“Uh, well. Actually, my girlfriend Lana is at my house waiting for me to come back,” he put his hands in his pockets awkwardly.
“Oh, wow. You have a girlfriend? That’s great. Why didn’t you tell me?” Yeah, I was a little hurt.
“It must have slipped my mind,” he tried to act cool.
“How long have you guys been together?” I crossed my arms.
“Around three months now.” I did the math. He got over me quickly.
“Oh, well, congrats. Look, I better get going. Bedtime. You know, I got school and all,” I turned and started back for the house.
“I still think about you every day,” he yelled after me and I ignored him, letting my tears fall silently. My heart was breaking all over again and the only person I knew to call was Marlie but she didn’t want anything to do with me so I called Carter and he came over.
“My brother can be such an ass,” he held me close to his chest.
“Why are you so chill about this? Shouldn’t you be pissed that I still have feelings for him?” I cried.
“I should be, but I’m not. He’s your first love. I get it,” he hugged me tighter.
“You’re perfect,” I smiled with tears still dripping down my cheeks.
“I try,” he brushed back my bangs.
“I do want this to work out you know,” I sniffled.
“I know,” he sounded so calm.
“I hope we get king and queen so I have an excuse to dance with you,” I whispered.
“Me too, Al. Me too.” He kissed the top of my head and we fell silent.
The football game was intense the entire first half. It was like first we’d be up, then they would be. It was a lot of back and forth. But by the end of the first half, we were winning. I stood in my dance uniform waiting to go on the field.
“Alright, ladies, don’t forget strong arms and smile,” I announced and as we walked onto the field, the crowd cheered.
“Presenting the half-time entertainment. The dance team with Ali Burns, team captain. Ladies, whenever you’re ready.” That was our queue to get into position.
The music started. We were dancing to “Applause” by the famous Lady GaGa. I made every turn, every jump. I was on point tonight and the girls seemed to be doing well too. By the end of the song I was out of breath and my adrenaline was high. The crowd erupted with cheers and whistling. I felt accomplished.
“Nice job, girls. I’m so proud of all of you,” I smiled as we walked off of the field. They were just as excited as I was.
I walked over to the concessions, my hunger finally kicking in. I was getting the usual ”good jobs” and such. As I stood in line Ben pulled me out and brought me to the back of the tiny building.
“What are you doing?” I yanked my arm away from him.
“Why didn’t you say yes?” he had me pinned to the wall.
“Because I’m not interested, okay? I’m sorry,” I tried to move around him but he wouldn’t let me.
“You’re not going anywhere.” His smile made me shiver.
“Ben, people will see us,” I tried to stay stern.
“No they won’t. This is like sacred ground. The place where couples make out.” His face was close to mine.
“Don’t be stupid.” I was getting scared.
“Oh, I won’t be.” His face was against mine and his lips were brought to mine. I tried to push him away but he was built like a brick wall. His body pinned to mine and his hands exploring my body, I was scared of what might happen.
“Hey! Get off of her!” I heard my saving grace, Jake. But Ben didn’t listen.
“Hey, douchebag! I said get off of her,” he shoved Ben away from me.
“We were just having fun. Damn,” Ben held his hands up in innocence.
“Somehow I doubt that. Leave before I kick your ass,” he growled.
“Whatever, man,” and Ben walked off.
“Ali, are you ok?” I was stuck to the wall in shock.
“I’m fine. Yeah, fine.” My eyes wouldn’t allow me to blink.
“Ali? Look at me, sweetie,” he brushed my bangs away.
“I’m fine, Jake,” I snapped out of it.
“I was just trying to help,” he retorted.
“I don’t need your help.” I walked away.
“We won!” Marlie came running over to me after the game.
“Thank goodness! I gotta get in line. Talk to you later?” I smiled.
“Of course.” I knew things between us would get better.
“Nice game, sexy,” I whispered in Carter’s ear.
“Wow, you look stunning,” he turned to me and stared in awe.
“Well, I clean up nicely. What can I say?” I grinned.
“You sure do,” he winked.
“Think you’d like to take it off later?” I was being such a tease.
“You’re a tease,” he practically moaned.
“I know.” They called our names and we started onto the field. They announced the activities we were in, what we did in our free time and what we wanted to do when we graduated.
“Okay, folks, it’s time to announce this year’s homecoming king. Drum roll, please,” the announcer attempted to make a funny.
“Carter Matthews! Congratulations, Carter! And now for our queen. Ladies and gentleman, Alice Burns.” The crowd erupted with cheers. It’s like the students wanted us to get together.
“That’s your homecoming king and queen, folks. Feel free to take pictures,” the announcer let himself go.
“Oh, honey, we’re so happy. You look beautiful.” My mom came up and hugged me.
“Thanks,” I smiled.
“Stunning, sweetie. Congratulations.” My dad hugged me.
“Nice game, Carter,” my dad held out his hand for Carter.
“Oh, thank you,” he shook his hand in return.
“You two get together so we can get pictures.” We stood together and a flood of people came for pictures. By the time we were finished with all of the pictures and congratulations, I was just ready to go dance.
I walked down to the locker room where it was quiet until I heard footsteps come up from behind.
“I’ve been wanting to do this all night,” Carter wrapped his arms around me and brought me in for a kiss.
“You’re going to get us into trouble. We have to go take pictures for the paper,” I pushed away.
“Oh no you don’t, you little tease,” he wrapped me back in his arms and I couldn’t help but giggle.
“You’re bad.” I brought my arms around his neck and went in for a kiss. Or two. Or three.
“Okay, now we should go,” he pulled away.
“Do I look okay?” I straightened my dress.
“Stunning,” he played with one of my curls.
“Ali, you down there?” I heard Marlie’s voice.
“Um, yeah. Just a second. Be right up,” I hollered back.
“You come up when you hear me whistle, got it?” I directed him.
“Got it,” he kissed me and I headed upstairs.
“Ali, why the heck are you whistling like that?” I whistled a couple of times loudly.
“No reason. Come on,” I looked behind me to see Carter wave and wink at me.
“Nice job, Ali,” Justin tapped my shoulder.
“Hey, thanks! Heard you were a close second,” I gave him a quick hug.
“So close,” he laughed.
“You look good, Marlie,” he gave her a sweet grin.
“Oh, thanks. So what happened to your date?” she was being so defensive and high strung.
“Yeah, didn’t work out, so she bailed,” he shrugged.
“Well, shit. Now I feel like an ass,” she mumbled.
“No, it’s cool. Hey, my mom wanted to get a picture of you and me. That okay?” he looked at her. I saw the hearts in his eyes. I knew for a long time he still had feelings for her. Them breaking up in the first place was dumb.
“I’d be delighted,” said Marlie. I smiled and the
y walked away from where I was standing.
“Guess who?” I felt someone’s hands over my eyes.
“Carter?” I giggled.
“Wrong,” the voice spoke.
“Um, I don’t know,” I laughed nervously.
“Wrong again.” I finally pinned the voice.
“Jake,” I sighed.
“Hey there, Ali Cat,” he spun me to face him.
“What do you want?” I crossed my arms.
“Jeez, cranky are we?” he laughed.
“I have to take pictures,” I noticed the photographer motioning us over.
“I’ll see you later then.” He looked like he had something to tell me.
We took pictures, smiling for so long my jaw got sore. Finally, once we were finished, the DJ started playing music and parents started leaving.
“Ali, can we get a picture?” a couple of under classmen girls came up to me with their cameras.
“Yeah, sure,” I smiled. I felt like a star.
“You’re seriously so gorgeous!” one shrieked.
“I love your dress,” another smiled.
“Thanks, girls,” I smiled one last time before they walked off.
“Well, aren’t you popular?” Carter stood by my side.
“Oh, you know, I try,” I flipped my hair teasingly.
“Dance with me?” he held out his hand.
“I thought you didn’t dance,” I teased.
“I grind. And this is a grinding song,” he tried to act all suave.
“Okay, you can stop that. I’ll dance with you,” I giggled and we headed out to the middle of the dance floor.
We danced for what felt like hours. Slow songs, fast songs, didn’t matter. We just were inseparable and oddly enough, Marlie didn’t seem to mind. Maybe because she was sucking face with Justin non-stop. He better not be a rebound for her. They both deserve each other as long as the both of them realize that.
Eighteen
“This is complete bull shit!” I shouted.
“No, it’s my parents,” Carter rubbed his face.
“Why are they doing this to you?” My face turned from anger to sadness.
“So they’re just making you leave? Now? Why?” I felt tears down my cheeks.
“Yep, tomorrow at 8 in the morning. I gotta be on a plane to North Carolina,” he looked defeated.
“They’re just gonna let you in at semester? That shit just doesn’t happen. They don’t let people do that.” I tried to reason or something.
“My parents have what they need and want, money. So that shit doesn’t matter,” his eyes began to water.
“So that’s it?” I sat beside him.
“That’s it,” he looked up at me and he was gone. His tears running down his cheeks made me feel so hopeless.
“Carter, baby, we’ll get through this. Ok? I’m not going anywhere. We’ll make this work.” I kissed his forehead.
“I don’t want to let you go.” He held onto me and I felt his pain.
“Then don’t,” my voice shook.
The next morning a taxi was outside waiting for Carter when it was time. There was nothing either of us could do. We both promised that we’d try and that we’d make it work. When I saw that car drive off, I felt my whole being leave me once again. But this time it was a different Matthews’ brother.
Nineteen
“Alice Burns,” my principal called my name.
“Yay! Go, Ali!” I heard my family go crazy and whistle. I couldn’t help but blush. I looked out and saw Carter there with the rest of the class. They let him come back to walk with us.
Since he left in December a lot happened. He changed, I changed, we changed. Things were okay to begin with but once I started getting busy with scholarships and he started classes, things just got too difficult. I started back up with dance a lot and was getting ready to apply to Banard college
or dance. Marlie and Justin are both staying here in California, which will be hard but I’ll manage. They’ve been together since homecoming and this time around I think they’ve got it nailed down. They’re so adorable together. It’s almost painful to watch them because it makes me think of Carter.
“Oh, darling, we’re so proud.” My mom said as she and dad hugged me after the ceremony was over.
“Nice job, loser.” I knew my brother would secretly miss me.
“So, what are we doing?” I looked at my parents, expecting a party or something.
“We were just going to go home and have leftovers. Sorry, sweetie, we didn’t think you wanted a party.” My mom was actually serious?
“Oh, yeah, it’s no big deal. I’ll hang out with Marlie or Justin,” I played off the pain in my heart.
“Sorry, Ali, we’re busy. Justin’s family is taking us out,” Marlie snuck up from behind me.
“What? You’re kidding,” I sighed. I felt like I was being left out. This is a big day for anybody and I was getting treated with leftovers. Lucky me.
“Carter? You busy?” We were still close even though he had a girl back at North Carolina.
“Sorry, my parents are actually being parents for once and have planned something.” He looked sad for me.
“Okay, well I’ll see you guys at home. I drove myself, remember?” That was a little harsh but I was honestly hurt.
“Okay, see you at home, sweetie. Love you.” They hugged me again and just walked away as did the rest of them. I went over to the bleachers and just sat there waiting for everyone to clear out. Guess these last two years haven’t gone the way I imagined in the slightest.
I sat in the silence of the auditorium when I heard footsteps on the floor approaching. I figured it was the janitor wanting me to leave along with everyone else.
“Sorry, sir. I’m leaving now,” I didn’t turn to see who it was.
“Not again.” Jake?
“Jake? What are you doing here?” I turned and hugged him.
“Well, my brother did graduate, didn’t he?” he smirked.
“Wow, you look sharp. Suit and tie,” I stood back and actually couldn’t help but check him out.
“Well, you don’t look too bad yourself,” he held me at a distance to look at my dress peeking out of the unzipped graduation gown.
“I try,” I felt shy suddenly.
“So, what are your plans?” he changed the subject, picking up on my reddening cheeks.
“Just about to leave and go home to a house of nothing,” I remembered no party.
“Well I’m not busy. Why don’t I join you?” he grinned.
“You sure your girl won’t mind?” I didn’t know if he was taken or not, but I thought I should be safe.
“I’m a single Pringle, Ali Cat. Keep up. Come on, let’s go. I’ll drive,” he held out his hand for my keys.
“Oh okay. I’m parked on the side,” my shock was a little obvious.
“What the heck?” We pulled into my driveway to zero cars.
“What?” he looked at me.
“My parents left without telling me.” Now I was pissed.
“That’s okay. Let’s go inside and find something to eat.” He grabbed my hand and I felt the spark jolt through us and I know he did too.
“Jake.” I wanted to tell him how badly I’d missed him and how damn sexy and grown up he looked.
“Yeah?” His dimples basically crushed my heart.
“Nothing,” I snapped out of it and got out of the car. We walked into the house and it was seriously pitch black. No one was home? I turned the light on and boom, just like that,a surprise party.
“SURPRISE!” everyone shouted. Carter, Marlie, Justin, their parents, my family.
“Jake, you knew?” I turned to him and whispered.
“Of course,” he squeezed my butt and I felt like what happened earlier wasn’t over.
“We could never forget you. You know that!” Marlie grabbed my side and squeezed me close.
“Thanks, you guys,” I smiled.
“Were you surprised
?” Justin joined my other side.
“What do you think?” I laughed, still shaking from the sudden shock. I have to admit, though, most of it was because of the sudden burst of affection from Jake.
“I love it. Whose idea was this?” I looked at them.
“Not us,” Marlie shook her head and pointed at Jake.
“You’re kidding?” my eyes got wide.
“No. He said you deserved something worth remembering,” Marlie grinned.
“Well, huh. Okay.” I was so shocked I didn’t know what to say.
“Well we’re going to mingle and eat.” Justin and Marlie walked hand in hand toward the huge table full of food.
I walked around, talking to everyone for awhile before I headed out for a breath of fresh air. I was going to miss the salt air.
“Ali Cat, what are you doing all alone?” I turned to see Jake holding a glass of what looked like champagne.
“Oh, I just needed some fresh air,” I leaned against the rail on the patio.
“Me too. Want a glass?” he offered me one.
“Sure.” I took a sip. Yep, definitely champagne. My parents must be drunk already.
“So, what are your plans?” he leaned over the patio, looking out at the ocean.
“I’m going to Banard in the fall,” I followed his body language.
“You don’t sound too thrilled.” He took a sip.
“That’s because I’m more nervous than anything else,” I looked at him from the corner of my eye.
“Why are you nervous? I thought you loved dance?” Jake still cared. I knew he never stopped.
“I have no support system out in New York, though. How am I supposed to pay for anything?” I shook my head.
“Well, my lady, you’re in luck. Guess who got transferred to New York?” he turned to me and grinned.
“You are not helping me pay for anything. I’ll get a job and I’m living in the dorms anyway. I’ll be fine. But I’ll visit all the time,” I smiled.
“I’ve missed you, Ali Cat.” I dropped my hand.
“Don’t say that. Please. I can’t take it right now,” I gave us distance.
“I’m sorry. That was out of line.” He turned back to the ocean.
“I have a secret,” I looked down at my hands.
“That is?” He didn’t bother to look at me.
“I’ve missed you, too.” I felt myself surrender to him without even wanting to.
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