He laughs at himself, so some in the room laugh back. His thin hair is grey, and parted to the side, and he’s barely taller than the podium resting behind him.
“OK, I’m going to call roll, and if I say your name, please yell ‘here.’ I won’t do this every day. I just need to know how many people did actually decide to brave my class after hearing what a tyrant I can be.”
Laughs erupt again, and my nerves begin to settle. He gets through the long list, and I’m amazed over the number of students in this class.
I’m flipping through the text book when I hear a door to our left open. It slams shut, causing every student and our professor to look that direction.
I notice it’s a guy before I glance back down at my book, but something about the side profile of the male’s face signals me to jerk my head back up to look at him.
Madison smacks my arm and whispers, “Is that Hayden?”
I’m staring, trying to tell from afar. This guy’s hair is much shorter, but still long around his ears, and he’s in black chino shorts, a white t-shirt and loafers. Hayden wouldn’t wear anything other than boots or tennis shoes.
He turns his head toward the class and his eyes scan the entire room. They lock with mine, and in a breath my heart feels like it could explode.
Hayden. He came back for me.
His eyes don’t leave mine.
“Excuse me,” the professor says. “This is English Composition. Are you lost?”
“I was, but I’m not anymore. This is where I belong.” Without another word, he stalks up the stairs, his eyes never straying.
“Your name, young man?” Professor Chambers calls out.
“Hayden Jamison.”
My heartbeat is pulsing up to my temples, thumping harder the closer he gets. He turns sideways to pass by other students in our row until he’s standing in front of the empty seat next to me.
“Is this seat taken?”
My brain catches up to my heart, and I recall what he did to it. How he smashed it into scattered pieces. “That’s undecided.”
“Can I sit here for today?”
“Hell no,” Madison whispers harshly. I swat at her to shut it.
“Mr. Jamison, I can’t fault you for trying to sit next to the pretty girls, but you need to make it happen or find another seat.”
Many of our classmates are laughing.
“Geez, just sit down,” I whisper to him in embarrassment. Plopping down next to me, he begins removing items from his backpack.
His presence is electrifying. Every nerve in my body is brought back to life, and his magnetic force is drawing me toward him.
My hands itch to touch him, and my mouth waters to taste him. My legs ache to have him between them, and I long to stare into his smoldering eyes, but I can’t look his way.
No, the alarms are blaring in my brain, warning me to protect my heart, but all it wants is to get lost in him all over again.
Our professor hands out the syllabus and begins to go over it, but I can only focus on Hayden. He opens his notebook and tears out a piece of paper. He hands it to me, and I see it’s already written on.
Avery,
I was an idiot to leave you. It was mean and selfish, and witnessing your heart break made mine break, too. If you can forgive me, I’ll never hurt you again.
Will you forgive me and be my girlfriend?
Please check:
Yes
or
No (PLEASE don’t check this box)
I can’t help but smile, especially over the little square boxes he drew. I hand it to Madison. She reads it and smiles, too. Her shoulders shrug, and she mouths “it’s sweet.”
Picking up my pen, I write the word “asshole” after idiot and the words “cruel” and “cowardly” after selfish.
Then, I make my own box under “no” that says “maybe.” I check it, and in parenthesis I add “meet me under the nearest tree after class for your groveling session.”
I hand him back the paper, and I hear him stifle a laugh as he reads it.
“Mr. Jamison, since you want to pass notes like you’re a high school freshman instead of a college freshman, I will treat you as such. Please read your note to the class since it’s so important to address during the first day of your first semester.”
“Oh, shit,” Hayden mumbles, as I’m sliding down in my seat. Clearing his throat, he stands. “OK, I’ll tell you why this note is so important.
“This beautiful girl here”–he holds his arm out toward me–“was my girlfriend, but I left her last week to move back to Arizona. I made her think I wasn’t returning, but I did come back because I can’t imagine my life without her in it.”
I hear some “awws” from girls in the class, along with Madison.
“Why, that’s quite the proclamation,” Professor Chambers says.
“I was an idiot for leaving.” I cough at him. “And an asshole, she claims here on this note.” He glances down at it. “Now, I’m trying to convince her that I’ll never break her heart again.”
“That’s a mighty promise.”
“It is, but I mean it. Can I please continue, sir?”
Professor Chambers holds out his arms.
“You might as well. It’s not like we have anything important to discuss here.” Laughs fill the large room as Hayden turns to me and takes my hand.
“Avery, my dad has a terminal illness, so I’ll need to see him again, but if you’ll forgive me, I vow to never go back without you by my side. I’m so sorry I hurt you. My future is you, baby. I’ll love you with all I have in me if you’ll give me another chance. Please, will you forgive me?”
I grin because I love him and can’t imagine my life without him, either.
“Well, Avery. What’s it going to be?” our teacher asks. “Is he worthy of another chance?”
“Hayden’s the reason I’m alive today, so yes, I believe he deserves another chance.”
Professor Chambers rolls his eyes.
“OK, then hug, kiss, tweet about it … whatever it is you young people do these days, but make it quick. I have a class to teach.”
Pulling me up by the hand, Hayden encircles me in his arms and delivers a passionate kiss. The room rumbles with the sounds of claps, cheers, and “awws” from the hopeless romantics.
The thing is, there is nothing hopeless about love. Love equals hope. It means you have someone to walk hand in hand with you through the darkness while you’re struggling to find your light.
Hayden’s heart is so pure that he wanted to hold too many hands at once, and it’s why he was in anguish over his decision to leave. I can’t fault him for that. Could there be anything more beautiful?
End Notes
Thank you for reading The Scars Keeper. Would you be interested in reading an MC book about Hayden and Avery once they’re older? If so, send me a Facebook message or email. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Additional novels are available for purchase in the teen/YA, contemporary and erotica romance genres.
To keep up on the latest release information, teasers and covers, follow me on the web at http://www.scarletwolfe.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
My books are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, and Kobo.
If you enjoy my writing, I’d greatly appreciate it if you would leave me ratings or reviews. Thank you.
Alternatives to Self-Harm
Journal, draw or read.
Call a friend, hotline or therapist.
Go for a run or bike ride.
Take a nap.
Watch an uplifting movie, television program or funny online videos.
Make a scrapbook or smash book.
Write on skin with a red marker.
Go to the gym.
Rearrange your bedroom furniture or redecorate.
Go through all your clothing and donate some. Then, go shopping.
Make music playlists or listen to music.
Play video
games.
Shout, dance or cry.
Order funny adhesive bandages, and cover the spots you wish to cut with them.
List your amazing qualities.
Make Pinterest boards and pin away.
Shred a newspaper or deface a magazine.
Bake a dessert.
Make a bucket list.
Talk to someone new at school or work.
Take a martial arts or self-defense class.
Go on a nature hike.
Paint your nails or color your hair.
Gather friends together for a game of basketball or football.
Do an act of kindness.
Organize something or clean.
Check out a place you’ve never been.
Pop bubble wrap.
Go through old photos.
Pray, or read from a spiritual book.
Spend time with a child or pet.
Research and learn a new hobby like knitting or an instrument.
Make a wish list.
Wash your car.
Make an herb garden, or pick out a pretty plant at a garden center for your bedroom.
Play with clay or paint.
Start a gratitude journal.
Lie out in the sun.
Make a list of rewards for not harming yourself and follow through with them.
Write down your secrets and feelings on paper and shred it afterward.
Play in the rain.
Write down some of your favorite memories.
Offer to help a parent, partner or friend with something like cooking a meal, laundry, or cleaning out a closet.
Search for support groups in your area.
Make a blog or Facebook group, and keep it positive.
Apply a henna tattoo, or apply glue to dry and pick off.
Make a collage from magazines.
Research somewhere to volunteer.
Plan a themed party or night out with close friends. Maybe wear funny t-shirts.
Confide in someone new about your self-harm and desire to stop, and never forget there is help available.
Teen Line
National Institute of Mental Health
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Hotline- 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Acknowledgements
Patrick, for your love, support and patience while I wrote this emotional book. You truly are my biggest fan.
Thank you, members of Scarlet’s Red-Hot Readers for being a part of my everyday life. I’m still amazed that there are readers passionate enough about my writing to want to share it with the world.
Many of you have never met me in person, yet you give up your precious time to read my books, interact with me and support me! You can join Scarlet’s Red-Hot Readers on Facebook!
I want to welcome new followers and thank my readers for the continued support. Your encouraging words keep me pushing forward.
My friends and family who promote my writing and continue to lift me up when I’m feeling discouraged. I love all of you.
A special thanks to my sister, Cindy, for answering the many questions about schooling and tennis. Love you!
Thank you, Samantha for all you do for me. You stuck by me through the last minute on this one, and I’m so grateful!
Thank you for editing my novels, too! If anyone needs editing services, you can find Samantha Wiley at Proofreading by the Page.
Jo-Anna Walker with Just write. Creations finished up this profound cover. Thank you for your kindness and incredible talent. If you’re looking for a cover, you can find Jo-Anna at Just Write. Creations.
Thank you, Hype PR for promoting The Scars Keeper. I’m looking forward to working with you in the future! For all your marketing needs, contact Hype PR at The Hype PR.
I want to thank those who run the long list of blogs and Facebook pages that help promote my work. You are invaluable, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know you.
Thank you, D. M. Shreve for writing the music to “Avery.” You brought my lyrics to life. I also want to give thanks to Curt Roehm for recording it!
My beta readers and proofreaders for your time. I can’t emphasize enough how much your feedback improves my work. Antoinette Hord, Morgan Mittelbrun, Rachel Pugh, Kelsey Roark, Patricia Smith, and Samantha Wiley, you rock!
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