Why Are You Leaving So Soon

Chapter 2

“Mary Ann, get your ass downstairs your going to be late for school.” My dad yells at me as I am putting the last final touches on my makeup.

“I am coming, Daddy.” I grab my wedges and quickly slip them on and grab my back to grab my daily dose of coffee and my dad’s amazing muffins he spends Sunday night baking so I can have them as my breakfast for the week.

“Here is your coffee and muffin. I will be off when you get home so we can work in the garden.” “Yeah, I can’t wait I will see you later” I gave him a big hug as I grabbed my keys and my bag.

“Love you, bye Daddy.”  I walked to my car putting my stuff in my car turned my car on and turned out of my driveway. I pulled into my school I saw all my classmates talking smoke secretly drinking or smoking in their cars or at those little picnic tables. I saw my friends on the corner of the school I know exactly what we were going to do at that corner. That corner they would always secretly smoke and drink I never really took part in this since my dad would kill me. They are the popular kids who can get you into any party or any club or sports team with just hanging out with them. They are the popular cheerleaders and football players or jocks in general but since I must befriend them since this will look good on college applications and my resume. I parked my car and grabbed my stuff I headed over to them.

“Hey girly, you want a drink” this plastic perfect blonde blue-eyes b***h passed me her water bottle I know it has vodka in it. “No, I am good I don’t drink remember.”

“I forgot your miss goodie to shoes I forgot how you became our cheer captain when you aren’t even fun.” Another one but a guy this time “I also bet she is a virgin,” They all laughed but the one who did not was Henry he knows my reason for not drinking, doing drugs, smoking, and for being a virgin. He came over and hugging me, I always felt safe in his arms. I always loved the woody smokey smell of his colon. “How was your dad’s birthday yesterday did he like the gift I gave him.”

“Yeah he loved it he wanted me to say thank you and wanted me to invite you and your dad to dinner Saturday.”

“I will talk to him tonight.” The bell rang I went to my first period then as fast as the day started it ended. I walked to my car as I was walking, I saw Henry leaning against my car with his big ass goofy million-dollar smile.

“Hey, why did you wait for me don’t you have practice or are you hanging out with your d**k ass friends,” I said opening my passenger side door putting my bag in the seat. I turned to face him I knew he was pissed since this morning.

“Hey Mar, Coach canceled practice and why would I hang out with those d***s especially after this morning. I can’t stand the way they treat you because you don’t do the s**t they do.” He was always protective of me since we were little kids.

“You know why we do they got you on the football team and me on the cheer team. They are our tickets to college Henry I do not like them anymore then you do. I need to go home to see my dad I will text you if we are going to dinner with your dad.”

“Mar, are you mad at me or something please tell me.” I looked at him and all I wanted to say was “How could I be mad at those beautiful eyes, smile, body, or how much you care about me and my family. I love you so damn much, but you would never go after a girl like me since I am not the type you ever go for.”  

” No, I am not I just need to go help my dad in the garden. You know how he gets about his garden he does not like to garden when it gets too hot. I also do not like to keep him waiting on his days off that are rare.”

“Ok well, I will see you later Mar love you.” I loved how he said that, but it was not in the way I wanted. “Love you too Henry Bye I will text you later” I walked to my driver’s side and waved at him as I left. I pulled into my driveway I saw my dad in his dirty gardening clothes and his old Toyota hat I got him for Father’s Day when I was 5.

“Hey, you started without me. Henry and Allen wanted to invite us to dinner on Saturday.” He stood taking off is gardening gloves wiping some sweat off his forehead. “Did they say why they invited us.”

“No, he didn’t I am going to go get changed so do you want me to text Henry that we are going.”

“If you don’t mind Mar.” I rushed upstairs to get changed I have always loved gardening I always loved the beautiful flowers, plants, and veggies my dad and I grow. I quickly changed into my dirty gardening clothes and headed outside. We pulled weeds and planted new plants. I texted Henry that we were going to dinner Saturday and we had dinner then headed upstairs to get ready for bed.

“Can you meet me outside in a few minutes I need to talk to you.” I quickly responded. “Yeah, I can just give me a second I just got out of the shower.” I quickly changed and threw some shoes on and headed outside.  “Hey what did you need to talk to me about.” Before I knew it, he pushed me against a post and kissed me. His lips were so soft like velvet as soon as he kissed me, I kissed him back. It was electric as the kiss started to build in passion and need for more he stopped.

“Why did you stop kissing me and why did you kiss me, Henry.” He just stared at me “I’m sorry I just needed to do that before I leave Sunday I have to go.” He started to walk away, and I pulled him by his arm to stop him. “What the f**k do you mean you are leaving where the hell are you going?” he just stared off in the distance and I pulled his head to look at me. That is when I saw his beautiful eyes glossed over with tears like he was holding them back. The only time I ever saw him cry was his mother’s funeral and the day he lost his favorite stuff dog when we were six.

“I… got accepted to early admission to Harvard we wanted to tell you and your dad Saturday, but I need to leave next month to get my apartment set up. I wanted to kiss you since I will not be able to see you for a while. I have always loved you not like a sister or a friend as something more.”

“Why didn’t you tell me any of this sooner Henry I had the right to know that the one person who…” I felt tears start to sting my eyes I knew him leaving would break me knowing school was ending Friday I could not take it. “Has always been by my side who I have loved for as long as could remember why the f**k couldn’t you tell me any of this.”

Tears were streaming from my eyes I have never been the type to break down like this ever I hated crying or feeling weak like this moment. I never thought he would be leaving so soon. I could not even process the fact that he said he loved me and that we kissed. “I couldn’t bring myself to tell you that I was leaving or how I felt I am sorry for putting all this on you Mar I will see you at school,” He started to walk to his house and I let him go. I fell to the ground bawling my eyes out I could not believe he loved me or that he was leaving. I walked into my house and I saw my dad sitting at the kitchen island with a cup of tea in his hand.

         “Hey sweety what’s wrong have you been crying.” I just hugged him and cried in his arms for what felt like hours. “Henry is leaving he told me, and he told me how he felt I know you don’t want me to talk about boy drama to you.” He hugged me rubbing my back “You can always tell me anything Mary and I know he was leaving his dad talked to me at the office we were going to tell you Saturday.” I was furious that he did not tell me or was I just mad at Henry for wanting to leave me. “So, you knew he was leaving, and you didn’t bother to f*****g tell me, dad, why is everyone f*****g hiding s**t from me.”

         “Language Mary Ann, I was going to tell you Saturday at dinner and I know that you are pissed at Alex right now and not at me Mary.” I stormed upstairs I could not handle the people I care about most hiding things from me that I needed to know. I hated being f*****g lied to my mom had secrets that broke my family and me. She left after cheating on my dad and leaving my dad for this man. I knew she probably had this new family and that breaks me knowing I was never enough for her to stay at least enough to be a fake mom for me.