My Forever

Chapter 2

“I was there last weekend with my family. It was my Grandma’s birthday. We had like a party of 20.”

“The Gilmore party.” I said, recalling the large group, but I hadn’t helped with the Gilmore party. They specifically asked for the other hostess.

“Yeah.” He said, rubbing the back of his neck. Looking uncomfortable suddenly.

We sat in silence until the bell rang.

“Would you like to hang out sometime?” He asked as he stood shoving his hands in his pockets. I was a bit surprised. I am a pretty girl with blond hair and blue eyes but I wasn’t model hot, like Chase. I didn’t have money to wear makeup or get my hair done and I was under weight due to lack of food. And when I did get to see my mom she would usually remind me how I looked like my father's family and had none of her model-like looks.

“I don’t have a lot of time.”

“How about we study when we hang out?”

I couldn’t help but smile. It felt like he actually knew me. “ OK.”

We exchanged numbers and I hurried to my next class. For some reason, I kept playing the night of the Gilmore party through my head, but I could not remember seeing Chase. In fact, I hadn’t seen anybody from the party. They had requested Stacey, the other hostess and two specific servers.

As soon as class was over, I headed home to change before going to work. Dropping my bag on the floor of my bedroom, I pulled out the black mini dress and slipped it on, pulling my hair up into a bun and headed back out the door.

By the time I walked in the door, we were already busy and it wasn’t even dinner time yet.

Myself and the other hostess, Stacey, were non-stop busy. It was around 7 when Declan Sullivan walked in with a tall, super-model looking woman. She had long black hair and the most amazing ivory skin.

He had been bringing her in for almost 3 months, which I hear is a long time for Declan.

“Harper….We will be in my office till my normal table becomes available.” He said and walked towards his office with the woman trying to keep up with his long strides.

As soon as his regular table was ready, I rushed to get Declan.

I knocked on his office door and waited.

“Come in.”

“Mr. Sullivan, your table is ready. Shall I show you to the table.” Standing at the door waiting for the couple who were on opposite sides of the office.

“Yes.”

About an hour after I showed them to the table, the tall model rushed out of the restaurant, leaving Declan sitting alone.

I tried not to think about what I had just witnessed, but I was pretty sure it was a breakup in public so she wouldn’t make a scene. I’ve heard this was how he would end his relationships, but I had never seen it happen.

The rest of the evening went by quickly and before I knew it, I was walking toward the bus stop. As I stood shivering in the cold, crisp air, I felt as if I was being watched. I looked around but saw nothing. Before I could think too much about it, the bus was in front of me and I was on my way home.

The rest of the weekend went quickly. I noticed Declan was at the restaurant all day on Saturday but I didn’t notice him once on Sunday. By Monday morning, I was again exhausted and didn’t want to get out of bed, but I knew I had no choice.

Shoving my coat into my locker, I was startled by Chase.

“Hey!”

“Hi Chase.”

We had been text messaging all weekend and I have to admit I enjoyed talking to him.

“What time are you done baby sitting tonight?”

“Six, but I usually stay for dinner.”

“How about I take you to dinner?”

“Oh OK.”

“Great, I can pick you up.”

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Maria was excited that I was going to dinner with Chase. She said it was a date but I wasn’t sure and I felt silly asking him if it was a date.

He took me to a local burger joint. The food was amazing and I really enjoyed talking to Chase. I mean he was no Declan, but then again, who was? He drove me home and even walked me to the door. I could feel the butterflies in my belly. As he stepped closer to me.

“Thank you again. I had a really good time.” I said, rolling my bottom lip between my teeth.

“I did, too.” He said as his eyes dropped to my lips.

I realized I was almost holding my breath as he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. His lips were soft and as he pulled away I realized I wanted him to kiss me again.

“I’ll see you in the morning.” He said as he walked back to his car.

I shut my door behind me and ran my fingers across my lips. At that moment, I really wished I had somebody to share the news with. My first kiss!

I decided to call my mom but, of course, it went to voicemail. I realized how alone I truly was in this world. No father and a mother that didn’t care. I didn’t even have friends. But those thoughts were quickly pushed aside as I crawled into bed smiling, thinking about Chase.

Chase and I spent the rest of the week texting and having lunch together. He refused to let me eat just peanut butter and jelly and never once asked me why it was all I had to eat.

By Friday, I was ready to get the weekend over so I could get back to school and spend time with Chase.

As soon as I got home, I noticed how cold the house felt. Like the heat wasn’t on. I went and checked the thermostat and, sure enough, the house was freezing.

I don’t have time to deal with it right now. I had to be at work. I quickly changed and rushed out of the house.

I called my mom on the way to the bus stop and left her a message about the heat. Praying she would call me back or at least deal with the heat.

Once at work, I spent the evening telling Stacey the other hostess about Chase and I completely forgot about the heat till I got home. Stacey was the closest thing to a friend I had and we only talked at work. Climbing the stairs, I made my way to my Mom’s room. I knew she had a small space heater in her room and that could at least get me through the night. I pushed open her door and opened the closet, only to find it almost completely empty.

My chest felt tight as I looked around and noticed the only thing left was a jacket that belonged to my father, a box of our family photos, and the space heater.

I checked her drawers and the night stand. There was nothing left in her room. I picked up the space heater and went to my room.

I attempted again to call my mother and this time I went right to voicemail. Again I left her a message, but deep down I knew I wasn’t going to hear from her.