Enlightened

by Charlotte Michelle

  Chapter Four

  Bargain

  *Dallas*

  September 23, 2015

  Mikey has finally showed up to school today, leaning against my locker with Tyler beside him. They are softly talking, their expressions solemn.

  Mikey steps away from my locker as I dial it open, grabbing my Government book and notebooks. “Hey, Mikey,” I say softly, not wanting to disturb the peace. When I look up at my friend, he offers me an acknowledging nod.

  “We heard about yesterday,” Tyler says. I arch an eyebrow and hike my backpack up on my shoulder as I stand straight.

  “The fight you got into with David Wood.” Mikey answers my silent question. “Then there were whispers about you holding Kayla Williams in a choke hold.” I scoff and roll my eyes.

  I would hardly call it a choke hold. Rumors definitely exaggerate.

  “David shoved me,” I mumble, explaining, but as the words leave my lips, I understand that I overreacted. “Kayla deserved what she got.”

  Mikey shakes his head and turns to walks away without another word.

  “What’s his deal?” I ask Tyler.

  Tyler claps a hand on my shoulder, and we walk toward our Government class. “Mikey doesn’t agree with what you did. Picking a worthless fight and abusing an innocent girl? It’s not like you, Dallas.”

  “She killed Kyle, Ty,” I nearly hiss, shaking my head.

  “We both know that’s not true. The person who killed Kyle is some guy who drives a black Ford Expedition. Kayla is just a quiet bookworm,” Tyler responds.

  “If it wasn’t for Kayla, we wouldn’t have been at the courts,” I tell Tyler. He scoffs.

  “No. You wouldn’t be at the courts. But Kayla and Kyle would have been. And Kayla would have been the one to have witnessed Kyle’s death. You were the last one with him. Consider yourself blessed, Dallas, and stop patronizing that poor girl who only ever helped your family.” Tyler’s tone was resolute. He was finished with that subject. I know it’s still a tender topic to him.

  “Sounds like you’re in love with the girl,” I mutter, pulling open the door to our Government class. Tyler doesn’t respond, only giving me a confused look.

  As if, is what his expression is telling me. I chuckle softly, and together we take our usual seats in the back of the class.

  Ashley shoots me a glare from the row in front of us, shaking her head.

  I broke up with her last night, and she still seems hung up on it. Didn’t she know when we started dating that I didn’t want anything serious? It’s hard for me to have a relationship when my life revolves around basketball. It’s not fair to the girl, and I make it clear with them straight up.

  I offer her an apologetic smile, but other than that, I turn my attention to the front of the class.

  The entire lesson goes through one ear and out the other.

  Kayla knows her psychology. Throughout the class, she’s the one who answers most of the questions. She even proves the teacher wrong at one point, causing a student in the front to look it up on their phone.

  I have never seen a teacher so embarrassed. Mrs. White blushes red and tells Kayla she earned five extra credit points on the upcoming test.

  I am in awe. I never thought Kayla read anything other than the books she has in her hands. But she actually pays attention in class and knows the material. Kyle was in good hands with her.

  During lunch, Kayla is leaning against the same tree as yesterday, her eyes gliding across her books. She twirls a strand of hair around her finger, which is pulled into a ponytail.

  Today, she’s dressed in jean shorts and a pink V-neck t-shirt. She’s wearing white flip-flops, and I can see her toes are painted either a dark blue or purple. Her fingernails are adorned in a chipping pink polish, and I can’t help but smirk. She doesn’t care to keep up her appearance. Chipping nail polish doesn’t amount to the end of the world for her, as it does for most of the girls in our school.

  “Kayla!” I look up from where I’m sitting against my own tree, across the courtyard from Kayla. But I can see wonder in her eyes as she looks for the source of her disturbance. “Kayla!” her best friend screams.

  “Anne,” Kayla sighs as Anne runs toward her, dropping and sliding to be positioned beside Kayla.

  “Guess what!”

  “What?” Kayla asks, her voice quieting as a silly smile plays on her lips.

  I don’t hear Anne’s response, but I see Kayla’s features brighten. She looks around the courtyard, her eyes landing on me for a brief moment. She gives me a slight nod before Anne captures her attention again.

  Kayla lets out a tremendous laugh, throwing her head back as her body rocks forward. She has to clasp a hand on Anne’s shoulder to steady herself, and her book tumbles off her lap. I have to admit that I like her laugh. It’s infectious. I even find myself smiling.

  “No!” Kayla yells, lightly bouncing up and down as she can’t stop laughing.

  I close my eyes, daring to let the thought that Kyle was right cross my mind. It would have been great to have met Kayla with Kyle present. Perhaps the three of us could have played basketball together. We might have been close friends.

  I would give anything to have Kyle here. To have him dragging me by the hand and forcing me to sit beside Kayla and have an actual conversation with her. I would even give up basketball just to be able to see him one more day.

  There is so much I would like to say to him. I never wanted Kyle to doubt my love for him. He was my all-time best friend. There was no one else I would rather spend time with than him.

  But I guess basketball was an exception, wasn’t it? I was always able to push Kyle aside so I could make it to basketball practice. And all the games ensured that I hardly had time spared for him.

  A tear gathers in my eye, and I bow my head to wrap my arms around my legs.

  I would give basketball up in a heartbeat. I would quit my job and even devote to my studies. Whatever I need to do, I will do it. I just want to see him again. I want to see his bright smile, his big blue eyes. Hear his soft laugh. Feel his warm hugs.

  “Dallas.” I lift my head up to see Kayla standing over me. I can see the glow of laughter on her face as she squats before me, her eyes holding concern. “Are you okay?”

  I shake my head and blink my tear free, feeling it roll down my cheek. Her brows dip as she frowns before she sits cross-legged in front of me. She’s quiet for a moment.

  “I miss him,” she says softly. I lift my eyes to see her cross her arms. “I miss him. I can’t imagine what you’re going through, Dallas.”

  What am I going through? It’s odd. There are times when I feel as if nothing has happened. Then there is now, when a sudden sadness overcomes me and all I want to do is beg God to give me a second chance. To give me another chance with Kyle.

  “How’s your mom?” Kayla asks.

  “Sad. Not happy that I’m coming to school,” I respond truthfully.

  “Then why are you here? Why are you not with your family?” she asks boldly. No one ever questions my decisions.

  “I thought it was something Kyle would have wanted. For me to continue my education and prepare for basketball.”

  I feel as if my mouth is moving of its own accord, and I’m just spewing my answers out to her. Why am I? I don’t trust her. I don’t know her. Kayla is just another girl, albeit one that knew Kyle, but she has no connection to me.

  “But I now understand that all he ever wanted was to be with me. I think he used basketball as a way to grow closer with me,” I tell her. Kayla furrows her eyebrows and nods her head.

  “He loved basketball because of you. It was something you both shared,” Kayla says. She sounds as though she knows so much. How much did Kyle confide in her?

  Kayla fiddles with her fingers, her head bowed, and we again sit in silence.

  I am thankful for her company. I don’t know why I used to think it was something I would detest. Kyle was right when he said she’s nice an
d friendly. I just never fully acknowledged what he had to say.

  “He would like this,” she says. I lift my head and see a tear roll down her cheek.

  Kayla loved Kyle, too. Just in a different way.

  “That we’re talking. He always wanted us to talk.” Kayla’s voice is shaky, and I know she’s trying to keep her emotions in check.

  “You can say his name, Kayla.” It was wrong of me to ever tell her that she can’t. Who am I to enforce such a thing?

  Kayla smiles at me. “Do you know what Kyle told me once?”

  “Hmm. What?” I ask, leaning my head back against the tree. It’s almost as if Kyle never died, listening her talk about him. As if just yesterday they had a conversation about how Kyle wanted Kayla and I to get acquainted.

  Kayla snorts a gentle laugh. “He told me that he wanted us to get married. So that two of his favorite people would be in his life forever. I think he just wanted me as a sister.” I let out a soft chuckle, which leads Kayla into a full laughing session.

  I tilt my head to see Kayla doing her rocking laugh, her eyes squeezed shut.

  It’s official. I really enjoy Kayla’s laugh. And I would do well to ensure that I hear it again soon.

  “How was school?” my mom asks as I shut the front door. I walk into the living room and sit beside her on the couch. Her blue eyes meet mine as she wears a frown.

  “It was actually pretty good. But I was wondering if I could take the rest of the week off? So I can help you with Kyle’s things,” I say.

  Kayla had offered me my mother’s perspective. She made it clear that my mother needed me home, to help with putting some of Kyle’s belongings in boxes.

  My father has barely shown his face since the funeral, not that he was ever around much to begin with. He comes home late at night and then leaves early in the morning. My mom is home alone, and it was wrong of me to leave her as my father has. She needs me right now, and I will do well to not let her down again.

  “That would be great. Thank you,” she whispers, reaching over to caress my cheek, running her fingers through my hair and around my ear. I subconsciously lean into her touch. “You seem relieved today.”

  “I had a good talk with Kayla Williams.”

  “Hmm. She’s a good girl. How is she doing? Kyle was close to her.” I can’t help but notice her voice cracks when she spoke my brother’s name. She usually can’t get it out and breaks into a fit of sobs.

  But just now she was able to say his name with no falter. “She’s having a hard time as well. It was nice to talk to someone who can tell me something about Kyle. Something that doesn’t revolve around basketball,” I say.

  My mom smiles, and she leans over to lay her head on my shoulder. “Yes. You’ll find a good friend in that girl, Dallas. But she must be different from your usual girl…friends.” She tilts her head to look at me. I gaze down at her, squinting in question. “If you have ill intentions with her, then you best leave her be. I know you don’t do relationships. Don’t break her heart.”

  I nod my head in agreement. My mother doesn’t know, but I want nothing less than to break Kayla’s heart. I wish to see her smile every day, especially if it is I who puts it there.

  Chapter Five

  Depression

  *Kayla*

  September 26, 2015

  It’s been three weeks since Kyle Perkins was killed. And while it gets easier with every day, it’s almost as if it’s a refresh on Saturdays. I half expect him to run through my front door, his backpack hanging on one shoulder. He would have a stupid grin on his face, and his blue eyes would be exceptionally bright.

  I am reminded how much I relied on my time with Kyle on Saturdays. It was foolish of me to think for a second that I’d rather read than be with him. I’m glad I never cancelled a tutoring session, even when I was close to death with the flu.

  Time is precious, and so are the people we fill it with.

  I sit at the kitchen table, in the seat Kyle usually occupied. I dig my nail into the faint design Kyle had crafted three weeks ago. My mother wouldn’t notice it, but I know it is there and I seek out the design. I trace it until it is more prominent, and an infinity sign is staring back at me.

  This design will forever be carved into the wood. As Kyle will forever be carved into my heart.

  “Kayla.” I lift my head to see Katie standing in front of me. She has our mother’s blue eyes. Her hair is dirty blonde, growing darker with age. Soon she’ll enter high school and take it upon herself to dye her hair blonde.

  I personally find the natural look to be absolutely stunning. Katie has a natural beauty. Hopefully she’ll understand that she won’t need makeup or all the stylish clothing to stand out. Her personality and skill as a dancer does that all on its own.

  “Do you want to go to The Village Grind?” Katie asks. I arch an eyebrow, looking at the time. It’s one in the afternoon. She has rehearsal in twenty minutes. Why isn’t she dressed and ready to go?

  “What about your dance—”

  “I begged Mom to let me have the day off. I told her I wanted to spend time with you. Saturdays are going to be hard for a while, and I just want to help you through some of them,” Katie says, a small smile adorning her face. She truly is the most selfless thirteen year old I know. Young teenagers usually only want to hang out with friends and think spending time with family is dreadful. However, Kyle and Katie never saw it that way. Family is important to them.

  Katie knew of Kyle. They had a few classes together, but they were never friends. Katie was never here when Kyle came over, she was always at rehearsal, but without a doubt, I know they would have been great friends.

  “Okay. That sounds great. Thank you, Katie.” I reach over and pull her into a quick hug before I get to my feet and search for a pair of flip-flops.

  “Can we drive with the top down?” I smile, nodding my head.

  It’s going to start getting cold soon. So I take every opportunity I can get to drive with the top down. Even if I have to be decked out in a coat and hat.

  Getting into my Solara, I hastily lower the top and wait for Katie to get in before backing out of the garage and down the driveway.

  The drive to Oswego is a good fifteen minutes; however, listening to music seems to quicken the drive.

  Katie doesn’t disappoint as she belts the lyrics to Twenty One Pilots’ new hit “Stressed Out.” It is one of our favorite songs. We listen to the new album, Blurryface, every time we get in the car together. Regrettably, I admit it is not as often as I’d hope.

  Katie sang along to the song perfectly, never stumbling over the words.

  We get to the small, quaint town of downtown Oswego. The buildings are old fashioned, and everyone knows everyone. It is more common than not to walk down the street and be given a few hellos from familiar faces.

  I park in front of the coffee shop and decide to leave the top down as we file out of the car, after locking away my I-Pass and auxiliary cord in my glove compartment.

  I open the door, and a gentle jingle of bells alerts our presence. Katie orders an Iced White Mocha Moe, and I decide to get the same thing, except hot. We both grab a pastry as well, and I hand over a twenty, telling the girl taking our order to keep the change.

  Katie and I take our normal spot in the back of the shop, where we can’t be disturbed.

  The Village Grind is a small shop built out of an old house. It has a rustic aura, and all around are elegant knickknacks. There are assortments of different table sets, ones you’d usually find in a 1990s kitchen. Everyone is so friendly, and there is a sense of hospitality here.

  “How’s dance going?” I ask Katie. She shrugs her shoulders as she takes a bite of her pumpkin cake.

  “It’s okay. I’m enjoying hip hop more than ballet, although Mother wishes it were the opposite,” she answers, taking a sip of her drink.

  Katie is a remarkable dancer. I usually envy her. She is talented at something, has a passion for a talent that cou
ld turn into a career. All I have are my books and no idea for the future.

  “You do what makes you happy, Kate. All that matters is your happiness. It’s your happiness that will bring you a promising future. Not Mother’s.”

  Katie grins, shaking her head. I take a bite of my chocolate cake, smiling back at her. Katie and I have always gotten along; however, we aren’t necessarily close. She’s always busy dancing or with schoolwork, and I am typically hanging out with Anne or locked in my room with my nose in a book.

  “Thank you, Katie, for taking me away from what would have been another very lonely Saturday.” Katie shrugs again, sipping at her drink.

  “I don’t mind. Besides, a day away from dance was well needed,” she replies.

  We’re silent for a moment, enjoying each other’s company. She sometimes takes out her phone to respond to a message but always ends up tucking it in her pocket. Katie isn’t the type of teenager who splurges on her phone while with family. She is respectful and truly wishes to spend time with the people accompanying her.

  “How’s Dallas?” she suddenly asks. I lift my head and look into her blue eyes.

  “He’s struggling. He’s trying to put up a good front for everyone. But I can see the inner battle he has every day. He’s having a hard time.”

  “You need to be there for him, Kayla. He needs a friend,” Katie says, scratching an itch on her cheek.

  “He has friends, Kate,” I reply. Honestly, I am the last person Dallas Perkins needs. He has made it abundantly clear he wants nothing to do with me.

  Aside from last Wednesday, when we had an actual conversation in the courtyard, all Dallas has spoken to me are threats. I’m not sure if that one moment in the courtyard changed anything or not. He hasn’t been to school since I suggested he take the rest of the week off to help his mother.

  Come Monday, will he look at me as a friend? Or am I still the girl who killed Kyle in his eyes? I am secretly dreading Psychology, where we’ll be in the same room together.