Swept (13 page)

Gabriel’s gaze is distant and I turn looking in the same direction as him. There are papers all over the lawn, blowing in the breeze.

“What is that?” I ask

“I’m not sure,” He replies walking towards a paper and picking it up. His hands shake as he reads the flyer.

“What’s wrong?” I ask walking towards him.

Gabriel turns to me, “Crystal, I’m so sorry.

I take the paper out of his hand and stare at it. It’s a picture of me naked. I can see Gabriel next to me, but his defining features have been cropped out. At the very top of the flyer are words written in big bold print. “Crystal Hamilton: Man Stealing Whore.”

Tears well up in my eyes, “What? How?” I ask unable to complete the questions that are forming in my mind, too quickly for me to grasp.

Gabriel takes the flyer out of my hand and crumples it in his fist. “Emily.”

I gasp as I realize she must have taken the photo when we were all together. “Oh my god!” I yell. “Did you know about this?” I ask my face red with anger as I confront him.

“No, I would never let something like this happen.” He says his voice calm.

My body relaxes, the look on his face tells me that he’s being truthful, “Why would she do this?”

“She wants revenge. I had no idea she could be like this, I’m so sorry, Crystal. I’m going to take care of this. I’ll talk to the authorities, believe me, she will pay for this.’

Tears flow again, my voice is thick, “Oh Gabriel.” I sob

Gabriel hugs me, “I’ll fix this I promise.”

“It’s not that,” I pull away.

“Then what is it?” He asks grabbing my hand.

I tell Gabriel about Ryan. I watch his face change as I explain Ryan’s feelings for me and about seeing Kelly. “I don’t know what to do.” I finish, my eyes falling to my feet.

Gabriel lifts my chin up so I’m staring into his eyes, “Go talk to him.”

“Talk to him?” I sputter; this is not what I thought he would be telling me.

“Yes, go talk to him. I can tell he means a lot to you. It’s important that you two work this out.”

“But what about us?” I ask holding his hand that rests on my shoulder.

“Crystal, I will not be the reason you lose a person who is important to you. I care about you too much to do that. You need to talk to him and figure this out. I do not want you ignore him and then regret it the rest of your life, wondering what if. In the mean time I will be here waiting for you and ready to be whatever you need me to be. You will not lose me over this, I promise.”

I hug Gabriel, amazed that he can be this selfless, “Thank you,” I whisper in his ear.

“I’d do anything for you, remember that.” He releases me, “I have to go and sort this mess out.” He adds indicating the flyers strewn all over the lawn.

“Thank you,” I say again as I turn. Gabriel grabs my hand and we stare, then I leave, our hands breaking apart slowly. I wonder if this is goodbye, and a tear trickles down my cheek.

When I’m back in my dorm, I stare at Ryan’s number in my phone. I know this is the phone call that will change my relationship with Ryan forever. I’m not sure if I’m prepared for it, but I don’t think I ever will be. I dial the number, and agonize as the phone rings. By the second ring I want to hang up, then I hear Ryan’s voice answer on the other end. I explain to him that I want to talk to him. That I understand how hard it was for him to tell me how he felt about me, and that I’m willing to go out with him whenever he is ready. He sounds excited as he sets a time to pick me up tonight We say our goodbyes and Ryan hangs up. I listen to the click on the other end, It echoes as I realize that I’m going to be going out with Ryan and it won’t be as friends. I pace the dorm nervously, how will I act? What will I say? Will we kiss? I try to imagine Ryan’s lips on mine and it just seems weird. I don’t know if this will work at all but one thing I do know is that I’m going on a date with Ryan and I’ve never been more nervous in my life.

Gabriel

Chapter Eighteen

Dammit

W
hat a way to ruin a good day. Everything was fine until Crystal told me about Ryan and I saw those flyers. What the hell was Emily thinking doing that? Doesn’t she realize she’s about to ruin Crystal’s life and her own? Now Crystal won’t be able to set a single foot inside a classroom without someone saying something to her about it. This may be college, but not much is different from high school. I start picking up the flyers, it seems like an impossible task there are thousands all over the grounds and possibly more inside the building. How did I not even notice them until now? I find the campus police, and let them know what has happened, they tell me that they’re already working on the issue and write up a report.

I’m so pissed off I need to blow off some steam. There’s way too much stuff going on for me to try and go to the rest of my classes today. I hop on my bike and go for a ride. I let the wind sweep through my hair as I speed down a back country road. The air is still warm, but the scent of autumn fills the air. Most of the trees are still green, but I see a few scattered brown leaves sprinkled across the road. What is it about Crystal that I like so much? She’s beautiful, I’ll give her that, probably one of the prettiest girls I’ve ever seen, but there’s something more than that. She seems down to earth, like I’ve known her for a long time. There’s something about the way she talks, the way she holds herself that I just can’t shake. There’s something there, but I don’t know what. I can see myself being happy with her the rest of my life and yet I don’t really know her.

I’m worried I might lose her. I encouraged her to talk to Ryan, but I had to. I can’t have her wondering what if. Regret is a terrible place to be and will get her nowhere. Of course Ryan has to choose now to tell her how he feels. It’s almost unfair. She likes me, and I like her too, I want to show her the kind of person I am. I want to get to know her better and I want her to know me too. I want to tell her everything about me, and I want to hear everything about her. I want to love her, I want to laugh when she laughs and cry when she cries. I want to be her everything and I want to show her new things, but then there’s Ryan. How am I to compete with someone that’s known her possibly her whole life? He knows her so much better than I do and regardless of what I think of him, he’s her friend and it would be terrible of me to try and turn her away from him. I need her to know what she wants. I need her to choose me with a clear head and with all of her heart. I can’t have her torn between the two of us, stuck in limbo. I need to find a way to prove what kind of person I am. I need her to know how much I care about her. I can’t let Ryan win, not tonight, not ever. He’s had all this time to step in and be her man and he never did. Somehow, someway I’m going to find a way to make her fall for me. I’m going to be there tonight when she gets back. I can’t let her be alone with him tonight when she gets home. I want her to know that I’m here, and I’m going to sweep her off her feet.

Ryan

Chapter Nineteen

Promise

I
startle awake, there’s a loud crash. “Help!” My mother cries out, her voice sounds pained. I jump up, “Mom where are you?” I yell.

“Stairs,” She yells back.

I run and see her crumpled body lying at the bottom of the stair well, “Oh my God, Mom!” I yell and run down the flight. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t know,” she says, she sounds groggy; there’s blood around her head.

“You’re bleeding.” I mumble. She closes her eyes. “Mom,” I call her name, her eyes don’t open. I shake her, trying to rouse her, but she doesn’t respond. I run back up stairs and get my phone and dial 911. The dispatcher asks me my emergency, and for the address. She instructs me not to move my mother and to wait for the ambulance. After she talks me through the process she hangs up the phone. I call my dad, and tell him that mom has fallen down the stairs, he tells me he’s on his way before hanging up. I pace the floor as I wait for the ambulance. How did she even fall in the first place?

I hear the siren as the first responders travel down the street, their siren shuts off when they pull into the drive way. I open the door and move back so they can get to her and help her. They check her pulse, listen to her breathe, and then they put a mask over her face and give her oxygen. The medic asks me questions about her, what she was doing, and if she was conscious when she fell. Their words are a blur as they load her into the ambulance and I get in with her. We ride to the hospital and I call my father to tell him where we’re going.

At the hospital she’s unloaded and I’m ushered into a waiting room while the paramedics work to get her conscious. Tears come to my eyes, how can a simple fall down the stairs cause all of this? My dad rushes in, “How is she where is she?”

“I don’t know dad, no one has come out.” I answer, looking over at him.

“Tell, me again, what happened?” He asks wiping his face with his hand, something he does when he stressed out.

“I told you, she fell down the stairs.” I say continuing to pace.

“How?” He asks sitting into a chair and looking down.

“I don’t know I was asleep, I woke up when I heard her fall.”

“Did they say anything to you?” He asks staring at the floor. He looks shaken; I’ve never seen him like this.

“They asked me questions, but they didn’t tell me anything about her.” I tell him feeling helpless.

“What did they do?” He rests his chin in his hands, and I think I see tears starting to form in his eyes. It’s just now dawning on me that my dad loves my mother. Despite what he told me as a twelve year old boy, my father deeply cares about her. I kneel to his side and wrap my arms around him. “They put a mask on her; I guess she’s not breathing well. Her head was bleeding, and she was unconscious.”

“Is that all?” He asks grabbing my hand and squeezing it.

“It’s all I know.” I tell him, letting him lean his head on my shoulder.

A doctor comes out, with a chart, “Mr. Stone?” he says. We both look up at him.

“Yes?” My dad answers and stands to his feet.

“Come back with me please.”

“What about me?” I ask, standing up.

“Just Mr. Stone right now; we need to talk to him about your mother.”

“I’ll let you know what they say,” My dad tells me before walking behind the door with the doctor.

I pace the floor back and forth; I’m worried about my mother. I don’t know how she is, what they’re doing. What if she dies? Can you die from falling down the stairs? Why the oxygen? What’s wrong with her? I wish someone would tell me what’s going on. These questions swirl in my mind for what seems like forever, and then my dad walks towards me.

“She’s okay.” He says and smiles at me.

I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank God, can I see her?”

“Of course, she’s a little bit shaken, but you can go back and see her. I’ll take her to you.”

I follow my dad into the ER, my mother is lying in a bed, a mask is over her face and an IV in her arm. “Ryan!” She smiles.

“Are you okay, mom?” I ask and hold her hand

“Of course, it’ll take more than a flight of stairs to take me out.” She chuckles

“You scared me,” I tell her as I squeeze her hand.

“You don’t have anything to worry about, okay.” She says kissing my hand

“How long are you going to be here?” I ask her

“I don’t know yet, but Ryan, you don’t need to worry about me. Go back to school, and do me a favor.”

“What is that mom?”

“Tell Crystal how you feel. It’s important she knows. Life is too short to not let people know how you feel about them.” She smiles.

“Okay mom, I’ll tell her,” I agree.

“I’ll call you when I find out what they’re going to do, okay?”

“Okay.” I tell her. Dad ushers me out of the room and drives me home. The car is eerily quiet. Dad drops me off at the house and drives back to the hospital. I run upstairs, grab my stuff and run to my car. I start it up and drive back to campus. I feel spurred to get this conversation with Crystal over with. It feels almost like the survival of my mother is pinned on making this happen. I speed all the way back, cutting a three hour drive in half. I somehow avoided being pulled over and I rush into Crystal’s dorm.

*****

After our conversation I don’t know what to think. There’s something with Gabriel and her mother called her. What does that even mean? I was so certain she was going to say yes right there on the spot and confess her love for me, but of course it didn’t go the way I wanted it to. I feel so frustrated, why doesn’t Crystal want me? Am I not good enough for her? I’ve been there for her, how does she not see how I feel about her? I know someone who appreciates me though. I pull out my phone.

Me: What are you doing?

Kelly: Right now?

Me: Yes, right now?

Kelly: Nothing, why?

Me: Meet me at my dorm.

Kelly; Why, so you can just use me again for your dick? No thanks.

Me: So this is the way you want to be?

Kelly: Yep.

Me: Fine, go fuck Nick and I hope you get herpes.

Kelly: Asshole

Me: Bitch.

That didn’t work out how I had planned. I take my car for a drive; I need to clear my head. So much has happened in the last few days and I don’t even know what to do. My phone rings and I answer. It’s Crystal. She wants to go out with me. I punch the air. I did it! I finally get the chance to show her how I feel and I’m going to make sure everything is perfect. I park my car and search on my phone for the perfect place comparing reviews and prices. Once it’s found I call and make reservations. I’m going to knock her socks off. I smile as I think of what I have in store for her. By the end of tonight, she’s going to fall for me and she’ll finally be mine. For once I’ll be more than just the best friend.

Crystal

Chapter Twenty

Date

I
throw myself into my studies, finally able to focus, and amaze myself when I realize I’m finally caught up! I congratulate myself by turning some music up and dancing my victory. I can’t wait to tell Ryan about it. I know he’ll be just as excited. I only wish we could have studied together. He’s always been great at motivating me and keeping me focused. It’s almost as if my life has been balanced out again at his return. I didn’t realize just how off I was until now, being with Gabriel has really changed my focus. I’m distracted and constantly thinking about him; and as a result I am unable to accomplish anything. Is this the consequence I have to face if I let myself fall for him completely? I try to imagine that life where everything is unpredictable. I don’t know if I can live with uncertainty. At least with Ryan I know what to expect. I smile as I look at the clock. I need to get ready! Digging through my closet I throw clothes everywhere until I find a beautiful green dress that my mother gave to me before going to college. I had all but forgotten about it until I saw it hanging there by itself as if it was destined to be worn just for this occasion. I put it on and it fits perfectly, accenting my breast and butt in a sultry way. I look through my shoes and settle on a pair of strappy green heels that happed to be the exact color of my dress and set them aside. Next I expertly apply my makeup; once I feel my makeup could rival a model at a photo shoot, I study the outfit as a whole. I smile giddy with excitement; I look amazing!