Enlightened

by Charlotte Michelle

  “She’s doing well. She’s heading over now, actually,” I answer.

  My mom claps her hands in excitement. “Excellent! I shall make banana nut bread. Did you know Kayla was the one who got Kyle to love it so much?” She rises to her feet and looks down at me with a soft smile that doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Talking about Kyle still dampens her mood.

  I’m not surprised. Kyle used to hate bananas, until one day I saw him sitting at the kitchen table, devouring one.

  “She convinced him bananas would help him grow tall for basketball.” My mom laughs. “That girl is definitely creative. She managed to convince him into tutoring because she said being smart will eliminate bad body odor.” She giggles.

  I look over at my mom with an arched eyebrow. Was did she just say? “What do you mean, she convinced him?”

  My mom goes to answer, but the doorbell rings and cuts her off. She smiles and rushes to the kitchen to make the bread. I yell for Kayla to enter the house. When the door opens, I look over my shoulder to see her. She’s wearing a beautiful baby blue dress that hugs at her waist and flares out at the hips. It reaches her knee, and the sleeves are quarter length, stopping just before her elbow. Her hair hangs in loose curls, framing her tan cheeks. Her beautiful hazel eyes shine; I can see them perfectly from across the room. She is so naturally beautiful, and when she dolls up, she’s simply breath-taking.

  As she walks toward me, a bright smile on her lips, I can’t help but wonder if Mikey was right. Did my mom just confirm it?

  Kayla plops down beside me and leans over to place a kiss to my cheek. Her cool, wind-kissed hand encloses mine, and I can’t help but stare at her, studying the way she sits.

  Everything about her is so delicate and polite. I can’t imagine her scheming and using Kyle to get to me. And I definitely cannot see her wanting my money. She isn’t materialistic in any way. She would rather visit her father’s grave for Christmas than earn diamond earrings.

  “What’s wrong?” Kayla asks, her eyebrows pinching together in concern.

  I can’t help but think back to when she softly touched the skin between my eyebrows, telling me that I “crinkle.” It was such an odd statement that brought a smile to my face.

  “Did you convince Kyle into tutoring?” I ask her. Kayla’s eyes widen slightly as she gapes at me, her mouth falling open. She is obviously shocked by my question.

  I tell myself that the answer doesn’t matter. I love her, no matter what.

  But I had to know if Mikey was right. Does she just want me for my money? My possible fame?

  Asking these questions to myself make me see how completely ridiculous this all is.

  “Yes. I did,” she answers. “I told him it would get rid of BO.” Yes, that’s what my mother said. She’s being honest.

  She is always honest.

  “Why?” I ask. Kayla bites her bottom lip and looks over at me, shaking her head slightly.

  “Why do you want to know?”

  “Something Mikey said. I just—”

  “Mikey? When did you speak with Mikey?” I mentally slap myself. That was definitely not how I wanted to tell her.

  “Today. While you were at tea. I went over to talk to him, and he told me you convinced Kyle to be tutored to get close to me.”

  Shut up, shut up, shut up.

  Kayla scoffs and shakes her head, looking away from me. I can see her skin flushing with anger as she clenches her hands into fists. “Naturally, you believe the man that killed your brother, right?” She looks over at me, her eyes watery.

  “I didn’t believe him. But then my mom just confessed that you did, in fact, convince him. So now, I’m just wanting to understand,” I tell her.

  Kayla gets to her feet and crosses her arms across her chest. Her hands rub up and down her arms, subconsciously comforting herself. “I convinced Kyle to be tutored so I could get close to you. Make you fall in love with me so I could rob you of your fortunes and claim your fame.” Her voice shakes as she speaks, her hazel eyes meeting mine as she looks at me with disbelief. “He’s trying to turn you against me…”

  I quickly jump to my feet and walk toward her, grabbing her by the arms and pulling her close to my chest. “I don’t care what you did, Kayla. I don’t care if that was your intention. Just like you don’t care that I hated you. What matters now is that I love you. That I trust and believe in what you tell me. Damn whatever Mikey has to say. So what if he was right? So what if he wasn’t? I will believe your truth, Kayla. No one else’s.” My eyes don’t waver from hers. I have to make her see that what I am saying is the truth. It was a mistake to even bring this conversation up. I never want her to doubt the trust I have in her.

  “She convinced Kyle to be tutored because I asked her to.” I look over Kayla’s shoulder to see my mom standing there, holding a wooden spoon slathered in batter. I pull my eyebrows together. “Why do you think Kyle was so tenacious about you two getting together? It started out as me wanting you two to meet. Until Kyle formed a strong bond with Kayla and he begged me to continue tutoring sessions. By your junior year, Kyle was doing it on his own accord, genuinely wanting you two to become friends.”

  “What? Why would you elaborate such a plan?” I ask her, my eyebrows coming together. These last few months, I have been nothing but confused and curious. I will soon have a permanent “crinkle.”

  “Kayla’s father had just passed away. Your father was nonexistent for the most part. You both have a passion for basketball. You’re both independent. I just wanted you guys to find solace in each other. Kayla has been important to me since she was a baby. I was trying to help. But my son is too damn stubborn to listen to the advice of adults and his brother.”

  I detach from Kayla and walk over to my mother. She looks at me warily, but I’m not angry with her. I am far from it.

  It is because of her I am with Kayla in the first place. It’s a domino effect. Because she pushed Kyle into tutoring, with Kayla’s help, Kyle formed a bond with Kayla. And even though that bond wasn’t what brought Kayla and I together, despite multiple efforts, it allowed Kyle and Kayla to grow close. Which then meant that Kayla was the only person I could find comfort in when Kyle died. And now, she is my rock and my safe haven. I lean on her for support. She is my life source, my breathing mask.

  I hug my mom, squeezing her tight. I practically owe her my life. “Thank you.”

  Chapter

  Twenty-Seven

  Gabe

  *Kayla*

  January 16, 2016

  Listening to Mrs. Perkins admit to plotting to get Dallas and I together was unanticipated. I never would have imagined that the sweet, gentle Mrs. Perkins could have orchestrated such a plan.

  While I’m slightly devastated to hear that the first year of my relationship with Kyle was fraudulent, I am also grateful. Because of her plan, I did end up having a platonic relationship with Kyle, which I had valued greatly. It then progressed to falling in love with Dallas, which never would have happened without the mutual love we both had for Kyle.

  I watch as Dallas hugs his mother, whispering into her ear, and I smile. The past few months, their relationship has been strained due to the loss they both suffered. But today, it seems as if they have overcome whatever emotional hurdle that was before them.

  “Kayla. Come here.” My eyes refocus onto Mrs. Perkins as I exit my thoughts. I quickly walk over and step into her arms.

  When I heard her say that I have been important to her since I was a child, I had to fight the urge to cry. I have only known Mrs. Perkins vaguely through my mother. My mother did claim to talk a great deal about me to her coworker. I never would have thought it would lead to Mrs. Perkins developing motherly feelings for me. I had met her only a number of times until Kyle started coming to my house for tutoring.

  I cling to her, taking a deep breath as I blink back tears. “Thank you,” I whisper to her, breathing in her fresh shampoo scent before I step back and look over at Dallas. He smirks an
d reaches up to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear.

  “Mom, I need to speak with Kayla privately. Can we be excused?” Dallas asks, tilting his head to gaze at his mother.

  Mrs. Perkins nods and places a kiss to his cheek before giving my shoulder a squeeze and walking into the kitchen. “Banana nut bread will be ready in about forty minutes.”

  I grip Dallas’ hand as he turns and leads me up the stairs to his bedroom. He sits me down on the bed and shuts the door before joining me. He lays back on the plush pillows and opens his arms for me. I crawl forward and rest my head on his chest, placing my hand on his toned stomach.

  Dallas subconsciously plays with my hair, rubbing it between his fingers. “It wouldn’t have mattered,” he says softly. I stare at the bathroom door across the room, waiting for him to continue. “I would give you every cent I have, every portion of my fame and successes. If you had used Kyle to get to me, I wouldn’t have cared. When Mikey told me, I just thought he was trying to turn us against each other. I didn’t believe him, even though he does know your favorite author and your mother’s work schedule.”

  My eyebrows come together as I frown. I knew Mikey must have kept tabs on me if he was plotting my murder since I reclaimed my father. But to hear Dallas admitting that Mikey knows these facts disturbs me.

  “It was only when my mother said the same thing, it planted a seed of doubt. I was slightly concerned, but when I asked you, a brief, terrifying thought crossed my mind. By asking this absurd question, I risk losing her trust and her. I can’t lose you, Kayla. No matter what, I can’t bear the thought of not having you by my side. So I came to the conclusion that if you did use Kyle, I wouldn’t care.” I look up at him to see tears in his eyes. He’s staring at the ceiling, but when my eyes focus on him, he tilts his head downward to look at me.

  Dallas runs the back of his knuckles across my cheeks. “We’re going to get Mikey locked up. We’re going to ensure that Kyle finds the peace he deserves. And then I am never going to let you go.” I smile softly at him.

  Dallas wants a future with me. Whatever doubt I had in the back of my head, us not having anything in common after all this, has vanished. We both want to spend the rest of our lives together, and nothing else matters.

  We will work through everything else.

  “I love you, Dallas,” I say softly. Dallas smiles and shifts to place a kiss to my forehead.

  As much as I would enjoy lying in his arms for the rest of the day, I have to tell him about Shelby. As he said, we will have time for this after we help Kyle.

  I prop up on an elbow and interlace our fingers together, resting them on his chest. I look into his eyes of endless blue. “Shelby dated Mikey…She is our answer,” I say.

  Dallas stares at me with a blank expression for a moment, not grasping what I’m saying, before understanding dawns on him. He sits up and looks at me with wide eyes.

  “Kayla, you’re brilliant.” I smile. “Do we know where she lives? How to find her?”

  “Anne is already on it, asking people from the basketball and football team, seeing if anyone knows of her. When she finds anything out, she will let us know.”

  Dallas runs a hand through his hair and lets out a deep breath. I can see the hope welling within him. He’s eager to come to the end of this, just as I am.

  Even though it means we will have to say goodbye to Kyle, once and for all.

  Anne called a few hours later, providing an address. I was eager to find out how she got the information, but Dallas was already out of the house and starting the car before I had the chance to ask.

  We drive to Shelby’s house in Naperville with the speed that could grant us many tickets. Dallas didn’t care; he had to get to the house as quick as possible.

  We have to get the answers.

  Once he parks on the side of the road, Dallas runs to the house, and I let out a sigh, reaching over to take the key out of the ignition. I follow after him at a calmer pace, approaching the front door, where he waits for it to open.

  He knocks again, and a moment later, the hunter green door is pulled open. I look to see Shelby, who stares at us with wide eyes.

  “Shelby—” I am cut off when she goes to close the door. Dallas quickly sticks a foot out to prop it open.

  “Please, go away. I don’t know anything.” Her voice shakes. I pull my eyebrows together and let out another sigh. She’s scared. Does she think Mikey will come after her if she testifies?

  “We need to know.” Dallas’ voice is weak, begging for her to help us. I look over at him from the corner of my eyes.

  “Shelby, please. We have to put him away. Please, help us.” Shelby doesn’t answer. She tilts her head to the side, to look at something behind the door. I see her lift her left hand and make quick movements.

  I squint, trying to understand what she’s doing.

  Does it look like…sign language?

  I bite my bottom lip and wonder who she’s talking to.

  The door is wrenched open, and I see a boy around the age of ten looking up at us, his big blue eyes boring into me.

  Letting out a gasp, I look over at Dallas to see his eyes widen.

  He looks like Kyle…

  The boy turns and signs to Shelby, making a few gestures toward Dallas and me. What is he saying?

  “Come in.” Shelby sighs, stepping back.

  We follow her into her living room, the boy walking with his sister. They both sit on a couch, and Shelby directs us to the other identical couch. I sit, looking at both of them as they continue to silently converse.

  “Fine!” she bites out, making an abrupt motion before she looks at us. “I read lips,” she says softly, looking around as if something was going to jump out and take her.

  Dallas and I don’t say anything. We both wait for her to continue, too scared that if we pressure her, she will shut down and kick us out.

  Shelby looks over at her brother, who just nods his head. “Gabe is deaf. I took sign language courses with him, and I learned how to read lips. It was the day after jet skiing. I was watching from a distance while Mikey was speaking to some man. I only got Mikey’s side of the conversation.” Shelby stops.

  Her hands shake on her lap, and I notice her gulp. “You probably think I’m a coward…but I was scared. Of Mikey. Of what he would do to Gabe if he found out what I knew. I mean, he was so willing to kill Kyle, why not Gabe?”

  Dallas tenses beside me but remains silent. “We’re going to lock him up, Shelby. Nothing will happen to Gabe,” I say.

  Gabe nods his head in agreement.

  “He was angry, telling the man that he didn’t do what he paid him. He killed the wrong person and that Kyle was never supposed to be harmed. It took a while to understand. But I finally put it together.” Shelby looks over at Gabe and grabs his hand. “I’ll testify. I will help you put him in jail. But once that’s done, I want you to stay away from me and my brother.” Her voice is firm as she lifts her eyes to stare at us with a sharp expression.

  I bite my bottom lip and nod my head.

  “Good. Now, call the cops and let’s put this bastard behind bars.”

  Chapter

  Twenty-Eigh t

  Choice

  *Kayla*

  January 16, 2016

  “Thank you again, Shelby. We’re in your debt,” I say, stepping over the threshold of Shelby’s house, Dallas right behind me.

  I turn to look at Shelby, offering her a smile. Gabe stands behind her, waving goodbye. “This will all be over soon,” she says, giving me a nod in farewell.

  I bite my bottom lip as the door closes. All chances of ever befriending Shelby have vanished. I recall how much I enjoyed spending time with her at the Ozarks. She could have been a great friend to Anne and me.

  I’m sorry to see the opportunity gone.

  Dallas gently grabs my hand, and I look over to him, not able to keep the smile off my face as I do. We will finally get Mikey behind bars. We have our witness. She’ll t
estify to Mikey’s involvement, and Kyle will finally be free.

  Dallas leads me toward his Jeep, unlocking it as he does so. “Let’s go tell Anne. I’m sure she’s writhing on the inside to find out,” I say. Dallas softly chuckles and releases my hand so I can make my way over to the passenger seat.

  It’s now dark out, at nearly nine o’clock at night. We had spent almost two hours at Shelby’s house, devising how everything was going to pan out.

  Tomorrow, she’s going to report to the police station, accusing Mikey of killing Kyle Perkins. Naturally, she will be questioned, and if need be, there will be a trial where Mikey and Shelby will be questioned. I am pleased that Shelby is willing to do all this.

  She is scared for Gabe.

  She wants the lunatic behind bars as much as we do.

  I can’t imagine how she feels. She was dating Mikey. She had feelings for him, similar to what I have for Dallas…

  I could never fathom what I would do if Dallas turned out to be a murderer. You begin to question your judgment of people. You question your ability to read and maybe you even, for a second, question your involvement.

  Perhaps, if I insisted on having a date night, he wouldn’t have been able to kill that boy.

  I shake my head from my thoughts.

  Soon, it will all be over.

  I walk around the front of the car to get to the passenger door. I momentarily freeze when I see someone crouched down by the side of the Jeep. My eyes widen as I notice who is before me a second too late.

  Before I can even step back in attempt to flee, a hand is placed firmly around my neck, and I am twisted around so my back is rubbing against his chest.

  “No!” I hear Dallas yell, and my eyes desperately seek him. Just as I find the ocean blue eyes that always bring me comfort, I feel something cold placed to my right temple.