True Love:Follow Your Heart

by Melissa Heagerty

  Torrie puts the pieces together. “Our baby sister is, 'dating' Avery, he forced her into doing something. It's nice that you cared though,”

  Kasper turned away as Torrie caught a disbelief sigh that escaped his mouth. He ran his hand through his hair taking it all in at once. “Jesus ...”

  “My sister isn't that weak. She can handle herself.” Torrie reassured him.

  “I'm not worried about her. I'm worried about what he'll do.”

  Torrie pleaded with him. “You want to cash in that favor? Protect my sister, no matter what.”

  Chapter 13

  “Come on, man, you going to mope in there all day? Get your ass out of bed!” Ethan yelled from downstairs. Ethan whistled as his eyes caught Michael's achievements that were in a case. Now he remembered why he looked familiar to him.

  Michael, who was on his bed, with his arms folded across his chest. He never wanted to leave this bed again. Technically, he didn't have to, as it was the weekend. How could she—no, why did she? Everything she said ...? His head swam with unanswered questions and very little hope to survive.

  Ethan, who had enough of his moping he stood in front of his room. “Alright, I'm comin' in!” Ethan opened the door.

  “How'd you know where I live anyway?” Michael wondered under the pillow.

  Ethan shook his head with a laugh. “I followed your ass home once the bombshell revealed. I didn't want you to regret anything.” Ethan sat by his computer chair and moved it towards the bed.

  He removed the pillow from his face, he sits up on the bed. “Why the hell is she with him?” Michael finally, asked out loud.

  Ethan remained silent on that subject. He was right. Much as he didn't want to be. Eileen wouldn't forgive him if he revealed the secret. An unpleasant Ethan drooped his head in shame. “I don't know man, but one thing is sure, she's doing it because of fear.” Ethan stared at Heagertigh's face.

  His brow rose up in suspicion. “What do you mean?” Michael sits up on his bed as he felt like Ethan's being cagey here.

  “Think about it. He said something to trick her. You saw how frightened she got.” Ethan reminded him. Part of him wanted Michael to figure it out on his own.

  A ding-dong from the door startled the boys. They both ran downstairs to see a figure outside.

  “You expecting someone?” Ethan leered over his shoulder at Michael, who gawked and shook his head. Ethan opens the front door speechless, to say the least. Why was Kasper Lockhart here in the flesh? A few moments went by before Ethan found the courage to speak first. “What the hell are you doing here?” Ethan provoked him.

  Michael heard who he was and his reputation from his old school last year. Why was he here at his place?

  A weary, nonchalant Kasper sighs, knowing he's making a bold statement and came here on his own terms no less. This visit wasn't a social call, more like a warning. “Look, I'm not here to cause trouble, alright. I know you don't trust me. Hell, you shouldn't, but I'm here to warn you.” Kasper saw the baffled look upon their faces.

  Ethan's forehead furrowed and knew this was a trap. “What makes you think we're going to trust you?” Ethan asked. “After all the crap you did to me last year?” Ethan recollected the past incident with the boys last year.

  Michael listened to him reveal something he didn't know.

  Kasper's dour face said it all. But he's not that guy anymore. “Believe what you want, okay. I wouldn't be here if I didn't know the guy. Be on the lookout for anything suspicious.”

  You mean like you standing here in front of us? Ethan wanted to blurt out.

  In the blink of an eye, Kasper vanished.

  Ethan closed the door behind him. Nope, that wasn't weird at all. Ethan stared at Michael, who remained unsettled about this predicament. “Tell me you aren't buying this?” Ethan assumed he wasn't. Kasper is nothing more than a troublemaker. He's a pawn in Avery's game.

  “Of course, I'm—” An interruption caught him in mid-sentence. “Eileen?” Michael stared at his phone.

  Ethan shook his head. “Come on, man,” he knew it's a trap as he took the phone away from him.

  Michael grabbed it back to read the text. He replied, where to hook up to meet in person.

  Ethan groaned out of frustration. “Kasper Lockhart shows up less than a few minutes ago, to warn us something was going to happen. You get a random text from your crush moments later?” Ethan pointed out every bit of this coincidence and hoped he wasn't this gullible. Ethan wasn't going to fall for it.

  “I'm going to see her.” Michael had a one-track mind as he grabbed his coat.

  “Oh, I'm going to miss you, kid ...” Ethan mumbled as he watched him leave.

  With the sunset dying down into nightfall, he gazed around the old junkyard at Vixen Meadows. He saw no sight of her. Why did she want to rendezvous here? “Eileen!” Michael wanted to text her again to see if he had the correct location.

  A shadow formed behind him. More footsteps approached. Being on his guard Michael noticed two visible shadows on the side.

  Christian and Ryder who held her phone. “It didn't have to be this way,” Christian puts her phone in his back pocket.

  “So, what—is this trap?” Michael looked around for the ringleader himself.

  Footsteps reappeared as Avery watched him sweat. “Something like that kid. Gotta say though I'm impressed with you. You held your own until the very end. That's what I choose to remember you by.” With a snap of his fingers, Avery demanded the brothers to grab Michael's arm. Michael struggled to fight back as he wished that he listened to Ethan's advice.

  Avery re-emerged from the shadows to enjoy the show. Michael's eyes quaked at Avery's direction. In a hostile manner, Avery pummeled him in the stomach. Avery scowled as he lifted Michael's neck up. Avery wanted to see the fear in his eyes. A cheap shot to the former injured eye. Michael winced in pain as he spits the blood from his mouth out at Avery’s face to blind him for a few seconds. He may have been weak at the moment but wasn't down for the count. Michael was able to stomp on one of the brother's feet, as he managed to tackle Ryder down.

  It wasn't long until Avery took matters into his own hands. The next thing he knew, it was lights out.

  《***》

  The morning sunset struggled with his vision at the moment. A wounded and befuddled Michael winced in pain. All he could feel was the big bump on the back of his head. His eyes lowered and noticed that he couldn't move. Not to mention, he became shirtless from the waist down. As he gazed around, he noticed he was at Cherish high. Of course, I was. Michael hits the back of his head. Great. He thought to himself. Avery wanted to embarrass him. To make an example, this would be one way of doing so. It was no use. He couldn’t escape. Why didn't I listen to Ethan? He was right, it was a trap. What the hell does that girl have over me? With the sun began to rise and knew utter humiliation was set to begin.

  The whispers started early with a few random students who arrived early as a chagrined Michael couldn't wait to read those headlines when he got released. Well, it can't get any worse right? Me being famous on social media, nothing too big of a deal?

  《***》

  Ryder and Christian smirk at their handiwork. “He's not going to be bothering us anymore.” Christian took out her phone from out of his back pocket.

  Eileen snatched it from his hand.

  “Hey!” Their mischievous faces disappeared as they saw Eileen in front of them.

  “You two had my phone?!” As she looked everywhere for it this morning.

  They tried to come up with a fast pace excuse. They noticed she scrolled down with their faces blanched. “E-Eil ...” Ryder goes to say.

  “I didn't text, Michael!” She told them as she loathed they invaded her privacy.

  Avery emerged from behind who basked in his victory. “No, I did, sweetheart,” Avery said in a concerted response.

  She debated on which one to slap first. The assembly of p
eers scrutinized his ongoing issue with her brothers is never-ending. She gasped in horror and saw what those morons did to him.

  Ethan arrived with the principal as students scattered away.

  Eileen wanted to help him but felt her arm being yanked by ... “Let me go!” She jerked it free and spun around.

  Kasper stopped her feeling her eyes narrowed at him. “I wouldn't do that if I were you,” Kasper added as Eileen couldn’t believe Avery had the audacity stooping this low.

  “Why the hell should I?”

  Kasper’s voice was low in a whisper. “I warned him last night that something was going down, and once he finds out, you were involved. He'll think you were behind this prank.”

  She opened her mouth to speak, yet nothing came out. Deep down, she knew he was right. “But, I—None of this was my fault!”

  They watched her rush over to his aid. Kasper sighs, knowing it's going to bite her in the ass. The principal was asking Michael who did this to him. His eyes squinted at her coming, he remained silent.

  《***》

  “Eileen, this isn't a good time,” Ethan pleaded with her not to screw it up more if that’s even possible.

  The principal tilted his head, spotting Avery and her brothers nearby gloating. “Ryder and Christian Rubey!” Principal Xander addressed in an abrupt manner. “You two will be punished for what you did to Mr. Heagertigh. Are you alright Mr. Heagertigh?” He asked out of concern.

  Eileen looked furious as she pursed her lips together.

  “Y—yeah, I'm okay,” Michael replied in a shaky, sheepish tone.

  The principal nods his head, turning his attention towards Eileen. “I'll be dealing with your brothers later.”

  She hoped they'll be mercilessly punished for this, as she watched the principal storm off with them. She noticed they were the only three people still here.

  A contemplated Michael wanted to leave too until he got stopped.

  “For what it's worth,” she tried to soothe his attention for a second. He listened, but his deadpan expression stayed the same. “My brothers can be a big pain most times. I'm not like them. Michael, I'm so sorry for how they treated you.” She hoped her apology got through to him.

  He sighed as he wanted to say something, but she was gone before he could. Ethan patted his back and knew he'd been through hell lately. They skipped school after that incident.

  《***》

  Ethan took him back to his place as he wished there was something he could say or do at this point.

  Michael borrowed some of Ethan's clothes after he took a shower. The confusion was more bearable with how he felt towards Eileen. How could one small beautiful woman cause a hell load of problems?

  “See the clothes fit,” Ethan handed him a soda. He smiled and gazed out the window. Ethan sat on the table in front of him. “Look, I know you have a lot of emotions inside you need to lash out. I did too when I found out. Even though I wasn't tied up on a pole.”

  “Why me?” Michael muttered under his breath.

  Ethan stared at the floor.

  “What the hell did I do to any of them? I came here for a fresh start. To help my father. I didn't do crap to them.”

  Ethan heard some of his emotions come out. He had an idea. “Let's go ...”

  A dumbfounded Michael grabbed his coat and followed Ethan. About a few minutes into town, he observed the local gym in front of his vision. “Why are we here?” Michael watched him enter the lukewarm place.

  Ethan walked him over to face a punching bag. “You're aggravated inside it's time to release it. Trust me it does help ...”

  He felt hesitant at first, but Michael puts the gloves on anyway with Ethan’s help. Ethan stood by the bag to hold it. After taking a deep breath, Michael stared at the bag. A fist formed inside the glove. Ethan noticed his jaw tightened and heard the steam pours out of him. Michael started to invision everything wrong in his life. Ethan held on the best he could, but the grip became too much.

  The hurt, the sorrowful disappointment in his eyes. His mind played tricks on him. The next thing he saw was Eileen in his vision. Michael caught his breath as sweat dripped down his face. He couldn't do it.

  Ethan tossed him a water bottle moments later. “Eileen was the one left standing?”

  He nodded. “Thanks for that ...” Michael felt the cool breeze as they left the gym to relax.

  “I see you had a lot of mixed emotions even though I didn't realize. I'm here if you want to talk about anything, alright?” Ethan was becoming a good friend to him.

  Michael nodded his head, but he wasn't ready to discuss his personal problems yet. He did, and wanted input on this situation. “What the hell am I going to do? She told me to stay away from her. I didn't listen … and now,” a pessimistic Michael exhaled out of inconvenience.

  Ethan laughed as he already knew the real issue. “You’re in way too deep, if you're contemplating what to do.”

  Michael laughed. “You do know it's creepy when you do that right.”

  Ethan smiled. “I told you I been where you were, but don't make the same mistake I did.”

  Michael arched his eyebrow at Ethan. “What do you mean?”

  He asked Ethan, who gave him a lopsided smile. “The one thing I aggrieved was not giving it a fair chance. Eileen is one of those one-in-a-million girls man. I wasn't courageous enough to make it work. Maybe ...” Ethan paused his train of thoughts and patted Michael on the back. “Things will have a different outcome on your end. I saw the affection you both gave. Talk to her. Don't let a squabble ruin what could become something more. I regretted mine. Don't repeat my failed mistakes.” Ethan wandered away for a bit to let him process.

  Running a hand through his hair. Whatever was to happen next. The outcome would affect all everybody involved.

  Chapter 14

  School was finally finished for the weekend as Kate planned to hang out with Caden. She wanted to sort things out with ...

  “Kate,”

  Who stood outside of the house and waved at Flynn, who opened the door. He stood there slack-jawed.

  “You still need help tutoring?” She asked in a sincere tone.

  He stumbled to find the words to say. “B—but what about, forgive me for using this ... 'my reputation'?”

  “I'm going to be with Caden anyway. I guess it couldn't hurt to keep it on the down-low?”

  He was grateful for his second chance. He moved toward the side and let her inside. "Caden!" He shouted from upstairs. "So, you and Tiffani, huh?"

  Kate forgot about her little annoying pest. She laughed as she sat down on the couch. "Yeah, me and her. I don't know how you put up with her. She is ..."

  Flynn laughs as they sit down by the couch. "I know she can be a handful at times. But when you least expect it. She does have her moments. It takes time to get to know a person."

  Kate knew he wasn't wrong about that. She won't have that problem. At least until after graduation. "Yeah, but that'll never happen to me," she told him something personal about herself.

  Flynn raised his brow. "Not interested in dating or getting to know someone? I, mean there is a difference." She nods her head.

  "Either at the moment. I rather not have history repeat itself. My mother sacrificed a lot for me to have a happy life. I wouldn't think I would be able to return the same favor."

  "So what? You rather isolate yourself forever? Nobody can be lonely all the time, Kate. You can have a support system without being in the darkness Kate. Besides, don't tell me you haven't thought about Caden in that way before?"

  Kate felt her cheeks flushed as Caden's footsteps approached them. "That that way about who before?" His forehead puckered and wondered what he walked in on.

  "Nothing ... " Kate changed the subject as the trio got down to work. Flynn smirked and knew she had as he dropped it … for now. As Caden shrugged it off.

  A little after 11:30, Kate found her head on Fly
nn's shoulder as they napped on the couch. Caden dozed off an hour before they had. Every time Flynn was alone with Kate, he felt tongue-tied, like a schoolboy. No other girl made him feel that way before. Part of him wanted to declare how he felt about her, but he could never do it. He knew Caden would despise him if that time ever came.

  Kate never had a male role model to look up to growing up. She only relied on her mother. That's why she had forced herself not to have fun all the time. All work and no play kind of gal. She knew all her hard work would pay off but if she couldn't enjoy it with friends, then what was the point of school right? Caden came close to a brother figure for her. Always tried to make herself better and pushed her in the right direction.