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

by Kira Adams

  He smiles at me. “I love you too, Butter Bean.”

  “You know how ridiculous that sounds?” Parker eyes me down.

  “I don’t care! I have a system and it works,” I reply snootily.

  Parker is referring to the way I eat M&M’s. I only eat the green ones. He always argues that there’s no difference between the colors, that they all have the same chocolate chunk inside of them…but it doesn’t matter. Old habits are hard to break, and ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always associated the green ones with luck—thanks to my older brother. I take it upon myself to try to gain luck anywhere possible.

  “Your system sucks,” Parker jokes, lightly popping the remaining few green ones in his mouth.

  “Hey!” I pounce on him. “Those were the last ones! Now I don’t have any to eat.” I pout, giving my best vulnerable quivering lip.

  “Oh, my goodness, what ever will we do?” he replies sarcastically.

  “You’re no fun.” I continue pouting, turning away from him for full effect.

  Ever since Parker decided he wanted me in his life and to be exclusive, we’ve been inseparable, spending almost every free moment together. His parents are ecstatic; they have always loved me and rooted for me. And after Bo, Parker slipped into a deep depression. They begged me to pull him out of it. I never gave up on him.

  After months of avoidance from the guy I love, it’s as if we never missed a beat, picking up exactly where we left off—but this time the romance is a two-way street.

  He never makes me guess. It’s probably his way of showing that he is willing to give himself fully to me, to be vulnerable. Any chance he has to be affectionate, he takes, kissing me until I’m sure my lips are going to fall off, holding my hand until it goes numb.

  Something changed his viewpoint on dating me, drastically. It could be the aftershock of losing a loved one, or maybe after time apart, he realized he can’t live without me. Either way, I’m savoring every moment.

  “Jerk.” My insult is lame, and I’m smiling the entire time.

  “What did you call me?” He inches closer.

  “Jerk,” I repeat, giggling and playfully swatting at him.

  He grabs my wrists lightly, stopping me, and then whispers the words I’ve been waiting to hear for far too long. “I think I’m in love with you.”

  I tremble as the words ring through me. I love Parker with every ounce in me. It’s been years of unrequited love, feeling like he’ll never feel the same way. I’ve dreamed of this moment countless nights, gossiped with my best girl friends about my future with Parker.

  He doesn’t wait for me to say those three words back; he simply lowers his lips to mine. The passion in my kisses will do all the talking for me. Only a blind person could overlook my feelings for Parker.

  11

  Having so many broken bones has been like a curse and a blessing all in one. Everyone waits on you hand and foot, but you can’t do a lot of things for yourself, which can get frustrating. Madalynne has spent the summer nursing me back to health. While I appreciate it, I wonder if she’s tired of me by now. I haven’t been able to be the man I know she needs me to be, and that sucks.

  By the time we are ready to return for senior year, my leg bears the only remnant left of the accident. With the walking cast on it, I’ve been managing quite nicely.

  It’s the weekend before our first day, and Maddy and I are sprawled out on my couch watching Breaking Bad.

  “Are you going to miss this?” I ask, referring to our hermit status the past couple of months.

  “Of course I will.”

  “I’m excited to see Dylan.” He’s been my best friend since we were in grade school. We saw each other a few times over the summer, but his strict father kept him busy.

  “And Kendall,” she adds.

  I run my fingers through her hair gently. “Thank you for everything.”

  She shrugs. “It’s nothing.”

  “Don’t be modest—not with this.”

  “You’re welcome.” She feeds me the answer I’m seeking.

  “So, any predictions for the year ahead of us?” It’s our tradition to ask this every year at the start of the year to see what actually will come true by the end. Last year, Maddy predicted that we were going to travel the world together. That hasn’t happened yet, but I’m optimistic.

  “I think it’s going to be a very rewarding and fulfilling year filled with a lot of new experiences and challenges.” Somehow, it’s so easy for her to come up with this stuff, but something in my bones tells me it holds some validity.

  It’s my senior year, and while I’m beginning it in a walking cast, I can’t help but feel proud. I hold my head high as I walk through the familiar doors and halls of my school.

  I don’t make much progress. Every two feet, someone stops me asking about my accident or wanting to know if I’m okay—it’s all just a little overwhelming. My heart begins racing from the anxiety.

  “Parker!” Dylan’s familiar voice lowers my anxiety level a bit.

  “Dylan, hey man.” I embrace him, making sure not to put too much pressure on my left leg as I do so.

  “I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever,” he exclaims, his brown eyes widening.

  “It’s because I’ve been a hermit, healing my battle wounds. What do you have to say for yourself?” He came to visit right after the accident, but I’ve only seen him once briefly after that.

  “My father got me an internship at his law firm. You know I had my work cut out for me.” He laughs stiffly.

  I know his father better than I care to admit, and let’s just say he doesn’t take it easy on Dylan…if anything he pushes him to be the best at everything. Sometimes he can push too hard.

  Kendall’s blond hair is visible through the crowd, and she smiles big when she sees me. “Hey, Parker.”

  “Hey.” I greet her as she slips her body underneath Dylan’s long arms. “How was your summer?”

  “Oh, you know, the usual—tanning, shopping, relaxing.”

  Definitely the life…

  I nod my head uncomfortably. “Have you seen Maddy around?”

  “Last thing I saw, she was holed up at your locker. My how the tides have changed.” Kendall pokes me in the shoulder. “Go get your girl.”

  I grin back at her. “Thanks, Kendall.” Pushing past the pair, I let my feet lead the way toward my locker. When I round the corner, it isn’t hard to pick Madalynne out of the crowd. I can recognize her from practically any angle. She is wearing a spaghetti strap polka dot dress, her skin bronzed from the summer sun.

  I’ve been worried that our summer ways won’t last. Everything has been so simple, so easy…something our relationship isn’t accustomed to. It’s as though we just picked up exactly where we left off, and I’m not complaining.

  “Hey,” I whisper, approaching her from behind.

  She spins around at the sound of my voice, her hair and dress whipping around with her. “Hey, babe.”

  And then she kisses me for all the world to see, like nothing ever changed between us.

  “That was nice,” I say as she breaks off the kiss.

  “I have to get to class. See you at lunch?” She glances up at the clock on the wall.

  “Sure.” I kiss her on the cheek and then watch as she quickly makes her way toward her first class of the day. I’m not in a hurry to get to any class and be bombarded with more questions about my accident. My head feels like it is about to explode.

  By sixth period, I say screw it and decide to take a break from it all, skipping my advanced woodworking class. As I was walk out into the field adjacent to the school, a text rings through to my phone from Jacqueline.

  Hope you’re having a great first day of senior year!

  I smile briefly, writing back, Call me.

  I know she’s in school like me but assume she might be on an off period. Just my luck, she is.

  “Hey, you,” I answer on the second ring.


  “How the hell have you been?” Jacqueline’s voice is high-pitched and emotional. She knows about my accident—I had enough sense to make that happen—but I’ve kept my distance during these last few months as I’ve spent nearly every waking moment with Madalynne.

  “I’m better! I’m almost back to normal, and I am feeling good.” Honestly, I’m feeling lucky. There isn’t much for me to complain about nowadays.

  “I am so happy to hear that! What else is going on?” Jacqueline always makes me feel comfortable, allowing me to come out of my shell.

  “Well, I am the main attraction at my school right now—my accident is the talk of the town…honestly, it’s a little overwhelming.” I sigh loudly into my phone.

  “I bet. You’re Parker Grant. You must have everyone reeling.” She always knows the right thing to say.

  I chuckle. “You could say that…”

  “How are things with Madalynne?” Jacqueline rarely ever asks about her, and I almost prefer it that way, but I can’t avoid her question.

  “Better than ever.”

  “That’s great,” she says, her response lacking enthusiasm.

  “She was really there for me after my accident, never leaving my side. I owe her my life.”

  “Good for you.” Her response is stiff.

  “Thank you for being a good friend…you’ve always been there for me when I needed you,” I tell her.

  There is audible silence before I hear any kind of response.

  “Good luck, Parker.”

  “Jacqueline,” I begin, not wanting her to be angry with me.

  “I wish you the best.”

  “Stop being like that. You know I care about you, and I don’t want to lose our friendship.” I have to draw the line sometime…the summer is what convinced me I can’t continue to feel these feelings for Jacqueline while head over heels with Madalynne—it isn’t fair or right.

  I still want Jacqueline in my life as a friend, but not a friend I have sexual thoughts about or a yearning desire to meet. I want Jacqueline to be another Kendall in my life, but I’m unsure how to make that transition.

  If Madalynne wasn’t in the picture, I would pursue Jacqueline no matter the depths or the distance. But Madalynne trumps everything and everyone…she always does. To me, everyone else pales in comparison.

  I don’t want to hurt Jacqueline, and I definitely don’t want to lose her. Unfortunately, you can cut the awkward tension with a knife.

  “I’ll talk to you later,” she says shortly before I hear the click and disconnect of the line.

  I never wanted to hurt her. After my accident, things were put into perspective. My priorities were highlighted, and I remembered what I wanted out of life. Jeopardizing any part of my relationship with Madalynne is the furthest thing from what I want.

  Even though it sucks hurting Jacqueline, it’s necessary for the success of my relationship with Madalynne, and this time I’m diving head first.

  “What are you doing?” she asks, filling the silence.

  “Just lying here.”

  “Let me guess, in the dark? Parker, you can’t shut out the world forever.” Jacqueline states the obvious.

  As I position the phone closer to my ear, my body shifts in the bed. The blankets wrap around my lower legs and feet. “Tell me something good.” It’s a segment we’ve been revisiting on every phone call and instant messaging conversation we have. It’s something she came up with to help minimize the negativity surrounding Bo’s death. It’s been almost two weeks now, but it isn’t getting easier, no matter how many good things I can list off per day.

  She breathes into the phone, seemingly preparing her answer. “My urges were out of control today, but then I thought about you and Bo and refocused that energy.”

  Her confession takes me by surprise. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?” The idea that the person who’s been my rock for the last two weeks might leave me as well has me shitting bricks.

  “I’m fine. My mother reached out to me.”

  “Not again. What did she want now?” Jacqueline’s mother has been a deadbeat since she was born. She hasn’t told me everything she had to go through when she was younger, but she’s indulged enough. The last time she reached out to Jac was a few months ago asking for money. It would be surprising if she was reaching out for anything else.

  She coughs. “She wants my forgiveness.”

  “I’m sorry, what?” From what she’s told me, her mother would have to go through hell and high water to be back in her life.

  There are a few beats of silence before she responds. “I didn’t give it to her, if that’s what you’re wondering. I hung up on her. The thing is, I forgave her a long time ago—but I’ll never forget what she put me through. I have invisible scars from the damage.”

  “Good for you. She doesn’t deserve you.”

  She scoffs into the phone, but I’m just speaking the truth.

  “Look, I gotta go. It’s dinner time. Have a good night, okay? And if you feel the urge again, call me. No matter what time it is, just pick up the phone and dial me. I’ll talk to you until you feel like it’s passed.”

  “Wait!” she exclaims, startling me. “You’re cheating. You didn’t do yours yet.”

  She’s right. How unacceptable of me. “You’re right. My bad. Okay, here goes…the reason I’ve been able to get out of bed in the mornings is because of you.”

  “Parker,” she swoons into the phone.

  “I’m serious. So, whenever you get those urges, just remember that.”

  She giggles. “You are seriously my favorite person in the entire world.”

  “And you are mine.”

  12

  Homecoming is on everyone’s mind. Girls everywhere are dreaming of the countless ways they will be asked and by whom.

  In a way, I have the upper hand. I don’t have to stress about being asked; I know Parker and I will go together. It takes a little of the magic away, but I still don’t know how he will ask.

  His walking cast was removed las week, making him the perfect date. He’s back to being his normal self, and then some.

  “Chinese tonight?” Parker asks as we witness another elaborate invitation, balloons everywhere.

  I look up into his brown eyes. “Sure.”

  Parker leans down to kiss me softly. “Pick you up at six.”

  I nod, grinning lightly.

  Mindlessly, I go through the rest of my classes for the day and then rush home to get ready for our date.

  I’m not big on makeup, but I opt for eyeliner, mascara, and blush to accent my features. I pin one of the sides of my hair back and wear a black dress with a leather bodice and a sheer, long skirt along with a pair of my leather booties.

  In reality, I’m probably overdressed. Everything Parker and I do is so casual, being comfortable the norm, but there is no denying how good I look in the dress. I’m sure Parker won’t be complaining one bit.

  When he shows up to my doorstep, his jaw is practically to his knees and remains so for about the first ten minutes as he takes me in. I know I look good, but Parker’s intense stare justifies my thoughts. “You look beautiful, Maddy.”

  I blush, knowing he would say more if he could. “Thank you.” I follow him to his car and climb in, ready to find out what he has planned for the entire evening.

  I’m sure he is going to take me to our usual choice when it comes to Chinese cuisine, but Parker surprises me by driving in the complete opposite direction. “Where are we going?” I finally inquire.

  “It’s a surprise.” Parker shoots me a playful glance before shifting his eyes back to the road. He knows very well how I feel about surprises…yet he still finds time to be amused when he irritates me. I have decided it is a superpower of his.

  When we finally pulled up to Kwan’s, I step out of the car, confused. “This isn’t much of a surprise…I drive past here like every day.”

  “When was the last time you stopped?” he asks me.


  “Never…”

  “I have a feeling you are going to love Kwan’s. Maybe you’ll even get to meet Mr. Kwan—I hear he’s here on a regular basis.” Parker’s eyes light up animatedly.

  Although Parker’s choice in dish is questionable, the food is undeniably good. He was right on the money when he had said I would love it. I order my usual beef and broccoli, but the beef is so tender it’s to die for. Parker is more of a risk taker with his choice of elk, which he enjoys thoroughly.

  When our bill arrives and we are stuffed beyond comprehension, I notice the two fortune cookies waiting for us. My rule with fortune cookies is simple: if it is a favorable fortune, I eat the cookie. Any other outcome and the cookie is tossed with the fortune.

  “You ready to do this?” Parker asks me, grabbing both cookies and tossing one at me.

  I catch it effortlessly. “I almost hope it’s a bad one because I can barely breathe I’m so stuffed!” I rub my temporarily extended gut.

  Parker chuckles then points back at my fortune cookie. “You first.”

  I begin popping the plastic wrapper so I can get to the fortune cookie. I break it in half quickly, pulling out the slim white paper from inside.

  I couldn’t imagine spending this night with anyone else. Will you go to homecoming with me?

  “How did you do this?” The words leave my mouth before I fully comprehend what he must have gone through to make this happen.

  “I pulled some strings.” He grins big and wide. “So, what do you say? Homecoming…with me?”

  I roll my eyes. “You’re crazy if you ever thought I could go with anyone else.”

  He kisses me quickly then.

  “I still can’t believe you pulled this off.” I shake my head, feeling an overwhelming sense of love.

  “You are worth it, Maddy. You should know that by now.”

  He is so creative, impulsive, and passionate. I can’t think of another guy who even compares.