by Sara Schoen
I had a feeling if Ryan was here, he wouldn’t have enjoyed Kayden throwing him under the bus like that. It would have wound up with Ryan punching him in the chest, and then Kayden making a joke of it. I could see him saying something like “Will you do us a favor and go out with this loser?” He would mean it playfully, but he had a way of getting under people’s skin, especially when it came to embarrassing them.
I laughed at Parker’s reaction to Kayden’s claim of a double date, she honestly looked excited, but I laughed harder when I saw Jamie’s shocked expression. Her face was now in complete shock, her jaw hanging open wide enough to catch flies and her eyes bugging out of her head like those squishable animals that have their eyes pop out. Alexis was no different, except when she caught me staring she snapped out of it and let the anger show on her face before she elbowed Jamie back into reality.
“Oh, and Jamie,” Kayden stated to get her attention again. “You’re not invited. We will not be attending anymore parties with you or Alexis present after how you treated my girlfriend last time. Who does that to their friend’s significant other? You kept me away from her when she needed me, and for what? So Mac could put the moves on her and then I would break up with her. It was wrong to get him drunk, then manipulate him to get your way. I thought you would have learned that after I told you to back off Amy, but I guess not. I don’t want you anywhere near Lauren when I’m not around again. Clearly you can’t be trusted.”
“Well, we weren’t meaning―” Jamie started, attempting to ease Kayden’s anger, but he knew what they had tried to do, and he wasn’t listening anymore.
“I don’t want to hear whatever excuse you and Alexis have cooked up,” he growled. “I know what you were trying to do, and I have now seen what kind of people you really are,” his voice dipped lower and angrier. “I don’t want to see you again, and you can tell the same to Mac until he comes to apologize. Now get out of my face.”
“But Kayden―”
“He said leave, and I agree with him. He didn’t like how you treated me, and that’s your fault. You shouldn’t have used Mac as a part of your plan, and if you owe anyone an apology, it’s him. He didn’t deserve his friends to treat him like that. Now, go away and don’t come back,” I stated with a smile as I waved good-bye to them both.
They turned away and left quickly, but something in their eyes told me they would be back. For now, I had a confidence boost. I had told off Jamie Price and Alexis Jayson, two of the most popular girls in school who had tortured me the most before my deal with Kayden. I could feel confidence flowing through my veins, and happiness soaring in my soul. This was a new me, and I wasn’t going to back down for anyone, and I had Kayden to thank for it. I couldn’t be more thankful for it either, I was enjoying the new me.
“So about this date,” Parker started hesitantly. “Is it really happening?”
“If you still want it to. Ryan and I were seriously going to ask you guys on a double date. It was supposed to be a surprise until they interrupted,” Kayden stated as he jabbed his thumb in the direction of Jamie and Alexis. “Then I just wanted to rub it in their faces.”
“I’m in!” Parker stated excitedly.
Kayden and I let out a laugh before turning to each other and smiling. I could see this blossoming into a beautiful friendship for us all, and hopefully a real relationship.
“Thanks for standing up for me.” I paused for a moment before I added, “For us.”
“Anything for my girl,” he said sweetly, leaning down and kissing the top of my head again.
I really could see this becoming a wonderful relationship, and something told me he felt it too. It was definitely in the way he looked at me, the sparkle in his eyes when he called me his girl. It was also in the gentleness of his kiss and the automatic reaction to hold my hand when I moved away from him. He had me falling for him, I just hoped he didn’t break my heart as he did to other girls. I would live, but I’d never be able to forgive him. At least high school was almost over.
Chapter 22
Forgetful
I sat at the kitchen table, attempting to finish a few things so I could sit and relax for my Friday night, when a sudden knocking on the front door that made me pop out of my chair in shock. The chair moved against the faux tile flooring as I looked around the kitchen toward the front door. My hands flared out as my chair fell backwards. When I spun around to look at the fallen chair I knocked over the glass of water onto my computer. I let out a shriek as I picked up the towel from the kitchen counter and the knocking got louder, more panicked.
“Hold on a minute,” I called to whoever was on the other side of the door as I dabbed the water off my computer. I peeled off the protective keyboard cover and let the water drip from it for a moment before putting it on the kitchen table. I had been trying to write my history paper, but I was so nervous since it was worth so much of my final grade at the end of the year that I was stressing over it. I was relieved when Kayden said he was busy, because I really needed a distraction from this paper.
“Lauren, seriously?” I heard Kayden’s voice question from the entrance to the kitchen. “Your cry had me worried you injured yourself, and knowing you, you could have lost a hand,” he said as he took the towel from me and moved my computer from the table. He dried off the bottom of the laptop before placing it on the counter and coming back with another to clean the water from the table.
“How did you even get in here?” I asked as I moved to look at the front door. I knew I had locked it when my father left, so how did he get in? “Aren’t you supposed to be doing something today anyway? You said that you wouldn’t be able to see me until tonight.”
“Plans changed, and I thought I would do something special for you before we go on the double date,” Kayden said with a smile, but it quickly vanished when he saw my expression. I felt my head tilting sideways slightly as my eyes squinted together in confusion and my lips part slightly as I tried to figure out his words. “What?” he asked with a curious eyebrow lift. “Did you forget we were going or something? I’m sure Parker and Ryan would hate to hear that.”
I let out a short laugh, letting the tension leave my body. “I didn’t forget, but you’re right that Parker would be furious at me if I forgot. She is so excited for this,” I said with a smile as I looked into his ice blue eyes. They really were breathtaking, and the longer I looked at them the faster my heart raced. I wanted to lean in to kiss him again, but he hadn’t made a move since the New Year’s party. I didn’t want to be the one to make the move either, but if he didn’t step up I was going to.
“Well, today’s that day!” I paused momentarily, how did I forget about this? “Did you seriously forget we had a date or are you just acting right now? If you’re acting you’re doing a pretty convincing job.”
“I just got sidetracked, I guess,” I said as I moved my blue hair off of my neck, suddenly hot from the embarrassment.
“Well, I got something for you today. I’m thrilled to spend the night with you and our friends, and to celebrate the occasion I have a gift I think you’ll like,” Kayden said as a devious smile spread across his lips.
“What’s that exactly?” I asked cautiously. His coy smile and mischievous demeanor had me worried for many reasons starting with his idea of a good time and ending at the tattoo I had on the back of my neck.
“You’ll see, but first I just wanted to hang out with you, and maybe dive into a few different extracurricular activities that you don’t have on your resume already.” He grabbed my hand as I latched onto my purse and pulled it from the chair. He pulled me close, and leaned in seemingly to kiss me, which made my stomach flutter again. “Come on, we have some time!” he stated as he pulled me from the house with the smile taking over his face.
I tried to convince him to tell me what was going on, but I was more interested in what he was offering. Another chance to kiss him, and this time to get it right. His excitement was starting to rub off on me, but before
I could close the distance between our awaiting lips the doorbell rang.
“You’re kidding me,” he groaned as he reluctantly released me. He was doing his best to keep his cool, but I knew he was upset at the interruption. Kayden had been inches from my lips, the excitement clear on both of our faces. His hold on me was tight, as if he feared that when he let go I’d run away and never return. I couldn’t help but imagine if the doorbell hadn’t rung. I’d probably have my hands tangled into his hair so I could kiss him like my life depended on it.
I opened the door to reveal Parker with a bag around her arm and a bright smile that reached her eyes. She looked at me for a moment before the excitement faded. I wondered what was wrong, but figured she would blurt it out. She just remained silent as I started to question my appearance. Did my hair look as if it hadn’t been washed recently? My hair could be greasy at times, but I had washed it a few days ago. If it ever looked greasy, I always put some baby powder in it to take away some of the shine. Maybe I should have washed my hair last night, I thought as I looked at my fingernails. I had recently gone to get my nails done with Parker, and we both got French tipped nails and our toes painted different colors. Mine were a deep purple, while hers were a bright turquoise blue.
“You forgot, didn’t you?”
I winced. I had been doing that a lot apparently.
Luckily, Kayden interrupted before I could stick my foot in my mouth again. “No, she didn’t forget, Parker. I was just distracting her.” He smiled down at me as he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me to him.
Parker lifted an eyebrow curiously at me before she glanced at Kayden and gave me a coy smile. Now she seemed pleased with that reply, but I knew it wouldn’t stay like that. I suddenly remembered she was here to get ready for the double date.
I really needed to remember to write things down. Maybe then I wouldn’t have to explain to my best friend, who was ecstatic for this date, that I only had my nails done and nothing else in the last three days. While I had taken remarkably good care of my nails since we had gone a week ago, I didn’t have shoes I wanted to wear or been able to get a new dress like we planned to. I had pushed off the shopping trip with her to do an English paper. I knew she would help me with the make-up, and somehow fix up my hair to look presentable, but it was going to take time. Time I wasn’t sure we had because I wanted to finish what Kayden and I had been about to start.
“Kayden,” I said cautiously as he looked between Parker and me, wondering why I hadn’t invited her in. “I forgot to tell you that Parker was coming over to get ready. We already had plans so I can’t take you up on the offer to spend time alone, unfortunately.” My downturned expression only made him offer me a soft sympathetic smile.
“It’s fine, baby. We can spend time together at our favorite place when we finish the date.” He smiled before turning to look at Parker and adding, “Without Ryan and Parker. I promise I can wait.” He leaned down and let a feather light kiss pass between us before he left my side. “I’ll see you girls at seven sharp. I’m sure Ryan will show up a little early because he’s more excited than a kid going to Disneyland, so be sure to be ready.”
“We will be,” Parker chimed before swapping places with Kayden. “Come on, Lauren!”
Kayden smiled at me before waving goodbye. I wanted to stand there with him instead of watching him leave. Instead I put on a smile and shut the door so I wouldn’t be tempted to follow after him. I had it bad. I heard the car turn on and couldn’t stop myself from glancing through the glass pane to see him pull out. He stopped at the edge of the driveway and waved. I waved back, thankful he would be too far to see the blush that had come across my cheeks. I really did have it bad for him.
“Lauren, are you coming?” Parker cried from upstairs. Knowing her she was already in my room doing her hair, with her dress and shoes chosen, while I had nothing prepared and would need all of her help. I groaned in response before starting my race up the stairs to meet her, and as I assumed she was my room with a curling wand in her hand. “Come on, Lauren, you have to pick out what you want so I can do your hair and makeup. You’ll look more stunning than anyone Kayden has ever dated.”
“Thanks for reminding me that he’s been on so many,” I said sarcastically. I was trying to forget that I was only in a fake relationship with him, and that everything he was doing was so that he could take his prize in the end then run off. I hoped I would be strong enough to deal with the ridicule that came after, or that he would keep it going until the end of the school year. At least then I wouldn’t have to face anyone from school again.
“It’s clear to see he has feelings for you, Lauren,” Parker said as she started to swipe a mascara brush over her eyelashes. “Just relax, I think he’s falling for you too.”
“Too?” I asked as I glanced at the shoes in my closet. Most of them were from the shopping trip Kayden and I had taken, but I had recently gone shopping again and gotten a few that would surprise him.
I could remember walking through the aisles of shoes until I found the seven and a half sizes, and then glanced at the variety of shoes. There were a lot of sneakers, and only a few heels, and some were too tall for me to walk in. I know, because I tried, fell, and then popped back up to avoid further embarrassment when others started to stare at me.
I pushed back the memory as I picked a safe pair of black closed toed heels and set them on the floor beside my bed. They were short, about three inches, according to Parker, but they were the tallest ones I owned. What really mattered was that I could walk in them, and that was a breath of relief knowing I wouldn’t relive my fall in the store. I hope I never saw any of those people again. I didn’t know what we were doing for this date, but my goal was to not embarrass myself while I did it. When I finally turned my attention to picking a dress, Parker started to ask me questions on Kayden. I let out a slow breath, and hoped she wouldn’t get too personal. I’m sure she was wondering about what Kayden and I had planned to do before she came over.
Hopefully it would have ended with his hands in my hair and us clinging to each other in a kiss.
“What dress are you picking?” Parker asked, regaining my attention.
I wonder how long I zoned out thinking of the almost kiss Kayden and I had shared. Maybe she thought I just didn’t want to talk about it and changed the topic. “I have no idea.”
Parker laughed lightly. “I figured. Pick out a few while I finish my makeup and then I’ll doll you up.”
I nodded and turned to my closet, glancing through my choice of dresses. I was shocked that some of the dresses I had in there were from years ago and would no longer fit me, back when I was a size zero in pants and a two in dresses. It made picking a few dresses out of my closet a lot easier at least.
I had narrowed it down to six, but as I looked over some of them I decided I only really liked four of them. The other two were out of date, and more in my goodie-goodie fashion. So I took them out and decided I would donate them later. That left me with a few dresses I had picked up on a whim in my shopping trip with Kayden. They were shorter, just above my knee or mid-thigh, and had a more alluring shape.
“I’d like to see these on you,” Kayden had replied when I had shown him the dresses. I had rolled my eyes at his remark, even though he wouldn’t be able to see it and paid for them without another thought.
I glanced over the dresses to make sure there weren’t stains on any of them. In my investigation I found a tear in one of them, so now I was left with three dresses. Although the choice came down to what went with my blue hair otherwise it would look awful together and then I’d have to hear Parker complain about it all thing. There was a gorgeous burgundy dress with black sequins around the bust, but it didn’t match my hair, it would only go with my regular hair color. I missed my blonde hair in that moment. I would have worn that dress in a heartbeat because I knew it would make Kayden’s heartbeat erratic. I put that dress to the side, and looked at the remaining two dresses. Th
ere was a blue strapless sundress and a white bodycon dress, as I said it came to what went with my hair.
The white lacy bodycon won.
I put on the dress, pulling the inner lining into place and the outer lace fully down to my mid-thigh and slid the heels on before interrupting Parker, to show her my choice. I approached Parker, who was putting on the final touches of her makeup when she saw me in the mirror.
“You look fantastic! Is there another one or is this your choice?”
“This is my choice,” I said confidently as I flipped my hair out of my face and did a short twirl to show her the full view.
“Great, then sit down,” she instructed. “I’ll get a towel so I don’t get anything on your dress and ruin it. Then we’ll make sure Kayden compares every girl he’s ever been with to you. They’ll all fall short when I’m done with you,” she promised before rushing off.
I took my seat in front of the mirror and smiled. There was a glow about me I didn’t notice before, and for the first time I could really appreciate the beauty I had when I took the time to show it. I breathed a sigh of relief and smiled as I thought of Kayden’s face when he saw me. I think he’d be floored, in a good way, and then maybe after we can finish that kiss we started in the kitchen. I had a feeling it would be well worth the wait.
Chapter 23
Nighttime Solace
After our dinner together, as promised, Kayden and I had gone our separate ways from Parker and Ryan. Neither of us elaborated on where we were going, but I was staying the night at Parker’s since Kayden said I would be getting home late. So I told my dad Parker and I were going out, omitting the role the boys played, and got the okay to sleep over. At least I wouldn’t have to go home and explain the dress, and then receive a lecture on how I wasn’t supposed to date yet. I didn’t want anything to spoil tonight.
