Enlightened

by Charlotte Michelle

  Dallas lets out a sigh but turns to face the hoop. He begins dribbling the ball by his hip, taking a few deep breaths as he focuses on the hoop. Then I watch as his knees slightly bend and his shoulders hunch forward. Very quickly and stealthily, he begins running up to the basket, where he lands a perfect lay-up.

  I grin, clapping my hands slowly. Dallas grabs his ball and jogs over to grab the back of my neck and pull me into a hug. I pat his back, cringing at the amount of sweat gathered on his shirt. “Thank you,” he whispers. I nod my head and step back, looking up at him.

  “You got this. Go show them why the Perkins boys always win.” I reach up to ruffle his hair, instantly regretting it as I bring it back down, covered in sweat. I mock heave as I turn and walk back up the bleachers.

  Sitting down, I watch as Dallas rejoins Mikey and Tyler, who give me a nod, and the three of them begin scrimmaging.

  “Well done.” The voice beside me is unmistakable. I smile to myself as I look over to see Kyle sitting beside me, dressed in his red shirt and dark jeans. He has his elbows resting on his knees and chin sitting on his palms. His eyes watch Dallas’s every move. “I’ve always enjoyed watching him play.”

  I cross my arms over my legs, pulling them to my chest. My eyes remain on Dallas as well, listening to Kyle talk. “To think that I might never see him play again is more painful than you can imagine.” Kyle’s voice breaks at the end, and I feel my chest tighten and my throat go dry. Tears gather in my eyes.

  “You’ll always be able to watch. You’ll look down on us and watch every game he plays,” I say. It’s a promise. This is not the end. When we find Kyle’s murderer and he finds peace, we might never see him again. But he’ll still be able to see us.

  “I’m glad he has you now.” I turn my head to look at him. “I always knew it was you. That’s why I was always so frustrated when he was so stubborn about befriending you. I always knew you’d be the one to claim his heart. Dallas doesn’t do girlfriends. He doesn’t fall in love. But with you, it’s all possible. There’s hope that he’ll obtain real happiness.” Listening to Kyle talk, it’s hard to imagine he was only thirteen. He acts more mature than people twice his age. “Dallas will make mistakes. He will most likely hurt you a few times, but you mustn’t give up on him.” Kyle looks up at me with teary eyes. “Promise me you won’t leave him.” His voice cracks.

  A tear rolls down my cheek as I nod my head. “I promise.” Kyle looks back at Dallas and then closes his eyes, which then encourages a tear of his own to fall.

  “I have to go.”

  “Wait. Dallas will want to see you,” I say, desperate to keep Kyle with us just for a moment longer. Dallas will look over any minute, and he’ll want to see his brother sitting here.

  There’s no response, and when I look back to where Kyle was, all I see is an empty space. I feel a sob escape me, and I place a hand over my mouth.

  It will never get easier.

  Coach blows the whistle, signaling that tryouts are over. I hear footsteps on the bleachers; however, I continue to stare where Kyle previously was.

  “I made the team. Thank you again, Kayla.” Dallas’s voice comes from above. I don’t respond. “What’s wrong? Are you crying?” His voice is laced with concern as he crouches down in front of me, placing a finger under my chin. Dallas tilts my head back so my hazel eyes meet his shiny blue ones. “Kayla, what happened?”

  “Kyle was here,” I whisper. Dallas’s brow dips as he stares at me. He then looks around the gymnasium, as if trying to find him. “He was glad to see you play again. He was glad that I’m here for you. Made me promise to stay. And now he’s gone again.” My bottom lip quivers as I feel tears roll down my cheeks. Dallas quickly thumbs them away, a frown settling on his features.

  “Why didn’t he stay?”

  “I asked him to. But he said he had to go. Why does he have to go? Why can’t he stay?” I ask, searching Dallas’ eyes for an answer.

  “Because he’s dead,” Dallas mutters, looking away from me. He stares at the bleachers for a moment.

  The basketball players emerge from the locker rooms, dressed in their usual clothing before they exit the gymnasium. Tyler and Mikey stick around, and I can hear them chattering away from up here. “Let’s go, love birds!” Mikey hollers.

  Dallas looks up at me again and offers a smirk. “That would be us,” he says, bringing light to the conversation. I roll my eyes and stand up, grabbing my backpack.

  Dallas grabs my hand, as if to help me walk down the bleachers. However, when we step on the court, he doesn’t let go. He holds on tighter, lacing our fingers together. I peek up at him. He looks over at Mikey and Tyler. “So tomorrow is teacher conferences. No school. Do you guys want to come over? I got the new Halo game. We can all play, then watch movies,” Dallas says to Mikey and Tyler as the four of us walk out of the gym.

  “Sure, sounds good, man,” Tyler says. Mikey agrees, and Dallas nods his head, looking over at me.

  “You and Anne can come too, if you want.” I arch an eyebrow. Was he really inviting us to barge into their pissing contest? I know the whole night will involve competing and throwing insults at each other.

  “As long as I get a chance at playing, I’m down.” I shrug.

  Mikey bends forward to look around Dallas at me. “You play Halo?” he asks. His tone infers that he’s judging me. What? Women can’t play Halo?

  “I’ll have you know I am very skilled. Almost as talented as I am at basketball,” I chide.

  Dallas pulls me close and kisses the side of my head before dipping his head down to whisper in my ear. “So I guess I’ll beat you at Halo, just as I did at basketball.”

  Scoffing, I release Dallas’s hand and throw a punch to his arm.

  I’ll show him. These boys will never doubt the capability of girls ever again.

  “Are you sure your mom doesn’t care that you’re sleeping over?” Dallas asks as he grabs my overnight bag from my hands.

  Dallas texted me after school saying that Mikey and Tyler were planning on spending the night if Anne and I wanted to join. It took a decent amount of begging on my part, but my mom finally said yes. Anne’s parents were cool about it as well.

  “Are you sure your mom is okay with it?” I ask, arching an eyebrow.

  Dallas scoffs. “My mom loves you more than me. I’m sure she’d rather switch us out.” I smile, knowing that he isn’t far from the truth. However, Mrs. Perkins would never love me more than Dallas. But it’s very close.

  “Nice house,” Anne says as she enters behind me. I give her a side hug as she hands Dallas her bags. He holds both mine and hers in one hand as he grabs my hand with his other.

  Dallas does have a nice house. The Perkins are not bad off. They have completely updated appliances and expensive artwork. The furniture is all black leather as well, and they have a massive flat screen mounted on the wall in the living room. The paint on the wall is professionally done as well. The floors are all hardwood with decorative rugs under the kitchen table and the living room couches.

  Dallas leads us up the stairs, where he tosses the bags into one room, but continues past it to another. I peek in to see his very own man cave. I smile, shaking my head at an assortment of beanbag chairs and La-Z-Boys. There’s another large flat screen with shelves of movies and video games. Underneath the TV is a table that holds an Xbox One, PS4, DVD player and a cable box.

  All along the walls are pictures of Chicago Bulls players, ranging from Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. There are a few Bears photos, but it’s obvious that this is a basketball family.

  Mikey and Tyler are already in bean bag chairs, controllers in their hands with cans of Mountain Dew beside them.

  “Welcome to the man cave,” Dallas says, offering me a smile. I roll my eyes but grin up at him.

  “I like it.”

  “Anne! Kayla! Come watch me dominate his ass!” Tyler hollers over at us. I laugh as Dallas drops my han
d to close the door. I walk over to sit on the black La-Z-Boy couch with Anne. She sits closest to Tyler and the two of them chat. Tyler is talented at multitasking, being able to hold a conversation as he does, indeed, beat Mikey.

  Dallas sits on the couch beside me, lifting the recliner up. I look over at him to see him already watching me. Shifting my body so I’m completely facing him, I place my hands under my head. Dallas reaches up to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear.

  “Thank you. For today,” he whispers softly.

  “You’re welcome.”

  Dallas pulls his bottom lip in between his teeth and chews on it a great deal before he lets out a sigh. “I’m picking you up at ten Saturday morning. Be ready,” he demands. I want to chuckle at how commanding he is, but decide against it. I’m eager to find out what he has planned.

  “What are we doing Saturday morning?”

  Dallas leans forward so his lips are to my ear again. Butterflies erupt in my belly and I have to bite my tongue to keep from squealing in excitement.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jet Ski

  *Kayla*

  November 14, 2015

  It is 6:15 in the morning. I don’t think I have ever willingly been up this early on a Saturday. And it seems to show in my appearance as well. Bags are under my eyes from the four hours of sleep I got, considering Dallas kept me up all night, texting. My hair still isn’t combed, so knots are nestling at the back. I have no makeup on, so my eyes look even more dead.

  I’m going to thump Dallas on the head when I see him. Curse him for keeping me up. Curse him for demanding I be up at this ungodly hour.

  The smile I’ve been wearing since Thursday night makes an appearance as I think about how Dallas is surprising me. He told me to be up and ready at 6:30 and to dress in casual clothing with a swimsuit on underneath.

  What is this man planning? Are we going to the Dunes to go swimming? Maybe a nearby water park?

  No. Water parks are closed mid-September, idiot.

  Sighing, I enter the bathroom to finish getting ready, combing my hair and then throwing it up into a messy ponytail. I brush my teeth, put deodorant on, then my favorite “Tease” perfume from Victoria’s Secret. Finally, I apply a simple amount of waterproof mascara. I don’t want to look like a raccoon if we do end up swimming.

  Running downstairs with my white Converse in hand, I stop to see my mom in the kitchen. She usually isn’t up this early either…

  “I heard you ransacking about. Woke me up,” she mumbles, pouring herself a cup of coffee. She then slides one across the counter for me, and I peek to see it has cream and sugar already in it. Smiling, I pick it up and take a sip.

  “I’m sorry,” I say, chugging the warm coffee when my taste buds explode.

  My mom waves it off as she sits at the breakfast bar, crossing her legs as she looks me up and down. “I was going to ask if you wanted to go see a movie with Katie and me, but it seems you have plans.” I can’t help but look down at my outfit.

  All I’m wearing are jean shorts and a white sweatshirt with a Cubs logo on the front. “I’m sorry,” I say again, this time sheepishly as I look back at her. “Dallas is surprising me with an excursion. Said to dress causal with a swimsuit underneath. How do I look?” I ask, lifting my arms up at my sides and do a little spin.

  “Dallas?” I wait for her to continue, to answer my question, but when she quirks an eyebrow, I know she won’t.

  Sighing, I say, “Yes. Dallas is Kyle’s older brother.”

  “I know who Dallas is. Promise me you’ll be careful with him,” my mom says, taking a sip of her steaming coffee. I notice her wince a little at the heat, and I can’t help but wonder how she still has any taste buds.

  “I’ll be careful…well?” I lift my arms again.

  “You look the same as you always do.” My mom shrugs, a coy smile on her lips that she tries to hide with her coffee.

  I laugh lightly and reach over to thump her on the arm the same moment the doorbell rings. My eyes dart to the clock over the stove to see it’s exactly 6:30. Did I mention that this boy is punctual?

  “Ooooh. Have fun!” my mom coos, and I just roll my eyes, down my coffee, and then place a kiss to her cheek as I turn and run for the door. I do well to grab my purse on my way out.

  Opening the door, I drop my Converse to the floor and slide them on, meeting Dallas’ eyes. He’s dressed in white, knee-length shorts and a University of Illinois sweatshirt. I have to admit; he looks good in that orange.

  Dallas reaches up and rustles his lightly damp hair, causing it to have a messy look to it as a smile stretches across his face. “You look great.” He holds out a hand, and I instantly take it, pulling the door closed behind me. Dallas pulls me into his arms and gives me a tight hug before he twists our fingers together and leads me off the porch.

  The morning air is a little chilly, but when the sun comes out, it will be in the high 50s today.

  As we walk down the driveway, hand in hand, I notice his Jeep parked at the curb, now sporting a hard top, and parked behind it is another car that I have never seen before. I arch an eyebrow and look over at Dallas.

  “Anne, Tyler, Mikey, and Shelby are in that car.” He answers my unspoken question, opening the passenger door of the Jeep for me. I smile, hopping in.

  “Shelby?” I ask.

  Dallas shrugs. “Mikey’s girl,” he answers, shutting the door with a loud bang. Dallas jogs over to the driver’s side, where he slides in and starts the car.

  “Tyler and Anne?” Dallas smiles, switching on the radio but keeping the volume low so it’s background music.

  He pulls away from the curb and heads down the road, the Subaru Forester following close behind. “Did you not see them Thursday night? They barely stopped talking to one another. I’m surprised she didn’t tell you.” I flush at his question.

  Little does Dallas know, but my thoughts were preoccupied that night. It seems that all I thought about was of him. Or Kyle.

  Kyle always managed to make his way into my thoughts, reminding me that as much fun as it is to be teenagers and go on surprise trips, we still have unfinished business.

  But we are teenagers. We are only eighteen and in high school once. We can’t forget to be young.

  I hate the fact that I feel guilty, running off to have fun with Dallas and my friends while Kyle’s murderer is still lingering around. We have to help Kyle.

  But we also have to be young.

  I gnaw on my bottom lip, looking out the window of the Jeep as an internal battle takes place.

  No. Today, I am going to have fun. I have always been a stay-at-home-with-my-nose-in-a-book girl for as long as I can remember. I am never spontaneous or do anything exciting. I will allow today to be a day of fun, laughter, and smiles.

  Then tomorrow, I will try to figure out a way to find Kyle again, and we will try to figure out a way to find the murderer.

  A warm hand closes around my own, causing me to lift from my thoughts. I look over at Dallas to see his brows dipped in concern. “Are you all right?” he asks, giving my hand a squeeze. I nod my head, offering a smile.

  “Yes. I’m fine. Just tired since someone kept me up until two o’clock,” I tease. Dallas chuckles, bringing our joined hands over so they lie on the arm rest in between us.

  “You could have stopped responding. Or said ‘goodnight.’ I would have let you sleep.” Dallas’s tone is gentle and coaxing. He’s very good at sweet talking people and somehow now making this my fault.

  Squinting over at him, I shake my head. “You devil,” I mumble. “Where are you taking me?” I arch an eyebrow.

  Dallas only continues to look at the road, smiling.

  I lean back in my seat, watching the trees zip by. I almost fall asleep to the repetitive scenery; however, when it abruptly changes to a highway, I perk up. Glancing at the signs, I frown to see we’re headed away from Chicago. What could possibly be in the west?


  “Dallas, where are you taking me?” I ask, peeking behind to see the Subaru is still trailing us. I arch an eyebrow at my driver. He grabs my hand, giving my fingers a squeeze.

  “I already spoke to your mother, and Anne took it upon herself to pack your clothes and necessities. I’m taking you to the Ozarks, where you will learn how to ride a jet ski. Since it is quite the drive, we decided to spend the night at a hotel.” I feel my mouth hang open at his confession.

  My mother was actually okay with this? She was okay with me spending a weekend nearly seven hours away?

  Was that why she told me to be careful with Dallas? I’m honestly surprised she was even able to keep it a secret.

  “Thank you,” I whisper, looking at Dallas with a sincere expression. No one has ever done anything like this for me before. I greatly appreciate it.

  I cling tightly to Dallas, my arms wrapped around his waist and gripping his life jacket. The wind is deafening, nearly drowning out the sound of the motor as Dallas revs us even faster. As we hit a wave, we go flying in the air, only to crash smoothly on the water.

  My cheek is pressed against his back, his wet suit soft against my skin, and my eyes look over to see Anne and Tyler riding up on our right. They are sitting upon a red jet ski, Tyler driving and Anne holding on gently. She’s sitting with ease, not pressed against Tyler as if her life depends on it. Her beautiful red hair whips around in the wind, and I can’t help but feel jealous.

  She’s done this before. She’s not scared.

  But if she’s not scared, why should I be?

  I let out a sigh and gently peel myself off Dallas, lifting my head so I can look at our surroundings. Dallas quickly jerks his head to the side, dropping one hand from the handle bars to grab my right thigh. He looks over his shoulder at me, eyebrows dipping behind his sunglasses.

  “You okay?” he yells over the wind and motor, sparing a glance in front of him before looking back at me. I nod my head, smiling.