Reunited
No one says that high school is going to be easy, but having people in our lives that support us makes life easier when things get rough. Being able to live through high school means you leave with memories, good and bad. These memories, however, shape us and our future.
Misty walks down the school hallway, meeting up with a tall guy with brown hair by her locker. His green eyes were set on her. He’s holding onto a Chemistry textbook. He smiles when he looks up from the floor. She hugs him before whispering, “I just finished my Calculus exam." Groaning, she adds, "I never want to see numbers ever again.”
The guy laughs into her light brown hair with light red highlights that practically blend in, “We both know that you wouldn’t want to avoid math forever. You love them.” He puts stress on the words ‘forever’ and ‘love’, hinting at sarcasm.
She gives him a quick kiss on the lips, “Hayden, you obviously know me so well. Ready to go?” He walks towards the double doors as Misty follows him, holding onto his hand. When they reach the school parking lot, he walks her to his Nissan GT-R. Before opening the door, he glances around. He loosens up and he opens the car door to his car, letting her in.
“What are our plans for tonight?” He asks while pulling out of the school parking lot.
“My little brother wants to see you. I have to work on my homework because my best friend is coming over tonight. You can hang out with Jake until then. I really want you to meet her. I hope you like her.”
“If she’s your best friend, of course, I’d like her. And, I’m glad your little brother likes my company.”
“I know. I’m just worried about you and her getting along. She’s so unique.” She sighs and looks up at Hayden,” Oh! You might know her.” Misty shoves her hands into her jean pockets, squirming uneasily.
Slightly chuckling, he asks, “Am I going to get a name?” He moves his hand onto Misty’s hand, which is now resting on the armrest. “Don't worry. I’ll like her and even if I don’t, I’ll make an attempt to get along with her.”
“Thank you, Hayden. You’re the best.” She fixes her dolphin necklace. “You ever heard of Britney Treys?”
“Britney Treys...” He stares at the road, searching for an answer, “I know her! She was the basketball captain that brought the school to the finals, won it, and came back last year to shape us, swimmers, up.” Misty gives a curious look to him and he answers, “Coach asked her to come to our practices and gives us a motivational speech. She led several practices. It was gruesome, but it really helped the team.”
“She was always amazing at sports.” Misty adds with a yawn.
He laughs before scooting closer to her in the seat to let her nap on his shoulder. “She seemed like a great person, even if she made me swim 20 laps.” He laughs before stopping the car. “I’ll pull into the driveway after I pick up some snacks for your little brother. Go inside first and start your work. Maybe take a nap. I can’t go into your house and hang out with Jake if I don’t come bearing food.”
Misty leans against him, “Don’t leave me hanging, Sanderson.”
“I would never plan on doing that.” He smirks before driving around the corner.
Misty washes her face, trying to wake herself up. She finished her school work and heads downstairs to the kitchen. Hayden had taken Jake out to the park down the street and she had a few more hours until her best friend would arrive. Everything had to be perfect.
She freezes as she reached the bottom of the stairs. A person was sitting on her living room couch, their back facing her. She raises her hand, pointing her pen at the figure, “W-Who are you?”
A woman with dark brown hair and blue eyes stands up. Her tall slim figure turns to face her. “Mist, really? A pencil?” she laughs, “Missed me?”
Misty jumps into the woman’s arms, dropping the pencil in the process. “How’d you get in Britt?” she squeals, “I missed you so much!”
“I know you Britt. That birdhouse in your front yard doesn’t fool me. You hate bids.” Britney messes with Misty’s hair, “So how have you been?”
Misty rubs her forehead, “I’ve been doing homework. Remember all those lovely nights up in your senior year? You stayed over so many times because you needed a noisy place to help you think.” She looks at the door. “Hayden took Jake out while I finished my work.”
“Ah, so I finally get to meet my best friend’s boyfriend after two years.” She walks over to the front door, “it looks like they’re back. He just pulled into the driveway.”
“Britt, you always had the best ears and eyes. I just hope you two like each other.” Misty begins to tap her fingers against her legs. Britney walks behind her best friend and puts her hand on her shoulder.
“Don’t worry, girl. Just because I don’t like guys or like their existence doesn’t mean I won’t try to like him.”
Misty begins to smile and looks at the door. Jake and Hayden walk in.
“Britney!” Jake’s small form runs towards Britney and hugs her legs tight. “I missed you!” He wouldn’t let go. A small giggle came out of Britt.
Hayden closes the door but doesn’t move away from it. Misty places a soft kiss on his lips while Jake is distracted. Britney picks Jake up in her arms and turns to Hayden, “Hayden, aren’t you going to welcome the devil?” She smirks, hinting at her coaching sessions.
“Britney, your words are burnt into my head every time I swim or run.” He turns to Misty, “I’ll be right back. I have to check on my brother.”
“Is he okay?” He doesn't answer her. Misty wraps her arms around him. “Hayden?” He walks out of the house, not responding. Misty and Britney look at each other. A worried look comes across both their faces. Something is wrong and you didn’t need a college degree to know that.
Britney movers her left foot under Misty’s right arm onto a yellow circle. She lets out a groan, then laughs, “We don’t properly see each other in two years and we end up playing Twister.”
Britt spins the spinner and it lands on a blue circle under the label ‘left arm’. Misty looks at the only blue spot remaining. It was in between Britney’s right foot and arm. She attempts to stretch her arm over her two legs but ends up slipping and tripping her best friend in the process. They both collapse onto the Twister mat, erupting in laughter.
“I don’t know why people go to gyms when all the exercise they need is in a half-hour game of Twister.” Misty begins to roll up the mat as her brother jumps on Britt.
“Attack!” Jake screams with a foam sword in his hand. She falls backward onto the couch and Jake starts to poke her with worry. “Britney! Are you okay?”
A smirk crosses his sister’s face as she discovers the trap her little brother just got himself into. Britney picks Jake up from the floor and begins to tickle him. “Argh”. Britney attempts to sound like a pirate. He laughs uncontrollably. She suddenly stops when she realizes something, “You’re a pirate right?
Jake nods and begins to fix his hair, “I’m the scariest pirate ever!” he says with pride. He was the total opposite of his sister- outgoing and confident.
“Well then, Captain Jake, why don’t we go to my ship and get your treasure?” Britney asks before whispering to Misty, “He must keep you on your feet.”
Jake runs outside towards the “ship” shouting, “Treasure! Treasure!” Stopping at the car, or “ship”, Misty watches as Britney hands Jake a giant box, wrapped with black and blue paper. He walks into the house, holding the gift proudly. Misty begins to walk outside, but Britney hands her a smaller box wrapped in silky teal paper.
“You didn’t think I’d forget about you, right?” She asks, watching Misty open her box. Inside was a paper that says:
Got Excited, didn’t you? Look Up. -Britney Treys
She looks up to see her best friend holding cowboy boots and hat in one hand, and another small box wrapped in silky red paper. She opens the small box and inside is a diamond necklace with her name engraved on the back of each diamond pendant. She bursts into tears and pulls Britt into a tight hug, “Thank You.”
As Britt begins to lock the trunk of her car, Hayden’s car pulls into the driveway behind her. Hayden walks out and whispers something to Misty. She nods and Hayden opens the door to the passenger seat. A guy who looks like Hayden, except taller and with messier hair, walks out. The three of them turn to look at Britney.
“Britt, this is Hayden’s brother, Nate.” Misty and Hayden walk towards the house, leaving Britney and Nate outside.
Britt walks up to Nate, holding her arm out, “Nice to meet you. I’m Britney Treys.” He stares at her for a moment and shakes her hand, twisting and holding onto her hand tight, twisting it in the process. She screams in pain, dropping to the ground. Misty runs out of the house.
Her blood is boiling. She rushes to her friend on the ground. Correction. Best friend. “Britney!” Her arm was already turning purple. She looks up to Nate, “Nate!” She lunges at him, but two strong arms hold her back.
“Calm down, Mist.” he whispers into her hair. He glares at his brother, “Nate, what’s your problem?”
Misty manages to tear herself out of Hayden’s grasp and slaps Nate across the face, but Hayden holds her back again.
“Hayden, don’t touch me.” Misty growls. “Nate Caleb Sanderson, leave right or I will call the cops!” Her voice was harsh and raspy. She rarely raised her voice, but when she did, she can be your worst nightmare.
“Nate, go home. I don’t know what got into you, but leave before Misty kills you for hurting her best friend.” Hayden hands him the car keys. He takes them without apologizing and drives off.
Britney begins to get off the cold ground. Misty and Hayden walk to her side, helping her up.
“Let’s get you inside, Britt.” Misty holds onto her while she leans against Hayden, leaving her up the stairs.
“I’m so sorry Britney.” Hayden’s eyes were warming and apologetic.
Britney glances at her injured arm, “It’s okay, Hayden. It wasn’t your fault. He wouldn’t have known.”
Hayden looks at Britney with a confused expression. Before she can explain, Misty loses it, “Don’t defend him, Britt! Look at what he did to you! Nothing should prompt someone to do that, with or without information of your past!”
Before Misty can finish her rant, Britney blacks out.
