A Second Chance (7 page)

I
hop out of the car, and head straight to my locker. Walking through the parking lot, then the hallways, I didn’t spot Tate anywhere. As I slam my locker, I notice a couple a few lockers down, through the crowd of people, in an embrace. At first it doesn’t faze me, I see this sort of thing all the time around here. But upon a closer look, I notice its Tate and Courtney.  I storm over to them, shove Courtney out of the way and slap Tate. Hard, across his face.

“You bastard!” He starts to come forward to me and I take a step back. I put my hands up. “Don’t, we’re over, and I swear to God, if you try to pull some alpha male crap saying we’re not, I’ll kick you so hard, you’ll never have children.” Before walking away, I turn to Courtney. “You are a slut. You cheat on Tate, yet, when he finally breaks up with you, you pull this?”

I back up, so both Tate and Courtney are in my view. I don’t have anything else to say. I walk away, as I shake my head in disappointment. I hear Tate yelling for me down the hall, but I don’t stop. I spot Lily standing by her locker. She watched the whole thing, her face in total shock. I grab her by the arm, then loop mine through hers.

Lily and I walk to class together like nothing happened. I will NOT let anyone see me cry. I feel like I had déjà vu all over again! Why can’t I actually have a normal life? I go through the rest of the day not seeing Tate or Courtney. Be my luck that they left together. I don’t care anymore. I should have known it was a game from the start.

After school Lily takes me home, I walk in the house and go straight up stairs. I change into my sports bra and black shorts and head to the garage. I put my head phones in and start going at it on the bag. I told myself I will not cry and I mean it. Now I am taking all my anger towards Tate and Courtney out on my bag.

Mom comes out to let me know supper is ready. So I run up to my room to get cleaned up, then help mom set the table. I finish up, when mom says, “Oh, set for one more, Rayleigh. Tate is joining us tonight.”

I whip around. “Are you kidding me?”

Mom frowns. “No sweetie, he was outside when I got home, I invited him for supper. Your dad and I need to get to know your boyfriend a little more.”

“Not my boyfriend, not anymore. Fine, I’ll set a place for him, but I’m not sitting by him.”

Ignoring my mother, I set his place between my brothers, and I place my plate up by my dad.

Once everything is set up, mom calls for everyone to come eat, and I realize that Tate was already here. He tries to catch my eye throughout supper, but I don’t even glance his way.

After supper I help mom clean up a bit and head up to my room. Tate is still here, and before I make it to the stairs he has ahold of my arm. “Ray, can we talk please?”

I shrug my arm out of his hold. “No.” I say without looking at him and make my way up to my room. I close and lock my door, then go over to my balcony and make sure those doors are locked too. Since I know he’s able to come in through them.

I finish up my homework, and talk to Lily on the phone for a bit. She doesn’t even bring up what happened at school today. And I’m thankful for that.

I lay in bed, about to fall asleep when there is a knock on my balcony door. Glad I locked it. I don’t bother turning towards it, I just ignore it. Tate finally stops knocking, but then minutes later the doors swing open. I jump up in bed and see him putting some tool away and walking in.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“You wouldn’t talk to me.”

“Yeah, I have a reason for that, now go before I yell and my parents come in.”

“Ray, will you just let me talk!” he says, getting mad.

“No, I said all I needed to say today at school. Leave.”

He sighs. “I’ll let you have tonight, but tomorrow, we’re talking.”

“Whatever Tate, you don’t need to wait for me in the morning, Lily is picking me up.”

“No she isn’t. I’m taking you to school, and we’re talking.”

“No, Tate we aren’t. You want to talk to someone, go find Courtney. You and I can eventually go back to being friends.” I roll over in bed, hoping he’ll get the hint and leave. But he doesn’t.

He comes over to the bed and leans over me. “I’m not letting you go without a fight. We will be talking, and we’re not fucking broken up.” He says firmly, and then leaves.

I always thought reading about this in books was hot, but when it happens in real life, not so much.

The next morning my alarm went off. I roll over and hit it off. I didn’t even want to get up for the day. I took my time as I got up and take a quick shower. Getting out and throwing on some sweat pants and a t-shirt, I throw my hair up in a messy bun, not bothering put any make up on. I know they say the first day after a break up you should put a smile on your face and move on. But that only happens in the movies. In real life you feel like complete crap after a break up.

I grab my bag and walk out to Lily’s car. I didn’t even bother talking to my parents. I’m sure whatever this funk is that I’m in, will be gone by the end of the day. Well I at least hope it is. I notice that Tate is waiting on me, but I just gave him the finger and hopped in Lily’s car. She didn’t even bother to ask what is going until we were close to school.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Lily asks, eyeing me to see my reaction.

I sigh, “Tate broke into my room last night, being all alpha telling me that we were not over. I don’t know. I just don’t want to deal with him or Courtney today. I know for a fact that she will be in my face telling me that she will always have him.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Uh, yeah I do. Do you not remember her telling me to stay away? Maybe, I should have done just that. I wouldn’t be in this predicament right now.”

Lily shrugs her shoulders as we pull into the school parking lot and park.  I see Tate already parked and leaning against his car. How did he get here so fast, he was at home when we left?

I get out of Lily’s car and head straight into the school. There was no way I was dealing with any of this drama today. I stop at my locker and get the books I need, then head into class. I sit in my regular seat with Lily behind me asking me if I’m okay. I nod my head, not wanting to talk to anyone.

I sit in class, not even paying attention to what the teacher is saying. As I hear the bell ring, I walk out and see Tate by my locker. I walk to my locker and open it.

“Hey Ray.”

“It’s Ray-leigh! If you can’t get my name right don’t call me anything. I’m not Ray and I’m not your girlfriend!” I stomp off and go to gym.

I go straight to the changing room, not wanting to even talk to Ben right now. I don’t want to hear it any more. I gave Tate a chance to tell me the truth and he didn’t. How am I ever supposed to believe him again?

I change into my gym clothes and head out to the floor. Coach tells everyone to start running their mile to get it out of the way for the week.

As I am running, getting my mile out of the way I start feeling sick. I knew it was a bad idea for me to skip breakfast; was the last thought that crossed my mind before everything went black.

I
wake up in the nurses’ office. I start to sit up but feel lightheaded. “Take it easy. I’ll go get you some crackers and water.” Nurse Gloria says, and heads out of the room.  I knew skipping breakfast today was bad and on top of me barely eating last night. The door opens up and Tate stands there looking worried.

“Are you ok?” he says coming close and sitting in the chair next to me.

“Yeah fine, you can leave now.”

He doesn’t get to say anything, as Nurse Gloria comes back in with crackers and water. “I don’t need to express how important it is to eat properly.” She says shaking her head. “Mr. Davis, aren’t you supposed to be in class?”

Tate smiles. “Yes ma’am, but I wanted to see how my girl here was doing.”

I frown. I look over at the nurse. “I’m not his girl; can you get him to leave now?”

“Ray.” Tate starts but Nurse Gloria interrupts him.

“You heard the girl. Go on. Get to class.”  Tate gets up out of his chair. Leans forward and grabs me by the back of the head giving me a hard, mouth crushing kiss. When he pulls back he looks hurt, and then reluctantly leaves the room.

I watch as he exits the room and put my hand to my mouth. I trace my lips where Tate just kissed me. I lean back onto the cot, and groan. I knew I should have stayed at home today.

“Are you feeling okay sweetie? Would you like to go home?” That actually sounded like the best idea I ever heard.

“Yes, please. If you would call my parents.”

“I already called your mom. She is on standby waiting for my call to come get you. I will call her now.”

“Thank you.”

Twenty minutes later, my mom shows up to check me out of school. I didn’t bother to even go back to gym to change. I figured Lily will just bring my things to my house later when school is over. I get in the car and my mom keeps eyeing me like she wants to me ask me something but is scared to.

“Honey, are you okay?” My mom asks me.

“Yes mom. I just didn’t eat this morning and I didn’t eat much last night, since you invited Tate over.” I say under my breath, as I glare at her.

“I thought you two were together.”

“Nope. Please mom, I just want to get home and lay down.”

“Okay sweetie.”

We pull up to the house, I walk in as Tiny comes out to greet me. I knew I would always have her to count on. I head up to my room as Tiny follows behind me. I figured if I can get some sleep, then I could forget about the day.

I
’m lying up in bed, surrounded by food. My mom has literally brought me up the whole kitchen. I’m munching on some salt n vinegar chips and french onion chip dip when there is a knock on my door. “Mom, I swear to god, if you bring me anymore food, I’m gonna throw this bowl of pudding at you.” The door opens and it’s Tate, chuckling.

“What are you doing here?” I feel like I say that line all the damn time.

“I came by to bring you your books and your change of clothes you left in the gym.”

“Lily was supposed to do that.” I’m gonna smack her.

“I didn’t give her much of a choice. I said we needed to talk. So, here I am.”

“Did my mom let you up?”

“Yep.” He says popping the ‘p’.

“Mom.” I yell out.

“Hear him out.” Mom yells back. What a traitor.

“Ok, fine, you gonna tell me what was with Courtney the other day?”

He sits on my bed and sighs. “I want to tell you, but I don’t know how I can without telling you about Courtney.”

“You know, I keep hearing that, You, Lily, even Ben. I’m getting rather sick of it!”

“Ray, calm down. Just, give me some time ok?”

“Yeah, whatever. Take whatever time you want. When you are ready to talk to me, maybe then we can give this stupid relationship another chance.”

“Ray, please.”

“No Tate. Not doing this. Now, if you don’t get out, I will throw this pudding at your head.”

He shakes his head as he lets out a laugh. “I wasn’t being funny.”

“Sure.” Tate says chuckling, as he walks out of my bedroom.

Once Tate leaves, I pick up the phone and call Lily. I am so going to give her a piece of my mind, letting Tate brings my things over.  She knows what is going on right now. As soon as Lily picks up, I say the first thing that comes to mind.

“How could you let him bring my things over to me, knowing that I don’t want to talk to him right now?”

“Calm down, Chick. I let him take your things because you two need to talk.”

“That is not your call Lil, and you know that!” I am probably being a bit harsh but damn it, I don’t want people doing things that they think are right for me!

“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

“I’m sorry for yelling at you. I just don’t want Tate thinking that I am always going to give in to him. His alpha male is cute and can be a bit annoying. Please, Lil if you know anything just tell me already!” I beg her.

“Ray, really if I knew the truth, I would tell you. But I don’t. Hey, I got to go finish this homework. You are lucky don’t have to worry about it since you passed out.”

“Hey, I didn’t ask for that.”

“Yeah, go eat. I don’t need you getting sick.”

I laugh, knowing that I have all this food around me right now. “Okay, see you tomorrow.”

“Yep. 7:45 sharp!” Lily says as she hangs up.

I wake up the next morning a little bit early then I use to, but was feeling so much better then yesterday. I hop out of bed and take my time getting ready. I pick out a skirt and a blue top that falls off my shoulders, with a pair of my black high heels. I know I shouldn’t be decked out, but I want to show Tate what he is missing and to remind him, he caused us to break up. 

I jump in the shower, taking my time shaving my legs. I get out and blow-dry my hair straight and put some make up on. I slide on my clothes checking myself out in the mirror. I turn to each side looking, I know one thing for sure, if this doesn’t get Tate’s attention and get him to be honest with me then I know it will get some one’s attention.

I grab my bag and head down to the kitchen grabbing an apple and some juice. My mother is at the stove cooking breakfast. She hasn’t even turn around to look at me yet.

“You know you need to eat more than whatever you just picked up, Rayleigh.” My mom states, as she turns around to look at me. “Rayleigh Ann Bell, what are you wearing!?”

I look at my mom and smile, and then I hear Lily honking her horn. “Got to go mom!”  I kiss her on the cheek, going out the front door before she can tell me to go change.

I get into Lily’s car, not paying attention to see if Tate was waiting on me today. She whistles at me. “Well don’t you look hot!” I laugh at Lily, as she backs out of the drive way.

We didn’t speak the whole way to school, I had more things on my mind then I cared to talk about.

I
’m at my locker when I hear my name. I turn around and notice it’s Brent from my English class. He is on the football team with Tate and Ben. Tall, built, and has shaggy blonde hair. I smile at him. “Hey Brent.”