Page 24 of Coastal Runaway

The intrusive thoughts surrounded me as tears gathered in my eyes.

“Keegan, stop!”

I froze at the sound of Luke’s voice.

“Are you okay?” His voice was barely audible as he came up behind me.

Finding my strength, I turned around slowly to face him. A maniacal laugh bubbled out of my chest.

“No, I’m not okay!” I yelled, waving my hands around, fully aware of how crazy I looked.

Luke approached me hesitantly. Like one step in the wrong direction and I’d sprint away.

He wasn’t wrong.

“You don’t get it do you?” I cried out.

“Please, Keegan, enlighten me about what I misinterpreted when I pulled that aggressive douchebag off of you just now.” His voice was louder now, more stern and commanding.

“You don’t know me, Luke. Stop trying to act like nothing has changed!”

“You’re right. I don’t know you anymore. The Keegan that I knew would have rather put blood, sweat, and tears into an athletic floor routine, instead of wave shiny plastic balls of confetti while you prance around in a short skirt and hope to snag the attention of some hot-headed jock.”

His words stung. I was aware that I wasn’t who I used to be in high school, but that was on purpose.

The girl that I used to be, got used.

That girl hid behind others so she didn’t stand out.

That girl didn’t shine.

In high school, I was invited to be a cheerleader due to my short stature and ability to flip through the air but I shot it down every time, and ignoring that invitation definitely did not improve my social standing.

Back then, being the twin sister, and best friend of the two most popular guys in school came with a lot of advantages. I got invited to all the parties, got asked to all of the dances, and all of the girls wanted to be my friends; but what I learned very quickly was that all of the invites, smiles, and friendships were a formality, a ploy to get closer to Nolan and Luke.

In high school, being popular by association was better than not being popular at all. I would’ve chosen the latter if being a Kelly by name didn’t already assign me a spot in the social hierarchy.

Who I was now may have been an act, but at least I was an individual and people respected me.

“I don’t need you to take pity on me and come to my rescue anymore, Luke. I didn’t need it that night, and I don’t need it now,” I choked out, willing myself to not let a single tear fall for Luke Cavan.

Luke looked at me with an expression that I couldn't quite decipher. But it looked dark.

Stormy.

“I have never pitied you, Keegan.” His voice was sincere.

“From where I stood, that wasn’t what it sounded like.” I couldn’t hold back the quiver in my voice as I almost revealed to Luke how much he shattered my heart.

Luke pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly frustrated with my outburst, “Keegan, what are you talk⁠—”

“Oh my god! I just heard what happened! Are you okay?” Maeve came bolting down the sidewalk, cutting Luke off mid-sentence. Nolan was a few steps behind her.

“Yeah, I’m okay. I just want to go home,” I sighed as she wrapped me in a hug.

After a few minutes, I composed myself. She kept one arm looped around my shoulders after I pulled away from her embrace.

We started heading towards my car. As we passed by Luke, she quietly thanked him. He just nodded his head but he didn’t let his eyes sway from mine. We walked down the sidewalk with her arm still around my shoulders until we reached Baby Blue. Maeve placed me in the passenger seat and hopped behind the wheel.