Tangled Dreams (16 page)

“You bet your pretty little butt.” Smiling opening up the door for Clay. “Don’t you look handsome.” She said whistling. And he really did. He had a black suit with a black shirt and a red tie to match my dress. Corsage in hand, flashing me his game winning smile. Which they did win, so he was the happiest person in the world right at that moment.

Walking in and looking at her he thought she couldn’t get any hotter than when she was in that bikini but, he was glad he was wrong. Boy it’s going to be fun getting her out of that dress thinking to himself, licking his lips.

When the pictures were all over we were on our way to what I hoped would be a night of mindless entertainment.

When we arrived, the gym had been transformed into something beautiful with gorgeous decorations hanging everywhere. Tables lining the walls with bright blue table cloths and flowers everywhere. It truly was even more beautiful than I imagined. Walking farther in Clay was immediately bombarded with congratulations and pats on the back for a job well done. I used that time to slip off quietly and found a table in a corner to sit at. Imagining how different it would be if I was here with Gavin. How much happier I would be, and how much fun I would have with him. It was impossible to be in Gavin’s presence and not to be completely pulled in by his fun personality and great sense of humor. Not a lot of people get to see that side of him but, when you did it was quite a wonderful surprise. He usually acts serious and doesn’t talk that much at school or in big crowds. Only his closest friends get to see him for what he really is. Putting my elbow down on the table I rested my chin on my knuckles, scanning the room. Making sure to cross my legs and making sure everything was covered. In these high heels I was almost to the height of Clay. My eyes went to the other corner of the gym where they connected with Gavin’s eyes. I think I about fell out of my chair when my eyes landed on him. I didn’t think he could be any more handsome but, he accomplished it. In a black suit and tie he had his hair slicked back and it looked great on him. Seeing him without a hat on was a nice surprise. With his deep tan and his tall muscular stature I knew that it settled my suspicions, he really was the most gorgeous guy I had ever laid eyes on. Lifting my arm up I waved at him and gave him a quick smile which he returned only to have his date, Sara see me and go to stand right in front of him to block his view.

I couldn’t believe how breathtaking she was clear across the room. I can just imagine what she looks like up close. He thought wanting to get a closer view. What I really wanted to do was push Sara out of the way so I could keep on staring at Maddie. I know that’s horrible. When you only have eyes for one person it is so hard paying attention to anyone else. When a slow song started Sara pulled me onto the dance floor when really I wanted to go over and grab Maddie. Looking at her Clay had not missed the opportunity to pull her out there before anyone else did though. I could tell she was sad all I had to do was look into her eyes. She has eyes that could tell all of her secrets if she let them, and they have been sad eyes for weeks now. I really couldn’t help but be a little concerned. I can tell she had withdrawn from everyone, even me. Before when she was mad at me she was still connected with Mom and my sisters but, now she isn’t even managing to put the effort there either. Thinking sadly trying to figure a way to get close to her again without crossing the boundaries she had put up between them. That was also thanks to the wedge his father help build.

The night was dragging by slowly and I was bored and depressed especially watching Sara paw all over Gavin. Fighting off Clays roaming hands every chance he got was bad enough. Andrea let me know after many study hall discussions that I was totally nuts for not being all over Clay. However, she agreed if there was ever a reason not to be all over Clay it was Gavin sleeping in the very next room and understood perfectly. Even letting me know how much she envied me and wanting to slap me silly for not pursuing Gavin when he has shown all the signs. She just thinks he’s flirted with me and catches him throwing looks in my direction. I’ve never told her the whole story. I feel guilty I even fed her the same story about just living with friends of the family but, it’s just to complicated to explain when sometimes I don’t understand it myself.

Halfway through the night Clay pulled me outside telling me he needed to talk to me alone. Letting me know there was to many eyes on me he was afraid he would be forced to share me. Once in a while he could be charming. Problem with that was he was paying more attention to all the eyes that were on him. Walking outside it was a clear night with millions of stars in the sky it only seemed to feel chilly when the breeze kicked up. Grabbing my arm and pulling me into the shadows. “Clay why couldn’t you have talked to me inside?” I asked complaining, worried that one of my high heels would fall into a hole and that I would be face first in mud or I would break my ankle.

“I wanted to talk to you alone.” Finally stopping and turning to face me.

“Yes, Clay?” I said my impatience starting to show.

 ”I wanted to ask you if you would spend the night with me?” Pulling out the hotel key and dangling it in front of my face like I had just won a wonderful prize. Going on, “I love you and I thought it was about time we show each other how much we mean to each other.” Still smiling.

I didn’t know whether to faint or slap the jerk for being a damn idiot. Was he really that dense? I asked myself unsure of the answer. “Clay, I can’t.”

“Well, why the hell not? I spent a lot of money reserving this room for us.” He said his anger starting to boil over not believing he was actually getting turned down.

“Well, you wasted it.” I said my anger and annoyance starting to grow just as fast.

“I can’t believe this. I could go in there right now and pick any girl I wanted and ask her to go with me tonight and she would.” Waving his hand toward the gym emphatically.

“Then go.” Now tiring of his huge ego. Wondering if his head would explode at any moment.

“Give me one good reason why you won’t go with me? Is it Gavin? I see the way you two look at each other. You’re a damn fool if you think you want him over me.”

My anger snapping, “You keep your mouth shut about Gavin. He is the kindest, most caring person I know. He is more charming, and he is better looking and that burns your ass to no end! I said jabbing my finger into his chest hard. “Your not even in the same league as he is, and the simple truth is I don’t love you. I don‘t want to be with you anymore.” I said taking a step back staring at him while he stared back in disbelief at my outburst.

He had never even heard her raise her voice before and except for saying all those hurtful things he found himself almost turned on. Still beyond angry at being turned down he got right up into her face and grabbed her cheeks hard pulling her in for a rough kiss. “It’s your loss baby.” He said letting me go and turning around abruptly.

“For some reason I think I’ll live.” I said shooting back at him. Watching him walk back into the building.

 I absolutely hated confrontations. Even if I wasn’t in love with him I had spent enough time with him to care for him as a friend. I didn’t want it to end on a bad note but I guess it’s to late for that now. Wrapping my arms around myself the last thing I wanted to do was go back inside. With Andrea not here, and Gavin with a date I really didn’t have anyone to talk to anyways. Suddenly I missed my old school, and all of my old friends and would of given anything just to see any one of them. Walking over to a tree I leaned up against it to shield myself from the chilly breeze wondering how in the world I was going to get home. I would have seriously thought about walking if it wasn’t for a skirt and heels. I guess I could call aunt Julia I thought miserably to myself. Then I would have to subject myself to a million questions. Sighing, I looked up at the sky and wondered what my mother was doing at that moment. She was a horrible mother but, I missed her. Pulling out my memory the one time that I remembered that she had hugged me on her own accord without me forcing her to. One of the few times she had no booze in her body. I thought with a tear streaking down my face. Great now I’m going to ruin my make up as well. I guess it’s about time for this princess to go home anyways depressed, laying my head back on the tree willing the chills to leave my body. Looking up at the stars, “I’d give anything just to hear your voice daddy.”

Watching Clay walk back into the gym minus Madison was starting to get to him. Getting worried he thought about going and questioning Clay but, decided to check the halls and outside first. Then if he couldn’t find her he’d slam his ass against the wall and hold it there until he talked. Leaving Sara behind he went to go check the halls first with the seconds ticking by getting more panicked. Worried that Eric had gotten to her again ran outside to look for her and almost went back inside until he seen something red by one of the trees.

Running over to her “God Madison are you alright?” Grabbing a hold of my arm his pulse racing. Looking into her eyes he could tell she had been crying. “What’s wrong? Did Clay do something to you?”

“I’m fine Gavin.” I said wiping my eyes trying to get all traces of tears out of them.

“Tell me what he did.” Tightening his grip on my arm, ready to finally get his wish of kicking the shit out of him.

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s obviously not nothing. You trusted me at one time, why can’t you again?” Asking with anger in his eyes and he looked like his temper was about ready to snap and I didn’t want to be there to see it.

“Gavin, I do trust you.”

“Then tell me.” He said taking off his jacket and wrapping it around me holding on to both sides of the collar leaning me in closer.

And this is why I love him, standing here angry and worried and he still thinks to take his jacket off and wrap it around me. Sighing, I decided it’s just easier to tell him. “Alright, but, you promise me first you won’t go marching in there and knock out his lights! Promise me or I won’t tell you.”

Sighing in defeat. “Alright. I promise I won’t go in there and beat his ass tonight.”  Thinking that he didn’t promise about tomorrow or the next day or the day after that.

“Alright, he brought me outside trying to convince me to go back to the hotel room he reserved. When I told him no he got mad and started to blame you. I cut him off and let him no in no uncertain terms that he wasn’t even in the same league as you. That got him even angrier. I then told him I didn’t love him and I didn’t want to be with him anymore. Then he left.” Looking up into his eyes that were now inches from my own. Leaving out the part where he forced a kiss on me knowing that, that would pretty much guarantee an ass whooping from Gavin, promises or not.

I’ll kill the bastard.” His eyes blazing in anger. “I knew the son of a bitch would try to take advantage of you.”

“Well, he didn’t, and I’m alright, and your promised to be good.”

Looking into her eyes he knew she had been through enough for the night. He wanted to beat his ass so bad that by the time he was through with him he would be crying for his mama. Forcing himself to calm down and willing the anger out that was rising at a fast pace he could feel the heat rising into his face. Taking a deep breath, “Alright. Well, let me go get Sara since she’s grounded she has to be home in a couple minutes. Then I’ll swing back by and pick you up. I assume you don’t want to ride back home with him?”

“No, but I can call Julia. I don’t want to ruin your night with Sara.” When secretly I would love nothing more. “She’ll probably want you to stay for a while. I really don’t want to ruin your last Homecoming.”

Pulling me in close for a hug, “You could never do that. Just go back inside and wait for me and I’ll be back before you know it.” He said running off to go get Sara and leave.

Going back into that gym seemed like fate worse than death. So, I decided even if I turned into a frozen ice cycle I wasn’t going to set foot back into that dance tonight. So, with feet that hurt so bad that I thought amputation was surly in my future I just stood right where I was hoping he wouldn’t be to long.

Driving back up to the school he didn’t waste any time dumping her off and she was even more pissed when he refused to stay and then thwarted her attempts at a good night kiss. How dare the Homecoming queen not get a good night kiss? But, he hardly cared he just wanted to get back to Madison as quick as possible. Walking into the gym he didn’t see her anywhere and noticing her jacket and purse slumped over the chair beside where Clay was sitting he was more than happy to retrieve it himself. Clay was sitting  down smugly flirting with girls like Madison was just a bad dream that he had to forget. Leaning down he picked up her things, giving Clay a stare down that said “go ahead and try me.”

“What are you doing? I’m taking Madison home.” Starting to rise out of his chair.

“No, your not. So you might as well sit your ass back down, and stay away from her.” Deciding to sit back down he wanted to retaliate but wisely knew Gavin could take him easily so chose to keep his mouth shut instead.

Walking back outside he figured she stubbornly refused to go back in. He found her in the same spot swaying her head back and fourth to the music that drifted outside. She was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen.

“Madison. I told you to go back inside, your going to freeze.” He said walking up to her.

“I’m alright.” Looking down into his hands. “Thank you for getting my stuff.”

“Sure.” Dropping it down by the tree and taking my hands pulling me out into the open.

“What are you doing?” I asked him confused.

“I’m giving you that dance I promised you.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that.” I said looking down embarrassed.

“I want to.” Pulling her in close slipping his hands under his jacket she was wearing and wrapped his arms around her silky waist.

Resting my head on his chest I was thrilled by the fact even in heels he was still taller. The little things sure do make me happy and I had to admit it felt good being locked in his arms again. Swaying to the music drifting out and for the first time in a long time I prayed to God that this moment wouldn’t ever end.