Waking up the next morning took some effort but at least it was Saturday so there was no rush to be anywhere. I eventually got myself together and headed off to shower. I made sure to avoid the mirror because it was way too early for a horror show which I could probably star in right now. The steamy shower worked wonders. Feeling a little better, I threw on my favorite sweats and a tank top and sat on my bed preparing to face my family. After I cried like a baby on my brother I was at least able to get out “Shane cheated!” but I knew they would want the full explanation today.
I turned to glance at the clock, spotted my phone on the night stand and winced. I shut it off last night when it wouldn’t stop beeping and ringing and knew it would be filled with voice and text messages full of I’m sorry’s, please forgive me’s, and can we talk pleas. I snorted, fat chance of that happening. Images of the night before flashed in my head and a fresh set of tears began to fall.
It would make me happy if I never had to see them again but unfortunately we all went to school together so I would be forced to see them on Monday, unless I transferred schools…now there was an idea but I didn't think my mom would go for that. Our house was greatly outnumbered by men, if I were to leave my mom would drown in a sea of testosterone. That's the main reason I didn’t have to worry that Shane would show up at my house, I was the baby sister of three older brothers. Kevin the oldest and dad’s protégé at 23, Keegan the brilliant college student at 19, and Kane the all around jock and my twin at 17 and they were all built like pro footballers. Kevin and Keegan have black hair like my mom while Kane had honey blond hair like me and my dad and we all have my dad's hazel eyes. Yes they are what girls consider H-O-T-T hot but to me they're just the big and sometimes irritating men in my life who I could always count on. Shane would be really stupid to step foot on our porch.
My brothers, being the overprotective oafs they are, never liked that I was dating him but they tolerated it because he made me happy, though, now that they knew he hurt me there’s no telling what they would do! Of course I would beg them not to do anything, not for Shanes sake but for theirs. I wouldn’t want them to get in trouble for someone who isn’t even worth the effort anymore. It was nice to fantasize about a show down between my brothers and Shane. I could just see him peeing his pants and that thought gave me the comfort I needed to tell my family everything.
When I got downstairs they were all waiting for me. My brothers looked angry, dad looked confused, but it was the concern and sympathy on my mothers face that brought on the waterworks.
I didn’t think I had any left to shed after my all night crying jig and I was getting tired of being such a crybaby, I mean come on. Where is that strong confident girl I usually was. My mom quickly enfolded me in her arms and her familiar scent of gardenias calmed me enough so that I could sit and explain what happened.
If I thought my brothers were angry before, it was nothing compared to the murderous look in their eyes when I finished. It was identical to that of my dad. Keegan, who was with us via the web, was ready to fly home. I convinced them not to do anything, just to continue to be the big brothers and father I needed now more than ever. I knew it would be hardest for Kane since we all went to school together but he promised to try and as long as Shane stayed out of my path and his, Kane wouldn’t lay a finger on him.
The rest of the weekend passed by in a blur. My brothers offered to take care of my duties at the restaurant so that I could have a girls day with mom on Sunday. We gave each other mani pedi’s, loaded up on junk food, and camped out on the couch for a movie marathon avoiding any romantic comedies of course. By that night I finally felt a little more like myself and was confident that I could handle whatever came.
***
Come Monday morning what little confidence I regained disappeared. I figured the whole school probably knew what went down on Friday, this was high school after all, and I would be forced to face it minus a boyfriend and a best friend but I still had my brother and he promised to stay with me as long as I needed him. I wasn’t sure exactly what I would do once I saw either Shane, Cara, or Deke but I knew I didn’t want to speak to any of them. Yeah, yeah forgiveness was good for the soul but screw that! These people hurt me in the worst way and I was not about to take the high road and ease their suffering.
Kane took my hand and we walked to the schools entrance. I was dreading the looks of pity from the nice kids and smirks from all the skanks that wanted Shane for themselves, so imagine my surprise when we walked in to smiles, and hello’s, and a few you’re better off without him remarks. There were even interested looks from some of the jocks that Kane, Shane, and Deke hung with. I did dress up today to boost my confidence. I was wearing a black skirt that hit mid thigh showing just enough skin to entice but not be papparazzi worthy if I had to bend over, matched it with a cute red halter that highlighted my full breasts, and topped it off with some cute ballet flats. I left my hair down and put on a light coat of make up. I knew I looked good but I really wasn’t expecting the reaction I was getting and after the blow I took on Friday it was a real mood booster. Even my brother was being good about not giving out his ‘stay away from my baby sister’ glare. "This might not be so bad a day after all" I thought to myself. Then I made the mistake of turning to my right bringing Kane and I face to face with not one, not two, but all three of the people I least wanted to see right now.
To my silent satisfaction they all looked a little rough, but the fact that they were all together like a united group took some of my pleasure away, It was tense as all get out but finally Deke broke the silence.
“Hi Kaylah.” out of all of them I was the least angry with him because I knew he was in a tough position what with the bro's before ho's thing but I thought he at least cared enough about me to have clued me in.
From what I had read on different posts when I logged on to my social network, Shane and Cara have been sneaking behind my back for a solid month, ever since I had to take the extra shifts at the restaurant. Thinking about that would only make me cry again and I would eat worms for a year before I’d let them see me cry. I pasted on the best smile I could muster and said politely,”hello.” Cara looked ashamed yet smug, and Deke looked strained but yet there was a glimpse of pride in his eyes as if he was proud of how strong I was being, but Shane looked…destroyed. I’d never seen him so out of sorts. He hadn’t shaved in a couple days, there were dark circles under his sad eyes, and his clothes were all rumpled as if he just threw on whatever he could grab. He reminded me of a little lost boy and part of me almost melted…key word here ALMOST! I’m not stupid enough to let that get to me.
Shane reached for my hand but flinched when I stepped quickly away and my brother growled, “Touch her and be ready to get your face smashed in!”
We were causing quite a scene and I just wanted it to all be over with so before Shane could say anything else I rushed to say, “Look, what’s done is done and there’s nothing any of you can say that will erase what has been happening behind my back for the last month and who knows how long before that!”
Shane quickly denied it being any longer which I just ignored because we all know how good he is at lying.
“So why don’t we just agree to forget about all of it and move on, separately. You guys can do whatever you want, go out for all I care now that you don’t have to hide anymore, just leave me alone. Whatever friendships or relationships we had with each other is over now. I just want to move forward and leave this all behind.” I said sadly as Kane started to steer me away.
We were stopped in our tracks when Shane called to me and asked with the most heartbroken expression on his face, “What about what I want?”
I looked at him in shock.
“What you want stopped mattering to me the minute I found out that the guy I had given my heart and body to was sharing his with my best friend.” and with that we walked away. Finally some of the weight holding my broken heart down was lifted and it felt really good.
***
For the next couple of days I would arrive at school to find flowers and notes by my locker. I gave them away to the first girl to stop by but I felt myself starting to be charmed by Shanes determination. I should’ve known better. On the third day I approached my locker wondering what I might find and wished it was anything but what I found. Leaning against the locker next to mine, which just so happens to be Cara’s, was none other than Shane, but he was not alone. Practically wrapped around him was Cara and they were having a full on make out session. He stopped long enough to smirk at me then went back to having his face practically sucked into miss slutzos mouth. I knew what he was trying to do, he expected me to have taken him back by now but since I haven’t it was revenge time. I’ll have to admit it stung to have their betrayal right there for me to see but I told them to make a go of it so what could I say? Besides, I was moving on, I just had to keep repeating that to myself before I burst into tears.
Mustering all the strength I could, I raised my chin in the air, pretended not to see them and went straight to my locker. I just had to grab my English book and I’d be home free no harm no foul. Task done, I shut my locker and turned to leave but before I could take a step someone rushed past me and the next thing I knew Cara was crying and Shane was on the floor being pummeled by…Deke?!
Some of their buddies quickly broke them up and then the shouting started.
“What the hell was that Deke?!” Shane shouted.
“It’s what you deserve, you’re an ass. I stayed quiet while you snuck around because you were my friend and trusted me but hell if I’m gonna let you hurt Kaylah anymore. I should’ve said something before but I’m saying it now, you wanna run around with this hoe bag, fine, personally I think you downgraded but that’s your choice but I won’t let you humiliate her anymore just to fix you’re bruised ego. Pull something like this again and her brother won’t be the only one who kicks your ass!” Deke shouted back, he quickly glanced my way giving me the once over as if making sure I was alright and then walked away.
Everyone in the hallway was stunned silent. Shane grabbed Cara’s hand and walked off, their friends following, a few people gave me curious looks before leaving, but I still stood there shocked.
“Looks to me like Shane cheating wasn’t the only secret Deke was keeping.” my brother said coming to stand next to me and breaking me out of my current state.
“What are you talking about?” I asked confused.
“Deke. Seems you got yourself a champion. Besides me of course.” he joked.
“You’re not making any sense as usual Kane.” I argued.
“Come on sis you can’t be that slow on the uptake, I mean I’m a guy and I got it. Why else would he beat on his own best friend unless it was for someone he really cared about?"
Who was this observant, sensitive guy and what has he done with my brother?
"Don’t look at me like that, I have a soft side.” he said offended causing me to snort. “All I’m saying is the guy had to feel strongly to get that mad over something that hurt you, just think about it little sis. Let’s get to class.”
I did think about it, all day long and suddenly little things started to pop into my head. Like the way I would catch Deke looking at me once in awhile, or how he’d carry my tray at lunch sometimes when Shane was too busy being the center of attention, or also how he would do sweet things like bringing me one of my favorite desserts just because. Could there be something, then I remembered he had a girlfriend that he seemed to be really into and I chocked it off to my silly imagination. He still had a part in this whole heartbreak situation anyways so why did I even care? But if that was the case why was I a little disappointed that it was only my imagination?