Fall Girl

Kev

Ten Years Ago

It was the last day to finish our treehouse, so we all got up early. I went to Sawyer after breakfast. I make an excuse to talk to him about Margot. "Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"Tell me what you want to talk about," he sensed my restlessness

I am looking for some advice. "What do you think about getting a puppy for her birthday? because she loves playing with Oscar."

Sawyer nodded. "That is extremely thoughtful of you, but my advice would be to focus on what you are going to say to her rather than the gift."

I shrugged my head. "Yes, man, I'm working on it."

Sawyer stood up.  "All right, go ahead and call everyone. I'm going to turn on the lights."

Sawyer was taking pictures of us when Mr. Ryan's phone rang. He was happy at first, but then his face turned into a picture of sadness, and he told us that Andrew had a heart attack. I held Margot in my arms as she was crying. I had no idea that this would be our final encounter as friends before millions of miles separated us. Ian and Blake were already there when we reached the hospital. She ran to Blake. I was on a call with Dad. "Mr. Parker is no more," the doctor told us. Dad told me to take care of everything until he got back when he heard the doctor.

I felt sorry for Margot and Blake, as their mother had passed away when Margot was born and Blake was only two years old. All they had in their lives was Andrew. Throughout the entire week, I didn't have the opportunity to speak with Margot, possibly due to her constant presence with either Blake or Ian. I don't know why, but when I saw her with Ian, I felt sick to my stomach. I never had a grudge against Ian, but now I see him with Margot, I am compelled to refrain from striking him.

Blake and Margot stayed with us the rest of the summer. I was at the pet store because Margot's birthday was approaching. Outside, I observed Sawyer speaking on the phone before kicking the sidewalk.

I approached him and inquired. "Hey dude, are you okay? What happened?"

Sawyer turned around and shook his head. "Yeah, everything is fine, but what are you doing here?"

I pointed to the pet store. "I was going to buy a puppy for Margot, but I saw you kicking the sidewalk."

Sawyer flicked his hand. "It's nothing, just work."

I asked. "Would you help me selecting a puppy?"

When we entered a store, I asked Sawyer. "When will you going back?"

Sawyer cleared his throat. "I am moving here."

I looked at him and kept a hand on his shoulder. "Dad will take care of everything if you're moving here because of Andrew..."

Sawyer interrupted me. "I had already planned to return here."

We finally chose a few-days-old golden retriever, which I named "Goldie."

I saw something odd the next morning when standing in my window. I felt like someone had slashed my heart into a thousand pieces or someone stabbed me in the back. I had no idea how many emotions I felt at that moment. Who would have thought? When I saw Ian and Margot kissing, I never knew I loved her since we met. The most heartbreaking moment of my life was when I realized I loved Margot while she was kissing another boy. What could be more hurting than this? I wanted to scream but couldn't since no one knew or understood what I was going through, so I kept it to myself.

I stayed in my room all day. Everyone tried, but I only spoke to Sawyer. "I am not in the mood to talk to anyone."

Margot blasted on my door; I didn't answer. Though she yelled my name, I stayed silent.

"Kev, I need to talk to you about something really serious", Margot stated.

I lacked the courage to listen to her kissing adventure, and when she received no response from me, she left.

Dad noticed me using my phone at breakfast. "Kev, you forgot the rules of our dining."

Margot giggled, "Girlfriend."

In a fit of rage, I shouted out at Margot. "Yes, whatever I am, it's in front of everybody I don't hide behind my fake goody-good attitude."

Everyone in the room stared at me. I excused myself and rushed away. Margot followed me outside.

Margot shouted, "What the hell was it?"

I squared my shoulders. "Nothing, I just told the truth."

Margot asked, "But what does that even mean?"

I clenched my jaw. "Mean the way you took advantage of Andrew's passing and gained Ian's sympathy is something I can't do."

Margot's face turned red. "What the hell are you talking about?" 

I clapped. "Mar, I had no idea you were such a skilled opportunist; the way you carry yourself makes me realize you should study acting."

Margot said I was crazy and didn't know what I was talking about.

I chin up. "I am well aware of what I am saying."

Margot kept her hands over her waist. "Oh yeah, then tell me exactly what is making you so bitter."

I abruptly responded without giving a second thought. "I can see how you are trying hard to sleep with Ian, or maybe you already slept with him."

Margot pushed me back. "It is completely none of your business to whom I slept with or with whom I am planning to sleep."

I pointed at her. "Oh, I am entirely not interested in your sex life; all I was saying is that whatever it is you are doing, it is wrong."

Margot's temple bulging in anger. "These remarks coming out of a mouth that changes his girlfriend after every six months is sort of unpleasant."

I flicked my hand. "So just keep doing whatever it is that you're doing and act like a slut."

She said before turning around and walked into the foyer.  "Yeah, man whore, I will do anything I want to, and you should quit poking your nose into things it has no business with you."

After the fight we didn't talk and when Mrs. Ryan took Blake and Margot to their penthouse. I decided to leave Glisten because Blake and Margot would be at our house till they were 18, and I couldn't stand Margot. I told Sawyer to give Goldie to Margot under his name as I am leaving for New York. I wasn't sure how I would manage living with my mom, but I was willing to take that risk at that time. I haven't spoken to my mom in the past five years since she left Dad and me in Glisten and moved to New York.