Lucky Me

by B. B. Donnelly

  My gut drops…. work together….no, no, no….

  “Guess we are working together on my song, partner.” Asher whispers.

  “That is my song and you know it!” I hiss.

  “This is going to be fun.” He says with sarcasm.

  “Mr. Brown, I’m sorry, but I don’t think this song is the one.” I say. Asher chuckles.

  “What! Of course, it is! No more excuses, you are singing at Nationals!” He says to me. Fuck! What did I get myself into?

  “It’s okay, I can work with Natalie instead.” Asher whispers in my ear. His lips brush my ear and sends shivers down my spine.

  “Like hell you will. That is my song.” I say, pissed.

  “Okay then, partner, looks like we are stuck with each other.” He says and sits back down with Natalie. She is pouting, but he whispers something in her ear, and she giggles. Ugh….

  I stomp my way back up to my seat. I can’t deny how good it felt to sing again and especially with Asher. That connection is still there. I don’t know how he feels, but I swear I saw something in his eyes.

  The way he acts about Blake and Tim, maybe deep down, he still cares about me. The rest of the class is running over a few singing drills and more details about Nationals. The bell rings and I’m out of the room first.

  “Charleigh, wait up.” I turn to see Brynn, running up behind me.

  “That was amazing!” She says.

  “Thank you. Your song was really good too.”

  “Not like yours! How do you do it?” She asks.

  “What do you mean?”

  “It seems so easy for you. Like did you and Asher practice that before coming today?”

  “No, we just…I don’t know… we have always been able to do that.” I try to explain.

  “Well, you are so lucky. There is definitely some chemistry between you two.” I shake my head in denial.

  She laughs.

  “Trust me, you would have to be blind not to notice. You guys were really amazing.” She says and takes off towards her locker. I stand there. Is she right?

  I start to move, but I’m pushed to the ground.

  “Watch it, bitch.” Natalie says from above me. I sit up and my breath leaves my body because of all the abuse I’ve received lately.

  “Come on Natalie.” Asher says, moving her past me.

  He turns back and helps me to my feet. I flinch a little and he scowls when he sees it. He doesn’t say a word and leaves me standing there. Natalie rolls her eyes at me and waits for Asher. She grabs his arm and he says something. They both turn to look at me and laugh. Great. Just what I need.

  “Hey, there you are!” Trix says, coming up beside me.

  “Hey.” I say, still watching them.

  “Do you want to hang out tonight?”

  “Sure. What do you have in mind?”

  “Can we go to your house?”

  “I thought you were coming over tomorrow for the party.”

  “I know, I just thought…”

  “Please tell me you don’t have a crush on Asher or my cousin.”

  “Oh…no…it’s just my parents are fighting and….”

  “Oh Trix, I’m sorry. Sure, you can come over now.” I say. I feel awful, but too many times I had people try to be my friends just to get close to The Orphans.

  “Thanks. It’s just been bad lately.”

  “I understand. Let’s go.” Trix and I head to the house. I try not to notice Natalie’s car parked next door, but my heart breaks a little more.

  Trix and I head to the kitchen, grabbing essentials for a girl’s night. Michael is in his room, but I’m sure I’ll see him later. I have to chew him out for planning a party.

  When we get to my room, Trix goes to the bathroom. I look out my open window and Asher’s window is wide open. Natalie is straddling his lap and his hands are splayed across her bare back. She has her skirt on, but I’m sure for not long. Unbelievable pain stabs my heart. He looks over her shoulder and sees me.

  I walk over to my window and let the hurt fill my face. I show him how much he is hurting me. As he stares back at me, I swear I see guilt. After exposing my feelings for him, I shut my curtains. Never again, will I let him hurt me.

  Chapter Six

  The next day at school, the only thing anyone could talk about was the party tonight. I could kill Michael. He invited the whole damn school! After we watched a chick flick and ate some junk food, Trix fell asleep. I could hardly sleep knowing what was happening or did happen next door. I finally fell asleep around five-thirty in the morning.

  I walk through the halls, exhausted. Damn, Asher. I was doing just fine before he showed back up in my life. My long hair is falling around my face. I never wear it down, but Trix woke me up right as she was leaving. I rolled out of bed, changed my clothes, and brushed my teeth. I couldn’t find a damn hair tie anywhere. I ran out of the house and was ten minutes late to my first class. Now, all people are chattering about is the party, giving me a huge headache.

  I go through the motions of the day but ignore everything and everyone around me. I ignore Asher and Natalie. I even ignore Michael and Trix. It’s not like anyone noticed anything different about me.

  I couldn’t even go to the library since Blake’s attack yesterday. I went out to my truck and took a nap for forty minutes. My alarm went off on my phone way to soon. I barely stayed awake during the rest of my classes.

  Music class came too soon. I did not want to face Asher again after our display in class yesterday. Mr. Brown greets me at the door with a huge smile. Oh no….

  “Good Afternoon, Charleigh.” I look at him like he has grown two heads. I nod and walk to my seat in the back. Asher and Natalie walk in soon after.

  “Okay. Asher and Charleigh come up here and sit.” He gestures to the seats that Asher and Natalie usually sit in.

  “This is my seat.” Natalie whines.

  “Today and until Nationals, its’ Charleigh’s.” Mr. Brown orders.

  Normally, I would argue against this, but I love pissing Natalie off. I make my way back down the stairs and sit in Natalie’s chair with a smile. She looks at me with disgust. She flips her hair in a huff and settles in the seat on the other side of Asher.

  Asher pulls on my hair. I glare at him, pulling all my hair over my shoulder.

  “Okay, class, we need to get started on rehearsing. These two are going to take the class time to figure out the rest of the song and we are going to start practicing the chorus. We need to harmonize!”

  “We can’t possibly work in here with you guys singing the chorus. I’m not going to be able to think.” Asher explains.

  I stare him down. What the hell is he thinking? I don’t want to be alone with him, not after last night!

  “You are absolutely right! You guys find somewhere quiet and come back in about forty-five minutes.” Mr. Brown says.

  Asher grabs my hand and practically drags me out of the classroom.

  “What the hell?” I exclaim.

  “I didn’t want to sit there and listen to them butcher the chorus.”

  I should feel insulted for my classmates but I kind of agree with him. Mr. Brown has a lot of work ahead of him.

  “Where are we going?” I ask.

  He let’s go of my hand and strides down the hallway. I hurry after him.

  “I don’t care where you go, but I’m leaving.” He states.

  “We aren’t working on the song?”

  “Fuck no. I’m not working on it with you.”

  I don’t know why I’m still chasing after him.

  “Wait a second, do you think I really want to work on it with you?” I start laughing.

  “You are the one that stole my song and got us into this mess!” I exclaim.

  He stops so suddenly I almost run into him.

  “Jesus, fine, come on.” He grabs my hand and drags me into an empty classroom.

  “Will you quit!” I hiss at him, yanking my arm from him.


  He closes and locks the door behind us. The classroom is dark and suddenly he is stalking towards me. My breath catches. I back into a desk. He cages me in with his arms and leans close. I turn my head away from him.

  “Look at me.” He commands.

  I whip my face around, and our lips are a breath apart. My breathing starts to get ragged. Something changes in his face. He stares at me and takes a lock of my hair into his hand. He plays with it.

  “I like your hair down.” He says quietly.

  “What are you doing?” I ask, breathlessly.

  He stares at me and then releases my hair with a clenched jaw. He pushes away from the desk.

  “Let’s get this done.” He says. I don’t know what just happened.

  “Why do you hate me?” I ask quietly.

  “Charleigh, let’s do the damn song.” He says, staring at me with those amazing eyes.

  “Fine.” I say.

  I start singing the song from the beginning and he throws out suggestions for the next line. We work together just like we did in the past. We start getting into our comfortable mode and we both get excited with each new line.

  Asher checks his phone.

  “We should run through what we have and then return to class. We have five minutes.”

  “Okay, sounds good.”

  I start singing from the beginning and I close my eyes. Soon his voice blends in with mine and my heart leaps. I don’t open my eyes, but I feel him getting closer to me. I can’t stop the tear that falls from my eye. I feel his finger wipe it away. My eyes fly open and meet his beautiful eyes.

  We sing the chorus staring at each other. The intensity is overwhelming. Our voices are melding with the emotion of the song. When we sing the last note, silence follows. His lips crash into mine. I grab onto the back of his head deepening the kiss. I can’t get enough of him and he grabs me by the hips, crushing me to him.

  Just as suddenly, he releases me.

  “Fuck!” He exclaims and stalks out of the classroom without even a glance behind him.

  I stare after him stunned. Oh my god…. Asher just kissed me, and I kissed him back! My trembling fingertips touch my lips. I don’t know how long I sit there replaying the kiss in my head. It was definitely the best I’ve ever had. No one has ever made me feel the way he does. I think he just ruined me for future kisses.

  The bell rings and I’m startled out of my thoughts. I quickly return to the music room, just as Mr. Brown is closing the door.

  “There you are Charleigh.”

  “I’m sorry I had to use the restroom after we worked on the song. Can I grab my bag really quick?”

  “Yes, no problem.” He opens the door and I rush in, grabbing my stuff. He closes and locks the door behind me. We walk towards the exit together.

  “Charleigh, I just want to thank you for using your talents again. I’m not sure what made you stop, but whatever made you start again… I’m so thankful a talent like yours isn’t lost.” He says. I feel tears gathering in my eyes.

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “I’ve seen a lot of students in my time and very few have the raw talent you do. I’m not sure what your future plans are, and I never encourage my students to take the music route for a career, but I think you should.”

  “Wow, I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”

  “You deserve it. I can’t wait to see what you and Asher have in store for us.”

  “We won’t let you down.”

  “I know you won’t. Have a good weekend, Charleigh.”

  “You too, sir.”

  We go our separate ways and I see that the parking lot is emptying out. My heart sinks when I see Blake standing by my car.

  “What do you want?” I ask.

  “You.” He is smirking at me and I roll my eyes.

  “Look Blake, you had your chance, it’s over.”

  “I tell you when it’s over.”

  He tries to grab me, but I kick him in the balls. I get into the truck and lock it behind me while he is bending over, crying out in pain.

  “You’ll pay for that bitch!” He yells out after me as I peel out of the parking lot.

  What a crazy day!

  Finally, I make it home, but when I walk into the kitchen, a variety of alcohol covers our huge kitchen island. There are kegs of beer lined up against a wall with towers of red solo cups on each side of a keg.

  “Jesus!” I exclaim, but Michael just smiles.

  “You better make sure no one takes pictures. Your PR person is going to be pissed if photos leak.”

  “Already covered!” He says.

  “What? Are you going to take everyone’s cell phone?” I ask.

  “Yep!”

  “How the hell are you going to manage that?”

  “I have my ways!” I just stare at him.

  “Fine, I’m paying some freshman to check the phones in like a coat checker.” He says with a shrug. I start to laugh.

  “No, seriously, people cannot come in if they have their phones!” He insists.

  “Okay, dude, good luck with that!” I say. I grab some yogurt and water. I plop down at the counter, but before I can take a bite…

  “Hey, Mike, got everything ready?” Asher asks. Don’t look at him….

  “I’m so excited for tonight!” At that comment, I look up and see Natalie hanging on Asher. What the hell is she doing in my house?

  “Oh hi, Charleigh. So good to see you.” Natalie says with sarcasm.

  “Likewise. Now, if you guys and whore don’t mind, I’ll leave you too it.”

  “What did you call me?”

  I laugh and start to leave the room, but Michael yells out some awesome news. Not.

  “Your mom called and wants you to call her back immediately.” He says.

  “Awesome…” I mutter.

  I shut my door behind me and put my music on loud. I eat my yogurt and put on some black booty shorts. I grab a hot pink tank top from my drawer. I slather on some ointment for the slice on my neck. Looks like tonight I’m staying inside my room. I will not watch that whore and Asher get it on.

  I’m jamming out in my room when Michael walks in with his phone in his hand. I shut off the music.

  “Your mom.” He mouths to me. I start to shake my head, but he shoves the phone in my hand.

  “I’m not talking to her!” I whisper.

  “She has been trying to call you. I’m not going to talk to her anymore!” He whispers back.

  “Fine.” I say with a roll of my eyes. He stands there with his arms crossed.

  “What?” I ask him.

  “I’m not leaving my phone.” He says. I give him an are you serious look? He shrugs and crosses his arms in defiance. I roll my eyes again.

  “Hello, mother.” I say.

  “Jesus, Charleigh, I’ve been trying to get a hold of you!”

  “What?”

  “Tim and I decided we are going to get married here! Isn’t that exciting?”

  “I’m thrilled.” My tone says the exact opposite.

  “Why can’t you ever be happy for me?”

  “Why can’t you ever be happy with just me?” I retort back.

  “Why are you so selfish? I’m telling you I’m getting married and all I hear is your teenage attitude. Try being a good daughter for once!”

  “Try being a mother for once!”

  “Look, I didn’t even want you! Did you know that? Your father made me keep you and then he up and left me. Do you know why he left me? Because of you! We grew apart as soon as you were born. He doted on you nonstop! It was never the same between us! When he left, he wanted to take you with him, but guess what? I was the mother and I won legal rights over you! I took away the one thing that he loved more than me!” She starts laughing hysterically.

  I feel sick…. Michael can hear every word since I had put it on speaker. I had no idea that the conversation would get to this point.

  “Why did you do that?”

  “
Don’t you see, Charleigh, you ruined us. You took your father away from me, so I took you away from your father. Poetic justice!”

  “You are crazy.” I whisper.

  “What did you say to me? You better show respect to me and Tim when we return!”

  “Please, don’t marry him.” I plead.

  “Why shouldn’t I?” She asks, pissed.

  “Because he tries to rape me every time he is around! You are supposed to protect me, but you let him beat me up and touch me. You lied to the authorities! You should have been angry, but you covered for him! What about me, MOM!?” I’m crying now.

  “Charleigh, you fell down the stairs and hurt yourself on the vase. You are so clumsy.”

  “You know that isn’t what happened! You know he took me into the office!”

  “I don’t know what you are talking about! Stop the dramatics! Tim is a great guy. Quit saying these awful things about him!” My heart shatters in my chest. She is taking his side.

  “Why don’t you love me?” I ask, softly.

  “I just don’t, okay. I was never supposed to be a mother.” She responds, truthfully. My body starts to shake with overwhelming emotion.

  “I hate you.” I whisper into the phone.

  “I should have gotten rid of you when I had the chance, you ungrateful brat!” She yells and hangs up on me.

  I look up and see Michael crying.

  “Oh Charleigh…” He says.

  “I don’t want your pity.” I say, hardening myself.

  I push past him and run down to the kitchen. Thankfully, Ash and Natalie are gone. I grab a bottle of vodka and a bottle of Sprite. Party for one tonight in my room!

  I’m still shaking when I return back to my room. Michael is sitting on my bed. He gets up and pulls me into a hug. I let my emotions go and I cry like I’ve never cried before.

  “I can cancel tonight.” He mutters into my hair.

  “No, it’s fine. I’ll be fine.” I sob out. Just then I hear the doorbell ring.

  “Besides, it’s too late.” I say.

  “I’m so sorry….” He says with compassion. I pull away from him when the doorbell rings again.

  “Please go. I want to be alone.” I state.

  I push him towards my door. He goes to the door and rests his hand on the doorknob.