Chapter 1: Ty
"I was there." The sentence echoed in my head. The man's voice continued: "I was there the day that your mother died. The moment she took her last breath; that second she said her last words…and she has a message for you: Keep searching."
I awoke from my nightmare with a gasp and covered in sweat and blankets. It was the same nightmare I've had every night since the night my mother died. I had absolutely no clue who this person was-the one telling me that they had a message from my mom-or why they were torturing me with the painful memory of that day. As my mind began to wander, I shoved all thought of anything but academics, out. It was my senior year and I was determined to graduate on time. Today was my first day at Crestwood High and I was already running late.
I jumped up and searched the floor for any clean clothes, already knowing my drawers were empty. I was lucky to find a pair of worn out, toothpick jeans and a "Beastie Boys" tee shirt I had purchased at a concert I went to over the summer with my best friend, Tyler. I'll tell you more about him later, he's a long story. I continued to dress while checking the time and brushing my teeth. I ran a brush-roughly-through my super straight, super tangled hair. I sprayed on perfume and bolted back to my room. I put on what I call my "bootie-boots". They're really just ankle boots, but they had slight heel-like booties- so I called them bootie-boots. Putting my makeup case in my backpack, I walked towards the kitchen.
My dad was sitting in his normal place, at the counter on a high stool, drinking his coffee, reading a printout, and dressed to impress in his business suit. My dad's an attorney, by the way-- and a darn good one too! That's why we're able to afford our two-story, model-Victorian mansion, plus two sports cars. One of which-was mine. I rushed through, picked up the already toasted bread on the counter that dad had obviously made for me along with freshly squeezed orange juice.
"Thanks dad!" I said around a mouthful of toast. I started to walk away, but my dad stopped me by the arm.
"Ally! Sit down, there's no need to skip breakfast."
"I'm late! I got to go, like, now." I told him then gulped down my orange juice.
"What's the rush? You have plenty of time to get to school, and eat breakfast."
"I have to pick up Ty! He doesn't have anyone else to drive him." My dad neatly folded his newspaper and laid it on the counter. He sighed deeply and shook his head.
"I don't know why you keep company with that boy. I wonder about him sometimes." We had had this conversation many times, but now wasn't the time when I was running behind. Like I said, my dad's an attorney, and saying that, he likes to argue the subject-any subject.
"I know dad, but he's my friend. And right now, I'm not keeping my end of the relationship by making him late." Dad sighed again and looked away from me. He pointed towards the door.
"Go on. But no speeding! Understand me?" I smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Thanks dad. See you later." I approached the door and then stopped, "I'll be home later than normal; Tyler and I are going to study at his house." I stopped to wait for an answer.
"It's the beginning of the year! Why in the world would you study?" I smiled.
"Dad, that’s teen talk for us hanging out, okay?" He turned around and looked at me with a look I hadn't seen before.
"I don't want to find out anything happened between the two of you, you get me?" I was late, looked like I had gotten ready in minutes-which I had, and now I was upset.
"You won't, dad. Remember? He's gay."
I loaded my backpack into my midnight blue mustang and sat in the driver’s seat. I pulled the visor down to look in the mirror. I was naked-looking compared to most days.
No makeup + nightmare and no sleep = circles under my eyes.
I thought better of waiting to put on my make up at school. I looked horrible and Ty would definitely kill me if I showed up looking like this. As I put on my cover up and eyeliner, I thought back to when I found out that Tyler Stone-my rock, the star quarter back-was queerer than a two dollar bill.
It was my 16th birthday and I was having an awesome, blow out party at my house. I invited all my friends and that meant the house would be packed. Tyler and I had been dating for a year and were still on nothing but the friend zone. I was stupid enough to let my friends talk me into letting them bring booze and drugs, but then didn't find out they spiked the punch until I was dancing on the tables and holding a bottle in my hand. Tyler pulled me down and took me into my room upstairs. We sat on the bed and I continued to hit on Ty and fall all over him, trying to take our relationship further.
"Okay, you've had way too much punch." He pushed me back from his chest.
"No, I just, finally know what I want. It's you." I looked into his eyes and closed mine, then leaned in to kiss Ty. He dodged my lips and stood up. I opened my eyes and collapsed back on the bed.
"Let's just talk, Ally. Okay?" He looked away from me and hung his head. I peeked out of the corner of my eye. The light hurt my head so I shaded my eyes with my left hand.
"Okay, let's talk...about what?" I closed my eyes because they were starting to burn.
"About this. Us-our relationship." I sat up bolt upright. Could this be it? Is he breaking up with me? Did I do something wrong? All of these questions crossed my mind as he cut across the room to sit beside me on the bed again. He took my hand in his and stared at our intertwined fingers for what seemed like a long period of time.
"I have to tell you something that affects us. I know we've been friends for a long time, and I won't deny that I had a crush on you when we were young, but..." He trailed off momentarily gathering his words and taking a deep breath, "but now I've realized we've grown apart. But it's not because of you, it's-"
"It's because of me, right? That's the worst break up line I've ever heard in my entire life. I can't believe this." I pushed his hands away and stood up. I felt stinging tears start to roll down my cheeks and I stumbled from the sudden change of position. Tyler stretched to steady me but I smacked his hand away. I paced as I talked and shook my hand and pointed at Tyler, "Why would you do this to me, and on my birthday, nonetheless. We've been together for a year and the moment I try to take it to the next level, this happens. I want to know why. What, did it move to slow or too fast? Is there another girl? Have you gotten cold feet? What is it Tyler?”
“Come on, I’m waiting. Lay it on me!” I added when he just stared at the ground. Finally, Tyler stood and came to stand beside me. He tried to hold me with a hand on my shoulder and face, but I pulled away.
"It really isn't you, and it really is me. The reason we've been taking it slow-I've been taking it slow, is I'm, I'm..." He trailed off again but picked up after another sigh, "I'm gay." I started to laugh.
"Wow! Nice excuse!" I went to the door and began to turn the knob when Tyler grabbed my shoulder and swiveled me to face him. He pulled me in by my head and kissed me. I felt dizzy and my heart fluttered. An explosion of emotion and sparks pulsed in my lips. Of course it was dulled because of all the alcohol I'd downed, but I definitely felt something strong. When he tugged away, he looked into my eyes and was breathing heavily.
"See, nothing."
YOU ARE READING
I Was There
Teen Fiction"I was there the day that your mother died. The moment she took her last breath; that second she said her last words…and she has a message for you: Keep searching." This nightmare has tortured Ally every night since her mother died. While she strugg...
