Second Chance at Love

Chapter 5

I can’t believe it’s him. Of all people that could have shown up tonight, why him? My luck really sucks! I still remember the last time I ever talk to him. Still hurts just as much now as it did back then.

*Memory*

Exams are finally over and its Friday! Yeah! Can’t wait to let loose at the party tonight. I’m even more excited I think I’ll finally tell Mathieu how I really feel about him. I’m pretty sure he already knows, but we never acknowledge it. We’ve been friends since before we started school. Our moms were really close friends, so we grew up together. We even took baths together, talk about awkward memories now.

He’s been my crush for years, but I never had the courage to actually tell him. Maybe I’ll say something tonight. Who knows?

I’ve told my friends about what I’m planning. They’re supposed to help me get in in the closet when we play 7 minutes in heaven. I’m starting to feel giddy just thinking about it.

The night going great, we dance, we laugh. We’re having a great time. Finally, we get around to playing 7 minutes in heaven. Everything’s going to plan, or so I think.

In our game, the girl has to cover her eyes, only taking it off when the timers go off. My turn comes, I get in. I think I hear the door close. I feel someone next to me. Before getting into business, I start confessing to him.

“Mathieu, we’ve been friends for a long time, I wouldn’t want to make things awkward between us, but I have to tell you this.” Taking a deep breath, I continue, “I’ve liked you for years and I wanted to tell you how much of a great guy I think you are. I was wondering if maybe you might feel the same way about me?”

He doesn’t reply. Why isn’t he saying anything?

“Mat? Did you hear me? Are you still there?” I ask, starting to feel nervous from him not saying anything.

Suddenly, I start hearing muffled laughter. What the hell?!

Taking off my blindfold, I see the door open, with a lot of people staring at me, filming me. Mathieu in the middle of everyone watching me.

“What’s going on guys? What are you filming for?”

“You really are gullible, aren’t you Tasha? Did you really think Mathieu would ever go out with you? He deserves to be with someone like Bettany, not you! You are not on the same caliber! Wake up, loser!” With that, everyone starts laughing again.

How can my “friends” do that to me? What did I do for them to be so cruel to me?

What hurts the most, is Mathieu looking at me, not saying anything at all… He’s supposed to be my best friend, but he’s not saying anything. Am I really just a joke to him too?

Feeling tears coming up, I pushed my way through the crowd, leaving the party in a hurry.

I don’t think I ever cried this much in my entire life. I spent the weekend in my bed. On Monday I don’t even want to go. I’ve never been part of the popular crowd, but I’ve never been an outcast either. Everywhere I walk, all I can hear is about the party. About the video, and about how Mathieu was “shocked” and “annoyed” with my confession. I see him further down the corridor, but when he sees me coming, He looks at me for a moment, then turns around like I don’t even exist. I feel my heartbreaking.  All those years of friendship, did they not mean anything to him? I promised myself after that day, I would never give him any of my care or attention.

*End of memory*

Sitting outside, Mathieu comes out joining me.

What does he want now? I think to myself, annoyed.

“Tasha, can I talk to you, please? I know I don’t any rights to ask, but please, just give me second.” He says pleadingly.

“What do you want,” I tell him in a very direct tone, not looking at him.

“Can you look at me?” He says in the same sweet voice I remembered. I sight, barely looking up.

“Look, I never meant to hurt you back then. I” He sighs “I didn’t know what to say. Bettany said some weird thing and I just didn’t know what to believe and what to say. And after the 7 minutes in heaven, I just didn’t know how to talk to you anymore. I’m really sorry I didn’t. I should have just asked you the truth.” He says, making me confused.

“What are you talking about? What did Bettany tell you?” I ask him, finally looking directly at him.

“What do you mean? Didn’t you tell Bettany you got pregnant and wanted to hook up with me to pretend it was mine since I’m a reliable guy?”

“WHAT THE f**k ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!? I NEVER GOT PREGNANT IN HIGHSCHOOL! ARE YOU INSANE! I WAS A f*****g VIRGIN UNTIL AFTER COLLEGE!” I yell at him, furious by his accusation and revelation.

How can he think I would ever do something like that? Or that I would even get pregnant in high school!?

“You… You weren’t pregnant? But you had gained a lot of weight that year… Didn’t you?” The nerve of that guy!

“I got fat eating all those desserts our mother was trying in culinary class, you moron! How the hell can you think I would ever do that to you? You were my best friend. Did you really think so little of me? Was I just a distraction for you until something better came along, is that it? Is that why you never defended me after that f*****g party? Do you know how much I got bullied after that night? Do you even care?!” I tell him, angry and crying by now.

“I… I’m so sorry Tasha, I should have asked you, talk to you about it. I wanted to talk to you, but when I showed up at your place, your mom told me you moved away already. Since you already had all your credits to graduate, you left early. You never told you mom what happened, did you? Because she didn’t seem to understand why you wanted to leave so fast. And not even telling me you were leaving. She looked so confused when I told her I didn’t know you had left. I’m so sorry, can you ever forgive me?”

As I’m about to answer him, my cellphone rings. Kailee’s calling me at 2 am? That’s odd…

“Kaylee? Is everything alright?” I ask when I answer.

“MOM!” I hear her crying at the other end. Sobering up instantly, I sit up straight.

“Kaylee!? What’s going on? What happened?” I ask, full mama mode.

“I…We…” She can barely say a word without her desperately sobbing.

“Kaylee, take a deep breath sweet-pea. That’s it. Now, tell me what happened. Are you hurt?”

“I’m not hurt. I don’t think so anyway. But mom, we… We ended up at a party. I know I say I was going to Bree’s place, but I lied, we when to a party and now Mackenzie’s unconscious and I can’t wake her up! Mom, what do I do?” She says, starting to panic again.

I knew something was up when I got home today. She was acting so weirdly. I should have pushed the questions further.

“Take a deep breath, it’s going to be ok. Where are you? Where’s that party?” I ask, trying to stay calm myself.

“We’re outside, I don’t know where the party is. Mom, I’m scared.” She says, crying.

“Is your GPS on your phone on?” I ask

“I think so.”

“Ok, I want you to send me a ping location to my cell, I’m on my way. Stay outside, stay away from everyone else. Try waking her up, If you can. I’m coming to get you, girls!”

Getting up, I look at my phone’s GPS for Kaylee’s cell phone location.

“What’s going on Tasha? Who was that?” Mathieu asks, looking concerned.

“That my daughter, She’s and her friends are in trouble. I have to go!” I say, rushing out to my jeep.

“What happened to them? Do you need help?” Mathieu asks again.

“Someone drugged her friend, she’s not sure if any of her or other friends have been drugged so far, there’s only one unconscious.” Thinking for a slip second.” Yes, I could use some help.”

My pride can take a hike when it comes to my daughter’s safety!