Hold Us

Ride or Die

I feel two hands on my shoulder as my friend Jess laughs. 

"Haisley.. we are free." She grins as she takes my hand and drags me across the busy parking lot. Her freckles spread across her face as she grins as the sun hits her golden hair. I sigh as I drag my feet behind her. "Aren't you happy?"

A car turns a sharp turn almost hitting us. Jess gives the guy driver the bird and yells, "What a jackass!" 

I keep quiet as she guides me to her car. 

"Hais... why are you so quiet? You should be happy." She stops and looks me in my eyes. I force a smile. 

"Who said I wasn't? I just have a bad headache." I bite my lower lip as she leans her head back and sighs. 

"Do you think I was born yesterday?" She looks at me. I raise a brow and roll my eyes. 

"You act like it half the time." She didn't like that answer because she pinches my cheek. 

"You know, normal people are excited to be out of school and into the real world." I inhale as the heat makes me sweat from just standing out here for about three minutes. 

"We've always been in the real world. Some people just never opened their eyes. Can we go? I want to head to campus." 

"Haisley!!" She grabs my hand and eyes me. "Take a look at where you are and where you are leaving from. Forever. You should be happy we never have to be here anymore. If anything have to deal with those disgusting boys. Now you can look for real love. In college or during summer." 

I pulled away from her. Of course. She always mentioned love. "I just want some sleep. It's been a long day." I get in the passenger seat after slamming my bag into the floor board. I close my door and put my seatbelt on. She stands outside watching me with pity eyes. I told her about the whole situation. She didn't blame me like my mother had. 

It took me two years to get over a stupid boy. I hadn't said anything. Summer guys were asses and weren't worth it. I was going to California for my summer vacation to study with my camera. A Dixon camera. I would be alone with my thoughts and a beautiful scenery. I notice as Jess opens the drivers side door and she sulks into her seat as she turns to me. A beat of silence before she puts her head on the steering wheel. 

"I love you Haisley. But can't you put this boy in the past? I mean he was a total jerk wad and you still want him if nobody?" She doesn't look up. 

I open my mouth but didn't say anything. She was right. She always was. It wasn't a choice though. Loving someone isn't a choice. Was it? 

"Live this summer with love. If not for yourself but for me. Go to California and enjoy that time you have down there. Take pictures of butterflies and even sunsets. But don't let this boy bring you down." As she speaks I grasp my necklace and play with the pendant. "Just promise me you'll enjoy your summer." 

I see her sit up and eye me. If I didn't say yes she'd be in a bitchy mood and yell at me. If I said yes she'd be happy and let me go home. 

"Okay, I will." I look at my feet hovering over the floorboard. "You always sound like my mother."

She presses the key into the shift and pulls the car into drive. "Maybe because you act like a child."