by Jae
“Umm… Yeah, sure.”
“Would tonight after work be okay for you?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. How about I just give Kayla a ride home so you don’t have to make the trip?”
“Yeah, okay!” Kayden smiles again. “I’ll see you guys later tonight, then!”
I give him a small smile, nod my head, and say goodbye before walking into Red. As soon as I see Kayla I tell her of the arrangement and she couldn’t be more excited. Even in my funk, I have to admit I’m pleased that I get to spend a little quality time with her too. I haven’t been the best to her and I really feel bad about it. Hopefully I can use this car ride to clear the air. She is a really sweet girl and hasn’t deserved the bad attitude I’ve had.
On my way back from my drink run, I stop walking just short of Red when I see a black Range Rover parked on the side of the street that looks exactly like Liam’s. Once the initial shock of it passes through me, I rush over to it. I’m left disappointed when I see the license plate doesn’t even remotely match Liam’s.
“You ready to go, Kayla?” I ask at the end of our work day.
“Totally!’ She smiles, linking her arm though mine as we walk out of Red.
“Hey, Kayla, I just wanted to say that I’m sorry for acting so off last week.” I tell her after I pull out of my parking spot.
“Oh,” She responds, clearly surprised by my apology. “It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not.” I sigh. “I was just going through something and instead of dealing with it on my own time, I took it out on you and the girls and I shouldn’t have.”
Kayla nods her head, showing she understands and accepts my apology. “If you don’t mind me asking, what was it that you were going through?”
“A break up.” I respond after a few moments.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Daisy.” Kayla looks at me, her eyes growing wide.
“Thanks.”
“Did you love him?” She asks after I stop at a red light.
“Yes.” I answer, glancing over at her. “I still very much do.”
“Do you think he still loves you?”
“I don’t know.” I shrug my shoulders, squeezing my steering wheel tightly. “I hope so.”
Kayla nods her head before changing the subject. The rest of the car ride we talk about how much she loves California and how nervous she is to be starting school later this week. When we get to her house, I park in the drive way and follow her into the average sized two story home.
“Where is everyone?” Kayla shouts as we walk in the front door.
“Kitchen!” We hear a chorus of people shout in response.
“It works every time!” Kayla smiles, making both of us laugh.
“Mom, Dad, this is Daisy.” Kayla introduces after we walk into the kitchen. “Daisy, these are our parents, Bill and Karen.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” I smile while shaking both of their hands.
“You too, sweetheart.” Karen responds while Bill nods in agreement.
“I hope you’re hungry.” Bill smiles. “We’ve got homemade pizzas in the oven.”
Honestly, I’m the farthest thing from hungry. Since leaving Liam’s, I’ve completely lost my appetite and have had to force myself to eat every day. Since I don’t want to be rude though, I nod my head and tell him that I’m starving. Kayla and Kayden spend the short amount of time till the pizzas are done showing me around their house. When the food is ready, we all sit at the table and eat straight off of the pans. I manage to force down two big slices topped with hamburger and black olives before feeling completely stuffed. When Kayden and I are ready to leave, Karen puts a few slices of pepperoni pizza in a zip lock baggie for me to take home.
“Thank you guys so much for dinner! It was delicious!”
“Anytime, sweetheart!” Karen gushes, giving me a hug.
“Good luck in Paris.” Bill says after giving me a hug also. “You’ll have to stop by when you come back on holidays to tell us all about it.”
“Thank you and I definitely will!”
“Alright, let’s get this show on the road!” Kayden laughs, ushering me out of the house before his parents start a new conversation with me.
“You’re parents are really sweet!” I tell Kayden as I pull out of the driveway.
“Yeah, I like them.” He responds, making both of us laugh.
For the next few hours I drive around and show Kayden all of my favorite spots around town. We drive past some theme parks like Magic Mountain and could see all of the rides that were lit up and some of the roller coasters going. I drive by the Aquarium and museums, pointing out the ones that are my favorite. During all of this I point out some of my favorite restaurants too. Lastly we go to the boardwalk and decide to check out the random shops and vendors that are there.
“My favorite thing to get is the mini ice cream cones.” I tell him as we get in line for them. “There’s so cute.”
While were waiting I look around and people watch. Roughly twenty feet ahead of us a tall dark haired guy catches my attention and for a moment I’m almost positive it’s Liam. Before I even realize it, my feet are moving towards him.
“Daisy?” Kayden asks, clearly confused.
“I’ll be right back.” I tell him as I keep moving, pushing my way through people till I get to the guy.
“Liam?’ I ask, touching the guy’s shoulder.
“What?” The guy asks as he turns around.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” I say, taking a step back. “I thought you were someone else. I’m sorry.”
The guy nods his head in understanding giving me a small smile before turning back to his friends. Letting out a disappointed sigh, I turn around and head back over to Kayden.
“What was that about?” Kayden asks, handing me my mini ice cream.
“Oh, nothing.” I respond as we make our way further down the boardwalk. “I just thought I saw someone that I know.”
“Wasn’t them?”
“Unfortunately not.”
Kayden and I walk in silence to the end of the boardwalk, eating our ice creams and taking in the sights around us. It isn’t until now that I realize that the last time I was here was with Liam when we went out to eat with my parents for the first time and then got ice cream afterwards. The thought makes me feel a little sick and I toss the last bit of my cone into a nearby trashcan.
“Thanks for doing this.” Kayden tells me after I pull into his drive way and put my car into park.
“It was my pleasure.” I smile. “I had a nice time.”
Kayden nods his head in agreement.
“I have to be honest, I was a little nervous to ask you if you were still good for the offer.”
“Why’s that?” I chuckle, very amused by the comment.
“Well, because of your boyfriend.” He states, a slightly uncomfortable look spreading on his face.
“What about him?”
Kayden’s hesitance to answer instantly begins to frustrate me. I know for a fact Liam isn’t a fan of Kayden and I’m sure whatever Liam said to him a few weeks ago made the feelings mutual, but I can’t imagine Liam said anything all that bad?
“I guess, to put it simply, he wasn’t exactly happy about me pursuing any type of interest in you.”
“Liam’s can be a little protective is all.” I respond, shrugging my shoulders.
“A little protective?” Kayden chuckles while shaking his head. “I think that’s a huge understatement.”
“Excuse me?” I ask, unsure of how else to reply.
“Daisy, you can’t honestly tell me that Liam doesn’t scare you.”
“Actually, yeah, I can.” I respond, beginning to feel very defensive over the curly haired boy who still holds my heart. “Liam doesn’t scare me.”
Kayden stares at me for a long moment, as if searching my face for a glimmer of a lie. Finally he says, “Liam reassured me that he had no troubles with beating me to death if I came anywhere near you.”
&nbs
p; My eyes widen in surprise. Did Liam really say that? Who am I kidding – of course he did. That’s sounds exactly like something Liam would say.
“Daisy?”
“I have to go.” I say suddenly.
“Oh, okay.” Kayden nods his head, slowly getting out of my car. “I’m sorry if I said anything to upset you.”
“No, it’s fine.” I respond, shaking my head. “I’ll see you around.”
As soon as Kayden closes the door, I put my car into reverse and pull out of his drive way. I drive around aimlessly for a while, trying to process my thoughts. Eventually I find myself back home, sitting in my driveway with the car turned off. I’m not sure how long I’m sitting here for before I pull out my phone and dial Liam’s number. I quietly beg for him to pick up, but like every other time, I get his voice mail.
“Liam,” I sigh, tears filling my eyes. “I don’t even know why I keep calling you anymore. It’s starting to feel pretty pointless, especially since I have no idea if you’re even listening to any of these messages. I think I’m beginning to finally get the hint that we’re over, which kills me to say the least, but I think I understand now. I want you to know I miss you though. I miss you so much, Liam. This is so hard because I think you really are the love of my life and I don’t think I’m ever going to meet someone like you again. All day today, it was like everywhere I turned I thought I saw you or your car on the street, but it never was.
“I’ve been trying to put a brave face on in front of everyone, but as soon as I’m alone it’s like everything comes crashing down all at once and I can barely handle it. I wish you were here, Liam. I wish you were lying next to me, holding me, and telling me everything is going to be okay. I hate that you’re not here. I hate that you’re not answering my calls or texts. It isn’t fair, Liam. None of this is fair. I leave on Wednesday next week. I don’t know if you care, but I thought I’d let you know just in case I don’t hear from you beforehand. I hope to hear from you, but if not, maybe I’ll see you at the airport. I love you, Liam. I really do and I always will. Above everything else, I want you to know that.”
As soon as I end the call, I let the tears I was fighting so hard to keep back stream freely down my face. With leaving that last message, I feel like a chunk of my heart has officially been ripped out of my chest.
Chapter Thirty-One
“You know what we need to do?” Taylor asks at the end of our shift on Friday. “We need to go on an all weekend party binge starting tonight. You know, like one last hurrah before Daisy leaves and we start school.”
“I think that’s a pretty solid idea.” Ella agrees. “What do you think, Daisy? Are you up for some fun before you jet out of this place?”
“You know what, I think I actually am.” I answer, feeling more confident about the idea the more I mull it around in my head.
“Well, then, I think it’s settled!” Zoie exclaims. “Let’s party, ladies!’
On our way to my house we stop at Taco Bell and buy a Taco 12 Pack to split between the five of us while we get ready. We take turns taking showers in my bathroom while everyone else eats. Once all of the food is gone and the showers are done, we start on our hair, makeup, and choosing outfits.
Zoie applies a thin winged eye for her makeup and scrunches her hair into beachy waves. She’s wearing a white tank-top with a large black and white lip design on the front, frayed denim washed shorts with a crochet trim, and a pair of black suede tassel thong sandals. Taylor applies a thin winged eye for her makeup and curls her hair into soft waves. She’s wearing a blue floral pattern crop top, faded prairie doll denim cut-offs, and a pair of nude color faux leather strappy thong sandals. Ella applies a thin winged eye for her makeup and straightens her hair. She’s wearing an olive colored crop top, denim washed cutoffs with studded embellishments, and a pair of black faux leather bolt studded thong sandals. I apply a thin winged eye for my makeup and leave my hair in their natural waves. I’m wearing a black muscle tank with the phrase ‘Steal My Heart’ in white letters on the front and studded embellishments around the collar, charcoal/grey camo pattern jean shorts, and a pair of black leather gladiator sandals.
“You ready, Daisy?” Ella asks me while I put the finishing touches on my outfit.
“Yeah, let’s do this.” I smile, following the girls out of my house and to Zoie’s Jeep.
The drive to the bonfire party is filled with us singing along to the radio at the top of our lungs and shouting at people as we drive past them on the street. When we arrive, the parking lot lining the beach is packed with cars. After five minutes of searching for a spot, we park, and then climb out of the Jeep laughing our heads off. As we walk through the parking lot we say hello to a lot of our friends from high school and the friends we’ve made at other parties that are in college. We end up at a car that has a group of people standing around it with shot glasses lined up across the trunk. We’re informed that we have to each throw back at least two shots and then we could share a joint. Agreeing to the terms, Ella, Zoie, Taylor, and I line up next to each other and quickly toss back the shots after some random guy counts down from three and shouts go. As promised, we’re rewarded with our joint and we four girls stand next to each other passing it around while we talk with a couple random groups of people. At some point Tony, Jack, and Connor show up with some of the other guys from the basketball team and we all move down onto the actual beach and start up a friendly game of boys vs. girls touch football.
“You’re going down, Daisy!” A guy named Travis shouts to me as the boys group together for a team huddle.
Travis is tall; I would say roughly six foot. He has short dark brown hair and scruffy facial hair that covers his defined jaw. His grey t-shirt and dark jeans show that he has a lean build and his body is ripped. His brown eyes are warm and hold a light of mischievous teasing in them. I’ve seen him around at parties and we’ve even talked a few times. He’s very attractive to say the least and that mixed with his flirtatious playfulness is enough to make me try my best to put Liam in the back of my mind.
“Bring it on!” I shout back, a teasing smirk plastered to my face.
We girls huddle together and act like we’re making a game plan but really we’re just talking about how hot the guys look and how much fun we’re having. When the boys signal they’re ready to get started, we all line up facing each other. Being girls, we get the ball first. Taylor bends over, hikes it to Zoie, and then we all move towards our ‘end zone’ trying to get open. I watch as Zoie throws the ball to Ella and when she catches it, I jump on Travis’ back.
“Does this count as a block?” I ask as Travis wraps his arms around my legs.
“I’m not sure, but it works for me.” He chuckles.
“I agree.” I smile, slowly sliding off his back then lining back up with the girls.
On the next hike, Zoie throws the ball to me and I catch it in our end zone, scoring. I jump up and down and cheer with the girls. In the end we girls win by one touchdown and shamelessly rub it in the boy’s faces.
“I thought you said we were going down?” I tease Travis when he wraps his arms around me from behind while we wait in line at a keg.
“I guess I was wrong.” He chuckles.
I let Travis take my hand in his and lead me over to my friends by the bonfire after we get our drinks.
“Are you having a good time?” Ella asks me once I’m standing next to her.
I nod my head and we both smile when Travis puts his arm around my shoulders. At some point I get this weird feeling that someone is watching me and when I look up I feel like all the air is knocked out of my lungs after I spot Liam standing with a group of people near the parking lot. He’s wearing a white t-shirt with a pocket on the left side of his chest and black jeans with a pair of black high-top Chuck Taylor All Star Converse shoes tucked underneath them. Even though were a great distance away from each other, I can feel our eyes lock and it takes everything in me to look away. I guess I got so caught up in
my little group’s conversation and flirting with Travis that I didn’t even notice when Liam showed up.
I try my best to steer clear of him and not look his way for the rest of the party, but I find it a little difficult, especially when a few girls join his group and one of them starts to hang all over him. I know I shouldn’t be jealous and or upset because I’ve been flirting and all touchy-feely with Travis, but I can’t help it. As much as I want and need to forget about Liam and move on with my life, I can’t because I am still madly in love with him.
“Let’s get in the water!” Taylor exclaims, jumping up and down in excitement.
“We didn’t bring our swimsuits.” I inform her.
“So what?” Zoie asks as she and the other girls start to strip down to their bras and underwear and the guys follow suit.
“Are you coming?” Travis asks while he jogs backwards toward the water with a growing group people.
I hesitate for a moment, feeling like this may be a bad idea. Glancing back at Liam, I see a girl is either whispering something in his ear or kissing his neck and for some reason that is the confirmation I need to say ‘screw it’ and join my friends. I slide off my sandals before grabbing the hem of my shirt and pulling it over my head. After I drop it to the ground, I pop the button of my shorts and undo the zipper before letting them slide down my legs. I get the feeling like someone is watching me again and I know that it’s Liam burning a hole in the back of my head. I can just picture him clenching his fists and wanting to storm over here and tell me to put my clothes back on over my black lacey bra and matching underwear, but I choose to ignore the feeling and continue to have fun with my friends.
“There she is!” Taylor shouts when I get to the edge of the water.
I let out a small squeak and latch onto Travis when he picks me up and spins me around. We all jump around in the water, splashing each other and just having a good time. Travis plants a few chaste kisses on my cheeks and forehead here and there and I find the way he shyly smiles at me after each one completely adorable. When we get out of the water, I’m surprised to see Liam come walking towards us.