One Chance (Part One) Page 3

  “We will always be friends.”

  “No, like I miss talking to you about everything, can we talk like that even if it’s through text or calls or hell even emails?”

  “Are you sure? That may cause problems with Kenzie.”

  “I honestly don’t care. If she can’t accept the fact that I’m friends with her sister, then that’s her problem.”

  “Okay, we can see how it goes. I don’t want to cause issues though, you know that.”

  “You won’t, so don’t even worry about it.”

  “Alright, if you say so. Are you okay to walk across the street?”

  “Yeah, I sobered up some. Thank you for hanging out with me tonight.”

  “Anytime,” I say as I get out of the car, as Brody gets out on the other side.

  “Night Brody.”

  “Goodnight Hails,” he says before making the short walk across the street. I head inside and get quickly washed up before heading to bed. Kenzie’s door is shut which tells me she’s here; I wonder why she didn’t come out tonight. Even if they fight, she still shows face.

  The next morning comes quick and before I can register what’s happening, I hear Kenzie screaming at me.

  “How fucking dare you,” she snaps.

  As I try to adjust my eyes to morning and the rampage my sister is on, I try to figure out what her deal is before opening my mouth. “What is your problem?” I ask softly.

  “You,” she shrieks.

  “What did I do?” I ask as I sit up in my bed.

  “What did you do with my boyfriend last night?”

  “Talked and then I took him home, why?”

  “You can’t have him Haley, he’s mine.”

  “I’m not trying to take him.”

  “Why can’t you just let him alone?”

  “He was my best friend until you became a girlfriend from hell. He is my friend and you just need to get over it.”

  “You can’t have him,” she says again.

  “I want him as a friend Kenzie, that’s all.”

  “Since when?”

  “Since you started dating him,” I snap back.

  “What?”

  “I would never go after a guy you date, you’re my freaking sister. You two have been together for four years, why would I try to break that up?”

  “Because you want him for yourself.”

  “I want his friendship, I miss being best friends with him, but I can assure you, that is all I want from Brody.”

  “It better be.”

  “But Kenz, we are going to be friends again and you need to deal with that.”

  “We’ll see,” she says as she walks out of my bedroom, slamming my door. I look and see its only 8:38 a.m. Ugh, it’s too early for this crap. I try to lie back down but it’s useless, I’m not getting any more sleep today.

  After grabbing a quick shower, I throw on a pair of shorts and a tank top before heading downstairs to grab a bite to eat.

  “Hey,” I say, looking confused to see Brody standing in the kitchen.

  “Morning,” he says looking towards the floor.

  “Kenzie wake you up too?”

  “Yeah,” he says looking bothered.

  “I told her we are going to be friends and that she needs to deal with it,” I state firmly.

  “That’s why I’m here,” he says finally looking up.

  “What’s up?”

  “I don’t know what to do,” he says looking nervous.

  “Seriously?” I ask angrily.

  “She’s pissed.”

  “Fine, we won’t be friends. Problem solved,” I say annoyed as I walk over to grab a bottle of water out of the fridge.

  “Hails stop. We are friends, I miss being friends with you and that’s going to change.”

  “How? If you can’t stand up to my sister, then no it won’t.”

  “Stand up to me about what?” Kenzie says from behind us.

  “That we can be friends.”

  “You aren’t friends, you two haven’t been for years.”

  “Whose fault is that?” I snap.

  “Look Hails, I love you, you’re my sister, but I can’t have you messing with my relationship.”

  “And how have I messed with your relationship?”

  “You want my boyfriend,” she states matter of fact.

  “Wow, you have some fucking nerve. For your information Kenzie, I don’t want Brody. I moved on from him a long time ago. I miss my best friend and he was my best friend and if I can get that back, then I will. You need to get over yourself.”

  “That’s not going to happen,” she states angrily.

  “It’s not your decision.”

  “Brody tell her,” Kenzie orders.

  “She’s right, it’s my decision,” he says standing up for himself, hopefully for our friendship.

  “What’s your decision, Brody?” I ask, both of us watching and waiting for Brody’s comments.

  “Hails you’ve been my best friend practically forever minus the last four years and I miss it. I’m sorry Kenzie, but I want my friendship with Hails back.”

  “What?” she shrieks.

  “Why can’t I date you and be friends with Hails?” he asks calling Kenzie out.

  “Because you can’t. It’s weird.”

  “What’s weird about it?” I ask.

  “You can’t date me and be best friends with my sister, it just doesn’t work.”

  “Yes it can. What are you afraid of Kenz?” I ask surprised.

  “I’m not afraid of anything,” she quickly retorts.

  “Then what’s the problem?” Brody asks.

  “Ugh, fine, be friends, do what you want, I don’t care,” she says before storming up the stairs.

  “Well that went well,” I say sarcastically.

  “Yeah, sure did,” he says looking to the floor again.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “That I want my best friend back.”

  “Are you sure? It seems it may cause a lot of problems for you.”

  “For you too, she’ll just have to get over it.”

  “Good,” I say with a smile.

  “Do you want to hang out today?”

  “Yes.”

  “Game room?”

  “Yes, let’s go,” I say practically pushing him out of my house. We run across the street and head to the game room. We start playing games and talking like no time has passed.

  After a few hours, we decide to sit on the couch and talk.

  “Are you seriously not coming to West Virginia?”

  “I’m not. I need to do this for me,” I admit.

  “I get that, it’s just not going to be the same, now that we are getting back to where we once were. I’m sorry I didn’t fight to keep you in my life before.”

  “Its fine, no need to apologize, what’s done is done.”

  “I know, but if I would have stood firm on what I wanted, then we wouldn’t be in this situation now.”

  “Brody we still saw each other, hell, our families will always be close. We were young and you and Kenz needed that time to learn more about each other as a couple. I get it.”

  “I’m sorry though.”

  “You are forgiven. Now let’s just hope she gets over herself.”

  “She will.”

  “I bet she’s glad I’m not going to school with you two now. But I can promise you, I’m over you, that was a long time ago,” I say truthfully. I watch, as he just stares at me not saying a word.

  “Hey,” Kenzie says from the stairs.

  “Hey,” we say in unison.

  “I’ve been thinking,” she says softly, “I want us to all be how we used to be. I shouldn’t have made you two end your friendship like I did. Neither of you deserved that; I guess I was just jealous and dumb.”

  “It’s fine. How about we just move forward starting now and let the past stay in the past?” I ask hopeful.

  “I’d like that,” she says happily a
s she comes over and takes a seat beside Brody, “I love you both and I want us to be close.”

  “I want that too.”

  “I’m sorry I’ve been such a lousy twin sister. I guess I just like the attention way more than I should and what I’ve done to you is not fair. I won’t do that anymore Hails.”

  “I’m over it. Now we leave in a few short weeks to start the next phase of our lives,” I say excitedly.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to come to West Virginia with us? I don’t know what I’m going to do without you there.”

  “You’ll be fine, you have no trouble making friends and you’ll have Brody there with you too. I’ve made my decision.”

  “Michigan, really?” she asks solemnly.

  “Yep. I love their campus and I’m excited.”

  “I’m happy for you,” Brody says kindly.

  “We are going to come visit you and you have to come visit us,” Kenz says sounding hopeful.

  “Definitely. Plus we’ll still text and talk.”

  “Okay, let’s make a promise that we will not let college pull us apart,” Kenzie says looking between me and Brody.

  “College could never pull us apart,” I say honestly.

  “I agree, if anything, it may make us closer,” Brody says happily.

  For the next few weeks, Brody, Kenzie, and I have hung out constantly, just reminiscing on the good ol’ days and how we are looking forward to the future. We talk about seeing each other during holiday break, so we will all be coming home to hang out. I feel happier than I have in a long time and it’s because I have my sister who’s being normal and my best friend back. Life is good.

  “I can’t believe I’m not going to see you every day,” Kenzie says as she gives me a hug.

  “I know, but we are still going to talk, so it’s going to be okay,” I say with a reassuring smile.

  “Girls, we haven’t even left yet,” Brody says while he starts to laugh.

  “I’m gonna miss you too,” I say walking over to give Brody a hug.

  “I’ll miss you too. Remember if you need any help with anything, just ask Liam,” he reminds me.

  “Not happening, I already told you this.”

  “Why not?” Kenz asks confused.

  “Because he’s been a jerk to me forever, I won’t ask him for help on anything,” I state firmly.

  “He has been exceptionally rude to you, but why?” Brody asks.

  “Who knows,” I say, not caring.

  “You know what, I heard it was because you cock blocked him once with a girl,” Kenz says surprising me.

  “What? No I didn’t,” I defend.

  “Now that you say that, I heard that too. That would have pissed him off,” Brody says.

  “I never did that.”

  “I don’t know, just saying what I heard,” Kenzie says while Brody shakes his head in agreement.

  “Well that’s wrong, so if that’s why he’s been mean to me, then he can get over himself.”

  “But honestly Hails, if you need anything go to him, he will help you,” Brody says kindly.

  “You didn’t tell him I was going to Michigan did you?” I practically yell.

  “No, I didn’t, calm down.”

  “Okay good. Don’t and I won’t need his help. I’m going to be fine on my own.”

  “I know you will and we are here for you,” Kenz says sweetly.

  “Girls it’s time to go if you’re going to make it on time,” Mom says, “Oh hi Brody, I didn’t know you were here,” she says with a smile.

  “Yeah, just saying goodbye to Hails,” he says sweetly.

  “Are you sure you don’t want us to drive you there sweetie?” Mom asks me.

  “No, I’m good; there are two of them and a lot more stuff to carry in. Go with Kenzie and Brody.”

  “Your father can come with you,” she says hopeful.

  “I’ll be fine; I know my way around the campus a little already. Thanks though Mom.”

  I spend the next fifteen minutes putting the rest of my stuff in my car and saying goodbye to Mom, Dad, Kenzie, Brody, Isaac, and the Masters before hopping into my car and heading towards my future.

  The drive takes about ten hours. Ten hours by yourself is a very long time. After hour five, I was bored out of my mind, but when I got to campus, I couldn’t be more excited and the thought of the drive is now a distant memory.

  After heading to registration, I’m able to locate my dorm. I park my car by my dorm that I now get to call home for this year. I grab a few bags and head inside to find my roommate already in our room.

  “Hey, my name’s Quinn,” she says holding her hand out to shake.

  “I’m Haley, it’s nice to meet you,” I say, as I shake her hand.

  “You too. I already took that bed,” she says as she points to the bed on the left.

  “Oh okay, cool,” I say as I toss my bags on my bed before deciding to head down to my car to retrieve more.

  “Do you need help bringing your stuff in?” Quinn asks.

  “Yeah, if you don’t mind.”

  “Okay, lead the way,” she says as she follows me out the door and down to my car.

  We grab a bunch more stuff and bring it up to the dorm before heading out for one last trip. After throwing everything in my room, I can’t help but walk out and take a look at the dorm room.

  “This is a nice room, but it’s small?”

  “Yeah, its super small, but it will do.” Quinn states. “Apparently all the rooms in this building are set up this way, and the community rooms and the rest of the building is pretty nice too.”

  Quinn and I spend the rest of the evening unpacking, then hanging out and getting to know one another. She’s 5’4”, very petite, with red hair that has gold highlights in it. She’s extremely talkative and outgoing; as I’m finding out the longer I sit here and listen to her.

  “So you have an identical twin sister?” she asks in utter shock.

  “Yes.”

  “But she’s not coming to school here?”

  “No, she’s going to West Virginia with her boyfriend, my best friend, Brody.”

  “You didn’t want to go there?” she asks looking confused.

  “No, I realized I needed to make a choice and do something for me. I was always the twin that was in my sister’s shadow and I don’t want that anymore.”

  “Oh, well that makes sense. So what are you looking to change?”

  “Everything I guess.”

  “Okay, so change things a little at a time.”

  “That sounds good.”

  We compare classes and see we have two classes together. I really like Quinn. She’s down to Earth and really easy to talk to.

  Over the next three weeks, Quinn and I have grown really close. I trust her and I’m glad I have someone I can confide in.

  “So did you think of anything you want to change today?” she asks out of nowhere.

  “Sure did. For me to get completely out of my sister’s shadow, I think I need to dye my hair.”

  “Dye your hair?” she asks confused.

  “Yes, make myself look different than her. I also bought colored contacts.”

  “You don’t wear contacts though.”

  “I know, they are just going to change my eye color.”

  “What color did you get? Your blue eyes are really pretty.”

  “Green to go with the brown hair dye I bought,” I say holding up the bag with the items I purchased today.

  “I wish I had your eye color.”

  “You have green eyes though.”

  “I know, but they aren’t blue.”

  “Well now I’m about to have green eyes,” I say laughing, “You can get blue contacts if you want to.”

  “I didn’t think of that, maybe I will,” she says with a smile.

  “I’m gonna go dye my hair now,” I say as I head out the door towards the bathroom.

  “Okay, if you need any help let me know,” she ye
lls down the hall.

  “Thanks.”

  An hour and a half later, I’m walking back in the bedroom after drying my hair to check out my color. I throw in my new contacts to see how it all looks together.

  “What do you think?” I ask.

  “Wow, that turned out great,” she says as she stands up to take a better look.

  “Are you sure?” I ask nervously.

  “You look like a completely different person,” she says with the biggest smile ever.

  “Awesome, that was just the look I was going for.”

  “You seriously look hot. The guys are going to eat you up,” she says excitedly.

  “There’s only one guy I kind of want to see.”

  “Who? Is he in one of your classes?”

  “Umm…not exactly,” I say nervously.

  “Who?”

  “His name is Liam Masters.”

  “The quarterback of the football team, are you crazy?” she practically yells.

  “I know him. His brother Brody, is my best friend.”

  “Seriously? So then why are you trying to see him?”

  “I’ve dreamt of that boy forever, but he would never give me a chance. I’m curious if it would be the same now, since I look different. Ya know?”

  “Does he know you like him?”

  “No, he never did. He always thought I was hooked on Brody.”

  “Well, were you?”

  “At a time yes, he was my best friend, my world, but then he started dating my sister and they’ve been together ever since. I’ve been over him for years.”

  “So, how did you get hooked on his brother?”

  “Are you kidding me? Have you seen him? He’s fucking gorgeous.”

  “Yes, he is hot, but he also always has girls everywhere he turns.”

  “I know,” I say with a sad face.

  “Well talk to him, he knows you go here, right?”

  “No. I made my sister and Brody swear not to tell him.”

  “Why not?” she asks confused.

  “Because he’s been an ass to me the past few years.”

  “So, why do you want to see him then?”

  “I want to have sex with him just once. It’s always been a fantasy of mine.”

  “Do you seriously think he’s going to sleep with you, if he’s been a jerk to you?” she asks completely lost.

  “That’s what I’m going to find out. See if I can spot him at a party or something and go from there.”

  “You want to screw him when he’s drunk?” she asks laughing.