One Chance (Part One) Page 2

  Kenzie has had a crush on Liam for as long as I have, though I’m surprised she didn’t try to date him instead of Brody. She always gives Liam looks, but it doesn’t look like he notices, though I’m not sure Brody notices it happening either.

  Everyone sits at the table, it has Mom beside me to my left and Brody on my right, beside him is my Dad then Mr. Masters, also known as Darryl, then Liam, Isaac, Mrs. Masters, also known as Denise, then Kenzie who is on the other side of Mom.

  Looking around I now realize why Kenz is mad, she probably thought I switched seats so I could sit next to Brody, but I honestly didn’t even know he was supposed to sit there.

  “Guess what mom,” Isaac says excitedly.

  “What sweetie?”

  “We’re going to go to some of Liam’s games,” he says overly excited.

  “What?” she asks confused.

  “His football games, we’re going to go watch him,” he says explaining it to everyone at the table.

  “Yes Isaac, we are going to attend a few of his games, but Sport, it’s not gonna be too many, you have school and it’s a far drive.”

  “I know, but we still have to go to a few. Haley’s coming too,” he says surprising everyone including me.

  “Wait, what?” I ask out of nowhere.

  “I’m going too then,” Kenz says before I get a response.

  “Yeah, we figured that. You won’t let Brody go anywhere without you,” Isaac says loudly.

  “What?” Kenz shrieks.

  “It’s true,” Isaac says standing his ground.

  “Now Isaac, that’s enough. That was rude, you don’t say things like that,” Denise says trying to cause the commotion at the table to stop.

  “Sorry Kenzie, I wasn’t trying to be rude, I was just speaking the truth,” Isaac says. Liam starts laughing out loud causing most of us to join in the laughter too. Kenzie is the only one not laughing at the table, but it is true, she doesn’t let that boy out of her sight. Can we say annoying?

  The rest of the evening is spent hanging out watching Liam open his gifts, before heading home to relax and go to bed.

  Chapter Three (Present Day)

  “Can you believe we got in to West Virginia?” Kenzie says excitedly as we jump up and down in the den.

  “I know, it’s crazy.”

  “You’re going to room with me right?” she says as she stops jumping to look at me all serious.

  “You said Brody got in too, why don’t you two just get a place together?” I ask honestly. They are glued to the freaking hip.

  “Because I promised Mom that the first year I would stay in the dorm,” she says sounding annoyed.

  “Oh.”

  “So, we are going to room together.”

  “Why would you promise Mom that? You two will be together anyway,” I ask, not really wanting to room with her.

  “I know, but I had to appease her,” she says slightly annoyed.

  “If you say so,” I say before heading to the bathroom.

  “I’ll see you later; I’m going out with Brody.”

  “Have fun.”

  Over the next two weeks, I can’t help but watch for the mail every day. I’m excited about West Virginia, but I have my dreams set on another school, that school being Michigan. Going to watch a few games of Liam’s, I was able to see the campus and fell in love. It’s a beautiful university and has become my dream to attend there. No, it has nothing to do with Liam.

  “Hails, you got mail down here,” Mom yells from downstairs. I can’t help but race down the stairs as fast as my legs will carry me. Can today be the day, please, please, please be here, I chant to myself.

  “Where’s it at?” I ask eagerly.

  “Laying on the edge of the counter,” she says pointing to where the small stack lies. I go through piece after piece until I see it. I can’t help but stare at the envelope, this is my dream, I need them to accept me.

  “Why are you staring at the envelope dear?”

  “It’s Michigan,” I say never taking my eyes off the letter.

  “In order to know if you got accepted you need to open it,” she says softly.

  “I know, but that makes it official. What if I didn’t get in?”

  “Then you go to West Virginia with Kenzie.”

  “I guess so,” I say returning my gaze to the envelope.

  “Do you want me to open it for you?” she asks kindly.

  “No, I’ll open it, but will you stay here?”

  “Sure,” she says coming over to me; she wraps her arm around my shoulders while I rip open the envelope. I stare at the letter a few seconds while the answer to my dreams registers.

  “Congratulations sweetie,” Mom says while pulling me into her side.

  “I got in,” I yell excitedly. For the next fifteen minutes, I can’t help the silly smile that is plastered on my face. I’m going out on my own. I can be who I want to be and not Kenzie’s shadow. Life is good.

  “Do you want me to call Kenzie so you can tell her?” Mom asks as Dad walks into the kitchen.

  “NO,” I yell louder than intended, “You can’t tell her.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I will never hear the end of it, please just wait awhile. Please?” I beg my parents.

  “Haley, you are going to need to tell her,” Dad says.

  “I know, just let me enjoy this. As soon as I tell her, she’s going to flip and turn it all around on how it’s going to affect her. For once I’m doing something for me, please let me enjoy this.”

  “Okay,” they agree with smiles.

  “I will tell her, just not yet.”

  “We won’t say anything,” Mom says.

  “Thanks.”

  “I actually think it’s a good thing you two aren’t going to the same college,” Dad says surprising me.

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, now you get to go out there and be who you want to be and won’t have to worry about her trying to be the center of attention.”

  “Robert, that was rude,” Mom says scolding Dad.

  “It’s true. It’s been that way since forever. How do you think she ended up with Brody?” Dad says out of nowhere.

  “What?” mom and I both say confused.

  “You spent all your time with Brody, he was the one person that focused his attention on you more than her and she hated it. I just can’t believe they’ve been together as long as they have. I swore it would have been you that ended up with him,” Dad says.

  “Me too,” I admit.

  “Then why did you agree to let them date?” Mom asks.

  “She called me out, what was I supposed to say, that it bothered me? We were fourteen.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. It just seems like since they started dating you guys have never been the same,” Dad says.

  “We haven’t. I lost my best friend. It happens, but I’m going to move forward like I always do and be who I want to be,” I say excitedly.

  “I didn’t know you felt that way sweetie,” Mom says caringly.

  “Its fine, that was years ago. I’m over it and ready to move forward.”

  “Good. I’m so proud of you baby girl,” Dad says as he gives me a hug.

  “I’m proud of you too,” Mom says joining in on our little family hug.

  “Thanks,” I say excited. I can’t believe I got into Michigan.

  Two weeks later, I still haven’t told Kenzie I’m not going to West Virginia with her. I know how she’s going to react, so I keep putting it off.

  “What are you doing?” Kenzie asks as I change into a slip dress.

  “Getting ready to go to the bonfire.”

  “You’re going to that?”

  “Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”

  “Because I’m not going.”

  “So, I don’t need you there,” I say angrily. I can’t believe the nerve of her.

  “We never go without each other.”

  “Yes, we do. We didn’t go last year
together, you went with Brody.”

  “Yeah, but we were still there,” she argues.

  “Are you guys not going?”

  “No, we aren’t.”

  “Well I am, so if you don’t mind, I need to finish getting ready,” I say heading towards my dresser to finish my make-up.”

  “What is your problem lately?”

  “You,” I snap.

  “Me, what did I do to you?”

  “Are you serious right now?” I seethe.

  “Yeah.”

  “I can’t go because you aren’t going to be there, seriously? I’m so tired of you acting like you’re so much better than me,” I practically shout.

  “I don’t act like I’m better than you,” she says looking innocent.

  “The hell you don’t. You always have and I’m tired of it,” I holler.

  “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,” she states looking annoyed.

  “Really? How about the time I wanted to wear my princess dress to school, you knew which one was my favorite and you just had to put it on once we got to school and show off. Or how about the time when Ryan Miller liked me, you had to go swoop in and date him for a week. Then we have the whole ‘hey guys, oh yeah that’s just my twin, I’m the fun one bullshit?’ If you want me to get worse I can,” I snap not caring anymore.

  “Can I help it if you were shy and scared and I wasn’t?”

  “Oh my God, do I look fucking scared?” I argue, getting into her face.

  “So you’re growing a back bone for once. It’s about damn time.”

  “A back bone, here’s a freaking back bone for you, I’m not going to West Virginia with you,” I shout.

  “What?” she yells, “You aren’t going to college?”

  “Yes, I am going to college, just not with you.”

  “And where do you think you’re going?” she asks in a cocky attitude.

  “Michigan.”

  “No, you aren’t.”

  “Yes, I am. I got my acceptance letter a few weeks ago.”

  “Why am I just now hearing this then?”

  “Because I knew you would try to change it and do the ‘pity me’ shit.”

  “You seriously aren’t coming to West Virginia?”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Just wait until Mom and Dad find out, they are going to be pissed,” she says looking smug.

  “They already know.”

  “What?” she asks stunned.

  “I’m done being your stupid shadow. Now you get to go and be who you want, without using me to make yourself feel better.”

  “You act like I treat you like crap.”

  “There are many times you have. I’m your twin sister, not your stepping stone.”

  “I didn’t realize you felt that way. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way,” she says changing tones.

  “But you do. You have to be the center of attention, so you will do whatever you need to do to make yourself look good. I can’t stand it.”

  “I said I was sorry,” she yells.

  “I hear you, but it’s not going to change my decision.”

  “Fine, go to a different school. Good luck with that,” she says, before walking out and slamming my bedroom door.

  When I get to the party, the bonfire is going strong. People are everywhere and cars are parked throughout the place. One of the guys we graduated with throws a bonfire every year at his house. His parents monitor it and make sure it doesn’t get too out of hand.

  Usually alcohol is snuck in, but I try to not get out of hand with it and since I’m driving, only one or two for me tonight.

  It’s only 8:00 p.m. and people look drunk and are falling over. I can’t help but stare and wonder why they didn’t pace themselves.

  “Hey Haley,” my friend Ashley says.

  “Hey Ash, this looks crazy.”

  “Oh my gosh, is it ever. Let’s go grab a drink and hang out.” I follow Ash and we each grab a can of beer before taking a seat in some of the chairs.

  “You know your sister isn’t here right, but Brody is,” Ash says surprising me.

  “What? She said they weren’t coming.”

  “Apparently there’s trouble in paradise,” she says, as she nods in the direction of Brody. He looks drunk.

  “He didn’t drive, did he?”

  “No, Matt did.”

  “Okay good, because he looks a little drunk.”

  “Sure does and he hasn’t been too nice to people tonight either.”

  “Maybe I should talk to him.”

  “You can try, but good luck.” I get out of my chair and leave my beer there feeling like I better not put another drink anywhere around Brody right now.

  “Hey,” I say as I approach him.

  “Hey Hails,” he says sounding anything but happy.

  “Can we talk?”

  “Sure,” he says but doesn’t move.

  “Can we go somewhere else, where there aren’t as many people to overhear?”

  “Yeah,” he says as he stumbles slightly. We walk towards the front of the house and sit on the steps.

  “What’s going on with you?”

  “What do you mean?” he asks like he has no idea what I’m talking about.

  “You’re drunk and you don’t really drink. You’re here and Kenz isn’t.”

  “She’s being a bitch.”

  “Did you tell her that?”

  “Actually yeah, I did. I also told her I shouldn’t have dated her.”

  “What? Why? You guys have been together for four years.”

  “Because you were who I wanted to date,” he says as he stares at me through hooded eyes.

  “What?” I ask confused and thrown off.

  “The day you came over and Kenzie asked me out, I was going to ask you out.”

  “Then why didn’t you?”

  “Because you said you didn’t care if I dated her, so I took it that you didn’t like me like that.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yeah.”

  “The day you started dating Kenzie, I lost my best friend.”

  “I’m sorry, she would just get jealous when I tried to include you to the point I stopped asking.”

  “I know, I was there too. So how do you think she’s going to feel knowing we’re here and she isn’t?”

  “Not good, but I don’t honestly care. College is about to come and we’re going to have a blast.”

  “W-What?” I stutter.

  “I don’t know what’s going to happen with me and Kenz, but I miss my best friend. I want us to hang out like we used to. I miss you Hails.”

  “I need to tell you something Brody,” I say nervously.

  “What’s that?”

  “I’m not going to West Virginia with you and Kenzie.”

  “What? Yeah you are, we all got accepted.”

  “I know, but I got accepted into another school and I don’t want to be Kenzie’s shadow anymore.”

  “You were never her shadow.”

  “Don’t tell her that.”

  “So where are you going?”

  “Michigan,” I say softly, nervous about his response.

  “Seriously? That’s awesome,” he says surprising me.

  “Yeah, I’m pretty excited about it,” I say happily.

  “I could tell you liked it there when we went to the football games. It’s a good school.”

  “Yes it is. I need to do this for me Brody. I would love to be friends like we once were, but I can’t go to West Virginia with you guys.”

  “No, I understand and I’m really happy for you Hails. You deserve this,” he says before leaning in and giving me a hug. “Damn, I’ve missed you.”

  “I’ve missed you too.”

  “I’m sorry I’ve been such a dick.”

  “You’re in a relationship, it happens.”

  “But it shouldn’t have. She’s your sister and you were my best friend. I shouldn’t have let
that change and I’m truly sorry.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “You tell Liam you’re going to Michigan?” he asks changing the subject.

  “No, why would I tell him?”

  “Because he goes there. He could probably help you out.”

  “No, that’s okay, I’ll figure it out on my own,” I reply quickly.

  “It’s a big campus; he could give you some pointers.”

  “Brody its fine, he doesn’t need to know I’m there.”

  “Did something happen?” he asks looking confused.

  “No, he just hasn’t been very nice the past few years, so I prefer him not knowing I’m there if possible.”

  “You don’t think he wouldn’t recognize you?” he asks while looking at me like I have two heads.

  “I know he would and if he does then I’ll deal with it, but he doesn’t need to know now.”

  “Okay, if that’s what you want.”

  “It is. Do you want me to take you home?” I ask changing the subject.

  “No, I want to hang out with you and remember this night forever,” he says as he stands up. I follow suit and we head to the back of the house where the bonfire is. He walks over to the cooler and grabs us each a bottle of beer.

  “Are you sure you should drink anymore?” I ask worriedly.

  “I’m fine, I’m gonna slow down.”

  “Okay good,” I say as I find a lawn chair and take a seat next to the fire. It’s getting chilly the later it gets. The fire is burning brightly and I watch it burn, while Brody takes the seat next to mine. For the next three hours, we sit there talking about everything and anything, just enjoying one another’s company. It feels like the old days and damn have I missed him.

  Before I know it, it’s already passing midnight and the majority of the crowd has left, due to being drunk. Some are passed out in the back yard, others had friends drive them home.

  “Do you want me to drive you home?”

  “Yes please,” he says as he stands up. We make our way to my car. I stopped drinking hours ago, so I know I’m good to go. I drive us home deciding to just park in my driveway and let him walk across the street.

  “You feeling okay?”

  “Yeah, tonight was fun, thank you.”

  “It was fun. I’ve missed you Brody.”

  “I’ve missed you a lot Hails. No matter what happens with Kenzie, can we be friends again please?”