A Car Crash Can Change Someone's Life

Monday, January 9

It's Monday and Christmas break is over. So now we're back in school for five more months. This year so far hasn't been that awful, homework wise. But every once in awhile, I'll still have flashbacks of the incident in the bathroom. And when I say flashbacks, this time it's true, not a nightmare. This year, Megan and I had a goal to hangout more. So we decided that at least once a week, I would come over to her house. Her house is the street behind mine so I just hop over my fence and I'm in her backyard, which saves me a lot of work.

Chelsea and I had the same idea as Megan and mine. Since my parents got new jobs, it requires a lot of travelling, so during the weekend Friday to Sunday, I spend the night over at Brandon's and then during the week, get a ride from Megan, and either go to her house or Chelsea's after school.

After School

I was walking outside to Megan's car when I saw Brandon and the same crew from the dance with him. My breath stopped when I saw a guy wearing a white t-shirt with a bandage underneath. That's the guy that got shot, I'm sure of it. I felt a tear come down my face, yet I'm still staring, frozen. I had the flashback of when Brandon wanted me to stay at his place. A chill sprinted through my back two times in one second, and I was cold and scared. I didn't even realize that Brandon saw me the whole time looking at the guy. He came over and touched my shoulder, and I jumped, losing focus on the guy.

"Sen? You okay?"

"What, yeah I'm fine. He just looked familiar for a second, and I didn't realize I was staring for a long time, sorry." And I quickly walked away.

On our way to Megan's house, she kept pointing at restaurants and the beach, while singing really loudly. I just pretended to laugh so she wouldn't notice my real facial expression. When we arrived at her house, we walked inside and she threw her keys on the coffee table by the stairs. As we said hello, we quickly went upstairs into her room. She jumped on the bed and just laid there. So I go on the other side as she scooches over. We both just laid there, looking at the ceiling, holding hands.

"Huh, I'm tired and bored. What should we do?" Megan finally said.

"Well we could stay here and bake, or do karaoke like we used to do. Or we can go outside and do something. Up to you, because I'm fine with whatever."

"Let's go to the beach! We can meet up with Derek! It's a beautiful day today, which is surprising since it's winter. But it'll be fun!"

"Sounds fun to me!" I said, which was actually kind of true. Going to the beach is always the best, especially with friends there.

We parked and walked down the path to get to the beach. Just in case we went somewhere else far away from the car, we wore our flip flops. Megan texted Derek where we were out so that we could meet up.

"Are you sure you want to hang out here? I feel bad that Brandon isn't here since I have my boy." She said, feeling bad.

"Oh no, Megan I'm fine. Besides, I want to get the chance to hangout with Derek and you more often. Thank you though."

"Oookaay, if you say so. But I bet it would be more fun with Brandon here. I mean Derek and him know each other so nothing would be awkward."

"I'm okay." I said laughing hysterically. She joined in also.

Derek finally texted her back saying he was on the left side at the part where one of the restaurants were. It only took us 15 minutes to walk over where he was. When we got there, Megan said her feet hurt, but was laughing, so we were guessing it was a joke or saying it in a funny way.

And then I saw him. Brandon was standing next to Derek, and I quickly look over at Megan with a 'are you serious' face on. I specifically told her not to invite him. Her look was an apology look, and I settled down.

"Hey Sen, long time no see." Brandon said, awkwardly.

"Um, yeah. I wasn't expecting you here." I replied.

"Oh, I invited him so it would be double dates when we go to the restaurant."

Megan looked nervous. That's because I gave her the look.

"Really? That's strange because Megan never said anything about that, did you now?" I said, with a sliver of anger in my voice while smiling.

"Well I mean, I was going to tell you, but you were caught up with so much stuff, I just thought that you would be okay with it." She said, trying to make a point, a very weak one. Brandon and I looked at each other, both awkwardly. That was probably the reason why he was so shy when he said hello. He knew that we were going out to eat.

We walked on the beach, up the pathway and went to a restaurant called Pelican Grill. It was 6:30 pm when we went to the restaurant. It was a very unique place. And it looked expensive.

"Don't worry ladies, we got you covered on food, so eat as much as you want, and we'll pay." Derek said, sounding pleased.

Megan and I looked at each other and smiled. We tried holding in our laughs, but it was too late. The boys looked at us confusingly.

Me and Brandon sat on the same side, and Megan and Derek sat on the other. So I would be looking at Megan, and he would be looking at Derek.

The waitress came over and asked for drinks. She was a pretty good sized young lady. She looked like she was around her 20's. She has a very sweet and kind voice, and was very helpful. When the food came, we were so hungry even though it was a five minute wait. The whole time we talked and laughed and enjoyed our meals. It was around 9:30 that we finished and Brandon told Megan that he was taking me home so she could ride home with Derek. When Megan told me, she winked and said, "Don't get too crazy Sen." I just rolled my eyes and told her I would see her tomorrow at school. When Brandon and I hopped in his car, he just sat there and looked at me. I was really confused and asked, "Um, is something wrong?"

"Uh, yeah. You know earlier today when you were staring at that guy because you thought he looked familiar?" Oh no, he knows what I saw...

"Yeah, why?" I replied, trying not to make it noticeable.

"Sen, it's okay. I know you saw his bandage underneath his shirt. But hey, he's fine now. You don't have to be scared, you have me, okay?" I just nodded my head at him and was quiet the whole ride home.

When he pulled in my driveway, I waved and said thanks for the ride, and walked inside. My parents weren't home yet, so I just went to bed.