“Just so you know, I can’t dance.” Shouting over the music, Austin takes my hands and spins me around, so my back is to his front and guides me in some easy dance moves of mostly just swaying side to side and the occasional spin. Some of the couples are dancing awfully close, almost inappropriately, while Austin and I keep ours simple and PG. For several songs, Austin pulls me close and spins me around to the music making me breathless with laughter. We have fun jumping around, doing crazy dance moves, not caring if we look like geeks who can’t dance. It’s not about how well you can dance but how much fun you have doing it.
Austin pulls my phone out of his pocket and handing it to me where I see a text from Bobby informing me that her and Beau just arrived and will be inside momentarily. Messaging her back to let her know we are going to be by the drink table, I turn my phone off and slide it back into Austin’s jacket, motioning to the drink table. Even though the music is loud, it’s easier to hear each other the further we go from the speakers at the opposite side of the gym. The drinks are in the far corner by the second entrance, so Austin guides us through, holding my hand the entire way. When we reach the table, Austin hands me a cup filled with pink liquid and I greedily gulp it down. I hadn’t realized how thirsty I was until that first sip as the fruity concoction quenches my thirst.
Looking around the dance floor, I recognize many of the students dancing, seeming to be having a good time. Even though the amount of students is less than my old school, the atmosphere of fun and laughter is the same. I guess in some ways, things don’t change based on where you are. Austin talks to a guy from his team while I try to listen over the music but only hearing bits and pieces.
“There you are!” Bobby grabs my arm to gain my attention as she yells over the music.
“Took you long enough. How was your date?” Raising two thumbs up, Bobby seems absolutely smitten over Beau, which I find entertaining. I never would have imagined those two would hit it off because they are so completely opposite but knowing my two best friends are into each other makes me happy. I love seeing my friends happy.
“You ready to dance, beautiful?” Austin utters in my ear. Nodding my head, he leads me back out onto the dance floor followed by Bobby and Beau. Just as we find an open spot the music changes to a slow song by Bruno Mars. Austin pulls me in close with one hand around my waist while the other holds my hand as we sway to the melody. Staring into his handsome face, Austin mouths the words of the song to me with a slight smirk that pulls at the corner of his lips. Feeling my heart thump with every word he sings, I pray Austin can’t feel the pounding beneath my chest giving away the depth of my feelings for him. I’m still coming to terms with how much this astounding man has come to mean to me in such a short amount of time.
Even when the slow melody changes to a pumping Black Eyed Pea’s song, Austin sways as if it were still a slow tune. I could care less, feeling that this moment is monumental for us. Every minute of this incredible night will be seared into my mind forever as the best night of my life. I want to remember every look, every touch, and every word uttered because once the night is over, all I’ll have is the memory.
Chapter 18
In the end, we all just want
Someone who chooses us…
Over everyone else,
Under any circumstances.
-unknown-
Out of the corner of my eye, a commotion ensues causing Austin and I to glance over and see what’s happening. Two seniors whom I recognize from a few of my classes are pushing around Timothy, the quiet, brooding kid. Taunting and making fun of him, poor Timothy looks ready to break. I guess even in this small-town bullies still exist.
“Stay here, Kayla.” Austin pulls me over to Bobby and Beau a few feet away before stomping over to the bullies. Worry knots my stomach hoping he doesn’t get hurt and wanting to pull him back to the safety of my arms. But as much as I worry, I know he’s doing the right thing. Timothy needs someone on his side when jerks like these guys pick on him.
“Why aren’t any of the chaperone’s stopping them from pushing Timothy around?” Scrunching my face, I would imagine chaperones wanting to stop this sort of cruelty but they all seem to be turning a blind eye.
“A lot of people don’t like Timothy. He’s the quiet, weird kid, so a lot of the time everyone looks away. These guys pick on him constantly by throwing crumpled paper at his head in class, calling him names when they walk by him, leaving cruel notes in his locker. It’s screwed up, but it’s gone on for so long, nobody tries to stop it. It’s been a while though, since they’ve pushed him around.” Beau informs me.
“Really? That’s screwed up.” Nodding in agreement, we watch as Austin shoves the two bullies away pointing and exchanging heated words before turning to Timothy seeming to check on him. Timothy shoves Austin’s hand away and stomps off in anger and embarrassment while a few students laugh about what happened as if it’s no big deal. My shoulders droop in sympathy for him. I couldn’t imagine going through the bullying for so long without snapping. I just hope that once we graduate Timothy moves on and finds a happier life than what he has right now.
“Your boyfriend is hot.” Bobby’s admiration of my boyfriend garners Beau’s attention.
“Hey!” Beau exclaims.
“What? He is. A man that looks like that and is a protector of innocents so to speak is hot in my book.” Bobby pretends to swoon causing Beau to growl in frustration.
“I’ll show you what a real man is.” Pulling Bobby into his arms, Beau plants a brutal kiss on Bobby’s lips to show her whose boss.
“Whoa. What did I miss?” Austin walks up a moment later seeming more relaxed than when he left, as we wait for Beau and Bobby to stop sucking face.
“Well, Beau seemed to think it was time to show Bobby she’s his and now I’m not sure if we’ll be able to pull them apart.” Chuckling, Austin pulls me off the dance floor to a table decorated with fake roses that sparkle with silver glitter on the ends and a sparkly white tablecloth to match.
“Are you having fun?” As I turn to face Austin, I try to find the words to convey how amazing he’s made this night for me.
“You have made our night spectacular. I haven’t had this much fun… I don’t think ever. You really know how to romance a girl.”
“Nah. Darlin’, this is all for you. I’ve never made the effort to be romantic but with you, it’s easy.” Leaning toward each other, we share a soft kiss that says more about our admiration for each other than words could ever say. The rest of the evening is filled with dancing, laughing, and more kissing making this night the most memorable one so far.
****
The next two weeks are a blur. School has kept me busy with homework, studying, and projects that are due just before Thanksgiving break. When I’m not dealing with school stuff, I’m working or spending the little time I have left with Austin. I’ve been so consumed with school and Austin that I barely even have a chance to talk to Lacy. We text back and forth, letting the other know we will call them when we get a chance but have yet to do so because of our busy schedules. I will be so grateful for break next week when Lacy will be here visiting.
“When is your friend flying in?” I’ve told Austin everything about Lacy and our friendship through the years that I’m sure he feels as if he knows her already.
“She should be here Saturday late morning. Lacy is excited to meet you. I’ve told her everything about you and us.” Realizing I said too much, my cheeks pink with embarrassment.
“I can’t wait to meet your best friend, darlin’.” Squeezing me with the arm that’s draped around my shoulders, my embarrassment fades as I relax against him. Bobby and Beau sit opposite of us, making out as if it’s going out of style. Ever since they kissed at homecoming, they have been inseparable. There’s not a free moment that their lips aren’t glued together. Sometimes I wonder if they ever come up for air or if they have some super human power to hold their breath for hours on end. Ok, maybe not hours,
but they do make out for long increments of time.
“My parents wanted to ask yours if they wanted to celebrate Thanksgiving together.” Surprise lights up my face. “That is if you wanted that, too.” Austin questions, and I feel bad for making him think I don’t want to celebrate with him and his family.
“Yes, I do want that. I was just caught off guard. I wasn’t expecting your parents to want to have Thanksgiving together.”
“Why wouldn’t they?”
“I guess I’m just used to seeing others wanting to keep it a family only holiday. Aside from my friend and her mom sharing the holidays with us, it was rare any of my other friends celebrated with anyone that wasn’t family.”
“Oh. Well here in our tiny town, everyone is practically family. Lot’s of people celebrate together.”
“Well, I could ask my dad and Sarah if they would like to have your family over if that’s ok? I think they really want to have our first Thanksgiving together at home but I’m sure they’d love to have your family over, too.”
Growing up, it was always just my mom and I for the first few years of my life before we met Julia and Lacy. We would go to the diner down the street and eat Thanksgiving there because my mom didn’t know how to cook a turkey. We had never been invited to anyone’s home before, not even my mom’s boss invited us, as they considered it to be a family holiday. Maybe they didn’t want us to meet their crazy aunt or drunken uncles, I’m not sure.
It wasn’t until Lacy and I became best friends and Julia invited us over that first year to celebrate with them. Ever since then, it was always Julia, Lacy, my mom, and I eating Thanksgiving dinner and every other holiday together.
This is the first year in thirteen years that I won’t have my mom with me during this holiday and my heart aches for her. I know my dad and Sarah will do their best to make the holiday special and flying Lacy and her mom here to celebrate with us helps, but it doesn’t take away the loss I still feel. Maybe having everyone I love and care about in one place will distract me enough to forget my loss and enjoy the holiday.
As the bell rings signaling the end of lunch, I gather my things and turn without paying attention running right into Timothy.
“Oh. I am so sorry. I wasn’t paying attention.” Bending over to help pick up the papers and books I knocked out of his hands, Timothy mumbles unintelligibly under his breath.
“What?” Handing him the last of his papers, we both stand at the same time as I wait to see if he’ll answer my question.
“Nothing. Thanks.” Glancing briefly at me, I thought I saw a brief look of relief, maybe because I wasn’t picking on him, before a wall slides back in place giving him a blank look. Hurrying in the opposite direction, I want so badly to befriend him so maybe he won’t feel so alone, but I doubt he’d believe that I’m being honest with my friendship.
“Ready?” Taking one last look at his retreating form, I turn and nod my head to Austin before heading in the direction of class.
When I get home that afternoon, my brothers are in the kitchen, sitting quietly at the table, heads bowed over their pencil and paper finishing their homework.
“Hey guys.”
“Kayla!” Jackson and Jayden shout in unison before jumping out of their chairs, rushing up to me, and wrapping their tiny arms around my waist in a crushing hug.
“It feels like I haven’t seen you in forever. I’m always gone before you wake up, and you’re asleep by the time I get home.” The only time I see my brother’s it seems is on the weekends when they aren’t sleeping over at a friend’s house.
“That’s ‘cause you have a boyfriend.” Jayden taunts.
“I work too, you guys.” Scoffing, I rub the boys head before dropping my bag in the closest empty chair. This is the first afternoon where I didn’t have to be at work and I didn’t need to stay for Austin’s practice.
“We have a big giant awesome party in class tomorrow.” Jackson shouts excitedly while bouncing up and down followed by Jayden.
“That’s cool, you guys. Are you bringing anything with you to share with the class?” Oh, how I wish I were still in elementary school where we could have parties just before break. Instead, I have a test in three classes, a project due in one, and the usual class assignments in the others.
“I think mom is buying us sliced fruit to take with us.”
“I bet your party will be so much fun.”
“Yeah.” The squeals of excitement hurt my ears for a moment before they settle down when my dad enters the kitchen.
“Boys, relax.”
“Sorry. I think I helped amp up their excitement for school tomorrow.”
“I’d be excited too if it was the Friday before a week-long break.” Dad grabs a soda out of the fridge while the boys and I take a seat and get to work on finishing our homework.
“Dad.” Almost forgetting my conversation earlier, I shout for dad just as he leaves to the living room. Popping his head into the kitchen he replies.
“Yeah?”
“Um…Austin’s, uh…Austin’s parents wanted to have Thanksgiving with us this year.” Chewing my lower lip, I feel weird asking.
“Sure. I’ll let Sarah know we have a few more people coming. It’s four of them, right?”
“Oh, um, yeah I think so. I mean, I don’t know if Austin’s brother will be home for break, but I would assume he is. I’ll ask Austin and let you know for sure.”
“Great.” Dad leaves and the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding slips out in a whoosh of relief. I have no idea why I was so worried. Of course, my dad would be fine with it.
Feeling the vibration of my phone in my sweater pocket, I pull it out and see Lacy’s name sprawled across the screen signaling her call. Sliding the green phone over to answer, I head toward my bedroom, not wanting to be interrupted in our conversation.
“Finally! Jeez. I felt like I haven’t talked to you in forever.” Lacy says exasperatedly.
“I know. I’ve been so busy with work, school…” I’m cut off by Lacy’s reply.
“Austin.” She sings.
“Yes him, too. What have you been up too?” Making myself comfortable on my bed, I prop my pillow up and lean back.
“Well aside from working whenever I can and school getting in the way of more work, I also broke up with Justin.”
“What? Why?” Shocked to hear about her break up, I expected Lacy and Justin to become high school sweethearts. They were inseparable during our entire junior year.
“I found out he was talking and seeing another girl, so I got rid of him.” Lacy’s words sound careless, but I know she’s hurting inside.
“Was it innocent talking and you just assumed it was more than it was?” It wouldn’t surprise me if it were innocent. Lacy can get jealous.
“Whose side are you on, Kayla?” Hurt evident in her tone.
“I’m on yours, Lacy. But I know you and sometimes you think the worst.”
“It wasn’t innocent.” Sadness tinges her words, and I wish I were there to comfort her. It’s not easy to give comfort through a phone.
“I’m sorry, Hun.” I have no idea how to proceed, as I’ve never been through this.
“Hun? Texas is starting to rub off on you.” She muses.
“Yeah, I guess. So how did you find out?” Trying to change the subject off me for now, I bring it back to her and the breakup.
“I went to surprise him when my boss sent me home early ‘cause we were slow. He was just pulling into the driveway and had a girl in the passenger seat.”
“I can’t believe he did this to you.” Justin never seemed like the sort to cheat, but I guess there’s a first for everything.
“Of course, I slammed my door and stomped up to him, steam coming out of my ears. I was ready to murder him. He pulled me to the side and said he could explain.”
“That’s stupid. There is no explanation when you cheat on someone else.”
“That’s what I said.” I could just imagine Lacy t
hrowing her hands up as she says this, and I can’t help but smile. “Justin tried to tell me that he only went out with her because he felt lonely or some crap like that. He said I never am around and we barely talked or even texted which I guess is sort of true, but he knew I was working and when I wasn’t working I tried to always make time for him but it’s hard when I had to juggle school, work, family, and a boyfriend.”
“Oh Lacy. I get where you’re coming from. But I also get his point too.”
“I know. I get it. I should have made more time for him, but in some ways, I think it’s better this way.”
“I guess that means now you’re single and ready to mingle?” I joke.
“Does Austin have any brothers because if so, I am totally going to mingle?” Laughing at her trying to move on, I know she needs a distraction and maybe innocent flirting will help.
“He does actually, but his brother is older and in college. He goes to Florida State.”
“Of course. Why does life have to hate me?” Lacy groans.
“Life doesn’t hate you. So, are you all ready and packed for your visit?”
“Oh my god yes!” Shouting her reply, I pull the phone away from my ear before we both fall in a fit off giggles.
“I’ll be the one in hot pink.” Usually I wouldn’t be caught dead in hot pink, but I plan to make her visit memorable starting with hot pink shirt and pants that I bought just for the occasion, so she can’t miss me.
“Seriously? You better have a big ol’ sign with my name on it waiting in the terminal.”
“Whatever. I have some stuff to catch up on before your visit so I’m going to let you go but when you get here, we are going to have a girl’s night and talk about everything, and I mean no detail will be left out.”
“You got it, Kayla. Miss you. See you soon.”
“By bestie.”
Counting Goodbyes Page 19