Meant to Be

Chapter one part 2

Our hands fit perfectly together putting my mind at ease. Maybe this was all meant to be. Trav and I together and Shawna and Tyler finally together. One big happy friend group of couples. Only thing is what happens when one couple splits? I didn’t wanna think about that right now, so I just focused on my hand wrapped in his.

The entire ride home nobody talked. We just let the music fill the silence. Normally Shawna and I would be singing along while Tyler hit the screamo parts. But instead, I was to focused and Trav to even notice Shawna and Tyler secretly holding hands, thinking we couldn’t see them in the rearview mirror. I wanted so badly to turn around and tell her how happy I was for her like she did for me. But seeing how they were trying to hide it; she would act like I was seeing things.

We dropped them off at their houses first, thankfully they lived right next to each other. That left Trav and I alone for at least another 5 minutes to my house. God how I wished I lived just a little further away. I knew once I got home I would have to make it look like I had started a project so thankfully I hoard crafting supplies in my closet. Trav was the first to break the silence after we pulled out of Tyler’s driveway. “Dar?” “Yea Trav what’s up?” at that moment he grabbed my hand again, pulling it up to his mouth where he placed a gentle sweet kiss. “I do have another question to ask you.” Whatever it was I knew I would say yes with no hesitation. “Of course, ask me anything.” A smile appeared across his face. “Today has been one of the best first days of school ever for me and I was wondering if maybe, we could hangout again tomorrow and maybe even everyday after school? Just you and me?” Was he asking me to be his girlfriend? Did he really know after one date that he wanted to be more then this. “You mean as friends?” I could tell the word friends hurt him a little bit. s**t I didn’t want him to think I just wanted to be friends. Of course, I wanted so much more than that, I have just never dated anyone before, so I didn’t know how to go about it or how to act without coming off as super clingy. Before I could say what I wanted to say Trav stuttered. “No, I, what I meant was would you maybe wanna be my, I don’t know girlfriend? If it’s too soon I completely understand, I just want to continue being around you and be able to hold you hand and kiss you.”

Before Trav could say anything else I said the only thing that came to mind. “Trav pull the car over.” He did and when he put it in park, I took off my seatbelt and grabbed his face and kissed him, with so much passion I even suprised myself. When we finally stopped I said. “Trav I would like nothing more then to be your girlfriend, if that’s what you are asking me. I am sorry if it sounded like I just wanted to be friends because that’s not it at all. I am just not used to someone actually liking me. People have always just liked Shawna more.” He couldn’t help but smile. “Dar, the idea of dating Shawna never even crossed my mind because of how much Tyler talked about her. She has never been an option. As for you, Tyler would tell me about his amazing and caring best friend who was adorable and funny, and definitely my type I just had to see a picture. When he finally showed me your picture I just knew I had to get to know you.” I couldn’t help myself I had to kiss him again, but this time it was different because this time it was as his girlfriend. Not just some crazy freshman that he oddly enough liked.

We stayed parked on the side of the road talking and kissing for what felt like hours, until I looked down at the clock and realized my mom would be home in ten minutes for her second lunch break! “Trav we have to go now! If I am not home before my mother gets home, and she sees me in the car with you ill never be allowed out of the house again” Trav gave me one last kiss before he put the car in drive and thankfully we were only two minutes from my house. I gave him a kiss goodbye before running into the house, quickly to set up my decoy “project”. But not till after watching him drive away, wishing he didn’t have to leave but knowing I would see him again in the morning. Mom pulled in just ten minutes after Trav dropped me off giving me plenty of time to set up the mess I called a project. “Darla I’m home!” I looked up from the project, still pretending to be busy working on it. “Oh, hey mom! Is it past ten already I better get off to bed, wouldn’t wanna be tired for my second day at school.” Before I could start cleaning up and run up to my room my mother was glaring at me. “What in the hell did you do to your hair?” I had remembered to keep the project lie going but forgot about my school only appearance. “Oh, we had a fun first day. We um put chalk into each other’s hair in art class. Yea the teacher was showing us how the colors show up different on different colors and types of hair.” “Oh, ok sweetie just as long as it wasn’t that Shawna girl trying to corrupt you again. Now I won’t be back until after you are supposed to start class so you will have to take the bus today. Sorry sweetheart.” It’s sad how easily it was to lie to my mother these days, but after dad left she didn’t really question my lies much. “Well good night mom, I love you.” I gave her a hug and ran up to my room to lay in bed and dream about being Trav’s girlfriend. Today is gonna be great I can just feel it! Today is my first official day as Trav’s girlfriend. But what in the hell was I gonna wear. I looked at the clock and realized I had like no time to go full out school Darla. Wait… I have a boyfriend with a car now, no need to rush to make the bus. I quickly pulled out my phone and realized we never exchanged numbers. Now I feel stupid, but thankfully I knew of one person who would. “Hey Dar, what’s up? You never call me this early.” Tyler would have his number, but he was right its usually Shawna I call before school. “Sorry, I forgot to get Trav’s number last night and I left my backpack in his car so I was gonna call him and see if he could bring it to school for me, but I don’t have his number. Could you send it to me please I would owe you big time!” Tyler Paused “I could just text him if you want.” Why did he have to be so oblivious sometimes. “No, I wanna do it myself and thank him for such a great time last night.” Tyler laughed. “Ok fine Ill text it to you so that you two love birds can have secret convo’s without including Shawna and I " he laughed. Look who was talking. If only he realized what Trav, and I knew about him and Shawna. “Thank you Tyler I owe you!”

The text finally came through and I couldn’t decide whether to text or call. Texting would be faster, but the idea of hearing his voice was all to tempting. Hopefully he wouldn’t be mad that Tyler gave me his number. I quicky dialed the number and he picked up on the third ring “Um hello?” s**t I knew I should have texted first. “Hey it’s Darla.” “Oh, hey babe, what’s my beautiful girlfriend up to this morning? Wait how did you get my number? I was so pissed at myself when I woke up because I forgot to get your number last night.” Wait did he just call me babe? I just about melted right there on my bedroom floor. Would it weird him out if I called him babe to? “Yea sorry, I called Tyler and got it from him I hope you don’t mind.” He laughed a little “Its all-good babe. So, what’s up?” I couldn’t help but let out a small giggle when he called me babe again. “I was wondering if maybe you could give me a ride to school today, so I don’t have to take the bus?” Without hesitation he said. “I couldn’t think of any other way I would wanna start my day. Ill be there in 20 minutes babe talk to you later.” Third time yes please, not like I was keeping track or anything. Without thinking I said. “Ok babe, see you soon. Bye.” I hung up the phone so quick I didn’t even hear him say goodbye. Now time to get dressed and pack my mom approved clothes for after school.

I couldn’t decide what to wear and having only 20 minutes wasn’t gonna be enough time. So, I went safe. I put on the fall out boy shirt he picked out yesterday and paired it with my new pink skinny jeans and black high tops. I had remembered that Shawna left some of her belts in my closet, so I grabbed the white one and put it on. Unlike her I actually put it on the right way. Thankfully my hair was easy. My hair is naturally straight, so I only needed a few touch ups, a little teasing and a buttload of hairspray. Not gonna lie it was nice being able to get ready for school my way at home and not in the school bathroom. Final touch was some clip in coon tails, my mascara and lip-gloss. Right as I finished my makeup, I heard my phone ring. It was Trav. “Hey babe, I’m downstairs are you ready?” Thankfully I actually was. “Yes, just finished up ill be down in a minute.” I ran as fast as i could down the stairs and out the door. “Make sure you bring a hoodie its cold out today.” He was so sweet and caring but I was so distracted by hearing him talk I didn’t catch what he said and walked outside and instantly realized what he said. He got out of the car with something in his hand. “I told you it was cold silly. Here I have an extra one with me you can have it. I promise its clean I only wore it the other day for a little bit.” Wait was he giving me his hoodie? I have never been so happy I forgot a hoodie in my life. “Thanks Trav.” As I went to grab the hoodie, he helped me put it on instead. Then after it was on he spun me around and pulled me in for a kiss. “Man, I thought that hoodie looked good on me, but it definitely looks better on you.” I couldn’t help but smile. His hoodie was big enough on me that it looked like I put on a dress. One of the many perks of having a tall boyfriend I guess. The sleeves were so long that just my fingertips stuck out.

Trav walked me to the car and opened the door for me again. Before he shut the door, he gave me a kiss on the forehead, “You look so beautiful today by the way.” So much for not blushing like crazy today. I swear he keeps treating me like this, my face, may never be normal colored again. He shut the door and climbed into his side of the car, and we pulled out and headed towards school. I live close to the lake, so it was a good five ten-minute drive to school. I couldn’t be more thankful for living far enough away from the school that Trav and I had enough time alone together. “Hey, would you want some coffee or anything before school, I skipped breakfast this morning because I was to excited to see you this morning.” Did he really skip breakfast just for me. I wondered how long it would be before things he did like this didn’t surprise me so much. “Yea, coffee sounds perfect. I’m not really a breakfast person.” We went to the Tim Horton’s right by the school, the place where we had our first date yesterday. We got our coffee, and he got his breakfast and we walked back to the car. We had an hour before school started and didn’t wanna waste a second of it. As we pulled into the school parking lot and relaxed and started talking there was a huge knock on his side of the car. Apparently we didn’t park far enough from the school, because there was Shawna and Tyler. They opened the doors to the back seat and got in. “Did you two really get coffee with out us?” Shawna asked with a snarky tone. “Yea rude. The love birds are already forgetting about their best friends.” Tyler said pushing on the back of Trav’s seat. “Will you two stop. Dar needed a ride and we both skipped breakfast. Neither of you called and asked for a ride, or you would have gotten some to so ha” Trav was standing up for us. I mean we both knew they were joking, but it was still super sweet.

“Okay spill you two. The arm around the shoulders. The disappearing, the hand holding in the car on the way home last night, and now a ride to school with a free coffee date? What gives? Are you guys officially dating or not?” Shawna was never one to sugar coat anything. Trav looked at me like he was asking for permission to tell them. I didn’t wanna keep it a secret, so I just nodded my head “Yes, I asked Dar to be my girlfriend last night before I dropped her off at home. Does that answer your question?” Shawna’s face lit up with excitement. “Yay! I mean that was fast, but Tyler and I just knew it was gonna happen.” I could see it in Trav’s face he was gonna ask what him and I both already knew. “So you two, what took so long for you to meet us back at the car? And what was with the hand holding in the back seat?” Shawna’s jaw dropped. She looked over at Tyler. They knew they had been caught. “You guys saw that?” Tyler said blushing. “We saw a lot more then that guys.” Trav wasn’t holding back. If they were gonna call us out it was only fair he did the same. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” Shawna snapped back. I couldn’t help myself at this point. Before Trav could say anything I said. “We were in the phone booth right next to you guys when Tyler finally confessed how he felt about you, and you kissed him. We were gonna let you guys tell us but since you didn’t let us tell you about us without pressuring us, It was only fair.” Both of their jaws dropped. I was never like this at all. I always kept my mouth shut when it came to other people’s business. “don’t get me wrong Trav and I are happy for you, we just wish you didn’t feel the need to hide it from us. We are your best friends, and we will support you both no matter what.”

I could see the look on Shawna’s face. She wasn’t gonna lie about it, but she seemed hurt. I didn’t do anything wrong here, I didn’t hide anything. I just haven’t seen her yet to tell her anything about Trav and I. “I’m sorry Darla and Trav. We shouldn’t have pressured you about you guys without thinking about what we were hiding first. We haven’t even figured out what we are yet.” Tyler took her hand. “All I know is that I have feelings for Shawna and always have. When I admitted my feelings well you saw, she kissed me. That’s all that happened. We haven’t even talked since then about what it all meant, that’s why we were coming to find you guys so we could get your opinion, but I guess now we have it and we can talk it out.”

Now I felt horrible why didn’t I just keep my damn mouth shut like normal. Before I could apologize Tyler said, “Shawna can we go talk about last night somewhere private please?” Shawna shook her head yes and they both left the car without another word. As much as I was happy that I could spend the next 45 minutes alone with Trav, I couldn't help but feel like I really hurt my best friends. I sent Shawna a text “Hey I’m so sorry if we pushed you guys into something you weren’t ready to talk about. You are my best friend and I never wanted to hurt you.” I didn’t think I would get a reply, but she texted back right away. I was scared to open it but I know that I needed to no matter what it contained. “I am not mad or upset. Honestly I am glad you did because now him and I are dating! Girl I owe you! Ttyl "

Not only was she not upset, but now we are both in relationships. And in some crazy way Trav and I helped get them together. Trav saw the smile on my face before I realized it he was pulling me in close and said. “Well they aren’t mad so that’s a plus. Also now we can double date. But I do have to say I have the most beautiful girl on my arm.” He kissed me with as much passion as he did last night. But somehow it felt different, not in a bad way but better. “Trav you can’t keep kissing me like that. Ill never wanna leave your arms if you do.” Trav laughed. “Babe you act like that would be a bad thing. But you are right, ill save that for when we aren’t going to be late for class. Let me walk you to your first class and I’ll meet you at your locker for lunch.”

The Rest of the first half of school felt like it dragged on. It wasn’t like me to not pay attention in class, but all I could think about was Trav. How he held my hand walking me from class to class. Showing the whole school that I was his. I mean not that the school would really care about two outcasts, or so I thought. Trav walked me to 4th period which was my art class that was mixed with other grades. He gave me a kiss and was on his way to his intro to trig class just down the next hall. I walked in and took the spot farthest from the front. “Hey you freshman! Over here” Some junior girls were calling me over to them. I was gonna ignore them but sadly the last available seat was exactly where they were calling me to. “Hey, was that the new guy Travis that just brought you to class? Why did he kiss you I thought he didn’t know any of the girls here.” I didn’t even wanna know how they thought they knew all of this in just one day. I don’t know how I didn’t think a guy like Trav wouldn’t be attractive to these girls. They are more his age; it would make more since for him to be with one of them. But he chose me, and that must piss them off so much. “Oh Trav is my boyfriend.” Seeing their jaws drop was priceless. “Oh well congrats I guess.”

They were not the best at whispering, unless they meant for me to hear them say. “What the hell does he see in this little freshman? She is nothing but a little wanna be scream queen freak.” Wanna be? Did I really come off as a wanna be? I get that I haven’t always dressed like this, but that’s because of my mom. I dress the way I feel comfortable. I’m not trying to be or act like anyone; I’m just being me and you know what? Being me is what got me Trav so those girls can just kiss my ass for making me second guess myself. That class couldn’t go by any slower. The longer I had to sit next to those girls, the harder it was to not run off crying with every hurtful thing they said about me. Thankfully before I knew it the bell rang. I have never gotten out of my seat so damn fast. Thankfully Trav wasn’t at the door yet to see the tears start to flow down my face, but Shawna did.

“Ok Darla spill, who’s ass am I kicking.” She tried to comfort me, but I shrugged her off. “It’s nothing Shawna just leave it alone.” She grabbed my shoulder and pulled me into the empty stairwell. “Its not nothing Darla, someone or something made you cry. You are my best friend; I hate seeing you like this. It wasn’t Trav was it? You guys didn’t breakup already did you?” I started crying harder, finally in a quiet enough spot. “Its not that Shawna, why would a guy like Trav be with a loser freshman like me. I am nothing special.” I could see the look on Shawna’s face through my tear-soaked eye’s she was pissed. “Please tell me you aren’t listening to Lexi and her band of wanna Be’s.” I realized no matter how long I put off telling Shawna the truth she was gonna figure it out by the look on my face. “I had no choice but to sit by Lexi and Trina during Mrs. Zittel’s class. They asked me about Trav and then when I told them we were dating, they just kept talking so much s**t making sure I could hear it.” Shawna clenched her fists, and I have seen the damage they can do so I was glad they weren’t aimed at me, not that they ever would be. “f**k what those stupid bitches have to say. I overheard them yesterday in my gym class talking about how they were gonna try and convince Trav to date Lexi. Well her f*****g loss because Trav is totally into you. I can see it just by the way he looks at you, it's the same way Tyler looks at me. So ignore them and just remember, you are the one on his arm not that jealous b***h. Now let’s go find the boys for lunch.”

Shawna was right, I was the one Trav chose not Lexi. So in the words of Shawna that jealous b***h can kiss my ass, because the better woman won Trav’s heart. I couldn’t help but smile, knowing I won. Before I could say anything, I felt arms wrap around my stomach. “How was last period baby?” Just one touch from him and I melt like a damn marshmallow. “It was fine.” I don’t want him to know what happened. But of course Shawna couldn’t keep her mouth shut. “Darla don’t lie to him. Tell him what those bitches said. If you don’t I will.” I just glared at Shawna. But of course she didn’t get the hint. “Lexi and her group of copycats made Darla cry.” I could feel Trav tense up around me. “What happened babe?” Well so much for not telling him. “Lexi and Trina were asking questions about us and when I told them that we were dating they started talking so much s**t about me even though I could hear them.” I tried to hold back the tears, but they came flowing out before I could stop them. Trav didn’t say a single word he just took me into a big hug and kissed the top of my head, he took his hoodie sleeve and wiped away the tears rolling down my cheeks.

“We can’t let Lexi get away with this.” Shawna was never one to give up without a fight. “It’s not worth it. Trav chose me and not them. That’s not my fault, so I’m just gonna try to ignore them and enjoy my relationship.” Trav leaned down and gave me a quick kiss on the lips. “Well not that there was any competition, but I definitely made the right choice.” At that moment Tyler finally made his way up to us. “Where have you guys been? I have been sitting at our table for like ten minutes waiting for you. Now we have to wait in the super long line for lunch.” Trav looked at all of us and smiled. “We could always skip the rest of the day and go get lunch then hit up the skate park or something.” Trav knew I had two more classes with them today, so of course he would suggest skipping school. “What do you think babe? Do you wanna skip with them?” Tyler asked. You could see that he was waiting for her to yell at him for calling her babe, but to all of our surprise she said. “Sure love sounds good to me. I will take any chance to skip intro to bio, you don’t have to ask me twice.” We all laughed and made our way to the parking lot.

Not gonna lie, you would think our school would care more if their students were skipping or not. But they don’t. None of the side doors that face the parking lot are even guarded like the front door or sports doors. Way to keep your kids in class Lakeshore. When we got to the car Tyler took a page from the book of dating by Trav and opened the door for Shawna. Shawna tried to hide the fact that she was blushing, but I definitely saw it. Trav as always was already at my door with it open, waiting for me. “Thanks babe.” I smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek and got into my seat. “So where do we all wanna go for lunch?” I was definitely up for some mighty taco, but that meant driving all the way to Hamburg. Shawna was probably gonna suggest Denny’s, which meant Tyler was gonna go along with what ever she wanted. But maybe I would have to pull the being the driver’s girlfriend card. “Babe what were you thinking. You are the one who is having a bad day, so the choice is yours.” Trav was so sweet, but he didn’t understand that I don’t like making the decisions knowing that what I want nobody else will want. So I just went with my normal answer. “It’s ok babe, really I don’t mind going where everyone else wants to go. You getting me away from the school is enough to make my day better.” Shawna pulled herself up in between Trav and I. “We all know you want Mighty, don’t worry about us. I am actually in the mood for a taco anyways.” “Well mighty taco it is then babe.” Trav reached over and wrapped his hand around mine.

He really was super sweet; I really am such a lucky girl. I just wish I didn’t have to hide how happy I was from my mom. Ever since dad left, she can’t stand the sight of other couples. She has even asked to be moved to other tables at restaurants if we get seated next to couples. Mom would break down knowing that I was happy with someone, and she wasn’t. But I wasn’t going to worry about that until I really need to.