CrossRoads (The Life of Coy Book 1)

by Amanda Agu

  She deserved to be here. She honestly deserved all these friends and people around her. On the other hand, I didn’t deserve any of it. The clothes, the fun, the friends, nothing.

  I yanked off my wristband and threw in the trash. I bought a Mountain Dew and a bag of Takis and left the carnival. Nic saw me, but kept away. I took off my shoes, and walked home.

  Chapter 9

  It was Saturday morning. I picked up my phone and checked for anything.

  24 text messages from Tia.

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m sorry!”

  “How did you get home?”

  “Are you home?”

  “Please message me back.”

  “Hope you are okay.”

  The list went on.

  7 missed calls from Nic, Harper, and Tia.

  Wait. Backtrack. Nic?

  How did he get my number? I took another look at Tia’s texts.

  “I gave Nic your number. I’m sorry, I thought maybe he would be able to reach you because you were angry at me.”

  I threw my phone to the left side of my bed and got up.

  I was still in my clothes from last night. I slipped off of them and replaced it with my black Adidas joggers and white halter top.

  I put on socks which didn’t match because I obviously didn’t have time to find the matching pair.

  I hopped down the stairs while tying my hair into a bun. I opened the fridge and grabbed oats, acai, milk, and berries. I went into the cabinet in the kitchen and grabbed a bowl.

  I was feeling spontaneous today.

  I grabbed a spoon and rinsed it in the sink. I then brought the bowl and spoon over on the island in the middle of the kitchen.

  I poured in the vanilla milk first, followed by the ats, acai, and the berries.

  I’ve never actually made this before. I saw it on youtube and felt like giving it a try.

  I put my plate on the eating table and poured myself a glass of orange juice. I sat down and took a bite of my food.

  Mmmm.

  This shit lowkey smacks. I began rushing my food down. I took sips of the juice and continued eating it. I took a break to get my phone. It just didn’t feel natural eating and not checking my Snapchat or Instagram feed.

  I got it off my bed and put my phone on Do Not Disturb mode. Thank iPhone for making this feature.

  I walked back into the kitchen and finished the rest of my food. I drank down my drink and as I went to put my dishes in the sink a loud knock on the door frightened me, causing the plates to fall and shatter.

  “OH FUCK!” I shouted loudly.

  I kicked the pieced to the side with my foot, being cautious not to cut my foot.

  I walked to the door, opened it up, and there was Saf.

  “Hey,” she said stepping inside my house… she was texting.

  “What’s up?” I said.

  She looked up from her phone and put a finger up to indicate ‘hold on.’

  I rolled my eyes. What a drama queen.

  She looked up after a good 4 minutes.

  “Harp and Ti sent me to get you,” she started chewing gum.

  “Ti? Harp?”

  “Yeah, Tia, and Harper,” she said in a duh type of way.

  “Well as you can see, it’s Saturday. I just want to stay in and watch Netflix and eat food,” I said.

  “They feared that, but it’s okay Coco.”

  “Coco? What? Huh?”

  Saf walked to the door as she sent a text message. She opened it up, and running through the door was Harper and Tia, or should I say ‘Harp’ and ‘Titi’ lol.

  They ran to me, hugging me tightly. Tia pulled out and Harper followed.

  “If you’re staying in, we are too,” Tia said, me now just noticing they were in pajamas.

  “What? No.” I paused, “Please, I want to be alone today. I already feel bad enough for what happened last night. I’m just glad Ni-” I slipped up.

  “Nic did what?” Harper’s face turned serious, her expressions angry.

  “Oh my god,” said Tia.

  Chapter 10

  “Nic did WHAT?” Harper repeated louder this time.

  I messed up, I was done for. If Kingsley were here, he would be able to change the subject or make up a truly believable lie.

  “Nic almost kissed her. He leaned in, she backed away.” Tia said nervously.

  Harper’s face turned pure red, then purple, and back to red. Her eyes filled with tears, about to overflow and fall out from the obstacle holding it.

  “It’s not true, he’d never! It’s you who did it. You leaned in, not him! He looked away, not you! I can’t believe I was actually beginning to li-” she burst into tears.

  My heart ached. I could see the same look on Tia’s face.

  Saf looked up from her phone.

  “It’s true,” she said boldly, “It’s all over Instagram, a gif of Coy Clent dodging from the Nic Reed on a Ferris Wheel.

  Saf turned her phone to us, and the room was filled with gasps and more sobs from Harper.

  “Oh dear,” Tia and I said at the same time.

  Chapter 11

  It was Sunday afternoon, the weather was a cool 65 degrees, and a whole group of us planned to go to Disneyland.

  I begged Kingsley to come and he finally agreed.

  I straightened my hair with a little curl at the ends. I put on black shorts with tears in the front (my go-to). I put a red crop top on, and lastly my cute Minnie ear headband. Courtesy of Harper of course.

  We’d all leave our homes at 3:00pm on the dot, and then we’d meet up in the parking lot where the bus would carry us to the main park.

  It was currently 2:43pm. I was already done, the last thing I put on was my white vans.

  I hopped down the steps and grabbed a croissant burger out of the fridge, I warmed it up and began to eat, of course paying attention to the time.

  I looked at the clock.

  2:58.

  My heart pounded faster. After the other day, I don’t know what’s going to happen between Nic and I.

  Harper forgave me after she saw the video. She gave me a hug, wiped her tears, and asked, “Who has ice cream,” with a small smile on her face.

  She was less bitchy and really sweet when you knew her. That change of mine actually made my senior year better.

  The time was 2:59. I grabbed my cute shoulder bag given to me by Sad, slid my phone inside, and left the house through the garage doors.

  I opened my car door, sat down, and turned the key,

  I closed the door, put the car in reverse, and drove off.

  I left exactly at 3:00. I felt very proud! Disneyland was only a good 10 minutes away from my house, but somehow I made it in 8.

  I got to the parking lot. There was a boarder type looking place where you pay for parking space.

  I paid the fee and collected my receipt so I’d be able to leave.

  The man lifted up the line thing blocking me from entering the parking lot. As soon as it lifted, I pulled up to a great parking space near the bus stop.

  I got out of my car and looked around for all of my friends.

  “There they are,” I whispered to myself.

  They were in the line of the bus stop.

  All the girls wore some type of red and Minnie ears, it was really cure. All the boys dressed like, well boys.

  I spotted Nic in the front of the line and avoided all eye contact. He and Harper were holding hands, which was a very good sign.

  “Aye, everybody, Coy is here!” a nice boy named Grant said.

  Everyone's eyes darted towards me, some said ‘Hi’ and others said ‘Hey.’

  Nic was the last to look. His eyes met my eyes.

  Oh god, after all that avoidance.

  He turned away fast making sure Harper didn’t see I took a deep breath.

  “So far, so good,” I mumbled to myself.

  The bus came down the road. Everybody entered one by one. I took my seat in the ba
ck far away from Nic and Harper.

  Kingsley! He came into the bus and walked towards me. He handed me a bag of snickers (best friends were made for this) and sat down next to me.

  “Hey girl, I came,” Kingsley said laughing.

  “I can see that,” I laughed as well.

  The bus left the parking lot. Everywhere around us was filled with palm trees and beautiful people.

  “Wow, I’ve never been here before,” I said.

  “You’re odd Coy,” He laughed, “Who had never been to Disneyland?”

  “Me,” I said as I crossed my arms in a jokingly manner.

  We both laughed.

  The bus finally stopped. I got up along with everybody in the bus.

  “Thanks for the chocolates!” I told Kingsley, holding up the bag of snickers.

  “No problem, I know it’s your favorite candy. But it's not just for you, I’m feeling chocolatey too.”

  “Okay sir,” I said eating a snicker.

  Kingsley put his hand inside the bad and grabbed one himself.

  He threw the chocolate on the bus and we exited the bus.

  Our whole group gathered and we began walking to the place where you purchase a ticket.

  “Fast pass or regular,” The man at the desk asked.

  “Fast pass,” we all said.

  We all passed one by one, each paying for ourselves.

  When we walked in there was a bunch of plants, followed by a bathroom, after the bathrooms, you got the small shops.

  All of us continued walking until we reached the parade. It was quite enjoyable.

  There were many Disney princesses and princes. Ariel, Moana, Else, etc.

  The parade finished about 30 minutes later and we all decided to go on a few rides.

  “First, the Pirates!” I shouted and everyone cheered as they rushed toward the direction of the ride.

  When we got there we entered the FastPass line and began walking down.

  After a bit, we finally reached where the conductor was stationed.

  “How many?” the Disneyland employee said sticking out his hand in front of the skinny brown-headed regular pass boy, indicating stop.

  “We are 8,” Harper said, as she looked around and recounted all of us.

  Saf, Kingsley, Me, Harper, Tia, Nic, Grant, and Cleo.

  I let out a sigh of relief knowing I wouldn’t get left-back.

  The employee directed us toward the little boat.

  Saf and Harper sat in the front, Kingsley and Grant in the second row, then Nic and … oh shit.

  I got into the seat and Nic followed behind. As the boat began to move, everywhere got darker. I was getting scared, but chose to play it off.

  I was next to Nic, not Kingsley, so I had to suck up my fears and keep quiet. I shifted closer to the edge of the boat seat, and nearer to the water.

  Nic noticed.

  Lights flashed, pirates moved about, birds sang, it was amazing.

  I began getting so dark, I feared something would come out of the water.

  I shifted back into the dear, turned my head the opposite direction of Nic, and placed my hand on the space next to me.

  I wanted to take a picture but they had announced no photography allowed.

  “Kingsley,” I whispered, trying to get his attention.

  No luck.

  I could barely see the people in front of me by this point. I decided to let my anxiety go and just enjoy the ride. I sat fully back, and sat as if I were with a good friend. Not tense, not too close, just normal.

  I felt a hand over my shoulder and another grabbing my hand in the space between Nic and me.

  I closed my eyes and took a large gulp. I pushed his hand off my shoulder and moved to the edge of the seat.

  Chapter 12

  Monday morning and I couldn’t, well, didn’t want to go to school.

  Disneyland was great, but a killer on the feet. I don’t know what, or better question how, I am going to avoid Nic or get him to stop.

  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve wanted his attention for a long, long, long time. But when he is with Harper? No thanks. I’d also rather not want to ruin my friendship with all these amazing people I’ve met. Saf, Cleo, Grant, is Jonas. God, it would hurt.

  Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

  I looked over my shoulder and saw my phone ringing.

  Harper.

  My heart began pounding.

  “Oh shit,” I shouted kick in the side of my bed.

  I picked up the phone letting out a long and deep sigh.

  I answered-

  “Hello,” I said in the fakest, most perky voice of the century.

  “Hey! Why aren’t you at school? I have a-,” I cut her off.

  “Harp, I’m sick,” I said faking a cough.

  “Oh my god. Don’t worry, after school, I’ll bring you my organi-,”

  “Harper,” I said.

  “What?”

  “Harper!”

  “What?”

  “It’s okay. You’re a great friend to me, but I truly would just love to be alone. Plus, I don’t have an appetite, and I don’t want to waste a good meal,” I said in a way that made my nose sound stuffy.

  “Oh… well, sorry, feel better. See you when you come back,” Harper said gloomily, cutting the phone.

  I exited the phone app on my phone and went onto Instagram.

  I opened it to the navigation page and type in an N.

  Immediately his page popped up.

  I scrolled through this feed on Instagram and noticed something truly odd.

  ALL the pictures of him and Harper has been deleted. His bio still said taken though?

  I scrolled up and refreshed his page.

  A NEW POST.

  It was a picture. He was in surfer wear. Hair drenched to the side by water. His eyes glowing in the sun, and a surfboard in his left hand.

  I scrolled down a little further to get a view of his caption.

  As I began reading his caption, my heart fastened, my hands began to sweat, and my mouth became dry.

  “People you’ve never noticed. They come into your life and make you question life. They come in when you need them. They make you question yourself. They even make you love again. My heart had been stolen, and now I’ve been awoken.”

  I refreshed his picture two more times to see if he would change the caption.

  Nope.

  I referenced a third time, but this time a comment appeared.

  It was Harper.

  “Oh my god! I love you! Why didn’t you come to school? Oh you’re surfing! Call me! Xoxo, Harper,” she typed.

  I refreshed a last time. More comments flooded in and I decided to look at them.

  I scrolled all the way to the top to view Harper’s comment again.

  It was gone.

  I left the comment section and refreshed the picture one last time.

  Harper has commenters again, but not a lovey-dovey comment.. a kinda confused, angry one.

  “...”

  My heart paused, causing me to choke.

  I placed my phone down on the table and took deep, long breaths.

  What am I going to go?

  I pulled my cover over my shoulders to my chin and looked fully up at the ceiling.

  My phone began to buzz, or was I tripping?

  Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

  I looked over and saw my phone dancing.

  My heart went from 0-100 real mf quick.

  I pulled my blanket down off my body and looked at my hand.

  It was trembling.

  I took a deep breath and got up to look at my phone. I loved one eye and used the other to view the contact name.

  “Tia,” it read.

  I accepted the call quickly.