True Love:Follow Your Heart

by Melissa Heagerty

  Kas wondered if this was still an act or not?

  “Everybody has demons and dark sides they can't tame. Do you stop loving them because of that? No, you try to make sure the person you love doesn't go down that dark road again, if, he'll let me I'll do whatever it takes. Whether you like it or not, Kelli, I don't need your approval of us. I will stand by him through thick and thin because that's all we need is each other.” Torrie excused herself from the table and stormed off after her speech.

  《***》

  Katrina smirked at everybody's amazed expression. She went to check on Torrie who couldn't believe what she did. “I got to say,”

  Torrie turned around as she narrowed her eyes up at Katrina

  “I don't know what's going on between you and my daughter. But there is some tension.”

  Torrie admitted and nodded her head. “I can—”

  Katrina had her hand raised to interrupt. “Not only that but punching Travis?”

  Torrie blushed as Katrina continued.

  “It's very hard to impress me, but you managed to do it in a matter of hours. Promise me a favor?”

  Torrie nodded and wondered what it could be.

  “Take good care of my son? He might be a bit stubborn at times but,”

  Torrie chuckled. She breathed a bit of relief that she had her permission. “Don't worry Ms. Lockhart he'll be in good hands.”

  She nodded and sauntered back into the dining room. Torrie finally had a moment to herself; she noticed a shadow behind her.

  《***》

  “You don't need to apologize,”

  Torrie turned around and spotted him.

  “This was actually somewhat I had envisioned in my head,” they laugh. Kasper walked up to her as he guided her to the front door as he wanted to talk in private.

  Torrie grabbed her coat on the way out.

  Kasper's forehead creased as he noticed Torrie fidgeted with the bracelet. “You've been kinda jumpy all evening. Is everything alright?” Kasper asked Torrie out of concern.

  “Things between me and a friend I used to hang out with didn't pan out. I was a little anxious coming here, because of how things ended with her.”

  He figured something was up with the way she was acting. “Anything I can do?”

  She shook her head. It was a sweet gesture. “Distracting me is a good start.” She chuckled. “I didn't want to screw anything up between us.”

  Kasper laughed as he walked up to her. “What are you talking about? You hardly screwed anything up. My sister got that down for us.”

  “You know my family's reputation at school, right? Hell, even my sister got caught in the fire because of it. I already ruined one friendship, if I lose you.” She turned around as she didn’t want to face him at this moment. Torrie sighed and kept her walls up.

  Kasper sensed Torrie held back. Kasper gently grabbed her hands in his. He spun her towards him and gazed into those hazel eyes of hers. “I know there is something going on between us, and I know you feel it too, don't you?”

  She admitted as they made eye contact.

  “Tor it doesn't matter what my sister thinks of us. I want to know every little detail about you. From the moment we met, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I still can't.” He stepped right up towards her lips. Kasper knew Kelli was watching, but he didn't care. He leaned to kiss Torrie square on the lips, as he cupped his hands on her cheeks.

  Torrie pressed her hands on his chest. She finally pried herself from his grip. Her lips tingle from that kiss. “Kas, I'm scared to get intimate with someone I just met. You're right I do feel something, but I already screwed up one friendship. I care about you too much to hurt you.”

  Kasper understood where she was coming from. With his track record, he wasn't sure if he was coming or going. One thing that was damn sure, he found his soul mate. “You can take all the time you need Angel.”

  She felt her heart beat fast after he blurted out that name. It was something she hasn't heard in quite some time. “H—how do you know my name?”

  Kasper stared at her for a few moments “Uh … what?”

  She chuckled and tried to clarify her statement. “My first name isn't Torrie, it's Angelica. I go by my middle name Torrance. The last person who called me Angel was my mother.”

  Kasper smiled. “And now I have a new nickname for you.”

  Torrie giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “What makes you think I'm going to let you call me that?” She teased him and gazed into his eyes.

  His hands lowered to her waist. “Because I'm full of surprises. I know we both have trusting issues but I'm willing to take the plunge if you are Angel,” he whispered in her ear. He gave her one final kiss on the forehead and heads back inside not looking back.

  Torrie glanced back at the door one final time as Kasper watched her walk towards the bus stop.

  《***》

  Kelli glowered and turned away at the sight of them, she got nauseous.

  “I see they're still committed to this?” Travis started to say from behind as he was intrigued by what caught her vision.

  Kelli moved the curtain back to normal. “From the looks of it yes. I know they are up to something.” Kelli became irritated to figure out what it was.

  Chapter 19

  With the holidays around the corner, it meant more snow which started to fall as most kids became excited about Christmas break coming up soon.

  Michael spotted Torrie who began to walk to her next class and wanted to pick her brain on something.

  “Hey, watch where you're—Oh, it's you ...” Torrie gave him a once over. Intrigued by what Eileen saw in him.

  Michael nodded who has debated on to trust Kasper and Ethan with their cockamamie plan. “Sorry for the intrusion but you’re Eileen's sister, right?”

  She chuckled. “You could say that. You're the one she likes?”

  His heart stopped right there letting it sink in. So, she does like me? He thought to himself.

  Was she not supposed to blab out loud? Torrie thought to herself.

  “Look I don't know why or what is going on between Avery and her, but I don't like it. I don't trust him. After everything, I've been through I have a reason not to.”

  Torrie didn't like this gut-feeling either. Dammit, with everything going on between her and Marlowe, now Kelli into the mix. She forgot to ask Kasper how it was going.

  “You've been hanging out with Lockhart lately. Is he trusting enough to believe that his word is legit?”

  Her eagerness began to distract her. Unable to focus on what he was babbling about. “Okay, what are you talking about?” She leaned against her locker wanting to know.

  Michael didn't want to explain himself. He has no choice but to say in the least. “I don't know what exactly is going on with Kasper, but he and Ethan are working on a conspiracy plan. They wanted me to get involved with it. I'm torn because part of me wants to, but I don't know if I can trust him because of who he used to be.”

  Torrie understood where he was coming from. This was the first she heard of it. “Let me see what I can dig up alright? From my point of view, yeah, he has changed.” She patted him on the back as she headed to her next stop.

  《***》

  She found Kasper after class, she wrenched him by the arm to pull him aside to talk in private. “I need to talk to you about something?”

  He heard a serious tone in her voice. “If you're going to try to talk me out of calling you Angel—” Kasper hoped she would forget that as it was never going to happen.

  She shook her head no sense that wasn't it. “Michael came up to me asking me if he should trust you?”

  Kasper groaned as he wished she didn't bring it up. “If I ask you to drop it would you—”

  Torrie shook her head.

  “Yeah worth a shot.” He knew it wasn't going to be that easy. “You promise you won't say anything to your brothers about this?�
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  She shrugged and remained quiet for now. “It depends on what you're up to.” She decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

  “Avery and I aren't exactly seeing eye to eye on anything as of late. Right now, I'm trying to find a way to leave.” He knew how he operates there's only one way out of this.

  Torrie was able to put the pieces together of this saga. “Okay, and Heagertigh comes into this how?” Still mystified in that situation.

  “I asked Ethan to talk, join forces with us why? Did he?” Kasper wonder if he had a change of heart?

  Torrie shook her head as she heard a despondent sigh from Kasper. “Not yet at least. He's confused about who to trust. What about my sister in all this?”

  Kasper kept his word as a promise about this so far, but he isn’t sure how far he can go. “I know it's a work in progress, but I held my end of the deal. Keep an eye on her though.” Kasper said in a worried tone making Torrie glare at him.

  “Is there something going on I need to know about? Kasper if—”

  “She's fine from what I saw her emotions got the best of her. Can't blame her after all she's with Avery.”

  She sighed with relief after she heard that, which she feared the worst. “Yeah, I know,” Torrie breathed out.

  “When things go down, I don't want you anywhere near this okay?” He pleaded with her. The less she knew the better he'll have to focus.

  “Kas?” His eyes told it all.

  “Please Angel? Promise me?”

  She hated it when he called her that.

  He cupped her face with his hands, rubbing her cheek. Their foreheads touched one another. She bit her lower lip. She finally caved and agreed to obey his command. “Promise me whatever you're going to do you come back to me?” She asked in a whisper. Her arms wrapped around his neck.

  He leans in to kiss her on the lips after she closed her eyes. This kiss was different from the fake one they had at dinner a few nights ago. She cares about him, but she's scared to lose him. Kasper wanted to comfort her. He told her everything would be okay. The truth was he wasn't sure what the outcome was going to be himself. He pulled out with both of them and caught their breath. “I'm not going anywhere,” he told her. He gave her one final kiss and he left her alone.

  《***》

  At the public library the following weekend as the weather began to turn colder, Eileen scrutinized at her binder. She knew the only real explanation for why Ethan planted a kiss on her was because they were friends. His friendly morale was a sweet jester. As she tried to concentrate again, footsteps crept up behind her.

  “We need to talk,” a familiar voice spooked her. Kasper closed the book up and sat by the edge of the wooden table. It wasn’t as she was studying anyway. Kasper leered down at her. Their eyes meet seconds later.

  She knew why he showed up. “I have nothing to say,” Eileen assured him.

  “You know this isn't over, right?”

  Eileen remained dour at his gaze. “Why should I give a damn anyway? Every time I try to prevent the inevitable.” She vented at him and became discouraged and weary, with the same old song and dance.

  He was partly involved since he returned. Kasper conceded with her on the current situation. No thanks to Avery, the alteration with the gang, has gone haywire as of late. There was nothing he could do to stop it, but he can change the outcome of the course. “Like it or not, it concerns your boyfriends. You can try to intercept all you want. He'll find a way to trigger that emotion out.”

  “You don't think I know that? The reason why I'm even involved in the first place is due to them.” She referred to her brothers. Furious at them for still elaborating with him in the first place. “Didn’t you give this pep talk to them? Now if you'll excuse me, I have a term paper to write.” She grabbed her things. She wasn't quick enough when Kasper grabbed her wrist.

  “I'm warning you right now don't turn your back. Keep your guard up.”

  Eileen had goosebumps appeared when he said that and scurried out of the library as fast as she could.

  《***》

  Michael hated to bail on Eileen as he did today. His head wanted to explode every which way he turned. One thing or someone blocked his path as it made things harder to get what he wants. Ethan was right. Part of him debated on if it was worth it anymore. He laid on his bed. His blameless, guilty conscience kicked into gear. His attention span lasted a mere five minutes. Michael couldn't even concentrate as his eyelids closed. Despite it being half of his grade. A knock at the door made his eyes jolted heavenward at the ceiling. “Yeah, pop it's open.”

  He heard his father enter the room and noticed his father's eyes narrowed at him. His father sits down on the edge of his bed with a dire grimace in his direction. His father's nostrils flared as he caught this breath. “Your school called a few days ago,” Collin informed him.

  Michael's eyes widened in shock as he felt a lump form in the back of his throat. He forgot to tell his father about his current situation.

  Collin continued. “You've skipped classes. This isn't like you. Is everything alright?” He asked out of concern.

  “It's nothing ...” Michael muttered out lying to him.

  Collin knew when to but out of his son's affairs. “Nothing huh? Does it have something to do with that girl you mentioned a while back? That class project?” He recalled Michael spoke of her once or twice.

  “You don't need to worry about it pop, it's getting handled,” Michael reassured his father.

  Collin lowered his head. He hated there was no piece of advice to console him with. Times like these he wished his wife was still around. Two stubborn mules in the house was never a good idea. Collin patted him on the leg as senior groans, and he rose to his feet. Tilting his head back once he reached the front door and left him with one piece of advice he'll remember. “Always hit it where it hurts the most,” a grin appeared on his face. What seemed to be a wink he leaves Michael be.

  Did he give me a boxing tip? His phone vibrated on the table seconds later.

  Eileen: Please text me, so we can work on this paper? It's the REAL ME, not my brothers btw.

  Michael needed a break. Somehow, he found his motivation. He glanced at his head towards his phone that lit up. Isolating from her was the best thing. Boy did it leave a bad taste in his mouth as he convinced himself it was for the greater good. He’ll admit she was persistent. His phone vibrated again but it wasn’t her. To his surprise it was Ethan. Michael puts his phone on silent. He turned over on his side and drifted off to sleep.

  《***》

  Another countless slumber she snuck out walked over towards Ethan's house. She knocked on the door. The only thing that was on repeat inside her mind, was that kiss.

  “Hold on I’m,” Ethan peeked through the peephole. He unlocked the door to let her in. “Eileen, what are ...” A drowsy Ethan asked not aware of how late it became.

  Eileen couldn’t keep this bottled in any longer as she needed to know. “Why did you kiss me?” She blurted out antsy.

  “Wha—”

  She rolls her eyes, not in the mood for games. He rubs the back of his sore neck. Luckily for him, the migraine disappeared when he slept.

  “The truth, Ethan. Why did you kiss me?” She confronted him on the spot. Arms folded across her chest.

  He guides her towards the couch. “I already gave you an explanation. I’ve been conflicted about whether breaking up with you was a good idea. But I already told Heagertigh I'd step aside if things progress between you two.” He saw her stern tone that budges. “What's going on?”

  Eileen couldn’t sit. She became too agitated and paced back and forth to calm herself down. “So, your true intentions were against your own free will?”

  Ethan dropped his head down. He knew what this was about. “Eileen listen to me,” he gently grabbed her hand in his. She needed to have more confidence in herself and ignore the Kelli bandwagon. He guided her to
sit. “Kelli is a menace. You can stand up to her. She thinks you're spineless. I know you are much more than that. You need to trust yourself more. The reason why I kissed you was because I wanted to. Nobody forced me or made a bet with me. It sure as hell had nothing to do with Kelli.” A thought occurred to him which made him laugh.