It Was Him

Ch. 8: Old Memories

When Kacey and I decided we wanted to go back to school, it was a Monday. We figured it would be easier to start at the beginning of the week than any other time.

After I finished my usual before-school routine and started for the door, Zack stopped me. "Hey, uh, want a ride to school?"

I smiled. "Sure. Thanks, Zack."

He smiled. "Anytime, sis."

I headed out the door, inwardly cheering as I made my way towards my brother's golden Ferrari.

I had been waiting for the opportunity to sit in those luxurious black leather seats ever since Zack brought it home.

"Hey, are we gonna pick Kacey up?" He asked once we were pulling out of the driveway.

"Uh, duh," I scoffed. "Of course." Zack laughed at my sassyness.

"Alright then. That means I get to pick up my friend, too," he smirked.

My heart pounded. He was most likely talking about Seth. I hadn't seen Seth for a while; this would probably get awkward pretty quick.

We stopped by Kacey's house first. When she walked up to the car, jaw dropped in amazement, Zack rolled down my window. "Isn't it beautiful," he gloated. Kacey only nodded, reaching for the door to the backseat on my side.

"No, Kace, how 'bout you sit up front. Stella can move to the back," he smiled, looking straight at me. I didn't know what he was planning, but I didn't mind. Every inch of this car was beautiful.

"Stella, is that okay with you?" She laughed. I opened the door and got out, offering her my spot.

"Yeah, sure, I don't mind." I got in the backseat as she got in the front, and admired the leather detailing on the back of her seat.

Seth didn't live too far from her, so we were at his house in a matter of minutes.

Zack honked, prompting him to come out of the house. He had the same look of admiration plastered on his face that Kacey did.

Seth walked up to Zack's side as Zack rolled down the window, letting out a low whistle. "Dude, nice ride," he complimented, a hint of jealousy in his tone.

"Yeah, I know right," Zack smirked. "But you're gonna have to sit in the back," he paused, looking right at me in the rear view mirror. "Next to Stella."

I felt my cheeks heat up as I glared daggers in his direction. It was then that I realized this was his plan all along. Seth just shrugged.

"Alright," he said as he opened the door, sliding nonchalantly into the seat next to me.

Trying not to be awkward and not wanting to be rude, I managed to mutter "Hey," with a little wave.

He returned the gesture, only with a warm smile that showed off his slight dimples. My heart melted at the sight, and I felt my cheeks heat up once more, so I quickly turned away.

Everyone stared when we pulled into the school parking lot, and Zack was basking in all of the attention. I squirmed a little; I wasn't used to having so many eyes glued to me or in my general direction.

When we finally found a parking spot, I got out as quickly as possible. Kacey, Zack, and Seth weren't far behind, although Seth and Zack made quite the show out of leaving the car.

Once Kacey and Seth were out of earshot, I stomped up to Zack. "What the heck happened to you wanting me to stay away from Seth? Why would you make him sit in the back with me?"

Zack smirked, casually waving to onlookers and smiling as if he were a celebrity on the red carpet before he gave his attention to me. "Well since him and Rachel are kind of a thing now, I thought it would be fine. Like, he wasn't going to try anything since he has a girl now." I rolled my eyes. When Zack saw my reaction, he sighed. "Stella, I told you not to fall for him. He's just like Chris. He would only hurt you."

I fell silent, tears beginning to sting my eyes. Chris. A name I thought I'd never have to hear again. Chris was my boyfriend when I was a freshman, and he was a junior. He was the stereotypical bad boy type, and at the time I thought that's what made him alluring. But now I realize it's exactly what ended his life.

I couldn't help but flash back to that terrible day, where I had stood next to his hospital bed and watched his chest rise and fall with every labored breath he took. When he had awoken from his nap, his eyes immediately fell on me.

"Stella," he croaked, smiling. He reached for my hand, and I let him grab it.

"What in the world were you thinking?" I asked, tears of anger falling from my eyes. "You promised me you wouldn't."

He smirked. "You shouldn't have taken me seriously, babe. You knew I couldn't refuse," he chuckled, his voice scratchy.

I yanked my hand out of his and crossed my arms. "Then why did you tell me that you wouldn't go to that part of town? You knew that this could happen if you tried that stupid gang initiation thing, and yet you did it anyway. It's almost like you wanted to be beat half to death."

All traces of humor gone from his face, Chris looked me straight in the eye. "Stella, you knew what type of person I was when we started this relationship. If you were gonna have such a problem with my lifestyle then we should've broken up a long time ago."

With that, the tears completely left me and it felt as though I had been slapped in the face. "What?" My voice was small.

"Yeah, I said it. I'm breaking up with you," he spat. "Get out of this f*cking room, I can't look at you anymore."

Completely blindsided, I had left that room without another word. In retrospect, I could see that was for the best; who knew how much more heartbreak I would have had to endure to see that Chris was toxic for me. And, looking back, I think that's exactly why he broke up with me. He didn't want his choices to hurt me anymore, and he knew that he wasn't going to make it. I think, deep down, he cared enough about me to want to save me from suffering the grief of his impending death on top of everything else he had done to hurt me.

But, being a dumb freshman, I just thought that it was my fault and that he really didn't like me anymore.

Zack broke me from my thoughts when he laid a hand on my shoulder. "Hey, Stella, I'm sorry to bring him up again. I just wanted you to know that being with Seth is only gonna be bad for you."

I wiped a lone tear from my cheek and shrugged his hand away. "Yeah, okay, whatever. I'll stay away from him."

~

Sorry this chapter took for-freaking-ever to finish!! But it's here now. And I thought I'd make this chapter a little longer to make up for the super long wait. What did you think?? It feels good to come back to this story! :)

~R.J. ♡