Our Love (17 page)

"Don't let her get to you."

"I know. At least you don't have to look at Derrick every day."

"Yeah, I don't," Charlie said while looking down at the ground.

"Is something wrong?"

"No. Nothing at all," she said as she gave me a peck on my cheek.

I smiled and took Charlie's hand in mine as we walked down the hallway.

As I walked into Mrs. Seller's History class, I noticed Brandy was sitting in her usual seat in the middle of the classroom. I gave her a quick smile as I took my seat toward the back. Brandy turned toward me and returned the smile.

"How you doing?"

"I'm fine. I'm just a little nervous about this weekend."

"That's understandable. This is the biggest game of the season."

"Yeah, but I'm more nervous about not keeping my cool out on the field. Hopefully I won't deck Derrick Marberry when I see him."

"Charlie's ex? Don't let him or anyone else get to you. I see how people have been acting around you and Charlie. They are jealous over your relationship. Derrick too."

"I know. Thanks Brandy."

"No problem. That's what friends are for, right?"

"No doubt."

I looked at Brandy while she just stared at me. I could tell there was still something between us, but that's something I couldn't get into. Especially now.

"So, how Steve doing?" I asked while getting my notebook and a pen from my backpack.

"He's fine. He took his first steps a week ago."

"Really. Why didn't you call and tell me? I would have loved to see him walk."

"Sorry, but I guess now that I'm with Eric and with everything else going on, I figured it would be best if I didn't bother you."

"Why? Because I'm with Charlie now? Brandy, I made a commitment to you to be a part of Steve's life when he was born. Just because I'm with Charlie doesn't mean I'm going back on my promise."

"I know that Michael, but has it ever occurred to you that having you in Steve's life will only complicate things? Steve already thinks that Eric is his father, so I figure..."

"You figure why not continue with it, huh? You assumed that since Eric came along, he can replace me as being Steve's father."

Brandy looked at me and sighed.

"You're twisting my words around."

"You know I'm right Brandy. Even though I'm not Steve's biological father, I love that boy like he's my own. I would do anything for him, you know that."

Brandy turned away from me and started to breathe heavily. I could tell she was crying. I went over to Brandy and put a hand on her shoulder. She put my hand in hers and smiled.

"Thanks Michael. I'm sorry for not telling you about Steve."

"It's okay."

As I looked at the door, I noticed Danielle was watching Brandy and me. I looked at Danielle and sighed. Hopefully she wouldn't tell Charlie about what she witnessed. I know I should tell Charlie about my relationship with Brandy and our son Steve, but I can't. Not right now.

Charlie

I wish this day were over!

Three periods have passed and I feel like the time is not going fast enough. I wish Michael and I could skip the rest of the day and spend some time together, but I have a History test in fifth period that I can't afford to fail.

At least it's lunchtime,
I thought as I walked out of the cafeteria with a slice of sausage and pepperoni pizza and a cherry soda in hand. Since Michael was at an emergency team meeting, I decided to have lunch with Brandy and Kim. Before lunch, I noticed Brandy seemed out of it. I tried to figure out if something was bothering her, but she seemed like she didn't want to talk about it, so I let it go. Since it was a gorgeous day, we decided to sit outside. As I walked toward an empty bench by some hollow trees next to the building, I noticed a familiar looking blue sedan parked in the student parking lot.

"It can't be," I said to myself.

I had to blink my eyes several times to get the image that I didn't want to see, out of my sight.

Or did I?

Derrick was walking toward me looking sexier than ever wearing his Parker Letterman jacket, a blue and white striped button down shirt and blue jeans. He looked like he just stepped off the cover of a sports magazine. Just the look on his face made me weak in the knees. I couldn't believe he still had that effect on me. Especially when I had moved on with Michael. Before he came closer, I turned around and started to walk back to the building.

"Charlie, wait!" Derrick said as he started to go after me.

"Leave me alone Derrick."

"Could you please stop walking and listen to what I have to say?"

I stop walking without turning around. When Derrick caught up with me; he stood behind me and sighed.

"Thanks for stopping."

I turned around and gave Derrick a cold stare.

"What are you doing here? Do you know you shouldn't wear your Letterman jacket at a rival campus? You might get jumped."

"Please, no body is going to jump me here. Besides, I'm not worry about that. I needed to see you and I figured this was the only place I could."

"Why, because it's public?"

"Yeah, and the fact you can't run away and hide. I just want a few minutes of your time. After that, I won't bother you anymore."

I folded my arms across my chest and stared at Derrick. What's the harm in talking to Derrick?

"Fine, go ahead."

"Can we sit somewhere, please?"

I rolled my eyes as I walked past Derrick. I went back over to the bench and sat down. Derrick came over and sat beside me. Hopefully Brandy or Kim wouldn't see me talking to Derrick.

"You have five minutes. Starting now," I said while looking at my watch.

"Fine, I just want to clear some things up with you."

"Like what. I think you said enough at Range."

"No, I didn't. I wanted to apologize for what I said."

I looked at Derrick. I could tell my expression was softening a little when he apologized.

"I take it you accept my apology?"

"I shouldn't, but I figure life's too short to hold a grudge."

Derrick smiled. "That's true."

"Is that's all?" I said as I was about to get up.

Derrick reached out and touched my arm. Feeling his touch on me made me shiver. Why is he doing this to me? I'm with Michael now; I shouldn't be having feelings for my ex.

"No, it's not. Char, I wanted to tell you something."

I sat back down on the bench and started to look around at everyone eating and having a good time. I could tell the expression on Derrick's face meant it was serious. Whatever it was, I wasn't sure that I wanted to hear it.

"Go ahead," I said softly.

"Before I tell you this, I want to let you know that I was going to tell you this way before I knew you were dating Collier. I was going to keep it in, but I can't."

I already knew where this was heading. I can't let Derrick tell me his feelings. I can't let him in my life again.

"Please Derrick, don't."

"What Charlie? Tell you how I feel? Charlie, I was a fool to let you go. I was stupid to have cheated on you with Theresa, and I'm damn stupid for betraying you. You were the one thing that made my life good. You supported me on every decision I made, helped me through so much and was down for me no matter what. We were inseparable Charlie, and I miss that. I miss you."

I looked at Derrick and slowly took a few deep breaths. If Derrick would have told me this a few months back, I would have embraced him with open arms, but not now. I can't. I'm starting something fresh with Michael that could lead to something wonderful. I can't risk that for someone that hurt me so many times.

"I don't expect you to embrace what I just said, but I do want you to know that I'm going to fight for you. I love you and my life is incomplete without you."

"Stop it. Stop it, Derrick!" I said as I got up from the bench. I started to walk away from him as fast as I could.

"Charlie! Charlie, come back!" Derrick yelled.

I didn't even turn around. Derrick Marberry could not come back in my life. Not now. Not ever.

Michael

After the mandatory meeting we had to go to, I was ready to skip school for the rest of the day. After Coach yelled at us from the pressure of this weekend's game, I was beginning to get a huge headache. As I started to rub my temples with my fingers, I smelled the sweet scent of peach. I begin to breathe heavily the scent that I knew only one girl could wear.

"What's wrong baby?" Charlie asked.

I turned around and wrapped my arms around my beautiful girlfriend. I looked at her and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips. When we broke apart, she was so surprised, she didn't know what to say.

"Cat got your tongue, baby," I said with a wicked grin.

"Absolutely. So I take it you're okay."

"Now that I see your beautiful face, I'm doing pretty good."

"How was the meeting? Or should I even ask."

"It was the usual meeting before a big game. It was intense."

"Well don't worry. I know you and the team will do great out there. And of course yours truly will be cheering you on the whole way."

"I love the sound of that, especially when I get to see you in your cheerleading outfit. You have to wear that one day when we're alone."

"My, my Mr. Collier, aren't you a little devil in disguise."

"Only when I'm around you," I said smiling.

I looked at Charlie and sighed. If only I could show her how I felt by being inside her mind, body, and soul. But I knew Charlie wasn't ready for that. She will tell me in time.

"I can count one place I won't be showing it in, and that's my bedroom after hours. You know we can't do that again. I can't have any more disagreements with my parents, especially my mom. She's been on my back lately."

"Why. Because of me?"

"Maybe. Or maybe she is finally seeing that I'm not choosing the person she wants me to be with."

I sighed as Charlie and I started to walk down the hall.

My mind started to wander about my relationship with Charlie. I didn't know what I was feeling for her. It could be love, but it was too soon to tell. Whatever it was, was it worth jeopardizing her relationship with her mother? I looked at Charlie as she looked at me with one of the brightest smiles she could give. It seemed like a ray of sunshine was present even though we were indoors. Suddenly I stopped in the middle of the hallway and reach for Charlie's hand. I didn't realize what I was about to do, but at the moment, I didn't care. I didn't care that I was standing in the middle of the most crowded hallway at Belmont with every pair of eyes watching Charlie and me. What I did know was that what I was about to tell Charlie would change our relationship forever.

Charlie looked at me with a confused look on her face.

"What's wrong Michael?"

I looked at Charlie with a nervous look on my face. My hands started to become sweaty and my heart felt like it was beating faster by the second.

"Michael, what's wrong? You're scaring me."

I cleared my throat and gave myself a second before I started to talk.

"Charlie, you have made me so happy from the moment I laid eyes on you. Words can't describe how much you mean to me."

"That's sweet Michael," Charlie said in a soft voice.

"I'm not finished, baby. Charlie, I don't know how you feel about me but I know how I feel and I can't keep it inside anymore. I want you and the whole world to know what you mean to me. Charlie, I'm falling in love with you."

After I said those powerful words, Charlie's expression changed so quickly I thought I told her best friend died. I noticed her whole body was shaking and her face looked white as a ghost. I reach out to touch her shoulder, but she quickly jerked away, causing her tote bag to fall from her shoulder.

"Great," she said as she bent down to pick up her books that fell from her bag.

"I didn't mean to upset you. I thought you had the same feelings as I did."

Charlie got up from the carpet floor and shifted her tote bag to her other shoulder. She looked at me and gave me a weak smile.

"I have to go. I'll talk to you later."

She turned away from me and quickly walked down the hallway.

I watched as Charlie walked further and further away from me as she went down the end of the hall. She didn't even turn around to see if I was still standing in the hallway. I felt like my feet were glued to the floor and I couldn't move for the life of me. I don't know what happened, but I do know one thing: I regretted telling Charlie how I felt.

Charlie

Ever since Michael told me he was in love with me, I felt like crap. I couldn't concentrate on my History test, and really didn't feel like being peppy during cheerleading practice. All I wanted to do was go home and cry. I couldn't believe that Michael would tell me this, especially after what happened with Derrick. I had feelings for Michael, but I didn't know if I loved him. Since we have been together, he's all I think about and we have a great time together when we around each other, but am I ready to pursue another relationship? As I looked at the steering wheel to my Mustang, a tear started to roll down my cheek. I looked up and realized that Ashley was standing beside my car with a concerned look on her face.

"Char, what's wrong?" she asked worriedly.

"How did I get here?"

"Evidently you drove. But from the looks of it, you shouldn't have. Come on, let's get you inside." Ashley said as she unlocked the door through the cracked window. She slowly pulled me out of the car and put an arm around me.

"You're scaring me, Char. What's going on?"

I looked at her and all of a sudden, all the emotions I had built up finally came rushing out. I fell limp into Ashley's arms as she held me up. I couldn't take it anymore. Everything that had happened finally came to surface and I didn't know how to handle it.

As we went into Ashley's house, she sat me down on her family's black leather couch and went into the kitchen. She came back carrying a glass of water and a box of tissues. She handed them to me and sat down beside me.

"Whatever it is sweetie, just let it out."