A Love for Romance

by Kahlen Aymes

  The rest of the day was a comedy of errors, I got stopped by two my teachers with last minute paperwork. Then I got called to the counselor's office with packets from several colleges regarding sports scholarships which I turned down which that led to a stern talking to from both the baseball and football coaches. By the time lunch rolled around, I hated everything around me. I walked into the cafeteria angry because not one person would respect my wishes regarding my choices for med school.

  I looked around the cafeteria for Lindy but I didn’t see her. I pulled out my phone and texted her, after ten minutes and no response I went looking for Shelly. When I couldn’t find Shelly, I went to see if I could find either of them in the hallways. As I made my way down the main corridor, I passed the front office when I saw Shelly coming out a side door.

  “Hey, Shelly,” I called out causing Shelly to look up, she looked so mad she could spit nails.

  “Delaney.”

  “What’s wrong? You’re back to calling me Delaney again.”

  “Well, you’re lucky I’m not punching you in the fucking face right now!” She yelled.

  “Whoa, what’s with the hostility?”

  “You know what, I guess I should have expected it but I had hoped that the shit you’ve done in the past wouldn’t trickle down and hurt someone else.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Let’s say a certain head cheerleader took it upon herself and attacked Lindy.”

  “What the fuck?”

  “What the fuck is right, she fucked up though. You see Alexis put her hands on Lindy and well Lindy defended herself.”

  “Where is she?”

  “With the principal and security. Alexis and her cronies told a story that Lindy stole her boyfriend and that she attacked her without provocation. They’re hoping that one of the security angles caught something or she’s getting expelled.”

  “I need to do something, say something, I didn’t think. God dammit, fuck.” I yelled.

  “Mr. Delaney, you know there is a no tolerance policy in place for dirty language, correct?”

  I looked up to see a counselor standing in the office doorway. “Yes ma’am, I apologize. I lost my head for a minute.”

  “Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen again, shall we?”

  I nodded, angry with myself for what happened. Shelly began snickering at me for being scolded like a child.

  “Shut it,” I mumbled to Shelly who just continued her laughter.

  “Both of you, back to class.” She said and we headed on our way.

  Chapter Five

  Clinton

  Before we could get halfway down the hallway, the main doors of the school opened and a rush of footsteps echoed in the foyer area.

  “Oh, there you are Clinton Delaney.” I looked up to see Alexis’ parents coming towards me. “Your new whore of a girlfriend assaulted our daughter.”

  “Mrs. Walters, I’m going to ask you to not use such language in this school or in front of these impressionable young youth.”

  “Let me guess, you will protect him and the floozy that injured my poor baby. I’ll be having you all brought up on charges for not keeping my daughter safe around these hooligans with no home training.”

  Just then, a door opened at the end of the hall and Alexis stepped out. “Mommy.” She said as she ran down the hallway.

  “Oh my poor baby, oh sweet merciful heavens look at your face. Stanley, call our attorney I want charges filed against that Flannery girl and I want to sue. Alexis may need ‘plastic surgery’.” She whisper yelled which caused Alexis to wail harder.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Walters, I would like for you to bring Alexis into the Principal’s office. Mr. Delaney, seems you're supposed to attend this meeting too.”

  Swallowing hard, I nodded. I looked to Shelly whose face wore a look of both shock and disappointment. I followed the rest of the group into the office and down the hallway to Principal McGee’s office. When we stepped inside the room, I noticed Lindy sitting off to the side with her Dad, her hand wrapped in what looked like a towel and a baggie full of ice.

  “Thank you all for coming.”

  “Well, I should be off to the emergency room with my daughter right now instead of in here with this girl who hurt my baby.” Mrs. Walters said which caused Alexis to snicker.

  It was then I noticed the look on Mr. Flannery’s face, it was as if he was holding back a secret.

  “I would like to get the story again from all involved. Alexis, please give me your story in your own words. Be as close to the truth as you can, someone will be in a lot of trouble today as assault isn't permitted on school property.”

  “Yes sir, I will tell the complete truth. I also have three witnesses to my assault so they can back up my story. I was walking down the science hallway with my friends when Lindy came up the stairs and yelled at me. She told me she’d taken my boyfriend from me, she had given him what I would not. They had sex Mommy, he left me for her because she had sex with him. I told her that Clinton loved me and that’s when she punched me and said no one would ever love me ever again.” Alexis said as she cried while being comforted by her mother.

  I shook my head and looked at Lindy, she looked like she would throw up at any moment.

  “Thank you, Alexis, Rosalind will you please tell us what happened.”

  “Um, yes.” She began as she looked at her hand. “I had come from Dr. Brandese’s room and was walking up the stairs. I saw Alexis and her friends standing against the windows. I tried to walk past them to get to my next class but Alexis yelled at me, she said I had stolen her boyfriend and I would pay for it. When I explained to her that I stole no one, she called me a liar. One of her friends knocked my books out of my hand while the other threw my notebook out a window. I kneeled down to pick my books up off the floor when Alexis grabbed my hair with both hands, yanking me up. I tried to pry her fingers out of my hair but she wouldn’t budge so I swung myself around which caused her to let go long enough for me to punch her in the face.”

  “That’s not true, no one did anything to her. She’s lying.”

  “Alexis, please don’t interrupt Rosalind as she let you speak without interrupting you. Now, Mr. Delaney, can you shed any light on this situation? Are you playing these two young ladies against one another?”

  His question set me off. “Mr. McGee, with all due respect I resent your question but I will answer this to right this wrong. I am not playing these two girls against one another, I have never dated Alexis nor have I ever done anything with her or anyone else in my life. As for Lindy, I am so sorry to you Lindy and to you Mr. Flannery for what happened. My past isn’t the best but it is the past, I swear it.” I said pouring my heart out and she didn’t even look at me but Mr. Flannery looked towards me and nodded.

  “Thank you, Mr. Delaney, I thank you all for sharing your stories with me and I had hoped to get the true story of what happened today as we're so close to graduation. Mr. Turney secured security footage of the hallway, I know who was the aggressor.” He said and Alexis stopped her fake cries and sat up straight.

  Mr. McGee walked around to his desk, opening a drawer. He reached in and pulled out a blue notebook from inside. “Mr. Turney found this outside.” He said holding up the notebook. “Rosalind, I believe this is yours.” He continued causing Alexis to gasp.

  “I’ve watched the video footage of what happened to Rosalind and I am appalled. However, she has asked me to go lenient on Alexis. She does not want Alexis expelled for a lapse in judgement and her father and I agreed with her decision even though we know Alexis deserves expulsion for what she has done. With that being said, I would like for Alexis to apologize to Rosalind and serve three days of in school suspension that will not go on her permanent record.”

  “Apologize? This is a joke, right? My daughter was struck in the face and you’re telling us you’ve taken the word of an obvious liar. My daughter is an honor roll student, she’s popular, unlike Rosalin
d. She would not fight over a boy when she could have any one she chooses.”

  “Mrs. Walters, are you saying you don’t trust the video proof I have viewed?”

  “No, I do not.” She said while shaking her head.

  “Well, in that case. I have no other recourse than to expel Alexis and she will not graduate.”

  “That will not be happening. Stanley, I need you to call the board of education. Mr. McGee doesn’t seem fond of his current position.”

  “I would hold off on your threats.” We watched as McGee picked up his remote and turned the TV on the wall on. He hit a couple keys on his computer and video popped up.

  We all watched as Lindy walked up the stairs only and yelled at by Alexis. Everything that Lindy had said in her explanation came out in the video and I grew angrier with each second that passed. That was until Lindy's fist connected with Alexis’ face and blood appeared. Lindy looked shocked as she covered her face with her hands while shaking her head.

  “Now, Mrs. Walters, as you can see your daughter was in the wrong. She may have gotten the worse out of what happened but it doesn’t change the fact that she put her hands on Rosalind first. Therefore, I will ask you once again, Alexis can apologize to Rosalind and take the three days of in school suspension or she can take the expulsion. These are the only two outcomes, Alexis is very lucky that the Flannery’s didn’t want to pursue anything.”

  Lindy leaned over and whispered to her father who nodded before calling out to Mr. McGee, I watched as he stepped over and they spoke. Whatever they discussed caused Lindy to stand and grab the towel and ice before walking out the room with her father following her.

  “The Flannery’s have foregone the apology, they have opted to go to the emergency room to have Rosalind’s hand checked out.”

  “Then I will take the in school suspension,” Alexis replied with a smirk on her face.

  “I’m sorry Alexis, the in school suspension was only on the table with an apology. I will turn this over to the superintendent and encourage the Flannery’s to file a police report.”

  “Joseph, this is a little harsh, isn’t it? Alexis was about to apologize when you let them leave. She shouldn’t have to suffer for that.”

  “It’s Mr. McGee and Alexis didn't do the right thing here."

  “This isn’t fair!”

  “You’re right, it wasn’t fair that your daughter and her friends bullied a young girl because a boy doesn’t like her.”

  “I’m sorry Mr. McGee, can I go back to class?”

  “Yes Clinton, have Mrs. Martinez give you a pass.”

  I left the office and saw Mr. Flannery standing by the front doors and I apologized to him. I explained one last time and told him my feelings for Lindy were genuine. He wished me good luck before telling me she had gone to get her things from her locker. I ran as fast as I could down the hallway when I found Lindy standing in front of the open door.

  “Lindy?” I called out.

  Lindy looked up at me, tears falling down her cheeks. I wanted to punch Alexis in the face myself for making her cry.

  “Please don’t.”

  “I...”

  “Please don’t do this.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “I know, which is why this can’t happen.”

  “What can’t happen?”

  “This, us, whatever that was between us. I’m sorry, I can’t be your girlfriend.”

  “Don't do this, please."

  “I can’t do this again, I can’t have people attacking me. Next time I may not be so lucky.”

  “Let me make this right.”

  “I can’t Clinton, I’m sorry.” She said and then she walked away.

  Chapter Six

  Clinton

  The next few days sucked, Lindy hadn’t been to school and Shelly wasn’t forthcoming on her whereabouts. I didn’t know where Lindy lived so I couldn’t go to her house. The only thing looking up was that majority of the school seemed happier after finding out that Lindy defended herself and hit Alexis. I watched during lunch as people came up asking Shelly about Lindy and even a few people gave her flowers and other gifts to give to her.

  The hardest thing about this was having to explain to my mom why Lindy couldn’t make dinner that night, I held nothing back and let her know everything. After she stared at me, she asked me the questions I had been wondering myself. Did I care about Lindy? Was she someone worth making the effort for? Could I see a future with her? Am I willing to do whatever it takes to make things right between us?

  Every question she asked, my answer was yes. I care about her, my chest hurt because she pushed me away and I missed her being there. It is shocking how in such a short amount of time how Lindy had become important. After speaking to my mom, I headed up to my room and climbed onto my bed.

  As much as it hurt to not pick up my phone and text her to see if she was okay, I respected her wishes even though it upset me to do so. I fell asleep with thoughts of Lindy on my mind and a wish she would be back to school soon.

  It was on Thursday of the following week when Lindy returned to school, her head stayed down while her interactions with others stayed minimal. I kept my eyes on her the whole time we sat in class, I had hoped she would give me a sign letting me know it would be okay to approach her, It never came.

  During lunch, Shelly and Lindy sat alone together at a table in the front of the cafeteria, people approached but Shelly made sure they didn’t stay long. It was then I noticed her hand and the cast that poked out of the big hooded sweatshirt she wore. Now I had become ill, she had hurt herself because she was protecting herself over something that shouldn’t have happened. How could I not understand the severity of the things I’d done in the past wouldn’t come back to harm someone I care about.

  I was an asshole even though I never meant to be one and now I understood why Lindy wanted me to leave her alone. I jumped up from the table, my chair sliding noisily across the cafeteria floor. The whole room went silent, all eyes were on me, and I didn’t give a fuck. I left my uneaten lunch sitting on the table, grabbed my backpack before storming out of the cafeteria’s side exit towards the parking lot.

  Halfway to my car, I heard a voice someone was screaming my name. I turned around ready to yell at whoever is trying to stop me from leaving. I moved so fast that the person in pursuit of me halted, I watched as she tried to stop but ended up sliding towards me. I dropped my backpack and grabbed her so she wouldn’t fall on the ground.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Um, yeah. Thanks for catching me.” She said looking up into my eyes. “Are you okay?”

  I let go of her and made sure she was all right before I let go. “Yeah.”

  “I am worried about the way you left just now.”

  “Worried? Lindy you do not have to be. This,” I threw my arms around in a circle, “is my fault. That,” I pointed at her arm with the cast, “is my fault. If anyone should worry, it’s me for you. I am so sorry Lindy, I did not understand that the stupid immature bullshit I had done the past four years would come back and ruin the only good thing in my life.”

  “What did it ruin?”

  “Us, well, you were only my girlfriend for three hours but it was a start. Are you still my girlfriend?”

  “I...I don’t know, Clinton. I thought I knew but then after what happened with Alexis, I...”

  “What, Lindy?”

  “Why me? Why are you interested in me? I’ve seen you over the past two years with different girls, here I have to defend myself in something that’s innocent. I am having a hard time rationalizing any of this, let alone why someone would fight over a guy.”

  “I fucked up, I know I did. If I could go back and change it I would. I should have continued to be myself instead of what the standard of what someone in my position should act like. I feel horrible you got sucked into this bullshit and I will spend the rest of my days trying to make all of this up to you.”

  “I can’t do this Clin
ton, I’m not strong enough to keep fighting off these people. Maybe in a different time or place but not now. I want to graduate and not have to deal with all of the people who all act as if they have a claim to you.”

  “Lindy, are you even listening to yourself. Do you remember the talk we had? Everything we shared at the park? I could be the love of your life and you won’t even give us a chance to find that out.”

  “I’m scared, Clinton,” Lindy said, looking up at me her eyes filling with unshed tears.

  “You know what, so am I but that doesn't change the fact that every single day my feelings for you grow stronger, dreams of my future flood my mind and all of it includes you.”

  Lindy gasped but said nothing, I wanted to reach out and pull her into my arms. I wanted to hug her so the doubt she had surrounded us dissipated but I didn’t. I took one last look at her before turning. I got into my car and took off, glancing back only one time in the rearview mirror to see Lindy standing in the same spot I left her in the only difference was now she was with Shelly who had her arm around her comforting her, as I should have been.

  I drove straight home, I needed advice in the worst way. I needed to talk to my mom. She’d been so helpful, she didn’t judge me nor was she disappointed. My mom was glad I had discovered the error of my ways before it got me in even deeper shit. She was happy that I had confided in her even though most kids my age didn’t dare share those details with their parents.

  As soon as I stepped through the front door, my phone chimed alerting me of a text. ‘Way to go, Clinton, you’ve turned into a class A dick’ It would be Shelly, and she is right. I have turned into a class A dick.

  “Clinton is that you?”

  “Yeah Mom, sorry I had to leave school.”

  I watched as my mom came up the basement stairs, the look of concern written all over her face. “Is everything okay? Are you hurt?”

  “No, I couldn’t stay there. Lindy came back today and she has a cast on her hand. It’s all my fault I feel so guilty. I tried to talk to her, I know she cares about me I could feel it. I made stupid decisions and she doesn’t want to be with me because she doesn’t want to defend herself if any others go after her the way Alexis did.”