FOLLOW YOUR HEART
MELISSA HEAGERTY
TABLE OF CONTANTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Author Notes
Chapter 1
During summer break, a fifteen-year-old girl was tapping her foot inside the waiting room area of the therapist's office. This place had been her second home these past few months. Ever since the recovery process of her eating disorder had taken off, her father had assumed talking to someone would help. To her surprise, it did.
“Ms. Rubey? Dr. Harper will see you now.” The receptionist said.
Eileen nodded, taking a deep breath before entering the room for a final time.
"Nice to see you again, Ms. Rubey." Dr. Harper said, her skin wrinkled as she smiled.
Eileen smiled warmly, closing the door. “Nice to see you too, Dr. Harper. I hate to say it, but I'm going to miss our weekly sessions." Eileen sat down on the familiar long couch. Usually, she would widdle her thumbs and narrow her eyes at the carpet, but now she had learned how to express her feelings instead of bottling everything up.
“You know my door is always open if you need to talk again. So, how do you feel about going back to school again?”
Eileen let out an uncomfortable sigh. She had been having doubts about going back to school. But she knew everybody had their ups and downs. Choosing to overlook them was how you made the most of it. “A little nervous about being honest. I know my disappearance spooked a lot of people after what happened. I’m going to need to face those demons and the fallout again this year.”
“But you know you don’t need to channel those demons. I’ve seen the progress you have made over the past few months. Eileen, you have come a long way from that scared, weak little girl that first walked in here.”
She blushed, hearing the praise, as it meant everything. “I think I feel it too. The other reason why is because my boyfriend broke up with me over summer break.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Do you—”
“Not really. Our relationship wasn’t real, if that makes sense. The cheerleading captain I told you about?”
“Kelli?”
Eileen nodded her head. “She was the one who set us up on a dare at the party. It was awkward as it should’ve been, given that we didn’t know each other. We tried dating afterwards, but the chemistry wasn’t there, and I knew it was coming. I think despite what had happened, it spooked him. I can’t blame him. Back then, I would have done whatever it took to stay on the team. I caved into peer pressure. But I also learned from my mistakes, and it helped me become a better person.”
Dr. Harper beamed. “Well, I guess my work is done, you don’t need my advice anymore,” she joked as Eileen giggled.
“What can I say, I have a great support system. My family has been there through everything. I can’t thank them enough for their support. And speaking of family, my cousins recently moved in with us. Let’s say … it’s been hectic in that household. The only thing I’m worried about is—”
“Uh-uh, we agreed that the only thing you need to focus on is one person only. I know being in a giant household at times can be tricky. But you don’t need to get into other people's affairs to distract yourself. Focus on what your needs and wants are for this year and let everything else fade away. The question you need to ask yourself is who do you want to be this year? You have the skills to do anything your heart desires. You need to believe more in yourself to achieve it.”
That was the question she had to ask herself. What did she want for sophomore year? Well, whatever it was, she was able to make better choices for herself.
《***》
Today, Eileen would be starting her sophomore year at Cherish High as she walked downstairs, she double-checks to see if she had everything. Her hazel eyes gazed around in the kitchen, and she started to overhear a conversation between her cousins Flynn and Caden Claybourne. Again, she noticed her sister disappeared. For the past few days, it’s happened every time. She just hoped her sister was okay and knew she could come to her if she were in trouble.
“You overslept?” Her cousin Flynn curiously asked his brother.
Caden nodded, making sure he had everything. He ran his hand through his wavy bed head hair. “Yeah, our tournament went a bit overboard last night, luckily I set my phone alarm.” He yawned, loudly.
Eileen raised her eyebrow, knowing he had blatantly lied to his brother. Flynn let it slide, for now at least. Eileen—on the other hand—wasn't going to.
“Not that I’m complaining, but anybody heard from Torrie yet?” Eileen asked interrupting them as she wondered if Torrie said anything before leaving.
Flynn shook his head. Frankly, he could care less about Torrie’s whereabouts. The less he knew, the better his sanity would be.
“She mentioned meeting up with Marlowe,” Caden told her on the way towards the car. Once inside the car, Caden and Eileen were texting one another on the phone, so they wouldn’t distract Flynn.
Eileen: So, late-night gaming tournament, huh?
Not buying that for a second, she knew that he liked to hang out with his best friend Kate Lennox on the weekends every chance he got.
Caden: Uh, yeah.
Trying to hide his cover.
Eileen: So, how's Kate?
Their eyes gazed at each other from over their phones.
Caden: You know?
Eileen giggled again, finding it cute he had a crush on his best friend.
Eileen: Of course, I know Caden, have you told her yet?
Caden: Please, she wouldn't be interested in me. I'm not Flynn. I wouldn't even know what to say or do, for that matter.
Eileen: All you need to do is be yourself. Don't listen to any advice Flynn gives you, and you'll be fine.
Just before Caden was about to reply, Flynn's brown eyes glared at them in the rearview mirror. “What are you two up to?” Flynn asked, making them jump.
“N-nothing,” they said in unison and scurried out of the car.
Eileen sighed staring in front of the school’s entrance. She had absolutely dreaded the day she would have to come back. Ah, welcome to Cherish High, the who’s who of popularity. Things have not changed for decades, and you still get judged even if you hide behind the shadows where nobody knows who you are.
《***》
“I heard about you and Ethan.” The familiar voice of Kelli Lockhart said.
Kelli was every man's fantasy and every woman’s nightmare. Yet, she still had to maintain her status at school as the Queen B. Why does she expect Kelli to change when she never does? She was grateful Kelli was a thing in the past now, and she’s ready to move on. “Of course, you have. You need to know
everything that goes on in this school. What do you want, Kelli?” Eileen turned around as she stopped near the trophy case. This time last year, Kelli picked on her for losing her balance after she found out she was starving herself to stay on the team and kicked her off.
“Just to see how you were doing …” She tilted her head as Eileen’s eyes darted on Ethan, who was flirting with Erica, one of the new cheerleaders who replaced her last year. “First your spot, now your man …”
Eileen knew what Kelli wanted her to do, but she was the better woman out of the two. “Whatever you’re going to do, it won’t work, Kelli. I’m over the pettiness. I’m not looking for drama this year. Sorry to disappoint you. Now if you’ll excuse me.” Eileen began to walk towards another dilemma she needed to handle, facing her ex-boyfriend.
《***》
“Enjoying your new-found freedom, I see?” Eileen teased as a mild Ethan turned around to look at her.
“Come on, Eileen, it’s not like that.” He fixed the strap on his shoulder bag, to lean against the locker better. Part of him did wish things could’ve worked out between them more. But his team comes first to him. His life has been sports no matter what, it was his escape. Not even love could distract him, which he knew something had to give, and sadly he let her go.
“You don’t need to make excuses for me, and we’re both single now. You can flirt or date whoever you want. I’m fine with it. You're fine with it … Just drop it and go have fun with Erica.” Saying that left a bad taste in her mouth. What was wrong with her? Yeah, you're doing a banged-up job of showing Ethan you moved on.
She ignored herself and scurried off to class so she wouldn't be late.
Chapter 2
Squeals and gossiping giggles of how good of a kisser Flynn Claybourne was echoed through the halls. His latest flirt was exiting the janitor’s closet. He watched as she twisted her ruffled hair bashfully and ran off to tell her friends. Flynn knew he was a pretty good kisser, and he couldn't help the grin that spread from ear to ear. As he walked past them in the opposite direction.
"Another two-week fling?" A familiar voice called out from behind him.
"Geez Torrie, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" Flynn said, turning towards his cousin as he placed his hand over his chest. Flynn watched as she laughed.
She always seemed to find pleasure in the smaller things in life. "Surprised, you still found a bimbo to make out with. Especially after what happened at summer camp. What was that ... two years ago now?"
Flynn rolled his eyes. Of course, he remembered that day perfectly. It was the end of freshman year when that awful prank had ended. "By the way, I still hate you for that."
Torrie smirks. She knew Flynn's revenge would come soon enough. “You're just jealous that I'm better than you, Claybourne. Always have been, always will be.”
Flynn watched as she walked away proudly. He mumbled under his breath as Caden walked by. His laugh could be heard down the hall.
“What happened this time?” Caden asked. “Do I even want to know?”
Flynn shook his head.
Caden nodded, leaving him be for now. “Gotcha, Mrs. Peyton knows you've been skipping her class,” Caden informed his brother.
Flynn shrugged. Her math classes were one of the ones he dreaded to attend. “She hates me no matter what I do, man,” Flynn joked but was telling the truth. His lack of enthusiasm was hopeless, no matter what his brother tried. Flynn shoved his brother playfully, walking inside the classroom.
Caden smiled, spotting his rival, Morgan Peyton. Yep, Morgan was Mrs. Peyton's daughter. She had a few corresponding features of her mother's image.
“Well, well, look what the cat dragged up,” said Morgan, rollicking.
So much for being incognito, I guess, Flynn wistfully thought. “Do we need to start this every day?” Flynn asked. Not that he enjoys the witty banter, other than Torrie, nobody gave him a challenge.
“Caden, dear, I do hope you’ll take my advice and drop this imbecile fool for a brother. No wonder you seem to be losing IQ points. Possibly dropping the sack of potatoes will boost your confidence,” Morgan commented, glancing over at him and shrugging at his presence. It wouldn't be impartial for her to pester one without the other. Blowing a kiss at them—from the corner of her eye, Morgan spotted her mother saunter into the room.
The brothers—who wanted to retaliate Morgan's whimsical banter, realized that now wasn’t the time. Caden hit Flynn's shoulder, getting his attention as they took their seats.
“Take your seats everybody. I know most of you are excited to finish this last year with me. For others, get ready for another year of doom and gloom with me,” Mrs. Peyton said. Most of the kids groaned out of frustration as the door squeaked open at the last second. “Who’s late for my—” Mrs. Peyton demanded to know.
Flynn, along with everybody, darted their attention to a beautiful girl with long curly brunette hair and brown eyes. Flynn knew who she was since Caden hung out with her.
“Ms. Lennox, do not be late for my class again. Take your seat.”
Kate nodded, spotting Caden, who blushed when she passed. She sat down, not too far away from where they were. In the blink of an eye, the class was over.
《***》
Flynn wished school was over too. Heading towards the door, he was inches away when Mrs. Peyton blocked his path.
“Mr. Claybourne, I have been noticing that you are barely surviving my class,” Mrs. Peyton spoke out of concern.
Flynn nodded, wanting to get this over with. Unless it was a blonde or brunette, he couldn't care less where he had to go. “Yeah, sorry about that,” he said, hearing her shrewd tone. He didn’t give a damn.
Mrs. Peyton narrowed her brow, observing his body language. It was bewildering to why she even cared about him in the first place. She knew he was a cocky, self-centered child. She guessed it was that teacher's oath she took, as she never abandoned it, and she wasn't going to start now. “Flynn, you do know we have a midterm paper coming up soon.” From a side glance, Mrs. Peyton saw Flynn's eye roll. She continued anyway, much to his annoyance. “I know you don't want another summer school session with me,” she continued, pausing the train of thoughts that echoed inside his mind.
Believe him. He did not want to be cooped up here all summer long. “What do you want me to do?” He beamed in her direction.
Seeing how that got his attention, she replied, “You need to bring up your grades. Start by doing your work on time, and how about coming in every day instead of when you feel like it?”
He smirked lightly, hearing her firm warning.
“I'm going to be pairing you up with a tutor two days a week from now until the midterm. Assuming you somehow pass my class—and the extra credit—not to mention the makeup assignments you owe me, I won't give you summer school,” she said, giving him an easy ultimatum.
He nodded, accepting the deal he made with the devil.
《***》
Finally, he was free to leave.
Caden glanced over his shoulder and saw him dragging his feet. “How much trouble did you get in?” Caden pried.
Flynn showed him the note.
Caden skimmed it, mumbling to himself. “You got a tutor, huh?” Caden asked rhetorically, turning to a brooding Flynn who was banging his head lightly against the locker. Handing the paper back to him, he ran a hand through his hair. “Come on, man, lighten up, will you? It beats dealing with Peyton all summer, right?”
Flynn shrugged his shoulders. Caden had a class to get to and left him alone. Since he had a free period, he thought he might as well check out the tutor and get this torment over with. He knew this wasn't going to end well. To his surprise, he found himself walking to where the library was.
Chapter 3
The reason why Torrie had been secretive to her family as of late wasn't that she couldn't trust them. It was because she didn't think they'd understand the situation she was in. �
��What's going on?”
Marlowe had wanted Torrie to meet her at the park. Marlowe was still reeling from the heated conversation she’d recently had about how she came out to her mother, sadly it did not go as well as she had hoped it would. This was the first encounter they had since that day.
Torrie hugged her tightly.
Marlowe knew Torrie was blaming herself. She saw it in her eyes. “I had to see you before you found out.”
Torrie stood in front of her, flustered, and trying to figure out why she’s acting antsy.
“My mom is homeschooling me. We're going to be moving in with my father next week.”
Her heart sank into her chest. This was all her fault. She shouldn't have encouraged her to confess. None of this would be happening if she hadn’t pushed. “I'm so sorry, Marlowe. This is all my fault ...” Torrie apologized to her without making eye contact.
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