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“It wasn’t flattering at all,” another replied.
I couldn’t tell the insults apart from inside the stall. I sat still determined to not go anywhere until they left. They made fun of my hairstyle. My make-up too.
“I don’t understand why Cal is with her. Even with her contact lenses she’s just cute. Not pretty like you,” one said to someone else and I wondered who that someone might be.
“Luke said it’s because of the pussy. Cal’s always liked a challenge. He’ll wear her down. Then he’ll get tired of her after she gives in and he’ll dump her. He always does.”
I stared at the ceiling lights so I wouldn’t cry. I reminded myself of what Dana Cooper had said about me and Cal. I reminded myself of Cal’s own words. I trusted him. They knew I was in here and right now they were trying to make me not trust him.
To hell with them. I got up. Flushed the toilet. Walked out the stall and ignored their feigned surprise. I washed my hands and grabbed a paper towel. I dropped the used towel in the basket and tried to leave. At the last minute, Delia blocked my path.
I chewed on the inside of my cheek. I just wanted to get out of here. When she didn’t move, I moved her, shoving her into the wall. Then I bolted out of the restroom and ran to the gym door. I got there just as the girls caught up to me. Delia’s best friend, Star grabbed me by the hair yanking me backwards.
“Shove Delia again bitch and I’ll personally beat your ass,” she snarled in my face.
She released me quickly just as the gym door opened. “Girls is there a problem?” Miss Hillard asked.
“No problem,” Star said smiling politely.
Miss Hillard looked at me. Waiting for me to agree with Star. Telling on them would do nothing to help my cause no matter what Coach Mac thought. I glanced over Miss Hillard’s shoulder, saw Coach and I knew that he knew something wasn’t right. My heart pounded in my ears. My scalp burned.
“Everything is fine,” I said and slipped by Miss Hillard.
I glanced over my shoulder and saw Coach watching me. I turned and walked quickly to Tyson and Cal still engrossed in their football conversation.
“Hey babe, you okay?” Cal asked noticing that something wasn’t quite right either.
“I just have a headache,” I reassured him which wasn’t a lie.
“Could I hitch a ride home with you guys?” My brother asked.
I wanted to talk to Cal about what happened in the bathroom. I had promised him last night I wouldn’t hide anything from him again. I wouldn’t talk to him in front of Tyson because I didn’t want any more stories being carried to my mother.
In the driveway, I whispered goodnight and meet me in the pool house. I kissed Cal gently. Then as I got out of the car, I saw his confusion. His surprise. “I need to talk to you,” I added.
He nodded. Then I got out of the car and headed inside with Tyson it was nearing one in the morning. Cal couldn’t come into the house this late. Dad would have had a cow.
Chapter 13
I went straight to my room. At the door, Dad stuck his head out of his room, “Have a good time?”
“I did,” I responded. Tyson had already disappeared into his room. His door was shut tight. I shrugged at Dad. “I don’t know if he did. He hung out with the guys all night then us at the end.”
“That’s fine by me.” Dad chuckled at his joke then went into his bedroom. “Goodnight.” I heard him say before he shut the door.
In my own room, I changed out of my dress. Took down my hair and brushed it out then washed my face. In my pajama pants and tank top I started to head out of my room then grabbed a hoody. It was late in the night and the Fall air in Ohio was chilly. My feet were bare, but they made no noise on the hardwood floors.
I slipped downstairs. No one was wiser. My room was the only one that faced the pool house. That’s why I chose the pool house. No one would see me slipping outside.
Mom and Dad’s windows faced the woods and the front. Tyson’s room was the same on the opposite side of the house. Then we had another bedroom downstairs.
I walked through the mudroom and slipped outside circling the patio. In the pool house, Cal was stretched out on a chaise lounge. He held his arms out to me and I slid easily into his embrace.
“What’s wrong?”
“Where did you park?” I asked.
“That’s what you’re concerned about?”
