The Night He Saved Me

by Sarah Stevens

  Monday comes around, and back to school I go. Thankfully, my school was smart and had finals the week before prom and any make-ups the week after prom. Classes are done and fun is to be had this last week. Only problem is, I am sick all the time and have no energy. All I want to do is sleep the days away.

  Bren meets me every morning, and the first thing out of her mouth is always, “How are you doing?”

  And every morning I lie and say, “Great!”

  She knows I’m being a sarcastic brat, but she doesn’t pry.

  After school on Wednesday, I decide I am ready to go downtown again, face the people I have been avoiding, and have some fun.

  Me: Hey I’m going to go to Bren’s house after school; she will give me a ride home later.

  Mom: Okay don’t be home too late

  Me: Sure mom no later than 10

  Mom: Sounds good

  Me: Love you Mom

  Mom: Love you too

  “All set for after school, Bren, I just have to be home no later than ten.”

  Bren, a bit surprised with what I just said, replies, laughing, “Since when is your mom okay with you being out until ten at night?”

  “I know, right? I figured I was going to get a hard time from her.”

  School finishes up for the day and Bren and I head to her car. She looks at me with a cigarette in her hand. “You mind?”

  “Your car, go for it, and hand one to me,” I reply

  “Um, are you sure? You shouldn’t be smoking, Kat,” Bren says

  “With the crap I have been going through, one won’t kill me, or this—” I point to my stomach.

  “If you say so,” she says, “but only one”

  I love this girl and her concern, I just hope she doesn’t become the overbearing mother figure I can see her becoming with me.

  James

  Today I decide to stop hiding out in The Java and get back into my routine of heading up to the park in the afternoons. Today seems as if it is my lucky day, because Kat is here with her friend Bren. Something is wrong, or maybe just different with her, though. She looks pale and like she hasn’t slept in a week. I have to hold myself back from running to her side and asking if she is okay. She starts making the rounds with all the people hanging out and then looks up; she sees me and smiles then goes back to her rounds of saying hi.

  That smile just about kills me—it pierces my heart. But with that smile, I notice it doesn’t reach her eyes. Finally, she makes her way over to where I am.

  “Hey, James,” she says. “Thanks again for the ride home the other night”

  “Wait. He’s the one that gave you a ride home? How did this happen?” Bren yells.

  Kat looks over to Bren and says, “I left the party alone and ended up at The Java right before it closed. James offered me a ride home.”

  “I was a perfect gentleman, just providing a ride.” I hold my hands up in surrender because this girl looks like she is about ready to pounce.

  I look over to Kat and notice a bit of her smile has fallen. What just happened? What did I do, say? It was almost as if I disappointed her with my response, like she was expecting me to declare something between us. I so would declare she was mine if I could, but not yet; I can’t do that just yet.

  “So, ladies, what are you up to this beautiful day?” I ask.

  “I haven’t been down here in a while so I figured I would stop in before I had no way to get here anymore with graduation next Saturday. I won’t have a car to get around, so unless Miss Bren over here wants to drive all over the place to grab me, I’ll be stuck at home. Waiting for my birthday to arrive and hopefully get a car. Though, I think that is wishful thinking,” Kat says.

  “You won’t be stuck in that house of yours, don’t you worry your pretty little head,” Bren says as she is patting Kat on the head. “Plus, we have your mom’s wedding, your eighteenth birthday to celebrate, and Grad Night.”

  I laugh and say, “Looks like you all have a lot to celebrate the next two weeks. Make sure you stop into The Java on your birthday, and I’ll treat you both to a drink.”

  God, I want to stay here all day and talk to her. She still doesn’t look great, like she has been sick and isn’t quite over it yet. Despite all that, she still looks beautiful.

  “Well, ladies, I have to get back to The Java. Don’t be a stranger. Have a great afternoon.”

  I turn and walk away. Glancing back over my shoulder, I notice Kat is watching me retreat down the street. Looks like I only have to wait another two weeks to see if she likes me the way I hope she does.

  Wedding Day

  Katarina

  Here it is, the day that I have been dreading—my mother's wedding day. One good thing about this day is that I get to go get pampered at the salon, even though it will be with my mom. We get our nails done while getting pedicures then move over to get our hair all pretty for the wedding. My mother forgoes a veil, thank God, and goes for a delicate tiara piece while I get flowers put into a pretty up-do with my curls hanging down around my face. Once we are done, we head out to the car and go back to our temporary home and get dressed. When we get there, Bren is waiting for us and we enter the house. I may feel beautiful today, but I also feel sick to my stomach.

  This is a never-ending sickness that won’t go away. I am so grateful to have Bren here with me. Once we are done getting ready, we move toward my mom’s car and head to the church. So many people have already arrived; we park in the back and go inside. Once inside, Bren leaves us to take her place inside the church. I slap a smile on my face and go over to my mom.

  “You look beautiful today, Mom. I may not seem like it, but I am happy for you.” She wraps her arms around me and gives me a tight squeeze. “Are you ready?”

  “More than you know, sweetie,” she says. We walk out to the huge doors leading into the church, and as the doors open, I walk my mom down the aisle. The look on my step-dad-to-be’s face is one of happiness. I hand my mom over to him and take my spot to the left of her.

  The ceremony is short; they have both done this before. As I stand there and watch them, I think to myself that this will never happen for me. No one will want a girl who has a child. No one will love me once they know. No one will want me. I brush off my thoughts, and as I do, the ceremony is wrapping up. I hear, “You may now kiss the bride” before everyone starts clapping. I may not be happy about this, but I will do what I have to for my mom.

  The reception is at a small venue near the Old Port; I catch a ride with Bren—my support system for the day. We dance and eat dinner and go through all of the normal wedding traditions. When it is time for my mom to go, she comes over to me and Bren and gives us both a big hug.

  She whispers in my ear, “Thank you for being here today. I love you. Don’t burn down the house.”

  They get into the car and head off to Boston for the weekend while I’m stuck at home packing for the big move.

  "Want me to stay?” Bren asks when we get back to my house that night.

  “No, I just need to be alone tonight. I’m tired and am going to go to sleep.”

  This day sucked, and I want nothing more than for it to be over.

  Graduation Day

  Katarina

  I can't believe it is almost over—one walk across the stage and I will have finally graduated. The problem is, I am still pregnant, and still have no direction. College was a thought—a fleeting one, perhaps—but now I don't see it as an option at all.

  Arriving at the auditorium, I wave bye to my mom as she heads to her seat with my new step-dad.

  “I can't believe this day has arrived! We will soon be out of this place!" Bren says as I walk up to her and she gives me a huge hug. “How are you feeling?"

  “I actually feel pretty good today; I think this sickness may be finally going away," I answer honestly for the first time in weeks.

  “Great. Are you excited for this weekend? I have it all planned out. My parents actually agreed to have a joint gr
aduation and Kat b-day party! Saturday can’t come soon enough." Bren jumps up and down on the balls of her feet as she tells me; I think she is more excited than I am.

  Before we know it, Sister Theresa is telling us to line up. "Here we go!"

  We all line up, and on our cue, we walk into the auditorium where the crowd goes crazy; flashes fly from cameras, hooting and hollering can be heard from miles away—you could feel the excitement in the room.

  Sitting there in the auditorium waiting to hear my name be called is surreal. I am graduating high school, and in a weeks’ time I will be an adult, finally eighteen.

  As I sit there waiting for my name to be called, I twist my fingers. This is an exciting day, but also a day where a new life for me will start, except I don’t know where that life will lead me. I’m scared, but I won’t admit that to anyone. One week and I am going to be eighteen; one week and I am going to tell my mom I am pregnant. She will ask a lot of questions, yell at me, and who knows what else, but I won’t have any answers for her. No one will know how I became pregnant, no one will know I was violated—this is my secret.

  I am so deep in thought I don’t even realize my line has stood until Grace, who is sitting next to me, taps me on the shoulder.

  “Let’s go, Kat, it’s our turn!” she says, knocking me out of my thoughts.

  When my name is finally called, I stride across the stage and accept my diploma from Sister Theresa while simultaneously shaking her outstretched hand. “Congratulations, Katarina.”

  “Thanks, “I reply.

  As I continue to walk, I hear Bren yelling out, “Go, Kat!”

  My mom is also heard from the seats, yelling, “That’s my girl. Love you, Kat.”

  This is it, the final name is called, and our valedictorian ends her speech with a loud, “We did it! We graduated!”

  She and the rest of the graduating class switched their tassels from one side to the other, but that was a moot point since soon the entire class tossed their caps into the air with a loud, Whoop!

  Once I find my cap, I go searching for my best friend. She spots me and comes barreling at me with her arms wide open. The next thing I know, we are tumbling to the ground; I can’t control my laughter, but the look on Bren’s face is much different.

  “Oh, my God, are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  It takes me a second to realize why she is so concerned, and I love her for that, but one stumble to the ground won’t hurt anything.

  “I’m fine, don't worry so much.”

  We get up off the ground and notice that our parents are there laughing at us.

  “I think they are excited to graduate,” Bren’s dad says with a chuckle

  Everyone burst out laughing more.

  The next thirty minutes consists of a photo shoot right outside the doors of the school in front of the school’s sign. My face is starting to hurt from all the smiling. Ugh, parents. It isn’t just Bren’s, but also mine.

  Finally, when they have what they decide is enough pictures in various combinations, we head away from the school. We all have plans to go out to lunch together to celebrate and they chose a place right downtown in the Old Port. Lucky me. This is definitely not the place I want to be today with my mom; I don’t want her to realize how much time I spend here.

  We find parking in the parking garage and head down the street past the park and straight past The Java. As we walk by, I steal a quick glance inside and notice James staring at me. His stare is so intense. I smile at him as we walk by and head to the restaurant by the water.

  Lunch is nice and relaxing, and I am actually able to eat something and not want to throw up for once. Then, the questions start to flow from both sides of parents. What are your plans for the summer? What are your plans for the fall? Did you decide on a college? Bren and I just look at each other like a pair of deer in headlights. We have no answers, especially me, so we direct the conversation to the celebration next week.

  I look to Bren’s parents and say, “Thank you for allowing me to celebrate my birthday at the graduation party.”

  “You’re welcome, Kat. We look forward to celebrating your birthday. Eighteen, right?” Bren’s dad asks.

  “Yes, I will be eighteen. My birthday is actually on Friday so it is great timing.”

  My mom looks at me with surprise on her face. Shit! I forgot to tell her about the party on Saturday.

  “Mom, Bren’s parents are having a graduation party for us on Saturday, and because my birthday is Friday, we are going to celebrate with all our friends. You are more than welcome to come. I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you about it.”

  “Sweetie, it’s okay, I know you have been busy and not feeling well, but we will be there. We can celebrate your birthday as a family on Friday. Go to dinner, maybe?”

  “Can we make it an early dinner, Mom? I was going to spend Friday night with Bren so that I am there to help with the party Saturday morning.”

  “Sure, that’s fine.”

  We finish up lunch, and thankfully, Bren drove her car in town after graduation, so we are able to escape the parents and head in our own direction. We both turn and wave to our parents as we thank them for lunch and say bye. The direction we end up going is to The Java.

  James

  I wasn’t expecting to see her today; she was surrounded by parents and Bren as she walked right by my place. I couldn’t help but stare at her as she walked by. I almost thought she wasn’t going to look in my direction, but then she did, and a genuine smile crossed her face. I nodded my head in recognition as she continued to walk down the street.

  I honestly wanted to rush out that door and pick her up and kiss her. I knew today was graduation day, and that meant I was one step and one week closer to being able to tell her how I feel about her. I don’t know how I will tell her I want her, that I am falling for her, or even if I will have the guts to tell her, but to know that I can soon makes me so happy.

  I snap out of my thoughts and go back to work. Jayce just walked in the door so it is my time to head to the office once he gets behind the counter. About an hour goes by and I hear Jayce holler, “Congratulations, grads.”

  Deciding to see what is going on, I exit my office and there she is, standing there at the counter talking to Jayce with Bren at her side. I stand there off to the side just watching her, and as if she can feel my eyes on her, she looks in my direction, so I smile at her, push myself off the wall, and walk over to them.

  “What’s this I hear about a graduation?” I ask.

  “That would be us, one step closer to absolute freedom,” Bren answers.

  “Well, since congratulations are in order, your coffee is on me.” I notice that Kat hasn’t said anything, so I look directly at her and say, “Congrats, Kat.”

  “Thank you,” she replies.

  Jayce interrupts our mutual stare down with a, “What will it be?”

  He did that on purpose. I get it, he likes her, but she has made it clear that she just wants to be friends. I hope one day he realizes he has no chance with her. Hell, I just hope I have a chance. I look over to Kat again, and she has a completely different look on her face, almost as if something has spooked her outside. I follow her line of sight and see a guy across the street just staring at her. Kat looks like she saw a ghost, and as I look closer to her, she seems as if she is shaking. Why would she fear anyone, especially one who is across the street and nowhere near her?

  I walk up next to her and lightly tap her arm just enough to get her attention. “Kat, hey, are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost.”

  Kat quickly snaps out of it and looks right at me. She still has a slight tremble to her body but she says, “Yeah, I’m fine, I just spaced out. I've been so tired lately.”

  I don’t believe a word she said; something is wrong, and I have a bad feeling that guy has a lot to do with it. One way or another, I will find out what this was about.

  From that point on, Kat acts just fine, like nothing
happened. The girls grab their coffees from Jayce and go and sit at one of the tables. I take this as my cue to head back to the office and finish my work. Before I head back, I turn to the girls and say, “Congrats again, ladies, enjoy the coffee.”

  “Thanks!” they both say.

  I turn toward the office and decide I am determined to find out what just happened with Kat if it kills me. But not today.

  Katarina

  No, not again. Why is he there, and why is he just staring at me? He is the one that hurt me, not the other way around. What does he want from me? I can’t let him find out about the baby.

  This guy, he scares me; I wish he would just go away. I can’t tell anyone about him because then they will figure out what happened to me. It isn’t until James is by my side tapping my shoulder that I’m knocked back into reality and notice I have been shaking uncontrollably.

  “Kat, hey, are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost,” he asks with a tone of concern.

  “Yeah, I’m fine, I just spaced out. I've been so tired lately,” I try to reassure him, but by the look on his face, he doesn’t believe me.

  Jayce calls my name to let me know that my coffee is ready, and Bren and I go and sit at one of the tables. Before I know it, the sight I want to be seeing is retreating back to his office. I don’t understand this guy at all, and I wish I knew what was going on in his head.

  “So—” Bren looks at me “—what was that about?”

  “What was what about?” I reply.

  With a frustrated look on her face, Bren motions her head to the back of The Java where the office sits. “Him, you, the whispering off to the side?”

  “It was nothing. He just was asking if I was feeling better.”

  She looked at me like she didn’t believe me. What is it with people today not believing a word out of my mouth? Well, I suppose they have a reason to act that way, but still.