Mirage (3 page)

“Thanks Mira, I really appreciate this. I think it will help you, too. Ok. So, Danny and I were always into bikes, ever since we were kids. We loved the speed and the freedom of being on a bike. After graduation, we decided we would take the girls for a ride on the bikes to come down from the emotions of earlier in the day. All of our parents were there crying, so proud of their babies finally growing up and moving into the real world, and all that stuff. After we picked up Mira and Kylee at their apartment, we got on the road. It was such a beautiful night. I don’t think there were even clouds in the sky and there was little chill in the air. We were riding side by side, almost playing a game of who was going to ride faster,” Skylar stopped talking and looked at me.

He asked me with his eyes if I was sure that he could continue. I had never heard the story before. I mean, I knew how the accident happened, but after I passed out, that’s the part of the story I had never heard. Skylar tried to tell me before, but I couldn’t even look at him. I didn’t want to hear anything he had to say. I think part of me was jealous that Danny’s last moments were spent with him. I looked at him and gave him a slight nod, encouraging him to continue. I needed to hear this. I needed to know what happened. And Skylar needed me to allow him to do so.

Skylar gave me a slight smile and it was almost as if his eyes said, “thank you.” Then he continued
.

“We were coming up on a construction zone. Both of us had plenty of tickets and a ticket in a construction zone means doubled fines, so we both downshifted a gear and slowed down. Traffic got a little thicker since one of the lanes had been closed. Out of the corner of my eye, through my helmet, I saw a green SUV begin to merge onto the highway. They were going a little too fast for my liking
.
I tried to signal to Danny to slow down more to let this guy get in front of us, so we could at least keep an eye on him. Danny apparently didn’t see my signal. The next thing I remember, Danny swerved his bike to the left; the green SUV came into the construction lane Danny was in.

The SUV was now in front of me and it slammed on its brakes. So I hit mine almost losing control, but I was able to recover. I still thank God that Danny taught me how to control a mean case of tank slap. Danny was still in the construction lane and I saw his bike giving him some tank slap too. I was worried, but hell, Danny taught me how to recover from that so I figured he would, too. But I was wrong. Danny’s bike hit the guard wall and Danny and Mira flew from the bike. Mira landed not too far from where the accident was but Danny flew to the other side of the guard wall. I inched to the construction lane and stopped my bike. I didn’t even put the kickstand up or think about Kylee. I went running in the direction of the wreckage. I found Mira and she was still breathing but unconscious, so Kylee sat with her while we waited for help. It felt like it took forever to find Danny. When I did, he was limp and bleeding badly. I hit the ground and pulled him into my lap and I screamed for anyone who was listening to call for help. Unfortunately, help got there too late. Danny died in my arms that day.”

Skylar finished his story and looked in my direction. I was uncontrollably sobbing into my hands. Skylar walked to me and put his hand on my back, between my shoulder blades, and rubbed them gently.

“Skylar, I’m so sorry. I can’t be here,” I cried as I got up and ran out of the room.

I can’t take this anymore. I need to go somewhere, anywhere but here.

Chapter Two

Skylar

Four and a half years ago...

“Mommy finally let the baby leave the nest, I see,” I said joking with my best friend
,
Danny. Danny’s parents were always so over protective. So much so, that he would have to keep his bike and helmet in my garage so his parents didn’t know that he had one.

“Yeah, yeah, laugh it up man. I still don’t know how I talked them into letting me live on campus. If they knew you were going to be my roommate, they
would probably come shuttle me back home,” Danny joked back.

Freshman orientation wasn’t so bad, I guess. It was the middle of August so the girls were still dressed in shorts and tank tops. Even though they were freshman, some barley 18, these girls had bodies that didn’t quit.

At one of the tables, probably a sorority freshman pledge table, I saw the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in my life. She was tall, but not too tall. Long
,
dark
,
curly hair that cascaded down her back. She was with another girl, a red head with a nice ass, but even that nice ass didn’t stop me from looking at the brunette.

She was laughing at something her friend said. She threw her head back, making the ends of her hair damn near touch her ass, which was just as nice as her friend’s, might I add. She was smiling when she turned towards me. God that smile, it was breathtaking. She looked so carefree and happy. Our eyes connected. They were a deep green, maybe emerald. They were staring back at me when she smiled.

I knew I had to go and talk to her.

I started to walk towards her when I saw Danny making his way to the tables too. God, I was praying he had a thing for the red head with the nice ass. We made our way to the girls at the same time. Danny took the opportunity to talk first.

“Hi, I’m Danny Thomas and this is my buddy
,
Skylar McBride,” Danny introduced us to the girls. To my surprise
,
the brunette didn’t do the talking.

“Hi Danny and Danny’s buddy,
Skylar. I’m Kylee Anderson and this is my best friend and roommate, Mira Adams,” the red head said.

Mira.
God that name is so fitting. I think I’m in love, I thought to myself.

“Well, Kylee and Mira, do you guys have plans tonight?
Skylar and I were thinking of doing a little sightseeing. That is, if you’re up for it,” Danny teased the girls while stroking his index finger on Mira’s bare arm.

Those two were so lost in each other; I knew all hope was lost for Mira and me.

“Sure Danny, that sounds like a good time. Right Kylee?” the beautiful brunette finally spoke and it was the voice of an angel. But I noticed that she didn’t take her eyes off Danny’s the entire time we had been standing here.

Another one bites the dust, huh Sky, I thought to myself
.

Present …

I barely had enough time to gather up my stuff before she bolted from the meeting. I knew she needed to hear what happened. I thought it would help her, but it looks like I hurt her. Yet again, whenever I’m around her, I’m feeling guilty . Will this feeling ever go away?

“Mira, please wait up. I’m so sorry if I hurt you. I thought it was okay that I talked about that,” I said as I chased Mira, trying to catch up. She was running through the parking lot to her car.

“Skylar, it’s okay. I know you had to talk about it to move on. I thought I was ready to hear it. But I, I just can’t. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin your meeting. It won’t happen again,” she said, still crying.

“It’s fine. I promise. I have talked about it before in other groups. When Ky said you were coming here, I thought maybe I could help you. You have been locked away for months. Not talking to anyone about Danny. I just wanted to help,” I said, not realizing that she had no idea this was a set up.

“You guys planned this. You knew I would be here? What is this, one big fucking joke on Mira?” she screamed, her voice full of anger and tears still streaming down her face.

“It wasn’t like that. Ky called me and said she was worried. I found this place and figured it was close to home and still within your comfort zone so I thought you might come. I came a few times to scope it out and realized that this one was better than the one I had gone to in the city. We really just wanted to help you Mira. I swear,” I pleaded with her. She just stared at me, with her face full of tears that didn’t show any sign of stopping.

Mira turned away from me and resumed her retreat to her car. I knew I couldn’t let her drive in this condition. The guilt from Danny was still too heavy on my heart to even consider letting her drive. What if she wrecked? I wouldn’t survive that.

“Mira, please let me drive you home
?
You’re in no condition to drive.”

She didn’t say anything
,
but got her keys out and moved towards the driver door. As she went to put the keys in to unlock the door, I put my hand on hers and her emerald eyes hit mine.

“Skylar, it’s fine, really. I can drive. I’ll be fine. I just have to get out of here,” she said
,
with my hand still on hers. I pulled her hand into mine and with my free hand, took the keys away.

I begged her, “Mira, really, I’m not letting you drive like this. Your eyes are swollen from all the crying. It’s the least I can do for messing up that beautiful face of yours.”

Shit. Did I just say that out loud? In four and a half years, I have NEVER told Mira that she was beautiful. To my surprise, she didn’t pull her hand back. I think she even relaxed a little. She looked down at our hands, still together, and then back up at me.

She gave me a small smile, “Ok, fine. I won’t argue this point with you, sir. Thanks for the ride. I probably shouldn’t be driving.”

She walked to the passenger side and got in as I got into the driver’s side. “Do you remember the way to my apartment?” she asked me as I put the car in reverse.

“Yeah, I’m sure I can manage,” I joked with her. I could probably navigate my way to her apartment blindfolded if I had to.

She looked in my eyes again, and I was lost in the deep, lush green color of her eyes
.
She finally spoke when we pulled up to the apartment complex parking lot, “Thanks again, Skylar. I know it hurts you talking about it just like it hurts me, but thank you. I needed to hear it and I’m sorry we didn’t talk sooner.”

I was a little overjoyed that she didn’t just get out and walk into her apartment.

“Mira, you know I’m here anytime you want to talk, right? I would like to think that we are friends too,” I said to her, trying not to stare at her too hard.

“Same goes for you, big guy. We are friends. Danny would want us to stay close. Nobody knew him better than we did. Maybe we can get together for coffee or lunch or something?” Mira asked while she was fumbling with the laces of the UofM hoodie she had sitting on her lap.

“Yeah, I would like that a lot,” said back to her honestly..

Chapter Three

Over the past few weeks, Skylar and I saw each other on a weekly basis. He usually drops by just to check on me or invite me out for coffee. I forgot how much fun he is to be around. He’s constantly joking around with me, reminding me that I’m alive. God, I needed this.

It’s been about seven months, give or take, since graduation and I still don’t have a job. I graduated from U of M with a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Marketing. I wish someone had told me how pointless this degree would be. Seven months and no job offers. It wasn’t like I had really tried, though.

Today is my day, I think to myself. I will find a job. I scour the classified ads in the newspaper and job posting boards, with no luck. I am not going to be able to support myself much longer. My parents have been helping me out for some time and I can’t continue to live off of their support.

After another hour of online job searching, I finally find an ad for an Office Manager at a large real estate firm downtown. Hell, I guess I’ll just send in my resume, what’s the worst that can happen?

As I pack away my laptop, preparing for a nice well-deserved nap, I realize that I haven’t seen Kylee or Skylar over the last couple of days.

“Maybe something is going on with those two,” I mumble, suddenly feeling a hint of jealousy. What the hell is going on with me? A few minutes later, Kylee comes walking through our front door.

“Where have you been lately?” I ask her with an inquisitive look on my face.

“Job interviews, networking and growing up,” she snaps back at me. Woah, where is all of this coming from?

“Ky, I was just messing around. I haven’t seen you in a few days and kind of missed you. What’s going on?”

“I didn’t know it was official until this afternoon, but remember the job I applied for in Grand Rapids a few months ago? Well, I had my final interview today and they offered me the job,” Kylee said.

“OH MY GOD! Ky, this is amazing news. Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I would have helped you get ready and drove you to the interview. Why don’t you look happy?” I asked, noticing her eyes were focused on the floor.

“Mira, didn’t you hear me. The job in GRAND RAPIDS hired me. I have to move. I can’t manage a two-hour commute to work and then another two hours after work. They want me to start next week and told me they would help me relocate. Ya know, put me up until I find a suitable place. But I don’t think I can leave you yet.”

The hell you’re not, I think to myself. “Kylee Renee, we have been best friends for ages. You have been my rock during the past few months and I am eternally grateful to you for that. But now, it’s your time. You’re moving out, I’ll help you pack. Grand Rapids or bust,” I say to my friend.

I am elated for my friend. She busted her ass through college, only to be constantly overlooked. This is her time to shine and I’ll be damned if I let her stay because I might be lonely when she leaves.

Kylee runs over to me and plops on the couch next to me. Her smile is bigger than I have ever seen.

“Mira are you sure you won’t need me around? How are you going to afford this place by yourself? Who will be your new roommate? What if they become your new best friend?” Kylee starts running questions by me a million miles a minute.