Black Hole

You Don't Own Me

“Callan! I’m home!” A voice called, breaking us apart before anything could really happen.

“Whose car is parked in our driveway? Did Howie win the lottery and get a really nice car?” The voice that I now knew was Callan’s mother, asked.

“No,” Callan called back, leading me out of his room.

“Well then who-oh.” Mrs. Mewes seemed surprised that a girl was in her home. She smiled suddenly. “Jay Moore, is that you?” She asked, reaching out to hug me. “That explains the Benz.”

I smiled back. “Yes, it is. It’s so good to see you again, Mrs. Mewes.”

“It’s been quite a while hasn’t it?” She was still smiling widely. “What brings you over here?”

“She gave me a ride home and I invited her in for a snack.” Callan answered.

“That was nice of you.” She replied. “Are you staying for dinner, Jay?”

“Um…” I looked over at Callan.

“I’m sure Jay has other plans tonight.” He said.

“Actually, I don’t. I’d love to stay.”

“Wonderful! We’re having Callan’s favorite tonight."

"Great," I smiled.

“Alright, you guys go hang out. I’ll give you a shout when dinner is ready.”

“Sure you don’t want help, Mom?” Callan asked.

“Positive. Go on.” She shooed us away.

“Your Mom is incredible.” I said when we entered his room again.

“Yeah, she’s pretty wonderful.” He agreed. “So, wanna watch a movie?”

“Sure, what do you have?” I asked.

“Only the good ones.” He assured me. “How do you feel about Forrest Gump?”

“I feel like it is my favorite movie ever.” I answered.

His head snapped to look at me. “You’re joking. It’s my favorite movie too.”

“Well why wouldn’t it be? It’s one of the best movies in existence."

"Most definitely. I love Forrest, but I gotta give my top spot to Back to the Future."

“You have amazing taste.” I said.

“And you are perfect.” He cleared his throat. “I mean…well yeah.”

I plopped down on his bed as he put the movie in. I was excited. I’ve tried to get Leo to watch Forrest Gump tons of times, but he refused. So watching this with Callan is a huge deal for me.

I couldn’t remember the last time I had so much fun watching a movie. Callan and I laughed throughout and quoted the movie.

At one point, my phone vibrated. I saw Mother was calling and I had two missed calls from Leo. I turned my phone on silent. Leo wouldn't ruin this for me.

We got to the part where Forrest and Jenny reunite in DC and I turned to Callan.

“Isn’t it kind of illegal for them to be in the water?” I asked.

“See, I ask myself that all the time. I mean yes, it’s a national monument.” Callan said thoughtfully. “But maybe everyone was just so happy for them, they let it slide. I mean it is such a beautiful moment.”

“Wow, I didn’t know you were such a romantic.”

“Oh, yeah, I’m a regular Casanova.” He winked at me.

I just looked at him and smiled. I loved spending time with him and being close with him. I wondered if he felt the same way. I leaned in to kiss him. He leaned in too!

“Dinner’s ready!” Mrs. Mewes shouted.

Callan cleared his throat and got up. “We should get out there.”

“Yeah, I’m starving.” I said getting up too. I know I shouldn’t be upset about being interrupted again, but I couldn’t help it. Callan was so tempting.

“So Jay, Callan talks about you all the time.” Mrs. Mewes said. Callan looked embarrassed. 

“Good things, I hope.” I smiled slightly.

“Oh, only the best.” She assured me. “He also tells me it’s between you two for valedictorian.”

“Yep, so he better watch out.” I threatened.

“Bring it on Moore.” He taunted. I giggled, putting a fork full of mashed potatoes in my mouth.

“Your cooking is incredible Mrs. Mewes.” I raved.

“Oh, thank you, Jay. What colleges did you apply to?”

“Um, lots. But I’m hoping to get into Columbia.”

“I didn’t know that.” Callan said. “I applied to Columbia too.” Callan said.

“That’s amazing. I hope you get in.” I smiled.

“I hope you get in too.”

“Now that would be great! You’d already have a friend there.” Mrs. Mewes said.

That would be great. We could study together, go to mixers, fall in love properly. It was a dream come true.

“I’ll clear the table.” Callan said after we were done eating. When Callan entered the kitchen, his mom turned to me.

“Jay, I’m sure you know things haven’t been easy for Callan. He has a good group of friends but I know he still gets made fun of a lot. But I want to thank you for being so nice to him and not treating him like the others.”

I hated that the others meant my friends and my boyfriend. I hated that I was considered a part of such a group. 

“Mrs. Mewes, I think Callan is incredible. He’s the best person I know. One day everyone will see what I see. Or I hope they will anyway.”

Callan entered the room again. We looked at him. “What?” He asked.

“Nothing.” I smiled.

“Dad should be calling soon, just so you know.” Callan informed his mom.

She glanced at me and I smiled. “Well I wouldn’t want you to miss such an important call. I should get home and study if I’m going to beat Callan out for valedictorian.”

“It’ll take more than that.” Callan joked.

“Thank you so much for dinner, Mrs. Mewes. It was incredible.”

“Of course. Please, come over anytime.” She said.

“I will definitely take you up on that.” I nodded.

After getting my coat and bag, Callan walked me out to my car. It was unfortunately still raining.

“So…we’ll finish Forrest Gump another time?” He asked.

“Oh, definitely!” I said. “And speaking of amazing movies, um, Back to the Future is playing at that Indie theatre, I was wondering if you wanna go see it with me tomorrow night?”

“Aw, Jay, I would love to. But I work tomorrow night.” He said sadly.

“I didn’t know you had a job.”

“Yeah, actually, I’m in a band and we have a gig tomorrow. Actually, if you want to, you can come to the gig. I would love to have you there.”

“Really?” He nodded furiously. “I’d love to go.” 

“Awesome. See you tomorrow, then?”

“Definitely.” I grinned. We hugged before I got in my car and drove away.

I sighed happily. I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt like this. Content. Callan made me feel different. I loved it. On the drive home, I contemplated what I would wear for the gig.

When I pulled into my driveway, I saw Leo’s car. s**t. As I walked up the driveway, I saw Callan’s coat in Leo’s car. Knowing he never locked his doors at my house; I opened it and took Callan’s coat out. He’s such an ass.

As I enter the house, I remove my wet coat and prepare myself for the bitching I’m about to receive.

“Where have you been, Jayma?” Mother asked the moment she sees me.

“Out.” I said blankly.

“Out with whom?”

“A friend,”

“What friend?”

“Since when do you care? It’s not even our designated dinner night.” I said rolling my eyes.

“Leo has been waiting for you.” She said.

“Cool,” I shrugged. Leo appeared as Mother stormed off. She is such a drama queen.

“Where have you been?” Leo asked.

“Having dinner at a friend’s house.” I answered.

“We were gonna have dinner tonight.” He stated.

“I don’t remember making those plans.”

“It was supposed to be a surprise.”

“Well, how the hell was I supposed to know then?” I questioned.

“Where the hell were you anyway?” He asked again.

“I just told you.”

“What friend? And whose shirt is that?”

I had completely forgotten I was wearing Callan’s shirt. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.” I said crossing my arms.

“You’re my girlfriend; I should know where you are at all times!” Leo stated

“No, you shouldn’t! You don’t need to know my plans every minute!” I said angrily. “This is my life!”

“No, Jay, this is our life! We do things together, we make decisions together!”

“Really? Cause I don’t remember deciding to go to Washington State and moving in with you!” I shouted. “You decided that for me!”

“I decided it for us!” Leo yelled back. “We are going to spend our lives together.”

“Stop telling me what I’m going to do for the rest of my life! You don’t get to decide that!” I said attempting to storm away like my mother just had.

“Yes, I do.” He growled. “You’re mine. You belong to me. And I belong to you, that’s how it works, you got that?” He said grabbing my arm roughly. I wanted to cry out from the pain, but I was determined to be strong.

“Oh, really? You belong to me? Cause it feels more like you own me and you only want me when you think you’re gonna lose me!” I spat as I yanked my arm out of his tight grip.

“That’s not true!” Leo roared, gripping both of my arms tightly.

“Oh yes it is! When’s the last time you paid this much attention to me? Huh? You just don’t like losing!”

 He shoved me against the wall. Pain shot through my back. “You’re pushing it Jay.” He warned.

“I don’t give a flying f**k what I’m pushing with you! I am done! Completely done!” I said firmly, even though deep inside I was scared. Leo had never put his hands on me like this.

Leo laughed angrily. “No you’re not. I told you we’re staying together. You think acting like this is gonna push me away and make me want to break up with you? It’s not and I think it’s funny you’re even trying.”

“No, what’s funny is today you’re fighting for us, and tomorrow you’ll be back to f*****g my best friend behind my back!” I said harshly. The moment I said it, I knew I shouldn’t have.

He slammed his fist against the wall right next to my head. I shut my eyes tightly. “That’s been over for a while. And that doesn’t matter, because I love you, not her or anyone else! Don’t you get it? No matter what mistakes I make, I always come back to you.”

My eyes shot open. “You think that makes it okay? It should have never f*****g happened in the first place.” He said nothing, so I continued. “You don’t even really love me. You just love having what everyone else wants, but can’t have.”

“That’s a f*****g lie, Jay and you know it.”

“Stop telling me what I know!” I screamed. “Don’t tell me what to do. Don’t tell me how to think or feel. And don’t f*****g check up on me. You do not own me. I’m not yours. Get that through your head.” I pushed past him.

“Yes, you are!” He grabbed my arm and pulled me back so hard I fell to the floor.

I looked up at him wildly. He seemed shocked at what he’d done. He shook his head and walked out the door.