Our Love (15 page)

Eva folded her arms across her chest and looked at Charlie with a cocky stare.

"But I want to clear up one thing with you. If you have a problem with my man, then that's your problem. If you want to stay friends with me, then you either accept Michael or don't. It's your call."

I looked over at Ashley, who gave me a smirk. I don't know what was about to occur, but I knew I wasn't the cause of Charlie and Eva's friendship deteriorating.

"You know Charlie; I never thought you would put a guy between our friendship. I thought you were better than that."

"Excuse me? What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about you and your pretty boy. After all we've been through together growing up, you'd rather have someone you barely knew for a week come in between our lifelong friendship. Where was he when you were crying your eyes out when your parents wouldn't do something your way? Or when you had a bad day in school? Or when Derrick treated you like dirt when you two broke up? Tell me Charlie, who was there for you then?"

"I was there for her too Eva. It not always about you," Ashley said angrily.

"This isn't about you Ash, so stay out of it."

"You know what Eva, this isn't even about what we've been through growing up. This is about you not having me anymore around you. You're so bitter over the fact that I have someone now, you're using our friendship to make me feel guilty. Well think again Eva, that's not going to happen. It's not my problem you can't keep a man."

"Whatever Charlie. Just get the hell off my property," Eva said as she started to walk into her house.

"I guess I got my answer then about our friendship. Don't bother calling me anymore when you have a problem!" Charlie yelled as Eva slammed the front door.

I looked at the scene and turned my head around to face the street. I guess I did have something to do with Eva and Charlie's friendship being over. I looked over at Charlie who was looking at Eva's front door, wondering what just happened.

"It's going to be okay, Char. Don't worry about Eva. Before you know it, you two will be calling each other on the phone talking about what happened at school," Ashley said as she put an arm around Charlie.

"Ashley's right. Don't let what just happened get to you," I said.

Charlie looked at me and Ashley.

"You're right, but it's not going to make me feel any better. Let's just go," she said to Ashley as she was walking to her car. I looked over to the window and saw Eva looking at me with a blank expression on her face. She started to mouth off something to me. I stared at her for a second, and then went over to my car. Not only do I have my ex running after me, but now I have my girlfriend's ex-best friend wanting me too. This situation was definitely becoming a problem.

The next day, and I was back at school. As I walked into Belmont, everyone was still reeling over the victory we had at homecoming. Now that we were number one in our division, playoffs were just around the corner. As I was going to my locker, Chris walked over to me and gave me a slap on my back.

"What was that for?" I asked as I opened my locker.

"For the great performance you gave at the dance. Why haven't you returned any of my calls? I was wondering what happened at Range Saturday."

"Nothing that needs to be talked about," I said as I closed my locker and started to walk down the crowded hallway.

"Something must have happened if you don't want to talk about it," Chris said as he started to walk behind me.

"A lot of stuff happened Saturday. Right now, I don't want to get into it."

"Okay, but whatever it is, don't bring it to practice. Coach is already on the edge with this playoff game coming up."

"Who are we playing against anyway? I know it was between Parker and Marshall."

"I think it is Parker. I believe they won their game last week," Chris said.

I looked at the hallway and groaned. This is just great. Now I have to look at Derrick Marberry again. I knew he was the quarterback at Parker.

"Great. Just great," I said silently.

After three long periods
went by, it was finally lunchtime. I really wasn't hungry, but I knew I had to keep my strength up since we're going to have a long practice after school. As I was putting my tray down on the table near the stage, Charlie came by carrying a tray with a slice of pizza and a Sprite. She sat down at the table facing me and beamed.

"Hey. I haven't seen you all day. What's wrong?"

I sighed and put down my burger. I didn't want to tell Charlie what my dilemma was. Maybe she would drop the subject if I changed it.

"Nothing; how was the rest of your day yesterday?"

Charlie gave an uneasy glance as she looked at her tray.

"Unusual. I still can't believe Eva and I are not friends anymore."

I observed the cafeteria with a relaxed look on my face. Now that the two were not friends anymore, Charlie would never know about me and Eva.

"Maybe it's for the best that you two are not friends anymore. I mean, it seemed like Eva was never your friend to begin with if she was always judging you."

"Maybe so, but we've always been like that to each other. I think it was more of a sisterly bond than anything. Since we were so close, it was just natural for us to look out for each other."

"Things will work out, trust me," I said as I put a hand on Charlie's hand.

Charlie smiled and squeezed my hand.

I could tell people were staring at us while we were holding hands at the table. The sudden stares were starting to get on my nerves. I just looked at Charlie and tried not to get out of my seat and ask people what they were staring at.

"I hope so. You ready for the big playoff game this weekend?"

"I guess so. We'll find out today who we're playing against."

"Will it be uncomfortable for you if you have to play Parker? I know there was tension between you and Derrick at Range."

"It might be, but I'm not worried about it. How about you? You will be facing your old school."

"I know, but for some reason, I'm cool with it. Just another game," Charlie said smiling.

I smiled at the beautiful girl in front of me. I knew I couldn't lose her. We just starting to get to know each other, and I was hoping that no one would tell her anything about my past.

"There's that look again. What are you thinking about?" Charlie asked.

I looked at her and smiled.

"Just thinking about this weekend," I lied.

I couldn't tell her the truth. It would destroy everything if I did.

~

After a long, extremely exhausting day, I had to face football practice. I really didn't want to go. In fact, I didn't even care anymore if the team advanced in the playoffs. At first, football was my life. I lived and breathed it to the fullest. But now, it's not my priority anymore. Charlie may have something to do with my life changing attitude, but she was not entirely the reason. I've been thinking about this for a long time and lately, it has been a constant thought in my brain. My life goal was to play professional football; now, my life was leading in a different direction. I didn't know what I wanted to do, but whatever it was, it would definitely kill my parents. They expected me to apply to either Texas A&M or Florida State. As I got to the locker room, I noticed Chris already in his practice gear. He looked over at me and shook his head.

"Why you shaking your head at me?" I asked as I opened my locker.

"I don't know what your deal is lately, but it sure is affecting your attitude."

I looked at Chris wondering what the hell he was talking about. It wasn't like I was showing my lack of enthusiasm for the playoffs. I was confident just like everyone else.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You've changed, Mike. You're not the same since you met Charlie."

"Don't go there, Chris."

"You left me no choice. It seems like you don't care about anything anymore. Don't get me wrong, I think Charlie is a nice girl and it's great that you two are together, but it seems like you're not focused on anything."

"Is this about the game, or is it because I wouldn't tell you about this weekend?"

Chris sat down on the wooden bench beside me and looked at the ceiling.

"I could tell something was bothering you. If it something important, you need to talk it out so it won't be getting to you when Friday comes. Is it about Charlie's friend, or something else?"

I looked at Chris and sighed. Maybe he was right. I do need to talk to someone about what happened this weekend.

"It has something to do with it, but it not the real reason. So much happened this weekend, with the dance and then going to Range, Eva telling me we slept together, and then seeing Charlie talking to her ex."

"Whoa, Charlie's ex was at the club?"

"Yeah, Derrick Marberry. The guy is a jerk, on and off the field. I wanted to punch him at the club, but I know it would have only hurt Charlie."

"You really had a bad night man. How would you feel if we have to play Parker Friday?"

"To be honest, I don't know how I feel. All I know is that I can't have my feelings out on the field. Even if I don't like Derrick," I said as I threw my shirt in my locker.

"Well, as far as Derrick goes, don't worry about it. Things will improve in time. As for the game, you have to be focused. Coach is already on everyone's back about the plays we did at the last game."

I looked at my locker and closed my eyes. Right now, football was the least of my concerns. All I wanted to do was get practice over with so I could see Charlie.

Two hours later, I was glad practice was over. I really didn't want to go over plays and be pumped for the game Friday. My heart sunk when Coach Phillips told us Parker was the school we were going against to advance to the playoffs. As I went outside, I noticed Charlie standing by my car. She smiled when she saw me approaching her.

"Hey. I'm glad to see you," I said as I wrapped my arms around her.

"I knew you had a hard day today so I thought I would cheer you up. Is it working?"

"Definitely," I said smiling.

"I wish I could stay longer and talk, but I have a lot of homework to do. I just wanted to see you before I left."

"I glad you did, Char. I'll call you tonight."

Charlie smiled and went over to her car. I watched as she started up the engine and drove away from the parking lot. As I was getting into my car, someone quickly approached the vehicle. I looked over and saw Danielle standing beside me with a huge grin on her face.

"This makes my day complete. What you want Danielle?"

"Nothing Michael. I just wanted to tell you that seeing you and Charlie together made me realize that you can find love again. So how are things going between you and her?"

"It none of your business. Now can I go please?"

"Not until I say my piece."

"And what's that? I think you said enough at the dance."

"Not exactly. If I remember correctly, there's a huge secret that I have about you that could destroy your relationship with little Miss Charlie. What were her parents thinking when they named her that?" Danielle said.

"I don't even care about what you have on me. I have enough to deal with right now."

"Ah, what's wrong Mikey? Did something happen between you and Charlie? Or is it something else that troubling you these days. Like another girl?"

I turned around and looked at Danielle with a cold stare in my eyes. I had it with Danielle Peterson. She was starting to be a pain in my ass. Big time.

"Get out of my face. In fact, just stay the hell away from me. You don't have anything else to do with your life, so you're constantly in mine. Now go away." I said.

"I could tell Charlie about you and Brandy. I know all about you two."

I looked at Danielle and sighed.

That was the big secret. She knew about Brandy and me. We dated after Danielle and I broke up for the hundredth time during our junior year. We had this connection that I never had with Danielle at the time. We used to talk about everything. I even helped her out of a situation she needed help with. We were sort of friends now, but we don't really show it. I guess since Charlie and Brandy became friends, we just never really showed that we were friends too. That's something I wanted to keep private. It not like I wanted it private, I just thought it was for the best.

"We're friends, so what Danielle. That's not big news."

"Not to you it's not, but I know for Miss Perry, it could be."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing; I'm just saying that Charlie might have a problem with you and Brandy being so buddy-buddy. In fact, she definitely wouldn't like your friendship after I tell her the big scandal that went down. I wouldn't be surprised if she dumps you after she hears it."

I started to roll my eyes. Right then, I didn't even care what Danielle was saying. All I want to do was go home, take a long hot shower, and take a nap before doing my homework. She was cutting into my relaxation time.

"Listen, I know what you're talking about and it not a big scandal. She will understand when I tell her. Now I'm leaving. You should too," I said as I got into my car. Before Danielle could say another word, I slammed the door in her face.

I really didn't have time for Danielle and her childish behavior. The secret Danielle has is not a big deal. I was helping Brandy out of a jam. When I tell Charlie the secret, she will understand. I know she will.

As soon as I got home, I noticed the door to my room was open slightly. Usually my door is closed, so I knew something was going on because no one came upstairs. I opened the door slowly to reveal my parents sitting on my bed with a bunch of papers in their hands. From the looks of it, they were college applications.

"When were you going to tell us you were applying to Northwestern? We thought you were going to Texas A&M or Florida State?" my dad asked while looking at me angrily.

"What are you doing in my room? Why are you two invading my privacy?"

"Michael, we just want what's best for you. We thought going to Texas A&M would get you a better chance of getting a deal with the NFL," my mom said.