Vitality

Chapter 20

*Keaton's POV*

I didn't do it. I didn't cheat. Fucking Jessica had to show up at my house and literally break in. But I can't tell Ari that, she won't believe me. I can't stand not kissing her in the halls every time I see her. It's killing me. I feel... empty. The only solution is to get away from all of this. With my dyslexia, it sometimes causes anxiety attacks and loneliness but I usually never got those because I was never fully attached to someone. But with Ari, I'm full blown attached. I know things will just get worse if I stick around so that is why I must go. I packed my bags, wrote a note for my mother and started the ignition in my car.

"This is it" I pulled out of the driveway and went on to the main road and just kept driving and driving.

*Ari's POV*

-2 weeks later-

I received most of my college acceptance letters. My parents were more thrilled about all of that then I was. I mean I am still proud of myself but I can't seem to be happy. I feel like all my happiness is just gone. As for Keaton, he's been missing since our break up. Well, I wouldn't call it 'missing' because we all know he's somewhere safe. But no one knows where he is. Even his mother doesn't know. And the whole town is blaming me. Everyone in school is included. Everyday I get at least four insults in the hallway. Especially with the state championship game coming up tomorrow, everyone thinks we'll lose without him. Since he's gone, I've been hanging out with Bethany more. A couple times Danny has been there and we came to a civil agreement. We're just acquaintances at the moment. And I'm okay with that. But as for myself? I'm not feeling so good. Even hanging out with more people and doing other things doesn't make me happy. I miss tutoring him, giving him massages after practice and even just his company in general. He genuinely made me happy and he's definitely a piece of me that I will never get back. And I feel like it's all my fault. With other people blaming me, it doesn't help. I continued to write my feelings and thoughts into my diary to Tate. I feel like Tate 'writes back' in weird ways. Like I'll see and hear stuff and I instantly know it's him. He's always with me.

Tonight was the championship football game party. They have one every year the night before the game to get everyone hyped. And of course, if we win, we throw another party after the game. Bethany actually dragged me to this. I didn't want to go but she forced me. When we got there, everyone was already piss drunk except the football players. The players attend but make a vow to not get wasted. And if they end up getting drunk, they aren't allowed to play for the championship game.

I wasn't feeling too good so I found a nice bench outside and sat down. I looked up at the stars and noticed how beautiful they looked tonight. They were all so stunning. I couldn't help but over hear some conversation coming from the right of me. It was between a couple football players and Will, Keaton's best friend. 

"Yeah man, it's going to blow without him tomorrow. We're going to get killed" The big tall one said.

"Are you sure you don't know where he is?" The red head asked in a softer tone

"Nah man, he didn't tell me" I recognized Will's voice answering his friend's question.

At this point I really feel like this is all my fault. Our school might lose this championship tomorrow because Keaton won't be there and it's all because of me. But he did cheat on me, remember? It's not right. But then again, why would he leave? It all comes back to me. I need to make things right again. I'm sick and tired of being the cause of everything. I suck.

"Damn. I'm getting another beer" one of them walked away and the other followed him, leaving Will.

I made it obvious that I was looking at Will so he could purposely see. But of course, he pretended he didn't see me and walked in the opposite direction. He totally knows where Keaton is..