Chapter – 2

Two weeks have passed since my father was laid to rest, and it still doesn’t feel like reality has kicked in. Instead this is more like a dream, a crazy nightmare  that I can’t wake up from. You know the nightmares I’m talking about. The scary weird ones, where you’re running towards the light at the end of the road, but someone is right behind you to suck you back into the darkness that you can’t possibly escape from. Yeah I know what you’re thinking, you’re thinking this girl’s crazy, and that I have watched one too many horror movies. Well maybe you’re right on the horror movie part, but anyway now where was I? Oh Yeah! I was about to explain all the things that have been going on the passed two weeks, well here it goes. My father was given two medals, one for bravery, and the other one he was given is the medal of honor. Things here have gone from bad to worse. Adam of course is blinded by his newly found relationship with Heather, while everyday is a reality check for me. Mom has only gotten worse since the night we received the information of my fathers passing, and has taken up drinking. I’m not talking about drinking the light stuff either. That’s right, she has turned to the hardcore dark liquor. She hasn’t even made it to work in weeks, and if it wasn’t for me this house would be a wreck. Grandma Emily and Grandma Vicki are constantly fighting with my mother, over which one of them is taking Adam and I away from her. My life can’t possibly get any worse, Or can it? 

It’s my first day back at school since that horrible evening two weeks ago, and I don’t even feel comfortable at school. I can’t help but shake the feeling that someone is watching me, but the question is who? Craig Morgan had fallen off of the face of the earth for all I care, and everyone else is mingling in the hall, of course the teachers await the students in their classrooms, and principle Bend-over (as some of the students call him) is in his office talking to one of the parents. I open my locker and reach onto the top shelf to grab my books that I will need for my first four blocks when I hear a familiar voice say, “I see you made it to school, like I had hoped you would. I heard the news over the T.V about your father, and I just wanted to come over to give you my condolences.” Then it occurred to me just who was behind me, “Craig Morgan!” I think to myself.

“Thank you Craig, but I do need to meet Heather and head to class,” I tell him, trying to rush him off. Craig gives a small frown before replying, “I haven’t seen or heard from you in a few weeks, but yet here you are trying to push me away. Faith, why are you pushing me away like this? We used to be so close, and even dated for a little while. I thought our relationship would outlast anybody’s. Look I know I’m not perfect, but I try to be the best I can be for you. Can a guy even apologize when he realizes that he was in the wrong?”

I furrow my brow and say, “Apologize? Craig, do you realize that it’s been almost a month since you did what you did? You’re the one who came to my house drunk, and then tried to force yourself on me! If it wouldn’t have been for Adam….” I begin, but am interrupted by Craig getting down on one knee and taking my hand into his before saying, “Faith, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me that night. You’re right, I should have came to you sooner than this. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about us. Just like you, I lost a parent too. My mother passed in a car wreck exactly 1 year ago from that night. I know, I know. I shouldn’t have been drinking, but if I get drunk enough it numbs the pain, at least for a little while. My father says that it’s been a year, and that I should get over it, but how can I? I know it doesn’t give me the right to force you into something that you clearly aren’t ready for. Faith, things haven’t been the same without you in my life. You made me more complete, and I have realized how much I love you. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me and start over?”

Warm tears run down my cheeks as I think of how things used to be. How we started off hot and heavy, and where things went wrong. How I longed for him to sneak through my bedroom window two weeks ago, and just hold me and tell me everything will be alright. He was always my comfort zone, and always knew just what to say to make me feel better. Then I think of his question. Can I find it in my heart to forgive him? I really don’t know how to answer that, nor do I know if I want to. He says he loves me, but if he did why didn’t he call me if he needed me? So many questions are running through my head that it’s starting to give me a headache, and not just any headache, but a migraine. “Well, what do you say? Will you give me a second chance?” Craig asks. “I-I don’t know what to say,” I reply as I wipe the tears from my face with the sleeve of my sweater. “Just say you’ll give me another chance. I’ll do whatever you want. I’ll beg in front of all of these people if that’s what it takes,” he says. Just then I feel a hand on my shoulder and I hear Adam say, “Is this jerk bothering you again? Get away from my sister before my fist meets your face!” “I was just leaving anyway. Faith, I meant every word I said, and all I ask is for you to think about it,” Craig says before getting off the floor and walks away.

“Are you alright? What was that guy thinking? Makes me just wanna show him a thing or two! This guy just doesn’t know when to stop. I hope you’re not seriously thinking about giving him another chance after the stunt he pulled,” Adam says as the bell rings to signal classes are starting. “Saved by the bell, and just in time too. Don’t get me wrong, I love my brother, but that doesn’t mean my life is like an open book to him. “I’ll be alright…. I-I have to get to class, I’ll see you after school,” I reply. “Make sure you meet me out front when school lets out!” he yells. I give him the thumbs up and head into the classroom. First class of the day is computer lab. At least I don’t have to worry about bumping into Craig in here.

This day feels like it’s just dragging on and on. Most likely because I can’t concentrate on my school work. The only thing I can even think about is my conversation with Craig earlier. “Oh what am I thinking? I know deep down that I can never trust him again, and that he’s only giving me lip service. Forgive him? How can I ever forgive him for trying to rape me?” I think to myself. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a guy smirk as he’s looking at me, and he comes and takes a seat at the desk directly across from me. “I see you haven’t really been working on your paper. Perhaps I can move a little closer and give you a hand with it?” he offers. “Umm… I think I got it now, but thank you anyway,” I reply. He then shrugs his shoulders and starts working on his assignment.

One hour later, the secretary’s voice comes over the intercom, “Excuse me, Mrs. Larson?” “Yes Ma’am?” Mrs. Larson replies. “Can you send Faith Parker to the office for parent pick up? ” The secretary asks. “Yes Ma’am, she’ll be right there.” Mrs Larson says. “Faith, go ahead and get your things and head to the office. Here, take this pass with you,” she tells me. I smile slightly, take the pass, and head to the office. “I wonder what that was all about?” I think to myself. Upon entering the office, I notice my mother standing there looking a little shaky. I hurriedly walk up to her and ask her if everything is okay. She gives me a little nod, and we head out to the car and head home. The trip home is very awkward. Adam’s sitting in silence in the backseat with his headphones in his ears as he listens to his Ipod, and Mom sits in silence as she fidgets around in her seat as if she wants to tell us something important.

A few moments later, we pull up in our driveway, and we all enter the house. As Adam and I head towards the stairs, Mom asks us to take a seat in the living room where I notice boxes with our names on them. I shrug it off and think of them only being clothes Adam and I have outgrown, and take a seat next to Adam on the couch. Mom then takes a seat across from us and says, “I know these past few weeks have been very hard on all of us, and with your grandparents arguing with one another, and trying to take the two of you away from me, I have came up with a decision of my own. I have found a nice little house for just the three of us in Beverly Hills California. I’ve done my research on the area and on the high school there, and I have already taken the time to have you both transferred to West Beverly High School. This house has already been sold, and the furniture along with it. We’re all going to have a fresh start. I think it’s a wise move, and I think we can all use a change of scenery.” “I can’t believe what I’m hearing! She wants me to move so far away from home, my family, and from my close friends whom I have known my entire life. I heave dealt with the drinking and her depression, but this time she has gone too far!” I think to myself. Adam hangs his head down low and looks at his feet. I know that look! The look of sorrow and not wanting to leave. I know how he feels, and how Heather is going to feel when we tell her that she’s not only losing one of us but both of us. I don’t want to leave my home or my best friend, but I do know that I don’t have a choice. It’s either I leave with my mother and my brother, or go and live with one of my grandparents where I will have to share a room with one of my aunts. UGH! Why can’t I have a normal life!?

“But I don’t want to to move! I have so much going for me here. I have my family, best friend, and my close friends here, and I know Adam feels the same way. I know he doesn’t wanna leave Heather behind!” I tell her. “Faith, we don’t have much of a choice! Your Grandma Emily and Papa Christian have made it perfectly clear, that they will take me to court to get your father’s only two children from me and that I will never see you again. So you see we have no choice but to leave! I found a good job at a lawyers office as his secretary, and it pays more than I get at my current job. I don’t want to leave here either. I have so many good memories here. Ones that your father and I shared, memories I will never forget. But I need to move forward, and for me to be able to do so, I need to start anew somewhere else. Somewhere I won’t be flooded of memories that has happened. Somewhere your grandparents won’t be watching and waiting for the right moment to snatch you from me.” She explains. Adam and I both look at our mother and give her a little smile and nod. “When do we leave?” Adam asks. “First thing in the morning. I figure I would give you this time to say your goodbyes and finish packing your things. Now go on and have fun with your friends,” Mom instructs. 

I head upstairs, and call Heather to fill her in on the news. Naturally there were some tears shed and her begging me not to leave. But once I explained the predicament Adam and I are now in, she understood our circumstances, and how we don’t have a choice but to move. I also told her we would love to see her before we go to the airport first thing in the morning. Naturally she agreed and rushed over as soon as we hung up the phone. I head downstairs to let Heather in, and once I open the door she rushes up and squeezes me tightly. “I’m going to miss you so much! I just don’t know what I’m gonna do without you!” She cries. My eyes tear up as I reply, “Oh Heatherboo, I don’t want to leave! I don’t know anyone in California, and just who am I gonna share all my secrets with when we move?” 

Heather smirks as she says, “Well, you can always tell Adam.” “Right I can just tell…. WAIT! What? No way would I tell him anything. He’s never been any good at keeping secrets!” I reply. Heather can’t help but to burst out laughing. “Hahaha, gotcha! But seriously dude, if you have something that big of a deal happen in your life, that better be when you pick up your phone and call me!” she says. “Which you know I will! Ugh! This sucks! Why do we have to be saying goodbye!? “It’s because you and your family can use a fresh start, and not to mention those nasty grandparents of yours, who are making things harder on you!” Heather says. I sigh before replying, “I’m glad you understand me so well, and there’s no one else on this earth who knows me like you do! With that said, there’s also someone upstairs who needs you right now.” I tell her. She gives me a nod, squeezes me one last time, and heads upstairs to visit with Adam.

The following morning, I awake to whispering coming from Adam’s room. I slowly get up from my bed, careful not to make a single sound and gradually crack Adam’s bedroom door open, only to find Heather snuggled up in bed with him. Oh my gosh! Did she spend the night with him? I wonder if Mom knows that she had stayed the night. Better not jump to conclusions, she could have just got here, but then again who am I kidding? Heather is never up at eight O’clock in the morning, not even if  her life depended on it. As for Adam, a tornado could come through here, and Adam would still be in bed sleeping. I carefully close the door, and head downstairs to make breakfast.

After staring in the fridge for what seems like forever, I finally decide to whip up some of Mom’s famous scrambled eggs, bacon, and buttermilk biscuits. As I put the biscuits in the oven, Heather and Adam emerge from upstairs giggling and whispering about. Their eyes widen in shock when they enter the kitchen and see me standing here. “Wh- what are you doing up so early?” Adam asks. “Uh I could ask you guys the same thing! Does Mom know that you had company last night?” I ask out of curiosity. “Uh, yes dufus. She stayed in the guest room.” Adam sarcastically replies with a smirk. Good thing I don’t believe that for one second, the expression on their faces tell me different. Heather clears her throat and changes the subject asshe says, “Yes well, my mother will also be meeting us at the airport so I can see you off. You know I wouldn’t miss that for the world!” 

Mom emerges from her room, and enters the kitchen and is pleased that I had made breakfast. As she sits down to eat, Heather tells her that her mother should be here soon, and that we should bring our things into the foyer. Adam and I agree, and the three of us head upstairs to begin taking boxes downstairs, which doesn’t take long considering it’s only the three of us that are moving, and all there is to take with us are our clothes and personal belongings. The door bell rings as we bring the last of the boxes down, and Adam opens the door to let Mrs. Morgan (Heather’s mother) in and shows her into the kitchen. As soon as Mom notices Mrs. Morgan standing before her, she looks at her watch and notices the time. “Goodness gracious! We’re running behind schedule! Our plane leaves in just two hours.” She gathers all of the paper plates and places them in the trash as Adam and I rush around and wash the remaining frying pans that are in the sink. “Oh gosh! What about our things!” I ask remembering they’re in the foyer. “Just grab your suitcases with your clothes, the moving men with gather the rest of our things. They’re going to be meeting us at our new house.” Mom explains. I give a little nod, and we grab our bags and head to the car. 

Forty five minutes later, we finally arrive at the airport. After rushing through security and security rummaging through our items, Mrs. Morgan and Heather escort us to the gates. Heather then turns and embraces me in a giant bear hug and says, “Oh bestieboo, I really wish you didn’t have to go! I’m really going to miss you! You’re the only true friend that I have ever had, when everyone else comes up with crumby excuses not to be my friend, or they just plain avoid me! Please promise to come and visit me from time to time. Maybe if my mom says it’s alright, I can come and stay with you during the summer.” I smile and tell her I would love it if she could stay during the summers. 

She then rushes to Adam, (her first real boyfriend) and says, “I’m sad that we have to be apart, but I am glad that we finally were able to get together, even though the circumstances weren’t good with everything that had happened. I just want you to know that I love you and I’ll be waiting for you.” Adam gently wipes the tears from her face and kisses her passionately. When he lets her up for air he whispers, “I love you too, and I will return to you when I’m eighteen. I promise.” Mom hugs Mrs. Morgan and says, “Anna, Thank you so much for everything! You have been such a dear friend, but sadly we must be off.” Once we have all said our goodbyes, we pass through the gate and board the plane.