CHAPTER 25:
CALEB'S POV:
I'm not happy about leaving Gianna up in the mountains with Jared there. Especially since we haven't gotten everything completely resolved between us. Hailey did do me a favor by telling Gianna the truth, however reluctantly so she may have done it. I owe it to her to get her home, after dragging her around all day.
Before we even get to the bottom of the mountain, Hailey starts bitching. "She isn't right for you, Caleb."
"Oh really, and what makes you the expert on relationships?" I ask.
"She's just having her kicks with you, Caleb. A girl that beautiful will only dump you when someone better comes along." Hailey says.
"How would you know? Have you been dumped by a girl like Gianna?" I think Hailey has no right judging Gianna when she doesn't even know her.
"Of course not, dumbass. What I do know is that girls like that, don't end up with guys like you. They may date them for awhile, but in the end, she's going to end up with the quarterback or the class president. The type of guy that's going to go to college and make something of himself," she says.
"Well, thanks a lot. I'm not exactly an idiot you know," I tell her.
She rolls her eyes, "I know you're not an idiot, Caleb, but you don't have the dedication to do things like finish college."
"Maybe Gianna is what I needed to inspire me. Maybe I want to be a better person for her. I don't even want any other girls, Hailey," I can see a pained expression on her face. I continue, "Besides, Gianna sees me as more than just a fling. She's opened up to me in a way that she does only with those people you met tonight. Maybe even more so with me."
Hailey narrows her eyes, "Maybe that's so, but let me ask you something, Caleb. Have you done the same with her?"
I already know what she is referring to. "There's no reason to tell her about anything in my past."
"If you can't do that, then maybe she isn't the right girl for you," Hailey says.
I tighten my grip on the steering wheel, "She knows that I was no angel before I met her."
"But does she know the worst things you've done? What got you expelled this last time?" Hailey asks with a knowing look on her face.
"She doesn't need to know," I say.
"Are you afraid that she won't accept you, Caleb?" she continues before I can even answer, "That maybe she'll realize that she can do better?"
"She wouldn't think that," I say through clenched teeth. "Let's not talk about this anymore."
She laughs derisively, but doesn't talk anymore of it until I park in front of her house. "You don't belong with a girl like her, Caleb. You belong with someone more like yourself. Someone who you don't have to worry about judging you."
I glare at her, "Someone like you?"
She grins, "Now you're getting it." She then takes off her seatbelt and crawls on top of me.
I try to push her away gently, but she has a tight grip around my neck. "Hailey, what are you doing?"
"Let's fuck, Caleb." she's coming in for a kiss.
I turn my head to the side and force her off of my lap, "This is not cool, Hailey. I have a girlfriend."
She huffs, "Minor detail. It's not like you haven't two-timed girls before."
"None of them were actually my girlfriend," I point out.
"Is she that great in bed?" Hailey asks.
"I wouldn't know," I say.
Hailey laughs, "You aren't even getting laid? Well, I'd be happy to help you out, Caleb. It's been two years since we last fucked and I've only gotten better at it." That offer probably would tempt me right now, if it weren't for Gianna. It has been several weeks since I've had sex, but the idea of sleeping with another girl doesn't seem tempting.
"Someone has a high opinion of herself," I joke.
She tries getting on top of me again, "Why don't you find out for yourself."
I push her away, before she can get on me again, "Hailey, Stop! Quit acting like a slut. I don't want you. I only want Gianna and I refuse to cheat on her. People change and I don't have to be like that anymore."
She lets out a frustrated sound and starts to get out of the car. She turns around and says, "Good luck with Princess Barbie. Don't come crying to me when she dumps you for Ken!" She slams my car door shut.
Wow, did she really just say that? That was the stupidest line I've ever heard. What the hell do Barbie dolls have to do with anything? Must be a girl thing.
I drive home to my dad's house, because I want to be there when Gianna gets there tomorrow. I am not in the best of moods, since my girlfriend is camping with that douche Jared. Now that I have taken Hailey home, I am tempted to drive back up there and bring her home. I know I have to trust her, just like she trusted me to take Hailey home.
I don't even want to think about Hailey right now. What she tried tonight changes our friendship. She isn't the cool female friend anymore. She's like all the other girls that I've slept with and now have to avoid.
I don't think she is right about Gianna. Josh is the type of guy that Hailey thinks Gianna will end up with and she was never happy with him. That type of guy is all wrong for Gianna. She needs someone who won't bore her out of her mind.
I don't think she'd break up with me if I told her specifically all the bad stuff that I've gotten into trouble for and the stuff that I never got caught for. I believe she would still want to be with me. It's not like I do that stuff anymore. Not since I've met her, anyways. I think I'll just stay on the safe side and not elaborate for her. She knows I've been a troublemaker in the past, that's all she needs to know.
When I get home, everyone is already in bed. I go up to my room and lay in bed. I get out the drawing that I was last working on.
I wake up the next day to the sound of a lawnmower running in the backyard. I lift my head enough to look out the window and see that my dad is the one who disturbed my sleep. I look at the clock and it's past eleven. Gianna could already be on her way home. That wakes me up the rest of the way. I shower and get dressed.
After I'm dressed, I try calling Gianna's phone, but it goes straight to voicemail. I leave a message, "Hey, this is Caleb. Just wondering when you are going to be home. Call me."
I have nothing better to do, so I go downstairs to get something to eat. Chance is playing video games, as usual. I go into the kitchen and Julie is there, making a pie. I swear, every time I see this woman, she is doing some stereotypical housewife thing.
She looks over at me, while I make a bowl of cereal, "Oh hello, Caleb. You should have told me that you were hungry, I can make you something."
I feel awkward, "Uh, no thanks. You seem pretty busy there, with that pie."
"Are you sure? It'd really be no problem," she smiles.
"I'm fine with cereal," I tell her. Is this woman on happy pills, or something? She's like a Stepford wife.
"Have you happened to talk to Gianna? I have been calling her all morning, but her phone isn't on." Julie asks.
"No," I still feel awkward. Can she just stop talking to me?
"Those cheerleaders that she went camping with are good girls, so I know she's safe with them. I wonder if that nice Josh boy went too. I still don't understand why they broke up. He's the type of guy that will really make something of himself in life," Julie says.
"Yeah, he's wonderful," I say sarcastically, but she doesn't notice. I wonder how she is going to react when she finds out the truth about me and Gianna.
"Well, I hope she comes home with good news. That she's back on the squad," Julie is totally delusional. Gianna used to love cheerleading. Julie is the one that ruined it for her. Gianna's old life and old boyfriend are the last things that she needs.
"I'm going to go play video games with Chance," I mumble and quickly leave the kitchen.
Later that day, it's starting to get dark and still no word from Gianna. I've tried calling her several more times and her phone is still off. I haven't left any more messages. I don't want to come off as obsessive or possessive. This better not have anything to do with Jared. Maybe she's avoiding me on purpose. Maybe she changed her mind and does plan on breaking up with me.
I continue to play video games and watch movies with Chance for the next few hours, cause I'm pathetically waiting around the house for my girlfriend to show up. I never thought I'd be in this situation. Finally, at eight o' clock, Chance has to get ready for bed. I'm starting to get really worried about Gianna and a little pissed. I'm thinking that either something has happened to her, or she's dumped me for Jared.
I go upstairs and grab a six pack of beer that I have hidden in my closet. I slip past everyone and go out the front door. I sit on the side of the garage and drink my warm beer.
Gianna better have a good explanation for not being home yet. Right now, I have a lot of horrible images going through my head. Gianna, dead on the side of the road somewhere. Gianna kidnapped by bikers. Gianna doing another dance for Jared, this time without clothes.
An hour later, I've downed five beers, when I see headlights coming from down the street. Gianna pulls into the garage and I slip in before the garage door closes all the way. As she is getting out of her Jeep, I grab her from behind and she lets out a yelp.
"Where the hell have you been?" I ask. The five beers have only fueled my anger.
She doesn't even try to turn around, "I told you that I needed time alone to think."
"You haven't been with Jared this whole time, have you? Why haven't you answered your phone?" I ask.
She laughs, "Because my phone died last night and I didn't have my car charger. And, NO, I haven't been with Jared this whole time. I dropped him and Cece off at home hours ago."
"Then where the hell have you been?" I am no longer angry, just annoyed.
"Here and there. Nowhere special," she says.
Her vagueness is pissing me off all over again, "Did Jared try anything last night, after I left?"
She turns around and gives me a guilty look, "Well, I'm not a virgin anymore."
I grab her by the shoulders and yell, "WHAT? I'll fucking murder him."
She starts laughing, "Oh my god! You should see your face. Of course nothing happened with Jared. He may be all for making moves if you and I aren't together, but he's a good friend. He waited until I broke up with Josh to kiss me for the first time and he will respect our relationship too."
"Do we still have a relationship?" I ask warily. "While you were getting your thinking done, while you were 'here and there', what conclusion did you come to?"
She looks thoughtful, "I don't know. I need an answer about something from you first."
Crap. What could she want to know? "What is the question?"
She gives me a serious look, "When Hailey threw herself at you last night, what did you do?"
"How the hell did you know about that?" I ask in amazement.
She rolls her eyes, "Quit looking at me like I'm psychic. It was so obvious that she was desperate and going to try something to steal you from me. So, answer the question."
I smile at her, "I pushed her off of me and told her that I didn't want any girl but you. I'm not sure that we're even friends anymore."
She throws her arms around my neck, "Then, I totally forgive you!"
"I don't know if I forgive you," I tell her sternly.
She pulls back, "What did I do?"
"You worried the crap out of me, not coming home or calling all day," I give her a fake glare.
"My mom! I need to go inside and let her know that I'm home," she starts to walk away.
I grab her arm, "Your mom thinks that you're with the cheerleaders. You could come home next week and she wouldn't care. I, on the other hand, need to kiss my girlfriend."
I pull her towards me and kiss her, relieved to finally have everything fixed between us. "So, what did you do today?"
She takes a step back from me, "You know, this and that."
"No, I don't know. Why don't you explain it to me. I don't speak cryptic," I say.
She smiles mischievously, "I hooked up with some street dancers down on 16th street. Then I went to see Donna."
"What'd you go to see her for? Your design is still upstairs." I ask.
She takes another step back, "Oh, nothing. I just got a piercing." She quickly lifts up her shirt and I see that her belly button is pierced. I look back up at her face and she is grinning. I start to reach for her, but she dodges me and runs into the house.
That tease. How long does it take for a navel piercing to heal? Because I'm gonna need to lick her there. Soon.
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