Seven Mistakes {Completed}

Welcome Back, Now Leave

I plopped down on the couch and stared at the television screen. There was nothing on that interested me, so I let my mind wander, ruminating about my day. About Diana, primarily. Maybe I should’ve told her I was sorry; I did say some mean things to her. Then again, she said mean things to me, too.

I lost my train of thought when my dad walked into the living room.

“Hey, kiddo,” he said, sitting down next to me on the couch.

“Hey, Dad. How was your day?” I asked casually, flipping the T.V. channel to a football game for him.

He let out a heavy sigh. I supposed that he had worked hard.

“Busy. How was your first day at school?” He questioned.

“Gah! It was a pain; so much drama.”

He sighed once more. “You know, kiddo, I might be old, but I’m still fairly intelligent. If you ever need anyone to talk to, you know I’m always here.”

I smiled at him. My dad was the best; he had such a big heart and was there whenever I needed him. My mom, however, I barely remembered. The last I had heard from her, she was drowning herself in liquor at some scummy motel. “Thanks, Dad, but I think I can handle it.” I told him.

“Okay. But if it’s about boys and hormones, please, just use protec-“

“Oh, my G-d, Dad! Back it up there, we are clearly not on the same page.”

“Alright, alright,” he defended, raising his hands. “I just want to let you know that I’m here for you. So, speaking of boys and hormones … you do know about the birds and bees, right?”

“Birds and bees? Really, Dad?” I asked, eyebrows raised but had a small smirk on my face at how naive he thought I was.

“What? Do you want me to flat out ask you, ‘Annabelle, do you know about sex?’ ”

I laughed, and after a second, my dad did too. “Anyway. Yes, Dad, I do know about the birds and bees.”

“Okay, I’ll leave you alone. But remember, I’m here for you day in and day out.”

I nodded as he left the room. The second I heard the refrigerator open, I muttered, “I know.”

When I noticed that my dad might not be coming back to the living room, I went to turn the football game off but the doorbell rang. I stood up and walked to the door. I smiled as I opened it.

In the doorway was a male. He was tall and it was clear that he worked out. I could tell that he was about my age. It was when I looked in his icy blue eyes that my smile evaporated, replaced with a frown. Because that was when I realized who it was: Leaven.

“Annabelle. It’s been a long time.”

I looked in my house for an escape. For me to say I couldn’t talk, but looking back in I had no excuse.

Leaven looked at me with his easy grin plastered on his face.

Suddenly, I took a step outside and closed the door behind me. As I turned back and faced Leaven, I glared coldly at him and then abruptly reeled back my hand to punch him square in the chest. “You hit like a girl,” he joked once my fist came in contact with his stone chest. I was irritated that he could act so unfazed.

“What the hell are you doing back here? I thought you left!”

“I did leave. Listen, I came to say I’m sorry. What I did to you was wrong.”

“Damn straight, you played with my heart! You made me think you loved me, then cheated on me. I loved you! But I guess it was just another crush. I mean, who falls in love in the 8th grade? Because obviously not you; no, never! You know what? You’re just like your brother; worse, probably!”

“Don’t compare me to Seven.” Leaven growled as he gripped my arm tightly. “He may be my brother, but he’s a player. You know I’m not like that.”

I yanked my arm out of his grasp and shook my head at him. “No, you just make girls fall in love with you then let them catch you making out with some girl. In no way is that a player!” I cried sarcastically.

“Anna –”

“Don’t call me Anna. You lost the chance to call me that when you cheated on me!”

“I know. I know what I did, and I know it was wrong. Look, I’m back to show you that I changed. When I left, I went to go live with my aunt. I changed for the better and now I’m back – back to get you to forgive me, and to win you again.”

“You know, I thought you were full of shit in eighth grade, when you asked me out. Hell, you knew I liked Seven. You knew I dressed and acted like a nerd, but you asked me out. When we went on our first date, I realized you were serious. But on that first day of high school, I walked into that stupid computer lab to find you with your tongue down some girl’s throat. Did you even know her, Leaven? I know you tried to apologize, but out of the blue you stopped calling and coming over here to say you were sorry. Heaven was the one to tell me you left. You … you didn’t even tell me,” I finished quietly.

“I wanted to change for you!” He protested with anger seeping in his voice.

“Now you’re back at my doorstep, asking for me to forgive you and talking about winning me back. Here’s the thing: I do forgive you. It was 3 years ago, and I’m over it. But as for us ever getting back together; I will never, in a million years, go out with you.” I turned to walk in my door when Leaven replied.

“Oh, so you won’t date me, but if Seven walked up to you and asked you out, you’d say yes in a heartbeat.”

I spun around and faced him, “That’s different,” I clarified. “I haven’t dated Seven before, and he’s never cheated on me.”

“Anna, you’ll see that I’m better for you than him.”

I snorted. “I highly doubt that. He’d never do half the stuff you’ve done to me.”

“Maybe you’re right,” he admitted. “But I have changed, believe me.”

“I’ve heard that one before.”

“Does Seven know that I cheated on you?” Leaven asked.

“Don’t you talk to your own brother? You should know.”

“Actually, no. I haven’t talked to him since I left.”

“Oh. Well, I never told him, so I guess he doesn’t know. But why would you care if he knows or not?”

“He’d beat me to a pulp if he knew. Anyway, goodnight. I can’t wait to see you at school tomorrow, Anna.” Leaven said before he turned and started to walk away.

“Wait!”

Leaven spun around. “Yes?”

“Why would Seven beat you up if he found out you cheated on me?”

“If I told you that, it might ruin my plans.” And he walked off.

I stood there, staring at nothing and feeling confused about everything: boys, girls, and secrets.


Today was not my day!