by Unknown
“I’m not telling you any details. What’s going on?” I ask again, trying to get him back on task.
“I’m going to tell. . . tonight.” His eyes are wide with his excitement. Tasha looks at us confused.
“Tonight?” I ask.
“Yes, it’s perfect. He’s here, and it feels right.”
“It feels right because you’re shit-faced. Don’t. Not tonight,” I insist. “Where’s Bea?” I hope she can help me talk him out of this horrible idea. Tasha silently observes, maybe realizing why we have this friendship. She’s smart, and I can tell the wheels are turning as she unravels this mystery.
“She’s the one who said I should tell.” I slap my forehead, and he looks at me concerned. “It’s going to be fine, I promise.” He envelopes me in a hug like he’s comforting me, and then in an act I can only call drunken stupidity, he pecks me with a kiss on my forehead. I’m shocked but don’t have a chance to react because he’s jerked away from me by his shirt.
“Ow,”he shrieks as his eyes widen at me, but Chase has thrown him toward the front door. He stumbles through it and falls on the porch.
“Chase, stop,” I scream. He throws me a death look as he stomps after him, and I follow them.
“What are you doing with her?” he demands to Byron. Byron stands and straightens himself while Chase seethes.
“We were just talking.” He backs down the stairs onto the lawn while Chase follows as partiers file out the door behind me, and we all follow Chase.
“Seriously, Chase, nothing—” I advance behind him, but he interrupts me by punching Byron in the mouth. Stunned, Byron stumbles backwards grabbing his face. “Byron!” I scream and try to get to him, but Chase holds out his hand to keep me back. Byron wipes his mouth and sees the blood on the back of his hand.
“DUDE!” He wipes it again.
“You don’t touch her, ever again.” Chase points at me, which flips a trigger in Byron.
“You can’t tell me what to do. She’s my friend.” Byron stands defiantly and again in drunken stupidity actually steps up to Chase. This won’t end well. “Sucker punches don’t count,” Byron says spitting blood to the side. He’s cocky and ballsy now. Chase goes in and punches his face again while Byron goes for the gut. And I scream for someone to stop them. But everyone just stands there, some with their camera phones out filming and laughing. Punches are flying, and Chase falls hitting his head on the sidewalk, and I scream again. He quickly stands, slightly dazed, but lunges back at Byron. I’ve never seen a fight before. It’s terrifying, especially when you care about both people. Finally, Henry and Paul push their way through the crowd and pull them apart.
“You don’t talk to her; you don’t touch her! You think you can treat her like shit for eleven years, making her life miserable, and then because you realize she’s amazing, be her friend, get her loyalty?” It’s all Paul can do to hold him back. I want to cry. Not just because Chase is in a scary jealous rage, but because he’s hurt, he’s bloody and bruised, his shirt is ripped, and his eye is swelling while blood trickles from the back of his neck, and I wonder if he cut his head in his fall. He’s also hurt to think I would mess around on him with someone else, especially after I just gave myself to him upstairs. Both boys pull at their captors to get to each other.
“You don’t understand,” Byron yells. “How could you? You’ve never given us a chance.” I want to laugh because I have always felt it was the other way around. They never wanted to be our friends. Chase, however, misinterprets his meaning.
“Are you kidding me, Dude? You want to hook up with MY girlfriend and think I should be OK with it?” He jerks one arm free from Paul, who shoots me a look that says I’d better diffuse the situation. I move to his side and touch Chase’s arm. He pauses and just looks at it, then into my eyes.
“I’m gay!” Byron blurts out and everyone stills. Chase cuts his eyes to Byron as Henry lets go of his arms and looks dumbstruck. “I’m gay. She figured it out first, told me she wouldn’t put me on blast, that it was my secret to tell. She kept her word. She even listened to me ramble on and on about it.” He looks shyly at me, and I feel everyone’s sympathetic eyes on me. Chase’s eyes too, but he still looks betrayed. Henry steps back away from Byron.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Chase quietly asks me, and I get it, he would have kept the secret too. He was supposed not only to be my boyfriend, but my best friend.
“I didn’t tell anyone.” I shrug, feeling really bad.
“You have an amazing girlfriend that I’m proud to call my friend. She didn’t want me to say anything tonight because I was drunk, and look at that, she was right. I shouldn’t have even been thinking about it because this was not the way I wanted to come out. I was hugging her to show my gratitude for caring, and I kissed her on the forehead because that’s what I do to my sister, and that’s how I feel about her.” He points between Bea and me as she pushes her way through the crowd to us. She looks around drunkenly confused. “I’m out,” he tells her, holding up his hands in a tired ta-da.
“You knew too?” Henry asks, still stunned.
“I’m his sister!” she exclaims as she rushes to examine his face. “What happened B?” She looks at him, horrified at the cuts and bruises.
“I’m fine. He needs to go to the hospital.” He nods toward Chase. Byron has a cut and bruise already showing on his cheekbone and a cut by his eyebrow. His left eye is blackening while his knuckles are cut up too.
“Shut up,” Chase counters with only a little venom in his voice. With the confrontation diffused, everyone creeps back inside, ready to party again until the only people left standing in the front yard are Henry, Bea, Byron, Tasha, Paul, Chase, and me.
“I’m sorry, man,” Byron says, stretching his hand out to Chase. Chase takes it and gives Byron a nod, which makes Chase teeter. I wrap my arm around his waist and lead him to the steps to sit. I look at the back of his head and see there’s a little cut, but it doesn’t look too bad.
“I’ll go get some ice and washcloths,” Tasha says, wringing her hands.
“I’ll help.” Bea follows her. I look at Chase; he still looks dazed.
“How many fingers am I holding up?” I raise my hand holding up two fingers. He squints and looks at my hand.
“Two,” he says. “Gah, my head hurts.” He grabs his temple.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper in his ear, which has dried blood on it. He just looks at me.
“I know,” he says, squinting as he puts his arm around me.
“I never want to hurt you,” I add. glassy-eyed. He touches my chin delicately and smiles sadly.
“I know.” I kiss the side of his mouth that’s not bleeding as Tasha appears with the stuff. I take the ice pack and hold it at the back of his head while I begin delicately wiping at the blood with the other.
“I think we should go to the hospital,” I say once I really see his injuries. “Did you have to be so hard on him?” I ask Byron with a glare. He wipes at his face, embarrassed.
“He looks just as bad if you ask me,” Paul chimes in while Byron spits more blood into the grass. “Remind me never to pick a fight with either of you two.” He sits on the steps and pulls Tasha down into his lap.
“I’m fine. Can you just take me home? Be my nurse? Give me a sponge bath?” I laugh as I help him stand.
“Come on, old man,” I say as we wave goodbye.
Lana
On Sunday, I spend most of the day lounging. There isn’t much going on since Tomas and I are still at a loss on what to do about his dad. I want my happy ending where I’m accepted for being myself, but I’m not sure that day will come. What scares me the most is the threat that with one mistake I won’t be able to see him anymore. I’m terrified of losing him. It isn’t until I can’t take it anymore that I get dressed and decide just to go outside. Lacey’s not home. She’s spending the day with Chase, trying to nurse him. When Mike called and told Mom and Dad about the fight, they were shocked. I won
dered if they still like Chase, but that doesn’t really matter. He and Lacey are cut into stone, written in the stars. I wonder if I’ll have such luck with Tomas. I hope so. I text Macy asking her to come out and hang with me; I don’t want to be alone, and Britt is still dealing with her mom. Macy comes out and meets me on the porch, joining me on the swing.
“Did you hear what happened last night?” Macy asks solemnly.
“Chase got messed up? Yeah, I heard.” I pull my knees up to my chest, and she sits criss-cross.
“Byron’s gay.”
“I heard. How bad did he look?” I glance at her as she shrugs.
“Pretty bad. Henry was upset.” My eyebrows furrow. I thought they were best friends. Don’t best friends overlook sexual orientation? Was Henry homophobic?
“He felt betrayed because once again, he was the last to know a significant fact. Lacey really messed him up last year. He always liked her; he just never knew how to tell her.” I look at her, confused. “You didn’t know that?”
“No.” I swallow hard at her revelation. She looks at me with an “oops” face.
“So Lacey didn’t know that either?”
“He’s hated her all year,” I insist with disbelief.
“Have you ever heard the expression, ‘a woman scorned’? He was hurt and lashed out the only way he knew how to. I shouldn’t be talking about this. It’s too late now anyway. Everyone knows Chase and Lacey are together forever. I think Henry has finally accepted that and just wants her to be happy. Don’t say anything; he’d kill me if he knew I told you before he said anything.”
“My lips are sealed.” And I mean it.
We hang out for a while, but then Macy has to go home to eat dinner. I come in the door and want to just disappear into my room into a playlist, into oblivion. This new revelation about Henry has blown my mind. As I start up the stairs, my mom calls my name from the kitchen. She and Dad have been weird all weekend. I follow the sound of her voice through the kitchen to the great room.
“Lana, your dad and I need to talk to you and Lacey.” I don’t see Lacey though, and I frown at them. She’s still not home. I know that because I was just sitting on the front porch. My dad stands by the window peering out with his hands in his jeans pockets and his shoulders slumped. “We called her; she should be home soon.” We sit in silence as my mom smooths her hands down her pants. Finally, when I’m just about to suffocate from the tension in the room, Lacey’s car rumbles up the driveway. I sigh, ready for the announcement of whatever rule my parents have decided we’ve broken. Granted, neither Lacey nor I have been grounded since January, but I’m waiting for the new rule to drop. Maybe this will be the no-friend zone, or no more sleepovers for Lacey. Does this have something to do with Chase, or will we have to start volunteering at an old folk’s home as a family to prove our solidarity? If that’s the case, it’s about time. Lacey enters quietly; only the floor boards betray her entrance.
“Lacey, we’re in here,” my mom calls calmly. I lean on my hand, wishing I had my iPod to drown out this lecture that’s coming. Lacey comes in, tired and worried. My mom watches her closely as Lacey sits at her end of the couch. My dad still stands at the window. He moves his hand to the frame, but continues just to stand there like a statue, stoic, unmoving.
“I’m not really sure where to begin,” Mom says calmly, but then she just dives right in. “I’ve been offered a teaching position at a prestigious beauty institute.”
“What about the salon?” Lacey asks before I can register my mom’s words.
“I sold a majority of it to Edward; he practically runs it anyway. I’m still an owner, but it’s mostly his.”
“Wow,” I say, letting out a deep breath. That made no sense, but maybe she will be able to put energy into this new job and be happy.
“There’s more,” she continues. “It’s in Cincinnati, and it starts June third.” Lacey’s jaw falls open. My dad stares out the window, and I look at my mom like she’s a stranger.
“Daddy?” Lacey asks.
“Your father and I are separating. Things have become . . . complicated,” Mom’s voice begins to quiver.
“What does that mean?” Lacey balks.
“It means we’re moving to Cincinnati when school is over,” Mom sighs.
“I’m not moving to Ohio! Next year I’ll be a senior, and I’m not leaving Chase,” Lacey proclaims defiantly.
“No, you’re not; just Lana and I are moving. You are staying here with your father.” Lacey lets out a deep breath first, but then the words sink in. Meanwhile, I’m shell shocked. I’ve got friends here who need me, and I need Tomas.
“I’m not invited? You don’t want me?” Lacey asks in a whisper. I look down at my hands; I don’t want to be here right now. I had hoped that this moment would come for all of our sakes. Home has become a toxic environment that is slowly poisoning us all, but I don’t want to leave the only home I’ve known, in the only town I’ve known.
“We feel that you should graduate with your friends too. Lana will only be a sophomore; it will be easier on her to start fresh.” Meaning Lana needs to go somewhere that no one knows her. I’m devastated. I don’t want to leave Lacey or Tomas, Britt, Danni, or Macy. It makes sense that Lacey stays, but the hurt in her eyes shows that she doesn’t see it that way.
“You can’t wait to get away from Dad and me, can you?” Her words are venom spit at my mom. But Mom’s grey eyes are steel. Lacey stands and begins to pace with fist-clenched hands. “Dad, are you just going to let her leave us like this?” she asks, standing at his back. He takes a deep breath and lets go of the window. I realize he’s been bracing himself against it, letting my mom do the dirty work of telling us that their marriage is over.
“It’s what your mom wants,” he says and I almost laugh out loud. Lacey turns on my mom, and their eyes meet.
“You just want to get rid of us. Like it’s that easy to forget that I exist.”
“Lacey, that’s not it at all,” Mom begins and rises toward her in front of the coffee table. But even I don’t really believe her either.
“You blame me for everything; Lana’s cutting, her spiraling, her accident, and everything that has gone wrong in this family. You probably blame me for your marriage, too.”
“That’s not true—”
“It is! You’ve been cold, distant and can’t even stand to be around me. You fired me and then set ridiculous restrictions on me with Chase. We are grown up enough to make our own choices.”
“Lacey—” Mom interrupts, but she ignores her.
“And now you’re pushing me and dad away because we don’t fit into your world anymore. I don’t deserve this, and neither does he. It. Wasn’t. My fault.” And I think she finally believes it. I want to jump up and hug her. It was never your fault, Lacey. “He doesn’t deserve this or you, and your selfish ways. I’m glad you’re leaving. I hate you, you Bitch!” she screams, but before the words leave her mouth, Mom slaps her across the face causing her head to jerk hard. I cover my mouth suppressing the scream, but Lacey doesn’t; she yells as she clasps her cheek.
“Amber!” Dad steps in between them, but I can see the tears burning Lacey’s eyes.
“Don’t ever touch me again!” Lacey cries from behind our dad.
“You are still my child.” Mom points her finger at Lacey. I stand up before I realize it.
“Dad cheated on Mom!” I yell because I can’t stand that Lacey and Mom are fighting. Everyone stills and turns to look at me. I say more softly, “Dad has been sleeping with Krysta at least since September.” Dad’s face turns red, Mom’s is white, and Lacey’s anger falters.
“Lana?” Mom questions.
“I went to see him at his office, to borrow money for something, I can’t even remember what now, but the back door wasn’t locked. I heard them talking; I thought they were arguing, but when I stood in the doorway of his office I heard them. I saw you,” I turn and say to my dad, but he quickly looks away. “And at fir
st I couldn’t believe it, but. . .” I trail off and slump into the couch.
“You never said anything. I asked you if you were keeping any other secrets. Why didn’t you tell me?” Mom asks softly, maybe shell-shocked herself.
“I couldn’t.”
“You should have.” She moves toward me to hug me; but I watch Dad and Lacey. He turns to her, but she holds up her hands to him, keeping him at arm’s length. The tears are streaming down her cheeks.
“How could you? And the lecture you gave me New Year’s about honesty and integrity?” she whispers in disgust.
“There’s so much that you girls don’t understand,” he says as he steps toward her. She matches his steps moving backwards. “Lacey, please,” he pleads.
“Stay away from me, both of you!” she cries and runs from the room. I pull away from my mom and follow her, but by the time I get to the door, she’s tearing out of the driveway in her car, running away from all of us.
Lacey
I drive. At first, I’m not sure where I’m driving to. I can’t believe I rushed home for this. I left Chase alone. He’s had a killer headache since last night. He was so stubborn, refusing to go to the hospital. He said if he still had the headache on Monday, he’d see the doctor. Still, I hated leaving him, but I had to. Mom wouldn’t allow me to spend the night last night, even after Mike asked her. After I told Chase every detail about Byron’s revelation, I left Mike sitting in Chase’s room, watching him sleep. I rushed back over first thing this morning and have been trying to take care of him all morning, like fixing his breakfast, which he threw up almost immediately. I turned off my phone as soon as I got into my car when I left my house; I think I just have to wrap my head around this. The tears sting my eyes. I don’t want to believe this is really happening. This is not happening. No way this is happening. I shake my head as a heavy tear slides down my face. I quickly wipe it away and just. Drive. I end up at our spot. I park and stare at the stark woods. In two months, Mom and Lana are leaving. Dad and I are staying. She’s leaving me with a cheater. He cheated on her with skanky Krysta. What was he thinking? The tears flow freely now. And I sob. The stability, familiarity, the reassurance of their love for each other, and their love for us dissolved right in front of my face. Everything I knew as fact is now complete fiction. All of my truths are fabrications. How did I not see this coming? I hit my steering wheel in frustration. Then I yell, I scream, at the top of my lungs as tears stream down my face. I scream until I hyperventilate. Then I calm down a little, and after my tantrum is over, I take a deep breath. I want to get all of this out of my system before I return to Chase. I don’t want him to be concerned. I’m already worried too much about him. He just needs to rest and relax. Before I start the car, I check myself in the mirror and touch up my makeup. Then as I drive to Chase’s house, I swing into Steak and Shake and get Chase, Mike, and me some burgers, fries, and shakes. I try not to think about my mom slapping me, or my dad cheating on her . . . or the fact that Lana knew this whole time and said nothing. I rush to his house so that the food is still warm when I get there. I park beside his car and carry everything inside.
