My Forever: An Epic High School Love Story with a Twist

by Kira Adams

  He’s nearly perfect…so why am I pushing him away? I am so sad. So incredibly sad. Being with him during such a dark time in my life is so unfair to Parker. He deserves so much more than that—so much more than me—but I can’t imagine my life without him, so I make the selfish decision to stay with him.

  “It’s summer!” Parker pumps his fist into the air. “It’s going to be the summer of our lives, babe. I can feel it.” He is so excited about the possibilities, and it’s difficult not to smile slightly. I want to believe him more than anything.

  “What do you want to do first?”

  “I just want to be with you. Whatever you want to do. Your choice.” He inches closer to me then takes me into his arms.

  My heart begins racing. Mostly because Parker has that effect on me, but also because I’ve avoided physical intimacy with him for close to a month. He pulls me into his chest tighter, and I can smell his intoxicating aroma. It’s one of the first things that made me fall for him…

  I wrap my arms around him, allowing myself to get lost in the familiar embrace.

  “I missed you too.” Parker steals the words right out of my mouth.

  “I’m sorry I’ve been such a pain in the ass.” I sigh lightly. “You sure you can handle this Taurus?”

  He chuckles, not lessening his tight embrace. “I knew what I signed up for when I decided to date you. I knew you weren’t going to be easy.”

  “Are you calling me difficult?” I ask, my mouth hanging open for effect.

  “Stop putting words in my mouth.” He laughs, his expression softening. “I love you, Mads.”

  He doesn’t wait for me to say it back, and I respect him for that. The kiss begins hesitantly; he’s waiting for my mouth to invite him in. I don’t make him wait in the cold long, enjoying the discovery game.

  He breaks the kiss off after only a brief stint. “You want to come over?”

  A part of me yearns to take him up on his request, but I just started to entertain the idea of him being my boyfriend full-time again. I need some time to let everything sink in. “Actually, I think I should go home tonight. It’s the first time my parents will actually be in the same place at the same time for more than an hour—I need to play referee.”

  “What’s going on?” he asks curiously.

  “They said they want to have a talk with me.”

  “Do you want me to come?” Parker—always trying to be my knight in shining armor.

  “No, I think I need to deal with this one on my own. I promise to give you status updates though.” I squeeze his hand and turn to walk out of the school.

  They are the perfect picture of an intervention, but this isn’t an intervention. After my parents sit me down, my mother calmly tells me they are going to do a trial separation. It isn’t divorce, but my father will be moving out and into a nearby hotel.

  For an eternity, my eyes dart back and forth between my mother and father, willing them to change their minds. The silence is deafening; my tears speak loud and clear. “It was her, wasn’t it?” Anger builds up inside me.

  “Madalynne.” My mother’s stern voice comes rising out of her petite frame.

  “What was her name again?” I rack my brain for the name I’ve heard my parents fight over for the past two weeks. “Melody, right? Your ex.”

  Anger is taking over. I don’t expect a confession out of my father. Not now—not here.

  “I made a mistake!” He throws his head into his hands and his body convulses. He is definitely crying.

  I’ve heard of infidelity tearing families apart…I just never believed it could happen to my family. Then again, who does?

  My mouth drops open in shock and disappointment, tears welling up at the backs of my eyes. I turn to look at my mother, and she appears on the brink of a complete breakdown.

  “Get out.” I’m not sure what comes over me, but I stop taking my father’s side. I stop being a daddy’s girl.

  My mother looks surprised that I side with her for once.

  My father stares at me through tear-stained eyes. “I’m sorry, Mads. I love you. I hope someday you will be able to forgive me.”

  “You don’t get to call me Mads! That was Mason’s nickname for me! You don’t deserve it…not after what you did!” I’m spitting venom, but suddenly I don’t care.

  My father stands up, walking toward me. I can’t even look at him. He kisses the top of my head softly, and it makes me cringe. “I love you, kiddo. You know that. Call me whenever you want.” And like that, he’s gone. He grabs what I assume to be a pre-packed bag and then vanishes.

  I can’t move for hours after he leaves. My mother keeps me company, not leaving my side. It’s weird how quickly she fills her motherly shoes when needed, but it’s appreciated nonetheless.

  “So, tell me again—where were you last night?” Kendall is not letting this go easily.

  Sighing, the story comes out the exact same way it did the first time. Parker Grant asked me to come over and study with him. It’s not like I’m telling her he kissed me or likes me. Who knows why she is making such a big deal out of everything.

  “Stop.” Her grin is plastered across her face.

  “Stop what?” I ask. She pokes me playfully, her smile growing wider. “We’re just friends. You know that.”

  She nods obnoxiously. “Uh-huh. You know he told Connor O’Brien he likes you, right?”

  My stomach is in knots. We are still fairly young. People say middle school is the new high school, but we just started sixth grade. We still have so much to learn. I’ve never even held hands with a guy, much less announced my crush to anyone out loud. “Where did you hear that?”

  Kendall rolls her eyes. “You underestimate me.” She pauses, the suspense building. “I have my ways. So, what did you guys do when you went over?”

  She’s not giving up. “We studied.”

  “That’s it?” She gawks back at me.

  I shrug. “What do you want from me?”

  “Oh, come on, you’re no fun. You know I live vicariously through you, and you’re not being a good sport right now.” Kendall’s parents are overly protective. They have been ever since her sister went missing over five years ago. She was four years older than Kendall, and after a night at a friend’s house, she never came home. It was a really hard time on my best friend and her family. After that happened, she became an only child.

  They found out that her sister had wandered off into the backyard unattended and ended up face down in the pool. Being that she had been enrolled in swim lessons at the time, the whole thing was very suspect. There was a trial, the whole nine yards, her parents trying to press charges against the parents of the friend, but eventually the whole thing became too much. Her mother was drinking herself to death and her father checked out. They dropped the charges shortly after. Unfortunately, we may never know what truly happened that fateful evening.

  “Okay, promise not to say anything, but I think I might like him.”

  Kendall rolls her eyes. “Well, duh. Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “No, I mean, like I might really like him.”

  She looks at me like I’m crazy. “You act like I don’t know you at all. Of course you like him—what’s not to like?”

  7

  Something isn’t right. I haven’t heard from my girlfriend in over forty-eight hours. It’s now Monday, and after countless unanswered texts and phone calls, I take it upon myself to show up at her house unexpectedly.

  “Parker! Madalynne didn’t mention—” her mother begins as she answers the door.

  “Is Maddy here?” I ask, interrupting her, looking past her small frame. She may be older, but Madalynne’s mother is extremely attractive.

  “She’s at Kendall’s,” Shannon says. She always asks me to call her by her first name.

  Of course she is.

  “Thanks, Shannon!” I kiss her lightly on the cheek, something I’ve been doing since I was ten years old, and head back out to
my car.

  I glance at my watch. 8:35. Pulling out my phone from my back pocket, I text Kendall.

  Where is she?

  I climb into my car as the first response comes through.

  What?

  Typical.

  Her mother said she was over at your place. I’m coming over.

  She wastes no time responding. I don’t think that’s such a good idea right now, Parker.

  I pause before starting the car, anger building up inside me.

  She’s my girlfriend, Kendall. You need to tell me what the hell is going on.

  Her parents are separating. Her father moved out. She isn’t in a good place.

  Even though I’m not surprised, it hurts hearing the truth from Kendall. Maddy confided in her before me. Suddenly, we’ve reversed roles.

  She can’t push me away forever you know.

  I know.

  So that’s that. She’s sad and avoiding me.

  I try not to think about it the entire way home. I try not to take it personally, but it eats away at me little by little.

  To really take my mind off it, I hop onto my computer and began instant messaging Jacqueline, who is online.

  What’s up?

  Not a thing, chicken wing. Corny…but it’s us.

  How’s your week going? I type, curious.

  Just a mind-numbing mix of school and work. The usual. How about you?

  Oh, just being used and abused by Maddy—the usual, I joke half-heartedly.

  What happened this time? I nearly feel the pity in her words.

  Well, you know everything about Mason—it’s a combination of her dealing with the loss of her brother and now the loss of her father who is moving out; her parents are separating.

  Shit. Jacqueline’s response doesn’t surprise me one bit. Madalynne is going through a lot—it would understandably take a toll on anyone. I just wish she wouldn’t shut me out entirely.

  My phone begins to vibrate madly. I stare at the illuminated screen on my desk.

  Dylan.

  “Yo, what’s up man?” I answer.

  “Party tonight—you in?”

  I am in no shape or mood to attend any sort of social gathering, so my response is already on the tip of my tongue. “Actually, I think I’ve had enough of drinking for a bit.” And oddly enough, I mean it. Seeing Maddy wrecked and throwing all her inhibitions out the window reminded me how unattractive it is.

  “Alright, suit yourself. But bro to bro, I think you should come to this party with me.” The way he emphasizes the importance of going to the party makes me anxious.

  “Are you trying to tell me something without really telling me? Because it’s really fucking confusing!”

  “If you don’t come with me tonight, you can kiss your relationship with Maddy goodbye. She is close to making the biggest mistake of her life, so I am asking you one more time…are you going to fight for your relationship or are you going to let her go, man?”

  Dylan doesn’t need to continue; I’m already in my closet throwing on a new shirt and shorts and out the door in minutes.

  The party is being held at Kendall’s house because her parents are conveniently out of town again. I wouldn’t have been invited unless it was urgent.

  Kendall looks relieved when she sees me. “I’m sorry…”

  “I’m not mad. How bad is it?” I follow her down the stairs and into her family’s basement.

  “Bad,” she tosses over her shoulder as she leads me down. The unfinished basement is dark and dreary, musty and rustic.

  There sitting atop the washing machine around the corner is Maddy. Her legs are wrapped around an unfamiliar frame, and they are in what looks to be an intimate encounter.

  I clear my throat obnoxiously.

  Maddy is unsteady, pulling away from the random guy, obviously hammered. Her eyes bulge out of her head when she catches sight of me.

  “You want to know what low feels like? It’s when I lost my brother. It’s when I lost your brother. When my parents couldn’t stand the sight of each other. It’s when I walk in on my girlfriend with some random guy. Low feels like this.” She has reached her fingernails deep inside me and ripped my heart out; it’s bloody and it hurts.

  “I-I’m sorry,” she stammers, hopping down from the machine and stepping toward me. “I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore.”

  “Well, maybe that’s the problem?” I can’t even stand the sight of her, not after another guy had his filthy hands on her.

  “Parker, I love you…I’m sorry.”

  I watch as her mystery man makes a silent exit.

  “If you really loved me, you would have told me about your parents instead of telling Kendall first or avoiding me. You wouldn’t have gotten faded enough to forget you have a boyfriend altogether. Are you happy with yourself?” I can’t help myself.

  Madalynne looks defeated.

  “This is your last chance. If you mess up again, strike three, you’re out—I mean it.” I was extremely easy on her after Mason, but it’s time for her to buck up.

  “You’re better off without me. I’m just a harbinger of bad and evil. You deserve better.” She stares down at the floor, muttering more to herself than anything else.

  “Stop before you say something you are going to regret,” I warn.

  “That’s not possible,” Madalynne replies in an uncaring tone.

  “Please,” I whisper, taking a step toward her. “Don’t do this. I am trying to be here for you.”

  “What? Like I tried to be there for you when Bo died?” she spits, knowing it’s still a sore subject for me. “Parker, you don’t want to be with me…I’m broken.”

  I take her hand in mine, squeezing it twice. “Whatever you are, you’re mine…and I’m not willing to let you go.”

  She pulls her hand away. “Don’t you get it? I’m not going to get any better. I’m just going to make your life miserable.”

  “You know I forgive you for that…” I trail off, referring to the sore sight I walked in on earlier.

  “That’s just the beginning. I’m only going to hurt you. You deserve so much more than me.” Tears begin rolling down her cheeks, a rose color engulfing them.

  “I’m not giving up on you. I’m not giving up on us,” I reply softly, stroking her hair. “You’re my other half, the peanut butter to my jelly, the yin to my yang. You, and only you, complete me…”

  She looks up in my eyes then, for the first time tonight. “I don’t deserve you.” she says in a barely audible whisper.

  “We were made for each other. You’re my soul mate.” I kiss her lightly on the lips. “I love you, Butter Bean.”

  No one will understand why I continue to forgive her mistakes, why I allow her to walk all over me with no regard for my feelings. But I know why I do it, and that is all that matters.

  “Pizza is on me,” Uncle Jack hollers as we bum-rush the doors of Mod Pizza. Bo beats me inside, already laser-focused on the topping choices behind the glass.

  Mod Pizza is a chic pizza joint where it’s ‘create your own’, similar to Subway. Bo always gets the same disgusting thing: mushrooms, anchovies, olives, and all the meats.

  I let Jack go before me as nothing pops out right away. He orders an individual Hawaiian Time. It’s the standard Hawaiian with pepperoni added in.

  Although there are specials to choose from, I also create my own by choosing pepperoni, bell peppers, extra cheese, and sausage.

  “So, what’s new?” Jack asks as we are all finally seated.

  “Parker has a crush on Madalynne Johnson,” Bo blurts out.

  My eyes dart to him with daggers.

  “What? It’s not like everyone doesn’t know already.”

  Jack stares me down. “Maddy, eh? Finally moving past the best friend stage?”

  “I never said that.” My voice comes out like a whip.

  “You’re so delusional.” Bo takes a bite of his pizza, rolling his eyes.

  “You
know, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Maddy is a beautiful girl,” Jack says, trying to remain neutral.

  “We’re just friends,” I bite out.

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa, calm down there, buddy. There’s no reason to get all riled up.” Jack’s hands rise in surrender.

  “He’s just pissed that Porter Thomas is interested in her.”

  “Shut the hell up!” The palm of my hand slaps the table so hard and loud people turn around to assess the situation. All eyes are on me. “Sorry,” I say sheepishly before hopping up and bolting for the door. Jack calls after me, but I am not in the mood. Bo is being a complete asshole for no reason. If only I knew what his problem was…

  8

  It’s nearing the end of June, and while I should be moving on from my brother’s death, I’m not entirely over it. But, I’m trying to be a better person, a better daughter, a better girlfriend. Parker and I are just beginning to fall back into our old ways and things are good, finally.

  My birthday came and went silently, just the way I wanted it. But Parker’s birthday is coming up on the third of July, and I have every intention of making it a special day for him.

  Not only did I plan a surprise party, I landed his favorite band, Toy Bombs, along with plenty of fireworks and all his friends. I’ve been such a handful recently, and I really want to repay Parker for everything. It is going to take a long time to do so, but I’m all for baby steps.

  Is everything set?

  Dylan, my partner in crime for Project: Surprise Party.

  Yes. Band will show up at 6:00. Parker and I will show up at 6:30.

  Perfect.