The Past Doesn't Change the Future

Chapter 3

Even though it's been a week since I came to this school, my dorm room still surprises me. And it definitely surprised Matthew when I brought him to our room. The small, plain, paper white room I had just entered not too long ago was gone. Instead, the walls were a plain sky blue with white polka dots. Posters of artists and concerts hung on the walls. Deep, red rose gave off a sweet smell in the vase next to a window with purple curtains. The beds were covered in the plushiest of pillows, so soft you can believe you're sleeping on a mountain of marshmallows and feathers. The bedspreads were made of soft chiffon and the comforters were light and soft. Two desks, supplied each with office lamps, pencils, pen, highlighters, staplers, paper, and our own personal laptops had suddenly appeared inside the room. Chinese lanterns and streamers hung from the ceiling in a specific pattern. My guitar had suddenly appeared inside the room even though I left it in my car. The room, all-in-all, was just . . . perfect! "Kealeni, oh my! This is amazing!"

"Really?! I thought you wouldn't like it. Oh, thank you!" Kealeni runs over and hugs Matt hard then hugs me.

"Yeah, it's really great Kealeni. You have a real knack for decorating." We both turn towards him with smiles on our faces until I hear I small chuckle. Then a giggle. Kealeni pulls away and faces Matt completely. She continues to giggle as she places her hand on her hips and sighs.

"I'm not THAT good! You know, I just thought 'a little over here, a little over there' and all this happened!"

Not good. Not good AT ALL. She's flirting with him! I mean, it's not very GOOD flirting but it's still flirting! Why? Why? WHY???

Matt chuckles to himself then turns to me. "Are you going to Dylan Hernandez's party this Saturday? I heard it's going to be fuckin' wild in there." Dylan Hernandez is, from what I heard, the most popular student at Harvard, says Kealeni. He didn't come here because of his brainpower. He came because his dad forced him to with the boatload of cash he has. He holds annual 'Back to School' parties the first Saturday of each new school year. It's full of drunks and crackheads and perverts of all sizes. Apparently, last year, some guy got so drunk he dared everyone at the party that he could jump off the roof of a truck and land on his feet for $25 each. When he actually stepped onto the roof, he became dizzy and fell of the roof and onto the side walk.

"You really think I would go there? Yeah, because spending my time hanging out with drunks is the best way to enjoy my Saturday evening. Why?" I walk away from the door way and start unpacking my clothing onto my bed. Matthew decides it's best for him to stand beside me.

"Well, I mean if you don't go it's totally fine, yeah. I mean, who doesn't want to stay inside her room all day and watch Netflix and eat Chinese takeout in sweats. Actually, that sounds amazing. We should do that sometime." Matt starts staring off into space, deep in thought before he comes back to reality. "Oh, right. The party. I just thought . . . ya know. We," He gestures at him and me, "should go. Together. Like a date, kind of."

He wants to take me, to a party, on Saturday. And we'll be going together. Like a couple would. A couple. He just asked me out . . . OMG WHAT?! DID HE REALLY JUST ASK ME OUT?! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! OKAY, PLAY IT COOL KAYLEIGH. PLAY. IT. COOL. "Sure, I'll go to the party. With you though? Hm, I'll think about it." I turn towards the wardrobe closet and start to hang some clothes. I hear Kealeni gasp – it's not clear if it's in disgust, jealousy, or excitement.

"Cool, cool . . . so have you thought about it?" Matt turns me around slowly and gives me a small smile. He is pleading with me with his eyes and continues to keep his hand on my shoulder.

"Not yet, no."

"How about now?"

"No."

"Now?"

"No."

"Now?"

"Geez, Matt!" I laugh and free myself from his grasp. I open my guitar case and pull out the magical instrument. "Okay, I'll think about it. But, just wondering, what would happen if I say no?"

"Then, I'd make you say yes instead." He gives me a look that says duh, what else would I do? and laughs. "C'mon, please. Just answer me!"

"How can you make me say yes if I already answer no?!" I laugh. He just stares. Matt walks towards me until I'm drowning in his shadow. I have to look up to see his face and I'm sure my own face is flushed and tomato red. He smirks with pleasure – probably from my red face – and before I know it, his hand is softly, cupping my chin and his hand finds itself on my lower back. Because of sheer embarrassment, I only stare at Matt's gorgeous face. He starts leaning in towards me. He whispers in my ear "Just. Like. This." He pulls away from my ear and stops centimeters away from my mouth. WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

"Gosh, this is sad to watch." Kealeni chimes in with an annoyed tone. Her interruption makes Matthew pull away from me and go back to his cheery state. I stand there, frozen and processing what had just occurred. "Her answer is obviously no. I mean she's basically playing you. She's got you wrapped around her finger like a snake on a rat."

This brings me back to my senses. "Kealeni! Matt, don't listen to her. She's just in a mood I guess. And yes."

"Yes . . . what?"

"Yes, I will go to the party with you." I smile up at him. He smiles back. I'm melting on the inside.

"Great. I'll pick you up at 6 o'clock sharp. I just got a new car so I think you'll like it. It might give me points." He winks.

"Well, isn't that just perfect?" Kealeni comes between Matt and me with a fake smile. "Now we can all go together. Isn't that great? And Kayleigh." She turns towards me with a scowl. "You're finally going on a date. Good luck, ya know, since it's your first one. Ever."

I can feel my whole body burn with anger. Why is she so pissed? Is it because she flirted with him and then he asked me out in front of her? This is too confusing. But of course matt is being a perfect angel about it. "This is your first date? Wow. I'm kind of honored! I'll be your first boyfriend. Isn't that great?" He smiles, eyes closed, perfect white teeth glowing. Ugh, this is absolutely amazing. Why couldn't have this happened back in high school?

"Of course! So you can come pick us up at 6:15 since I'll need time to do my hair. I don't look this fabulous by just standing around." She bitterly laughs and starts to push Matt towards our door. "You know I'm surprised no one caught you in our dorm since guys aren't allowed in girl dorms. You might want to get out of here before you get in trouble. Okay, bye!" She shoves the blond boy into the corridor and shuts the door behind her.

"What the hell was all that? You just turned on me!"

"Whatever, Kayleigh. It's 9 o'clock. I have work in the morning so good night." She grabs a sweatshirt and sweatpants and leaves the room.

"What?" I mutter to myself and grunt in frustration. Just 3 days ago I sighed in frustration –thanks dad. And now Kealeni is upset and I have no idea why. Well, other than the fact that she, obviously, is jealous that Matthew asked me out. But why would she be jealous? She was the one to encourage me to date Matt. Now she's upset about it? What the hell?

I'm about to unpack some clothes and pictures when Kealeni comes back. She immediately puts her headphones on and starts typing on her laptop. I watch her for a few moments then turn back to my own work. So much for work tomorrow morning.

I'm five minutes into my unpacking when I find a picture of my mother on the day I was born. Her forehead was drenched in sweat and was mid-laugh. She was in bed and holding infant me. She looked so happy in that picture. I can't believe she's gone.

I finish my previous task and go to the communal bathrooms for five minutes then return to the comforts of my tiny new home. Kealeni is already snoring in bed by the time I put all my stuff away. I plop into bed and sigh. Is half my vocabulary sighing these days? Today felt like a dream gone sour. Tomorrow is going to be better for sure.

Little did I know, I was so fucking wrong.