Falling Behind (Falling Series) (3 page)

She grabbed one saying,
“I’ve got to tie this on you, but no cheating.” She tied it on, covering my eyes and instructing me to close them, as well.

I heard her repeat the instructions to the other thre
e football player contestants. Now back at the mic, she explained the rules to the audience. “Each participant will be kissed by one girl and they must say out loud who they think the girl is. No help from the crowd, please. The winner gets a surprise.”

I heard shuffling, as if someone was working their way up behind us.

“On the count of three.” Reese’s smooth voice sounded further away. Damn, it means it’s not her. “One, Two, Three.”

I felt a small hand rest on my shoulder and cold, hard lips press a kiss into my cheek. I had no clue
, but then I inhaled.

I heard snickers and giggling.
I was pretty sure I knew who it was excited as I waited to be asked.

Paul
Delgado, a freshman, announced that he thought it was Gen and the crowd hollered and laughed.

I was next, “My mom.” Silence no one said anything.

Jonathon Springer was next. “Candice.” The crowd roared once again.

             
I squeezed my fists. The guy knew it wasn’t Candice. He was messing with his buddy, Alex. I knew Alex would be pissed and Candice would have some explaining to do. I hoped, even though I was sure it was useless, that Alex didn’t take Jonathan’s dumb ass remark out on Candice.

Alex, the ass I was worried about
, practically growled, letting everyone know she was his. “My girl.” There were a few yells and a few boo’s, which didn’t tell me anything.

“Go ahead and take off your blind folds.” I could hear the snicker in her voice.

I pulled off my bandana standing before me was my mom. “I knew it.”

“How’d you know?” Mom asked.

“I smelled your…” my mom hit her forehead, “perfume.”

“Dang it, I didn’t think about that.”

“Sophomores win this game. Congratulations, Ty, you when a date with your mom.” Reese chuckled and walked over to the spirit stick leaning up against the podium. “Two more games and then a special dance will be performed and then we are outta here.”

All of the
Mom’s headed over to bleachers to sit with the teachers sat and we headed back to our seats. Gen started talking about the next game. A three legged race.

I was surprised to see Candice
represent our sophomore class in this one. She lined up with a girl named Grace, and Gen tied a bandanna around their legs. The other classes lined up next to them.

“Okay, when the music starts you go! The first team to the other end wins!” Gen yelled through the mic
rophone.

The music started and the contestants took off. Candice and Grace had a good lead but the seniors were gaining on them. Candice must have seen them. She said something to Grace and they sprinted to the finish line. The sophomores won.

The final contest was a “Karaoke Sing Off”. Each class had a girl representative, singing girly songs, whichever class cheered the loudest won. The winner, if it was a sophomore or senior, would win the spirit stick. If not, they would do a chant off.

The music from Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” filled the gym as Carla
Halloway, a freshman, slowly approached the mic and began humming along with the music. The freshman class cheered and sang with her.

Kodie
Green, the sophomore singer skipped onto the stage, microphone in one hand and a cell phone in the other belting out, “Call Me Maybe,” in a sweet voice. Our classmates were on their feet, stomping and screaming. If the judges based their decision on the noise right now, we would definitely win. Kodie ate it up and danced, as she acted out her version of the song.

Amanda Clay, or
Mandi, as everyone called her, shyly slipped on stage trying to hide behind a curtain before stepping up to the mic. “Summer Nights” from the Grease soundtrack started and Jonathan joined Mandi in a duet. I couldn’t believe they were pulling this card. A guy shouldn’t be allowed to climb on stage and sing with the girl. If they win, I hope someone throws a fit.

The senior class girl, Juliette Boone, sauntered in wearing the tightest black pants and shirt, ever. I’m pretty sure it was one of those one piece things. I’ve heard her sing before and knew her voice was amazing. The slow, melodic sound of Avenged
Sevenfold’s, “Dear God,” filtered through the gym as Juliette sat on a stool and her sexy voice cried out the ballad. The seniors’ hollered for their contestant all the way through. When her song came to an end, the other contestants joined her.

“Okay, well done, ladies and Jonathan. When we point to your favorite contestant we want you to chant, scream, and make some noise. The person with the loudest cheers wins!”
Instructed Mr. Gustin.

They all did an awesome job. Of course,
Kodie was my favorite; and when he got to her, our class stomped, screamed, and cheered her name. “Kodie, Kodie, Kodie!” Kodie’s cheeks flushed with each chant.

“Alright, I think we have a winner.” He looked over to where the staff was seated. They nodded. “Yes, the sophomores; you have won the spirit stick! Congratulations!” The sophomores cheered as Reese took the spirit stick over to them.

Smiling, I turned away and followed the other football players to the stage. I thought that we were just going to be introduced, but we were quickly instructed to put on cheer skirts and line up in our formation.
Really?

“Just sway your hips and move your arms.
Alright?” One of the cheerleaders said.

“
Sure I’ll just sway my hips
.” I mumbled. I didn’t even know what song we were
dancing
to. “Sexy and I Know It” started blaring through the speakers as the curtains pulled back to reveal the football teams lined up, dancing. I moved my hips and waved my arms. I looked over and a few of the guys were grinding and humping thin air. The music was cut and our classmates screamed.

We
quickly stepped out of our skirts and headed out to the center of the gym.

“
Laton High.” Mr. Gustin waved his hand in our direction. “Your Mustang Football Teams. I want to say I am so proud of you boys. We are having one of our best seasons. Both teams, tonight, are currently five and one. Good luck tonight, boys, and let’s take down those Cowboys!”

We were all
roused and excited for the game of the year, starting in just two short hours. I followed the pumped crowd out of the gym doors and into the parking lot, where kids were piling into cars, honking horns, and yelling “Mustangs.” I watched Candice flitter up to Alex’s side lacing her fingers with his as he tried to pull away. He was talking to Gen. It was painfully obvious that he didn’t want Candice interrupting their conversation. It didn’t seem to matter that he had a girlfriend or that Gen had a boyfriend—the same one she’d had for three years.

My eyes darted around all the cars littering the parking lot. I finally spotted Josh’s little truck back against the fence in one of the furthest parking spaces. Reese stood in front of him, I couldn’t see her face but his was contorted in disgust. I watched for another minute before Josh’s eyes lifted to mine. Pure malice gleamed in his eyes. I glared right back at him. He made a motion toward me with his hand and Reese spun around. The look in her face was annoyance. I had no doubt they were talking about me. I had no clue why.
Before I walked away, to my mom’s car, I waved at Reese, with a huge grin on my face. I didn’t see her response, but I hoped she wouldn’t be mad at me.

Pulling into our driveway my phone went off. A single bell sound that let me know I had a new message.

Reese:
What’s your problem?

Me:
Nothing y?

Before I could set my phone down it rang in my hand. Reese’s smiling face covered my screen until I hit answer and lifted it to my ear.

“’Lo.”

“Ty, why do you
keep antagonizing my boyfriend? He already thinks there’s something going on between us.” Reese’s voice sounded defeated. I didn’t like it.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know he thought that. Did you tell him there’s nothing going on?”

Reese let out a big sigh. “I did. He doesn’t believe me.”

“Maybe you don’t deserve him. We’re friends
. That’s it.”
That’s all we’re allowed to be.

“
I know; I should go. I need to get ready for the game. Good luck tonight, Ty.”

“Thanks. See
ya.” I clicked end before she could say bye. This was bullshit. I felt her pulling away and I knew he had everything to do with it. “Hmph.” I punched the steering wheel.

Getting out of the car I saw Mom standing
at the kitchen window, watching me.
Great!
I stomped up the walkway and threw the door open. Mom came around the corner and stared at me, coffee cup in hand.

“Everything alright, Sweetie?” Her crystal blue eyes, exactly like mine, watched me throw my backpack down and dive onto the couch.

“No, that douche
, that”—

“Titus
Allyn! Watch your mouth.”  She sat her coffee cup down and purposefully placed her hands on her hips.

I lowered my gaze
.
I was so frustrated that I’d said “douche” in front of my mom.
Shaking my head I said, “Sorry, Mom, the whole situation makes me mad.”

Sitting down beside me
, my mom placed her tiny hand on my thigh and patted me. She understood, but I probably wasn’t going to like what she had to say. “You’ve liked Reese for a long time.”

I looked up at her, raising my eyebrows in surprise.

“Oh, come on now, Titus; you can’t expect me not to notice the way you look at her. I’m sure Josh has seen the same looks. Now, what I was saying is you’ve liked her a long time and for some reason you’ve never let her know. I understand you two were best friends way before he came in the picture, but you kept your feelings a secret. Now, you have to let her be. You can’t pine after her while she’s with him, Honey. You have to let their relationship take its course. I don’t think you will have to wait all that long.” She looked at me, expectantly.

I didn’t know what she wanted me to say to that. Instead I asked, “Why don’t you think I’ll have to wait that long?” I slouched down on the couch
even more, putting my arms behind my head and laying my head back. Closing my eyes, I stretched out my legs and waited for my mom to answer me.

“I have my reasons. Why didn’t you ever tell her you liked her?”

I smirked, peeking out of the corner of my eye. “I have my reasons.”

Mom smirked back at me causing the few wrinkles she had to surface. “Candice?”

I launched up, twisting toward her. “Huh? Uh, no.”

She didn’t say anything just lifted her right brow, the same
way I do. I didn’t answer and she lifted it impossibly higher.
How does she do that?

“Alright, yeah I guess so.”

Lowering her brows she squinted at me, tipping her head to the side. “You
guess so
?”

Shrugging
, I laid back, again, “Can we go back to talking about Josh?”

She patted my thigh again
, and I felt the couch move as she got up. “Sure Honey. But don’t think I don’t know what went on. You want something to drink and snack on? You have a big game, tonight.”

“Yeah
, a bowl of cereal and a Gatorade, please.” I hoped that by not commenting, the subject would change.  No such luck.

“Tell me what happened
, today.”

I explained to
Mom what went on, while I ate my cereal. She watched me from across the living room. Her straight black hair fell around her petite shoulders. She was at least a foot shorter than me, if not more. I supposedly got my height from my dad.

“Titus, you really need to let her be.”

“But, Mom, it’s not fair that we can’t be friends.”

She gave me that look again, tipped head squinted eyes. “
If you were really her friend you wouldn’t antagonize her boyfriend. You would want her to be happy.” She looked over at the clock. “You better go get ready. We can talk some more tomorrow, I’m going to need your help around here, okay?”

Standing, I nodded and grabbed my backpack. When I reached my room
, I was mindful not to slam my door—no matter how bad I wanted to. I plugged in my iPod and found my pregame playlist. Metallica, Staind and Disturbed took turns pumping me up. I lifted my barbells and broke out in a sweat as I forced the thoughts of Reese, Josh and my stupid promise to Candice out of my mind. Tonight was a huge game and I needed to prove to the varsity coaches that I was the man to take Monroe’s place as Captain, next year.

Chapter Four

Reese

All day I worried about Candice. Those bruises were both old and new. They covered so much of her back, arms and legs. I expected her to wear nude tights and our long sleeve undershirts with her uniform. She didn’t. I didn’t know how she covered them up, but I only spotted a few faint bruises.

The lunchtime activities were the best and the rally was a major success. I heard several football players commenting on the cool
signs with their names. They really would love it when they got them at the next rally along with awards we made. Dunking Mr. Wait was unbelievable. He was a good sport.

After the ra
lly I had planned on talking to Titus about Candice’s bruises, I wondered if he ever noticed anything. I walked over to meet Josh at his truck. He leaned against the passenger door, legs crossed at the ankles and arms crossed over his chest. Josh’s sunglasses covered his eyes but the way his mouth pulled down in a frown told me he wasn’t happy.
What did I do now?

I went for normal, as if I didn’t notice the displeasure in his frown.
“Hey, Babe, great rally, huh?”

“I guess
.” he lifted his glasses on top of his head and glared at me, “If you consider your girlfriend’s
friend
staring at her the whole time.”

I sighed and placed my hands on my hips. “What are you talking about?” He looked at me pointedly and raised his eyebrows. “I have no clue when you
think
you saw Titus staring at me; but I never saw it.”

“Maybe
; maybe not. But I’ve asked you several times to tell Titus you’re off limits. The guy doesn’t stop staring at you!” He growled.

“He’s not. I told you we’re friends. He is my best friend other than Candice.” I noticed Josh’s gaze flick to something behind me. I was curious but I wouldn’t turn around.

“Really? Look for yourself Reese. He’s freaking staring at you right now!”  He pointed behind me and I spun around to see Titus standing about thirty feet away watching us. The smile on his face as he walked away told me he knew we were talking about him.

“Josh, I don’t know what that was
, but I need to talk to him. I came over here to tell you I wasn’t going to need a ride.” I didn’t finish telling him why before he yelled at me.

“Get in the damn truck now
, Reese! If you choose to go talk to him, this…” He pointed his finger between us. “Is over.”

He stepped away from th
e truck heading to the driver side. As much as I wanted to look for Titus and ask him about Candice, I didn’t want it to end my relationship. Maybe Josh was right. Maybe Titus did stare at me. I had no idea what that could mean. I opened my door and slid into the truck.

“Smart choice
, Reese. You need to go home or can we go for a cruise?”

“No
, I need to go home. We’re still going to the dance after the game right?”

“Yeah, that’s what you want right?”

I nodded my head, unable to say anything. He pulled up to my house and reached over the seat to grab my hand before I slipped out of the truck.

“I’m sorry
, Babe; that guy just drives me crazy.” He kissed my hand.

“I know. I’ll see you after the game. Good luck
, tonight.” I leaned over and kissed him bye.

Stepping into my bedroom I gripped my phone in
my hand. I needed to talk to Titus. It was time he knew Josh wasn’t going anywhere and he needed to stop antagonizing him.

“’Lo
.” His deep voice did things it shouldn’t to me.

“Ty, why do you keep antagonizing my boyfriend? He already thinks there’s something going on between us.” I was tired of this same old argument. If I didn’t say this to Titus then I might as well kiss my relationship
, goodbye. I wasn’t ready for that. Not after what happened between us.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know he thought that. Didn’t you tell him there’s nothing going on?”

I let out a big sigh.
Of course I did
. Titus would never like me in that way and I knew that. That’s why I gave up on the idea of ever being more than just his best friend. Josh was being ridiculous. “I did. He doesn’t believe me.”

“Maybe you don’t deserve him. We’re friends. That’s it.”

“I know. I should go. I need to get ready for the game. Good luck tonight, Ty.” I was going to miss him like crazy. As long as I was with Josh, I couldn’t hang out with Titus. Life wasn’t fair.

“Thanks. See
ya.”

I heard the click signaling he had
hung up. I couldn’t believe he would hang up on me. I couldn’t risk losing Josh if I wasn’t going to able to be with Titus. Besides, after what I did with Josh, I wouldn’t feel good about myself if we broke up so soon after doing it.

I felt sticky and gross after the rally. I had about an hour and half before the game.  I
quickly jumped in the shower to wash away the stress and lingering sweat. The hot water ran down my body and into the drain.

Drying off
, I heard a soft knock on the door. “Yeah?”

Candice’s voice wafted through the door. “Can I come in?”

“It’s open.” I wrapped the towel around me before stepping into my underwear, as Candice slipped into the steamy bathroom. I straightened back up and turned my focus to her. I took her in from head to toe. Something was seriously wrong. Her eyes were filled with unshed tears. A fresh, soon to be bruise, was blooming across her cheek and red marks, in the shape of fingers, were on her neck. I continued taking in my battered best friend. Candice was shaking her head and I looked closer I could tell her whole body was trembling. A fat lip and a small drop of blood collected at the corner of her mouth.

“
Candice! What the hell happened?”

“You know what happen
ed. It was my fault, for letting Jonathan think that there ever could be something between us. That I could ever break up with Alex. It made him mad. It would’ve pissed me off, too. I can’t blame him. I’m here because I know you need help getting ready for the game and for your first dance with Prince Charming.” She dropped her head. “And I need your help,” she waved her hand across her throat and face, “covering this shit up, as best as we can.”

“
No, I can’t just cover this up and ignore what he did to you!” I shook my head, dropped my towel and slid my bra over my chest and shoulders, clasping it in the back. Grabbing a wash cloth and wetting it I glared at Candice. “Sit! You’re lucky my mom isn’t home yet. Or, even better yet, my sisters!”

Candice slumped down on the toilet as I rounded on her with the wet washcloth. “I know
,” she said, closing her eyes and laying her head back on the toilet tank.

My friend was broken, hurt and lost. I
was really mad, right now. If I were allowed to let my true feelings to show, I would’ve sunk to the floor, balling like a two-year old whose mom just left for work. “I’m going to be easy, but I need to clean up your lip. Then I’ll get you some ice.”

“K
.” Candice let out a deep, shaky breath.

“C, I love you and I am scared to death for you.” I slowly and gently ran the washcloth over her eyes and cheeks and finally
, gently dabbed at her busted up mouth. She let out a small whimper of pain. I grabbed her hand with my free hand. “I think we should talk to my mom about this. Maybe she can give you some advice on how to break up with him. How to get away from him.”

“I can’t
, Reese. There are other things going on.” She paused and I stayed silent, waiting for her to finish. When she didn’t continue, I walked out of the bathroom. I blinked back tears as I stepped into my room and threw on a robe I rushed down the hall to our little kitchen, grabbing ice packs out of the freezer. With three active girls in the house, we always had several just in case I hurried back down to the bathroom. “Here, put this one on your face and lip and this one on your neck. It will help the swelling while you help me get ready.” I smiled at her.

After brushing out my hair and running gel through it
, I pulled it up on top of my head spraying it with Aussie Sprunch spray. I grabbed my make-up bag and, exchanging places with Candice, I sat down, handing her the bag. “Here, we both know I can’t do this right.”

Candice laughed and winced from the pain. “Close your eyes.”

“Here let me hold those to your face and neck.” I reached up and took the ice packs from her, gently pressing them against her face and neck. “Tell me what happened. Please, Candice?”

Before I closed my eyes a saw a tear trickle down her cheek. “I can’t.”

“Tell me or I’ll make up my own horrid story.”

“I, um
. He. Ahhh,” She was flustered. She applied cover-up on my face. “He was livid. When Jonathan said it was me that kissed him, it led Alex to believe that there was something going on between us.” She chuckled a little loudly. “He said I’d been sleeping with him. I couldn’t say anything to change his mind. He grabbed my phone and flipped through my messages, thinking he would find some on there from Jonathan.

“Thank
God I’ve learned to delete all conversations, just in case. Not that Jonathan has ever texted me. No, he just catches me when I’m alone.” I felt her stop massaging in the cover-up and heard my compact click open, then felt the brush of powder being applied. “I told Alex that I never even speak to Jonathan, so how the hell was I supposed to sleep with him? I don’t know why that upset him more, but it did.”

I heard Candice suck in a breath of air
, the brush she used for the eye-shadow sliding across my eyelids, gently. “His right hand flew at me in a backhand like none I’ve ever seen, much less received. That’s what the bruise and busted lip is from.”

“I’m sorry, Candice. I should have stayed with you.”

“Pssht. Girl, you have your own drama going on.”

“Huh?” My eyes popped open and she
nearly poked my eyeball before jerking back, staring at me wide-eyed.

She shook her head, gliding her hand over my eyes to shut them. “Don’t play stupid with me. We may not talk about our boy problems or anything like we use to, but I see what’s going on. Just like you saw
what was happening with me.” Pausing, she instructed me to keep my eyes closed and stay still as she added eyeliner. “After he backhanded me, I screamed at him “WE ARE OVER!” He reached out, closing his strong-ass fingers around my neck. I swear I can still feel them there. It hurts to swallow. I guess he didn’t agree that we were over. Clawing at his hand, he finally let go and I fell over, gasping for air.

He rubbed my back and apologized
, saying I upset him. I know how all this sounds and that you may think it’s not my fault, but it is, Reese. If I hadn’t had tried to break up with him or ever even talked to Jonathan…” She let her voice trail off as she applied my lipstick. “Promise you’ll help me cover it up and keep this between us, for now. Please, Reese?”

There is no way I can promise that. I can’t let my friend be abused to this extent and not tell
Mom.
I promised, with my fingers crossed behind my back.
Tonight, after the game and dance or first thing tomorrow, I’m talking to Mom. She will be able to help me, help Candice
. “I hate him.”

“Me
, too.”