Smells Like Nirvana

Chapter 4

Just Breathe

Scarlett took a step back from Michael. She wasn't sure what to feel. Just Breathe she told herself over and over again. This is Michael. The boy who abandon you, and Never looked back. "Michael..." She started to say, but she had no idea what to say after that. But she didn't have to speak. He spoke for her. "It's ok, Scar. I understand. This is alot for you to comprehend right now. I don't expect anything from you. I just wanted you to know how I feel. I love you. I never stopped. In fact just hearing your name over the years, has made me smile." "That's funny" she said. "Cause anytime I hear my name, I feel like I'm in trouble." They both laughed. But she just starred down at the ground. Unable to look up. "I'm gonna go home now. I just live a few miles from here, but I can't think of anything else to say, so I'll let you ponder, and I'm just gonna go." He turned and walked off to his car. "By the way, I emancipated myself, and I have my own place now. So... no crazy mom anymore. Just so ya know." She smiled at him. He continued walking and got in his car, sat there for a second and drove away.

"What on earth was going on? I swear he is the devil!" She thought to herself. But instead, she said it out loud. "Um, Scarlett?" She then turned to see her mom. Looking at her worried. Unsure what to do or say next, she just ran past her mother, and to her room, and stayed there the entire night.

Scarlett woke up the next morning ready for the day. She went through her closet the night before to find the cutest dress, 'Crystal approved' it was mint green in color, strapless, and open in the back with a lace up seam on the sides, with tan suede boots, that lace up and have about a 4 inch heel. So cute. She curled her hair, put pins in it to help it stay in place the way she styled it and had a mint green flower barrette to finish her styling. "Perfect!" When she did the finishing touches on her makeup, she decided she was ready. She would go about her daily routine, and act as if nothing different had happened the day before. One more week until fall break. She chanted over and over. She finished getting ready for school, and ran down the stairs in a hurry, not saying anything to her mother and straight out the door to her car. After starting her car, she sat there. She wondered how she would avoid Michael, and the awkward conversation she and Crystal would have, as to why she hasn't been returning any of her text messages.
The drive to school was nice and quiet. Other than the roar her engine made everytime she pressed on the gas petal. She took her time. So she could get there and go straight to class, and have time to think about how or what to say about yesterday. She had made it to a few classes before seeing anyone and then it was time for lunch. "So, I was thinking, my dad has a cabin up north. We could go up there for fall break? It could take your mind off of everything, and we would have fun! Just the two of us. Get away from it all and just relax. What do you think?" Crystal had caught up to Scarlett and stopped in front of her. "I think that's a great idea!" Scarlett grabbed Crystal and started to hug her. She thought that avoiding everyone would be a good idea, but she realized right then, that she really needed to see her. She hugged her so tight, Crystal had to tap her arm, so Scarlett would release a little. And that's when Scarlett began to cry. "Follow me" Crystal said to her, Scarlett nodded, and she held her hand, and led her. They walked over behind the gymnasium where there was a picnic table, and they sat down. Scarlett sat there all of lunch, and Crystal just let her cry on her shoulder. Scarlett broke down and told Crystal everything. She wanted Crystal to know it all, because she was her best friend. But she was more like a sister to her than anything, and she knew Crystal would understand. She loved Michael, she really did. Very much, but she never wanted to go through that, or feel that way again. So she couldn't trust Michael, and didn't want to be like that again. She was a mess last time Michael left her and she never wanted to be that vulnerable again. Ever. She had made a decision. "No more Michael. We can be friends. Nothing more." She had said to Crystal. "Should you talk to him about it?" Crystal interjected. "No, he deserves nothing from me." And that was it for that conversation. They ran to the bathroom so she could fix her make up and head to class. Hoping she wasn't late since she missed yesterday.