Meant to Be

Chapter One Today was the day. Today I started my first day of freshman year. Normally my anxiety would get the best of me but not with my best friends by my side. I had Shawna my best friend since we were in diapers. She was outgoing and full of life. She could care less what others thought of her and going into high school that was a trait I wish I had. Shawna is the rebel of our group. Today alone she is sporting the typical emo girl 2009 look. Razor shaved black hair with neon green coon tails on each side, with hello kitty clips on the right side of her head. Her makeup was the simple black eyeliner huge wing and huge eyelashes. Her outfit had to be my favorite part, mostly because it was her design for our want to be band that never got off the ground when we were 13 promptly named the unknown. She paired it with bright white ripped skinny jeans and two belts which she never actually used the correct way and some new neon green high tops. She smiled at me “Darla dude what are you wearing? Please tell me your mother didn’t make you wear that” My mother could be very overbearing, and Shawna definitely wasn’t her favorite friend of mine. I wore a simple baby blue Hollister shirt that my mom bought for me paired with simple skinny jeans and my tan moccasins. My make up was simple just mascara and some lip-gloss, and my long light brown hair was in a ponytail with my bangs perfectly put into a bump with two stands down framing my face. The only hair style my mom approves of ever since I let Shawna take a razor to my hair a month ago at her birthday sleep over. “Don’t worry.” I said “You know I brought something to change into that’s a lot more me. Any chance you brought the color hair chalk?” Shawna’s face lit up. “Darla, you know I never leave the house with out it. Let’s go fix your look then go find Tyler. He is probably lost without us.” Tyler was our best guy friend well in all honesty one of the only boys who we didn’t hate. He wasn’t anything like us. He was preppy, he wore all Aeropostale and American eagle. He had long blonde hair cut just like a Justin Bieber wanna be, but we didn’t make fun of him too much for it. Shawna has tried to convince him to let her give him a full emo makeover, but he won’t budge. We found the closest bathroom I got changed into my favorite Alice in chains band shirt and my rainbow studded belt. After that Shawna fixed my hair. Apparently, it had grown out some since she last attacked it with a razor, so it needed some touch ups. Shawna is the only person I know crazy enough to bring a razor into school. After she fixed my hair and gave me side swept bangs with two fake purple coon tails, it was time to head out and find Tyler. We found Tyler moments later standing by his new locker. “Hey butthead” Shawna took any jab she could at him and for some reason he never seemed to mind. Tyler smiled and said, “Hey there’s my two favorite girls, I have someone I want you to meet.” Standing next to Tyler was this tall kid with black hair cut just like Andy Biersack from Black Veil Brides. He was dressed in tight black torn skinny jeans black high tops and out of all things the exact same Alice and Chains t-shirt I had on today. To be honest I haven’t really thought about boys to much, my focus has always been on school and my friends. I mean don’t get me wrong I have had some crushes, but only on band members of all my favorite bands, including Andy Biersack. Seeing this guy right in front of me my mind went blank, and he was all I could think about. I could feel the blood running to my cheeks the instant he started talking. “Hey names Travis but everyone just calls me Trav. Its nice to meet you girls.” I couldn’t speak. Its like someone stole the voice right out of me. What is wrong with me I have never been this lame before. Shawna noticed and quickly distracted the boys. “Really Trav why would people call you that?” He smiled. “Well, my friends at Hamburg called me that I never really knew why but it just stuck. Hey, its Darla, right?” he looked at me waiting for an answer. I still couldn’t speak so I just nodded. “Nice t-shirt, I loved that concert. Were you there?” Shawna stepped in thank God. “No, her mom is loser and wouldn’t let her go with me, so I brought her back the shirt.” I sighed in relief and whispered thank you. “Oh, that’s lame but hey there is always another concert.” He said smiling at me. “So how did you and Tyler meet Trav?” Shawna could read me like a book and knew I was crushing and hard, so she was trying to get any info she could before the first bell. “We actually met at summer camp a few years ago and have stayed in touch ever since.” So, this must be the summer camp friend Tyler has always talked about. But he always said he was 2 years older and went to the school a town over. Wonder what made him come here. At that moment it was like he could read my mind just as well as Shawna and said, “Tyler’s mom and my mom have been best friends for years and when my parents split last year, we moved out here so my mom could bee closer to family and her best friend.” Well, that answers my question. At the same time, I felt a better connection to him. My parents split five years ago, and it was hard on all of us. Thankfully this was my mom’s hometown, so we didn’t have to move. With that information I somehow regained the ability to speak. “I’m so sorry Trav. I know hard that can be.” I quickly looked down remembering just ho hard the first year was without my dad being around. Trav started to say something. “Yea it can be….” “Ring……” “Well, there’s the bell.” Tyler said. He was always afraid of being late to class. Normally I was to but for some reason today I could have cared less. “Well, my first period is Gym, and we all know the first day is just walking around the track I might just skip,” said Trav. Then Shawna spoke up. “Hey Darla, isn’t that your first class to.” At our school gym was mixed between the grades. “Yea not my favorite class.” Trav laughed and said “Yea same here. Hey Darla, would you wanna skip with me and walk over and get coffee from Tim Hortans?” here comes the blood in my cheeks again. “Coffee sounds great.” What was I thinking I have never skipped a class in my life including gym! “Cool lets go. I’ll pay.” Shawna winked at me, and Tyler rolled his eyes knowing how much trouble I would be in as Trav and I walked to the nearest exit. I never knew skipping class was this easy. Trav Seemed to be a pro, he put a small piece of cardboard in the door to make it look like it was shut but we could still get back in for next period. Walking with Trav over to Tim Hortans I couldn’t help but think why me? Why did he want me to come get coffee with him and not Shawna? She was way prettier than me, and more like someone a guy like him would date. We got our coffee and went and sat outside under the farthest tree in the school parking lot. “So, Dar what did you mean by you know how hard it could be?” I froze again because he only other person who called me Dar was my dad. I stuttered “Well, I um well you see my dad left my mom and I 5 years ago and I have seen him since he got remarried.” Once I was past the stuttering it all just flowed out and I couldn’t help it. “I am so sorry Dar I had no idea.” He said as he placed his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in for a side hug. “Thanks, it’s been rough, but I have had Shawna to help me through it.” I didn’t want the hug to end but sadly it did. I looked up at him and our eyes met, and he quickly looked away, but not before I saw the blush on his cheeks. Trav may have a hard looking exterior, but he seemed super sweet and caring. We sat there for what felt like hours just getting to know each other. I didn’t feel nervous anymore. Talking with Trav at this point just felt natural. Like we have been friends for years. “Hey Dar, can I ask you something?” I couldn’t help but smile “Of course Trav what’s up?” what could he possibly wanna ask me. “Would you maybe wanna go to the mall with me after school today?” Me? He wants to go to the mall with me. Only problem is my mom would never allow me to be alone with a boy. I would have to come up with a good excuse, I couldn’t tell him the truth about how crazy overprotective my mom can be. Just then he spoke up. “Tyler told me how crazy your mom can be so if you want, we can invite him and Shawna too so that she just thinks its four friends hanging out.” Well now that the cats out of the bag, I’m gonna have to kick Tyler’s ass. “Actually, that sounds like fun, I need to get a few things anyway.” My grandma gave me $300 for my birthday this summer. Knowing how crazy my mom can be and knowing I hated the way she made me dress, she gave it to me secretly and told me to go get clothes I really wanted from school. “Awesome. Ill shoot Tyler a text and let him know our plan.” “Wait how are we all gonna get there none of us drive, and my mom works afternoons so I wouldn’t have a ride” Trave smiled and laughed. “Don’t worry about that I have a car. I just got my license this summer and as an apology guilt gift my dad bought me a car, like hey son I know I destroyed our family but here’s a new car.” Trav pointed to the black 2003 Chevy Cavalier with band stickers all over it just a few parking spots away. Wow a junior with his own car, I was starstruck. “Oh, ok perfect.” I said just as the bell for the end of first period went off. “Well, I don’t wanna corrupt the freshman to much. We better head back in to our second class.” I couldn’t help but smile as we walked side by side back to the school. For the rest of the day, I couldn’t help but think about his arm wrapped around me during that quick side hug. Finally, it was time for lunch, and I couldn’t wait to find Shawna because I knew she was gonna want all of the details. “So how was your date with a junior?” Shawna said coming up behind me and scaring the crap out of me. “It wasn’t a date, Shawna; it was just coffee.” Shawna giggled “Awe sweetie that’s not what Trav told Tyler.” Wait was it a date. Why would Trav want to go on a date with a girl like me I’m nothing special. Boys have never been interested in me before, what would be the difference now. “He did what?” “Yea I guess when he told Tyler he was gonna go here this year and he showed him our pictures, he couldn’t help but ask all about you!” Why do I have the feeling this is another time of Shawna over exaggerating the details. “Ha-ha very funny. There is no way a junior would be interested in me. Just a lame little freshman that has to change out of lame clothes every morning just so her mom doesn’t flip out.” Just then we saw Tyler at the end of the lunch line with Trav right next to him. “Hey girls, so you both up for the mall today after school?” Trav said with a smile on his face looking right at me. Shawna spoke up. “Well, nobody told me about the mall.” She nudged my arm. “But I am always down for a mall trip. Darla Maybe we could finally get you some decent clothes. Not that boring preppy s**t your mom makes you wear.” “Hey! What’s wrong with the way I dress?” Tyler shouted. “Everything. Everything is wrong with the way you dress Tyler. You aren’t preppy you never have been, so why dress like that. Please I’m begging you to let me give you a makeover. Darla let me and she loves it!” “You know she isn’t wrong Tyler.” Trav said laughing. “Just one day come on dude you know you want to. Weren’t you just telling me how you would do anything for Sh..” Before he could finish what, he was saying Tyler pushed him. “Dude shut up!” “Ok fine sorry won’t happen again.” Trav just looked at Shawna and I giving us a wink. “No Trav continue. Who would Tyler do anything for?” Shawna said teasing Tyler. It has been obvious that over the summer, Tyler has started to have a crush on Shawna. He has no clue that we know. He does just about anything for her. Offers to carry her books to class help her with homework, he always compliments her. He really sucks at hiding it, but Shawna isn’t one to point it out because she doesn’t wanna hurt his feelings. She doesn’t see him that way mostly because she can’t see herself dating a preppy guy. Plus, she doesn’t wanna ruin the friendship. “It doesn’t matter.” Trav said looking at Tyler. “Come on dude just once let her give you a makeover. If you don’t like it you can go back to your lame boring preppy self. Deal?” Tyler sighed “Ugh, fine but no makeup and you can’t touch my hair got it!” Shawna smiled and gave Tyler a big hug. “Finally. And no promises!” “Thanks’ a lot Trav. She messes with my hair it’s on you dude.” Finally, it was the end of the day. We all met up at Tyler’s locker and headed out with Trav to his car. I planned on sitting in the back with Shawna while Tyler and Trav were up front, but Shawna had other plans. “Tyler sit next to me. I wanna go over some looks with you.” Tyler just smiled and sat next to Shawna. So, I walked around to the other side of the car and to my surprise Trav was there holding the door open for me. “You didn’t have to do that you know.” I said but it was really sweet. “I know but I’m a gentleman when I wanna be.” Trav said smiling and winking at me. Is this real? There is no way he likes me. I mean it would be amazing if he did, but I’m nothing special. We arrived at the mall and Shawna couldn’t help herself. She grabbed Tyler’s hand and pulled him straight to Hot topic. “Nothing to crazy Shawna I mean it!” Tyler pleaded. “I said no promises butthead no let’s go; the new Ty awaits.” Trav and I both laughed watching Tyler pretend like he hated her holding his hand. Right then Trav stopped me. “So should we give them some time to let Shawna torture him in peace. I know a great place that has really great band shirts.” I smiled “you mean miss out on watching him pretend to hate having all her attention on him.” Trav smiled “Wait you two know he likes her.” I couldn’t help but laugh super loud. “He hasn’t really hidden it all that well, but Shawna doesn’t have the heart to let him know she knows.” “That’s true. He was never really good at keeping secrets. But really I do know a great spot if you wanna check it out. If not I understand.” He seemed set on spending some time alone with me. I was nervous, I didn’t know how to act around boys other than Tyler. But the thought of spending some alone time with a really cute guy was too good to pass up. “Yea I would like that. Ill go tell Shawna to meet us at journeys in an hour, that should be enough time for a full Shawna makeover.” I went over and told Shawna and typical her she couldn’t help but say “Don’t be so shy. He really likes you just go with it! You and him look so cute together.” I blushed and walked away. We walked to the other side of the mall to this little mom and pop record shop. Trav was right they had so many great shirts. “How have I not been here yet. These shirts are so cool.” Trav smiled at me and just kept looking at the shirts. He was so cute; I still couldn’t wrap my head around him actually liking me. Trav held out a shirt and said, “How about this one?” I looked at the shirt, it was an old fall out boy shirt. How did he know I love fall out boy? “That’s actually perfect. They are my favorite band. How did you know?” Trav blushed. “I didn’t, they are my favorite band too.” He handed me the shirt, and for a moment our hands touched. Neither of us pulled away. We just looked at each other and smiled. I didn’t want this moment to end. “Are you hungry Dar?” I didn’t notice till then, but I was starving. I didn’t eat much for lunch I was to busy talking to him the whole time to actually eat my lunch. “Actually yea I am.” Trav grabbed the shirt back from me and said, “Here lets go pay for this and then head to the food court we still have some time to eat before we meet back up with Tyler and Shawna.” We got to the food court and went right to the pizza place. “Order what you want Dar, it’s on me.” As he said this he put his arm around my shoulders again and this time pulled me closer. “Is it ok if I do this?” he asked starting to lift his arm up. “I don’t mind.” I said blushing more then ever. He noticed and leaned his head on mine. We ordered our food then went and sat down. We chose a booth and instead of sitting across from me, Trav sat right next to me. Then it hit me. My anxiety took over and I started to over think everything. Is he just pretending to like me for Tyler’s sake so Tyler can get close to Shawna. Was this just a joke some juniors played on freshman. My mind went over every possible reason that he could be doing this. Thinking there was no way he was doing this because he actually liked me. “Hey are you ok? You seem upset, I can move to the other side of the booth if you want.” I didn’t want that. If this was fake like my anxiety was telling me I was gonna enjoy every moment of it. “Dar I’m gonna be honest with you. I really like you. When Tyler showed me your picture and told me how amazing you were, I couldn’t wait to meet you to see if he was being honest or just telling me what I wanted to hear so that he could convince Shawna to date him because I liked you.” There was my answer and finally the thing that shut my shitty thoughts up. He DOES like me! Trav, a high school junior who looks like one of my celebrity crushes, actually likes me. “I’m not upset, I just don’t understand. How could you like me? I’m nothing special. I’m just a plain freshman from Angola. You are a junior, shouldn’t you be talking to me. I know there are plenty of girls in your grade who would love to date you. Why me?” “Dar, you really don’t see just how amazing you are do you? Tyler told me everything you have been through with your dad leaving and how controlling your mom can be, but you are still the happiest person he has ever met. You don’t let what happened to you define you one bit. Yea I could be talking to someone my age, but they aren’t genuine like you. You stick to who you are and are a true friend to both Shawna and Tyler.” I looked up at him. “Trav you got all of that from just one day of knowing me?” He wrapped his arm around me again pulling me in. I rested my head on his shoulder. “Yes and from everything Tyler has told me.” For the next half hour, we just sat there eating our food and talking nonstop. Even though this wasn’t an official date, its defiantly what I hoped one would be like. We were almost done with our pizza, when we saw Shawna running towards us. “Guys get ready to be amazed!” From behind the wall out stepped Tyler. He looked like the guy version of Shawna. She did a great job. She had him in tight red skinny jeans with a black stud buckle belt, Black and red checker vans, and to top it off a Black Veil Brides band shirt. For once in the 7 years, I have known him he finally looked like himself. Tyler was never the typical preppy boy. He hated sports. He hated pop and hip-hop music. He was like Shawna and I; he has just been too afraid to show it because he thought it wouldn’t fit him. “Tyler dude you look great.” I said “What do you think dude do you like it? Was I right to push you to let Shawna give you a makeover?” Trav said while smiling at Shawna, his arm still tight around my shoulders. “I have to admit I never thought I could pull this look off but, Shawna you were right, and I finally feel like myself thanks to you.” Shawna couldn’t help herself she wrapped Tyler into a big hug and said, “I knew I was right, and your welcome!” she then turned her attention to Trav and I. “So, we leave you two along for one hour and you to already seem really cozy.” Her and Tyler sat down in the other side of the booth. Trav looked down at me and said, “You were right Tyler she really is amazing.” He pulled me in tighter. Shawna and Tyler just asked a bunch of questions like are we dating are we gonna date. The list goes on and on, but I didn’t hear much of it because I was to distracted by his arm being around me while he answered all of their questions. I was completely distracted until my phone rang. It was my mother. “s**t I forgot to tell her where I was going today. She comes home on her lunch break to check on me, what should I do?” I quickly answered, “Hey mom I am so sorry I stayed after school to get a head start on a school project I lost track of time and forgot to text you I am so sorry.” Sadly, I have become a master of lying to my mother. There were somethings she just didn’t need to know. “Next time Darla I expect a text or phone call! I will be home in the morning after you go to school, I am stuck on a double. I want a text as soon as you get home do I make myself clear?” “Yes mom, I promise I love you have a good night at work.” I hung up the phone and I could see the look of confusion on Trav’s face. “Why didn’t you just tell your mom you were at the mall with friends?” “Shawna quickly replied, “her mom is not our biggest fan, so its better if she doesn’t know she is at the mall with us.” Trav loosed up realizing why I had to lie. “I understand my mom can be the same way to. Well lets go do some more shopping.” Tyler looked at Shawna, “I think we might stay here and get some food we will meet up with you guys later.” Shawna nodded in agreement, so Trav and I took care of our garbage and started towards zoomies. Once we were out of sight I felt something brush across my hand. It was his hand. He waited to see if I would move my hand, when I didn’t he interlocked his fingers into mine and held my hand the rest of the time we were shopping. Could I possibly be starting something with someone I just met today. The funny thing is that it doesn’t feel like it’s only been one day, I feel like I have known him just as long as Shawna and Tyler. We shopped together for an hour before heading back to meet up with Shawna and Tyler at the car. Before reaching the door Trav pulled me to the side into an old phone booth. “Dar I wanna ask you something, but I want you to know you don’t have to say yes unless you really want to. I don’t want you to feel pressured ok?” He leaned in closer we were face to face. “Dar, can I kiss you?” Without saying a word, I looked him straight in his bright blue eyes and nodded my head yes. He brushed my bangs out of my face and grabbed my face with one hand pulling me in with the other and gently started to kiss me. Without hesitation I wrapped my arms around him, pulling myself in closer. The whole world seemed to disappear the second his lips hit mine. This kiss felt like it lasted forever but yet not long enough. Before we knew it Shawna and Tyler were standing right behind us. I don’t think they saw us because at that moment, Tyler looked at Shawna and said, “I can’t help myself anymore. Shawna I have been in love with you for over a year. I haven’t said anything because I never felt like I was your type but seeing how happy Trav and Darla are, I said f**k it. So, my question is do you like me too?” Shawna didn’t say a word. I thought she was gonna slap him across the face and yell at him, but she did the exact opposite. She wrapped her arms around his neck and said, “Shut up asshole and kiss me already.” Tyler did exactly that. I never knew Shawna had feelings for him. For her to not tell me hurt but I realized that it didn’t matter, because now both her and I had two amazing guys in our life’s and weren’t doomed to suffer through high school single. We finally made it back to the car and you could tell that Shawna and Tyler were trying to hide what just happened. I wanted so badly to say something, but I wanted her to be the one to tell me first. So instead, I just kept playing mine and Trav’s kiss over and over in my head. They way his lips felt like they fit perfectly into mine, like we were meant for each other. The feeling of his arm pulling me in while his other hand was so gentle on my face. I didn’t want the moment to end. But the surprise of what had happened between Shawna and Tyler was a shock that kind of dampened the mood. Trav must have been able to tell mind was wondering, because he reached over and wrapped his hand in mine.