Heavy Love
1402 Words
Katie“Someone is in a good mood this morning,” Sierra says to me at my locker.
“Yes,” I say.
“So, what happened this weekend that has turned my best friend from angry to happy so quickly?” Sierra asks.
“Well…I kissed Colin,” I say.
“No!” Sierra says excitedly. “I knew you guys were going to. All the tension needed to be released. How was it?”
“Nothing short of amazing,” I say. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”
“Not even Devon?” Sierra asks.
“No,” I say. “But, funny enough, Devon visited his family this weekend.”
Sierra’s eyes go big. “You didn’t run into him, did you?”
“He purposely found me to talk to me,” I say.
“How did that go?” Sierra asks.
"Sierra, I have to tell you something," I say. Now that I've talked to Devon and told Colin the truth about how my last relationship ended, I feel better about sharing the truth with the people I'm closest to.
“What is it?” Sierra asks.
“Devon cheated on me,” I say. “That’s why we broke up.”
“No!” Sierra says. “That bastard! I can’t believe he would do that…”
“Sierra,” I say and grab her arms to stop her. “Please, stop.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Sierra asks.
“I was embarrassed,” I say.
“Oh, Katie,” Sierra says. “He’s an i***t and doesn’t deserve you. Did you kick him the balls once or twice?”
I laugh. "None," I say. "We actually had a good conversation. Eventually. I can tell he's sorry about what happened."
“You didn’t forgive him, did you?” Sierra asks.
“No,” I say. “But I will in time.”
“No, Katie,” Sierra says. “You can’t get back with that guy after what he did to you.”
“Relax,” I say. “I’m not. Forgiving him doesn’t mean taking him back. It just means me recovering from what he did.”
***
I tap Colin's shoulder at his locker and his face turns into a smile when he sees me. I put a hand on his chest and then kiss him softly. "I could get used to this," he says. "Not scared what people will think?"
“That I’m dating a handsome genius?” I say.
“I like you a lot, Katie,” Colin says.
"Good, or else that kiss would have been awkward," I say, and we smile at each other.
Colin’s friend, Ryan walks up to us. “It feels like only yesterday she was ripping up your work and throwing labs at you,” Ryan says sarcastically.
“Funny,” Colin says as he puts his hands on my hips.
“How did he convince you, Katie?” Ryan asks me.
“Shut up,” Colin says.
The bell rings. “I’ll see you later,” I say and go on my toes to kiss him again and leave both of them.
ColinRyan watches Katie walking away and says, “She has a really nice…”
“Think carefully what you say next,” I say sternly.
“Scrunchie?” Ryan says and I roll my eyes in response.
***
KatieI hear a whistle as I walk by a group of guys and instead of ignoring it, I turn to them. "Really?" I say.
“Is it true that you’re dating that Grade 11 science nerd now?” Tyler asks.
“Yes,” I say.
“Wow, I really didn’t see that one coming,” Tyler says. “You’ve really dropped your standards.”
“Screw you,” I say.
“Does Colin know who you dated before him?” Tyler says. “Or better yet, does Devon know who you’re dating after him?”
“You are a real pain, Tyler,” I say. “Clearly making out with you was when I was at my lowest.”
Tyler smiles at me. “Still did it,” Tyler says. “And a lot more with a lot more guys. How does your science boy feel about that?”
“You know that’s not true,” I say to him.
“Sure, Katie,” Tyler says. “Whatever you say.” And then he turns back to talking with his group of friends.
***
“Katie!” Uncle Joe says as he pulls into our driveway as I’m about to get into my car.
“Hi Uncle Joe,” I say as he steps out of his car.
“Hockey practice?” he says. I nod. He looks at his watch. “A little early?” Uncle Joe pays a lot of attention to everything going on in my life. He comes to almost all my hockey games.
“I’m stopping off at a friend’s before I go,” I say.
“A certain lab partner?” Uncle Joe says and smiles.
“Uncle Joe!” I say.
“When is he coming over to meet your Mom and Dad?” Uncle Joe says.
“We just started dating,” I say. “I don’t want to scare him away yet.”
“Smart girl,” Uncle Joe says. “Just tell me if he steps out of line.”
“He’s a good guy,” I say.
“Good,” Uncle Joe says. “I’m glad you found someone after that loser ex-boyfriend of yours.”
“He’s not a loser,” I say. “Just a guy that did a bad thing. You used to like Devon.” I tell Uncle Joe everything, so I was the one that had to hold him back from driving down to Queen’s to kill Devon two months ago. Yes, he is the only person I told about Devon cheating on me at the time.
“And now I hate him,” Uncle Joe says.
I look at my uncle. “I have a question. Are you moving?”
“Who told you that?” Uncle Joe says.
“I overheard Mom and Dad talking,” I say.
“Eavesdropping,” Uncle Joe says and then smiles. “Not far. And not until after Christmas break. I was going to wait to tell you.”
“Why are you changing?” I ask.
“The maternity leave I have been covering is coming to an end soon, so I need a new job and unfortunately can’t find one here,” he says. “I’ll see you later.” And then he goes into the house.
***
No POV“You seem upset,” Tyler says to Jared who is standing in the hallway with his arms crossed, staring at Colin and Katie together by her locker. Katie grabs the front of his shirt and then stands on her toes to kiss him.
“What’s she doing with him?” Jared says.
Tyler looks at the two of them. “Well, I’m not sure, but it looks like she might be dating him,” Tyler says sarcastically.
“I can see that,” Jared says annoyed. “But why him? He’s just some Grade 11 science nerd.”
“Do you think he needs a talking to?” Tyler says.
"You think us beating up on a Grade 11 geek is going to help?" Jared says.
"Fine," Tyler says. "Then ruin something important to him. He's obsessed with school. Screw around with his grades or ruin one of his projects."
Jared just stares at the two of them together. Colin puts his hand to her neck and kisses her softly. Katie. His brother’s ex-girlfriend. “I’ve got a better idea,” Jared says, pulling out his phone, and turns to walk in the other direction.
- Writer
