Everything I Had

Chapter 17

"Ready to go?" Adam asked me as he spun his car keys on his index finger.

I nodded nervously and we began to head slowly out to his car. We brushed past the shoulders of the crowd as we tried to make our way through. Though I wanted to desperately get out of the crowd, I dreaded each step I took. I desperately wanted to disappear, but this had to be done. What was I supposed to say to his Dad and Laura? I was going there, basically expecting that this would turn into a brawl, and risking so much for my peace of mind. And on top of all this, I had to tell Adam about the picture on Facebook.

I should probably tell him now rather than later. But, is it really worth telling? I mean, it was just one stupid photo. It doesn't matter to me or him so maybe I should just keep this between Brandy and Myself.

After we were settled into the car, Adam put the key in the ignition and the engine purred as it came on. He backed out of his parking space and out of the parking lot before speaking.

"So anything interesting happen today?"

Why does he keep asking that? Does he want to know about all this crap? Does he really want to know that people think we're dating? Does he want to know that I'm deathly afraid rumors will be believed and basically throw my life in the trash? Does he REALLY want to know I can't look Matt in the eye without memories turning up in my mind that make me cringe? I think it's better for him not to know so he doesn't worry about me. He's worried about me too much lately. I'll handle it.

"You've asked me that like 3 times today." I darted.

"Okay. Geez. Just checking," He said as he put his hands up in surrender a few moments before placing them back on the wheel. I sighed and rolled my head to look at him.

"I didn't mean to snap at you or anything. Sorry," I muttered.

"It's fine. I understand," He paused for a moment to suck in a breath, "I just always want to check up on you and make sure you're doing okay -You know, school and all. You're like a best friend to me and I just feel like I need to be there for you," He shrugged.

Well, now I feel bad. My face fell and I focused my gaze on the blurs of the cars passing by. I didn't even want to look him in the eye. And now in just a few minutes, I'm going to get in a fight with his Dad and Laura. This could tear everything apart or bring us closer together but it's worth a risk. If I don't talk to them, Adam will continue fighting with them and he'll ruin his relationship with them. I don't want him risking that for me. He doesn't deserve it.

"I'm sorry... I'm just really nervous and a lot of stuff is going on right now and I-" I paused for a second to breathe, "-I just don't know how to handle 10 things at once so it's making me a little crazy."

"I guess I don't know much about your life after all."

"Well, it kind of all came at me at once. And it's more about what's going to happen rather than what's happening at the moment."

"Well, all I can say is: Don't worry about tomorrow. Or the next day. Or the next. Whatever happens, happens."

"Thanks," I mumbled.

"We'll talk when we get back to your house," he told me.

I nodded in agreement as we continued down the familiar roads.

Unfortunately, pretty soon we were pulling into his driveway and I winced at the thought.

"Last chance to back out. Wanna take it?"

I sighed nervously and shook my head.

"I do... But I can't."

He shrugged and opened his car door and so did I. We climbed up the stone steps and to his door. He hesitated before opening it.