristin held out the clipboard. “You can’t do this, Whitney.”

  “I just did.” I looked at the rest of the team. “Kristin is your new captain. I’m done here.”

  Kristin popped up from her seat, grabbed my arm, and pulled me into the hallway. “You can’t resign, Whitney. You’ve worked so hard to become captain, and you earned it, fair and square.”

  “I’m resigning, and you can’t stop me. I’ll go talk to Coach Lori and tell her I recommend you for captain.” I adjusted my backpack on my shoulder.

  “This is crazy.” Kristin’s eyes studied my face. “You actually turned Brett down last night?”

  I nodded. “I did.”

  “Why would you do that? I told him what to say and what to do. What did he do wrong?”

  “You coached him?” My voice raised an octave, and I noticed that people passing by in the hallway were staring at us. “You knew how he hurt me, but you were still trying to help him get back with me?”

  “Of course I was. I did it for you, Whitney. You belong with Brett.”

  “No, I don’t belong with him. And if you truly were my best friend, you’d know that.” A lump swelled in my throat, but I tried to stay strong. “You don’t know me at all, Kristin.”

  “Apparently I don’t. You haven’t really talked to me in weeks. You’re like a stranger. I don’t understand you at all. I would never imagine you picking a nobody like Taylor over Brett. And I’d never let him come between cheering and me. Why would you do that?” Then her expression softened. “Look, everyone is just overreacting. Let’s go back inside and talk this over.”

  “No. I think the team has already said enough. There’s nothing else to say.”

  Kristin held her hands up as if to calm me. “Just listen to me, okay? You’re going to regret walking away from this team. It’s going to ruin your reputation. I don’t understand why you’re doing this, but I don’t want to see you do this to yourself. I know we haven’t talked, but I still care about you, Whitney. You’re like a sister to me. I can’t let you ruin your life like this.”

  “That’s just it, Kristin. I don’t think I’m ruining anything. In fact, I feel really good about this.” I cleared my throat, hoping to sound more confident. “I don’t belong here anymore.”

  “What?” Kristin shook her head as if in disbelief. “Of course you belong here. You’re the best captain the team has had since we joined as freshmen. You’re the most talented gymnast, and we’ve all improved so much because of you. This is our senior year, Whitney. Don’t walk away from the team now. Everything will change next year. Don’t walk away from all of us now.”

  “It’s over for me, and you’ll be a better captain. The girls respect you.” I stepped away from her. “I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.” I started down the hallway.

  “Whitney!” Kr
istin called after me. “Is he really worth this?”

  “Yes, he is.” I spun and hurried down the hall toward Lori Williams’ classroom. Not only was Lori our cheerleading coach; she was also one of the English teachers. I found her packing up her bag in her room.

  She turned toward me. “Whitney. I was going to pop in at the team meeting.”

  “Oh, good.” I wrung my hands. “I just wanted to let you know I stepped down as captain. I’m going to have to leave the team for the remainder of the year.”

  “Why?” Coach Lori tilted her head.

  “I’m overwhelmed with school commitments, and my mom is really pressuring me to keep my grades up.” I tried to smile, hoping to look comfortable with my decision. “Kristin will take over as captain in my place.”

  “Oh.” Coach Lori looked unconvinced. “You know the rest of the year is really relaxed, Whitney. We’ll just attend some sporting events, and we’ll prepare for tryouts. We’ll also help some girls who need any extra training. You can go at your own pace. You don’t need to attend every event.”

  “I know.” I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. “I’d just rather step down and concentrate on my grades. I don’t want to lose any of my college acceptances.”

  “I hate to see you go. You’re the best trainer I have.” Lori looked troubled. “You’re also the most talented, but don’t tell the other girls I said that.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate the compliment, but it’s really best if I step down.” I started for the door. “I appreciate all you’ve done for the team, Coach. I’ll see you around.”

  “Okay. Be certain to stop by to see me before graduation, Whitney.” Coach nodded.

  “I will.” I started for the door and then turned back toward her. “Promise me that you’ll make sure all of the incoming freshmen get a fair chance when they try out for the team.”

  She studied me with curiosity. “Of course I will. I always do.”

  “Great. Thanks.” As I rushed out to the parking lot, I spotted Taylor standing by his bike talking to a few guys I recognized from honor society. I hurried toward them, and the boys gave me curious stares.

  Taylor followed their gazes toward me and grinned. “Hey, Whitney. I was hoping to run into you today.” His expression became serious. “What’s wrong?”

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I need to talk to you.” I did my best to smile, but it felt more like a grimace.

  The boys mumbled something and then waved before walking away. They looked back at us more than once as they crossed the parking lot.

  “What’s going on?” He reached for my hand, and I was thankful for his soothing touch.

  I looked down at my jeans. “I was wondering if I could cash in that rain check. I could really use a motorcycle ride.”

  “Seriously?” His eyes widened.

  I nodded. “Seriously.”

  “Wow. Cool.” He lifted the helmet. “Let’s see how this fits.”

  “Oh no. Then there’s no helmet for you.” I shook my head.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “No.” I emphasized the word. “I can’t stand to think about you getting hurt.”

  “All right.” He rested the helmet on his hip. “What if we just go to the park? It’s only a block away. I’ll owe you a longer ride later when I have my extra helmet.”

  I paused.

  “I’ll go slow.” His expression was full of hope.

  I couldn’t resist him. I just needed to be alone with him. “Okay.”

  Taylor slipped the helmet over my head and then fastened the strap. He glanced down at my Windbreaker. “You might want to zip that. It’s colder on the bike than it is just standing here in the warm sun.”

  I zipped it up, and he grinned. “What’s so funny?”

  “I never thought I’d have a cheerleader on the back of my bike.”

  “I hate to break it to you, but as of a few minutes ago, I’m no longer a part of the team.”

  “What?”

  “I promise I’ll tell you when we get to the park. Right now I just want to get out of here and be with you.”

  “Your wish is my command.” He climbed onto the bike, took my hand, and helped me on. “Just hold on to me. Don’t worry about squeezing too tight. You can’t hurt me. If you get scared, just pull on my jacket, okay?”

  “Okay.” I looped my arms around his waist and held on to him. He steered through the parking lot, and I held him close, breathing in the smell of his shampoo and resting my cheek on his shoulder.

  I closed my eyes and let my thoughts go. The ride, though short, was exhilarating and refreshing, just as Taylor had said it was for him. I forgot my worries and just held on.

  I wanted to hold on to him forever. It was comforting to feel his body close to mine. When I was with Taylor, I was free from the pressure of being Whitney Richards, perfect student and cheer captain. I was just Whitney Richards, high school senior and regular girl.

  Taylor steered the motorcycle into the park and stopped at the far end of the parking lot. He climbed off the bike and then helped me down.

  “What did you think?” He removed the helmet and locked it in place on the bike.

  “It was amazing.” I ran my hands through my hair. “I’d like a longer ride next time.”

  “I can arrange that.” He took my hand in his. “Let’s go find somewhere to talk.”

  We followed a path into a cluster of trees.

  I looked up at him, enjoying the feel of my hand encircled in his. “Do you have to go to work today?”

  “No. I’m off today.” He squeezed my hand. “What happened with cheerleading?”

  I led him toward an empty picnic table. “Let’s sit here and talk.” I climbed up on top of the table, and he sat beside me. “Do you know Misty Strickland?”

  He shrugged. “I know who she is. Why?”

  “She and I sort of got into an argument at J2A recently, and it came up again today.” I paused, debating how much to tell Taylor. How could I admit she’d called him a loser?

  “What is it, Whitney?” He moved closer to me. “Please tell me.”

  “Remember when you came to church a couple of weeks ago and then had to leave for work before J2A?”

  “Yeah.”

  “She was there, and she teased me about being your girlfriend.”

  “Did that bother you?”

  I ran my fingers over the worn wooden top of the table to avoid his eyes. “I didn’t mind her saying you were my boyfriend, but I didn’t like what she said about you.”

  “What did she say?”

  I bit my lower lip and kept my eyes focused on the table. “She made fun of where you live.”

  “That’s nothing new. I’ve heard that before.” He placed a finger under my chin and angled my face so I was looking at him. “What does that have to do with quitting cheerleading?”

  “She picked a fight with me in front of the whole team today.” I told him I thought she was trying to get back at me for getting her in trouble with Jenna. I explained how Misty said I was dating him and what the team said. I ended the story with my resignation and my conversation with Kristin in the hallway. By the time I finished my story, tears were flowing from my eyes, and I felt like a total moron for crying in front of him yet again. I couldn’t help but bare my soul whenever I talked to him. I’d never felt so safe and comfortable with anyone.

  “Hey. It’s okay.” Taylor wiped the tears from my cheeks with his fingertips. “Don’t cry.”

  “I’m sorry.” I cleared my throat. “They just really got to me.”

  “I’m sorry our friendship has caused you so much trouble.”

  “Don’t say that.” I touched his sleeve.

  “But you’ve lost your friends because of me.”

  “No.” I shook my head. “You’re not the problem. They’re the problem. If they can’t see what I see in you, then they aren’t my friends.”

  He studied me. “You mean that?”


  “Yes, I mean it.”

  “But you lost cheerleading, something you love, because of me.” His expression fell. “You may look back and regret that.”

  “No. I would regret losing you because of them.”

  Taylor’s expression became intense, and my heart thumped in my chest. He reached out and cupped his hand to my cheek. He dipped his chin, and his lips brushed mine. I closed my eyes and lost myself in the sensation of his lips, wishing the kiss would last forever.

  His cell phone began to ring from inside his jacket, and I pulled back.

  “Should you get that?” I asked, my voice a little ragged with emotion.

  “Oh. I didn’t even hear it ringing.” He fished out the phone. “It’s my mom.” He pushed a button and then held the phone to his ear. “Hey, Mom. Oh. Okay. Sure, I’ll be right there. All right. Bye.” He put the phone back into his pocket. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

  He climbed down from the table, reached for my hand, and helped me down. We fell into step as we made our way back to the parking lot.

  “Is everything all right?” I couldn’t stop staring at his lips as I remembered the feeling of our kiss.

  “Yeah. My mom has to stay late at work, and Vanessa left her house key and phone at home today. She thought she’d be home before Vanessa, but now she can’t leave. I have to let Vanessa in.” Taylor studied me. “Whitney, I care about you, but I don’t want you to give up things that are important just for me. If you truly want to give up cheerleading, it needs to be for the right reasons.”

  “I gave it up because I don’t belong there anymore.”

  “Are you certain?”

  “Yes.” I emphasized the word, and his expression softened.

  He placed the helmet on my head and then helped me climb onto the bike. As we rode back to retrieve my Jeep, I held on to him and relived the kiss over and over in my mind.

  I knew at that moment that I was in love with Taylor Martinez, and I prayed he loved me too.

  chapter sixteen

  Wednesday afternoon I was still floating. Taylor and I began spending more time together, and I longed to know how he really felt about me. We’d had lunch together in the courtyard, and we’d spent less than fifteen minutes of my tutoring session talking about calculus. The rest of the time we talked about everything from family to our hopes and dreams for the future. He hadn’t mentioned the kiss or the significance of it, but I felt as if our relationship had risen to a new level. I wanted to know if he considered me his girlfriend, but I didn’t want to ask and risk seeming desperate or needy.