Boomerang

Chapter 9. Matters of the Heart

Sawyer

    It's those little promises we make in the beginning that makes the ending so hard. The "I won't leave you", "It's safe, I’ll never hurt you", "I'll never stop trying"... We begin with good intentions, but make unrealistic promises we end up breaking. Then we rebuild ourselves stronger, smarter, more guarded. We build giant impenetrable, so we think, walls around our freshly built hearts. Finally someone new comes along with a wrecking crew, piece by piece the slowly take apart that impressive wall. Leaving our hearts open for their assault.

    Zeek was slowly breaking my defenses down. We’ve been on countless dates, each one ending a little further than the last. Unlike with Beau, I wasn’t going to give up the flower box until I was certain of his intentions and my feelings for him. Even though it kills me to admit, a piece of me still loves douche canoe and holds out hope. It’s been weeks since I called him. He’s sent thousands of texts, but I can’t find the words to convey the hurt he put me through. After the abuse, assault, and the betrayal I couldn’t forgive anymore. It changed me; the jury is still out on whether it’s a good thing or not. I’m not that shy introverted girl anymore. I had battle scars and I wear them proudly. That’s why when Serenity and Maria suggested we go to pledge opening, which is really just a huge ass drunk fest, I said yes. Of course they were shocked but I was more than ready to show off my new confidence. Part of that might be thanks to Zeek and his constant boosting of my ego.

    I heard a loud knock that became increasingly more urgent. I knew it was Serenity and Maria, it was their way of saying “Hurry up bitch”. I sprinted from my room down the hall to the front door. I flung it open to see their happy smiling faces.

    “Do you guys really have to knock like that? You know the older lady next door always complains.” I panted. I really need to take up running again, I was out of shape for sure.

    “Forget that old hag!” Serenity yelled.

    “Yeah! We’re far too excited to care about her and her ridiculous complaints right now!” Maria chimed in.

    “Oh my God you guys! Shut up and get in here!” I yanked both of them into my apartment and quickly shut the door. They followed me back to my room so I could pick out an outfit. They were dressed to the nines. Serenity had straightened her long brown hair, her make up was light natural colors with an added hint of green eyeshadow to make her hazel eyes really pop. She was dressed in a light pink v-neck tank with a long black sweeping maxi skirt and a pair of matching pink heels. Maria had curled and pinned back her short hair. Unlike Serenity Maria loved bold makeup, so she had shimmering purple eyeshadow with her eyeliner forming wings to top it off. She wore a strapless lavender colored high low dress that accentuated her curves and a pair of black heels.

    “I guess this means I’ll be wearing heels tonight huh?” I asked annoyed. I hate heels, I almost always break my neck every time I wear them. Okay that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but I do trip a lot.

    “Duh.” They say in unison.

I rolled my eyes at them. I scamper into my closet and bring out a white with lily flowers spaghetti strap high-low deep v-neck sun bohemian maxi dress. I pair it up with a pair of white heels. Maria and Serenity are staring at me, mouths agape and silent. I raise an eyebrow, shocked. They’re never quiet.

    “What? Should I change?!”

    “No!” Serenity shouted.

    “Don’t you dare!” Maria scolded.

    “Okay, calm down.” I throw my hands up in surrender.

    “You look great Sawyer, like seriously delicious.” Maria winked at me.

    “Let’s get a move on it bitches, we’ve got a party to make an appearance at.”

    I grab my purse and keys. I volunteered to be the DD tonight, well I’m always the DD. Trenton and Tucker put me off of alcohol for a long time. I refuse to turn into a drunk, and I won’t drink at parties so I can stay alert and avoid another Tucker situation. The whole 15 minute drive all I could think about was Beau and Zeek. I was conflicted; comparing the two.

Zeek was so sweet, thoughtful, patient, especially when it came to the flower box issue. He understood my hesitation about having sex. Beau seemed so believable. Flashbacks of our relationship came to the front of my mind. How could gentle, loving, caring Beau really be a bad guy? The guy I knew, the one who pledged his heart and love to me, would never intentionally hurt me. Especially in such a brutal way. However, I can’t ignore the facts. I found physical tangible proof that he cheated. Hadn’t I? Really all I found were a single pair of panties, no other articles of clothing or other evidence of an affair. His phone was always open, hell I would answer half of his text ninety percent of time. Wouldn’t he have showed any other signs? There were the countless hours at the gym, but maybe he was telling the truth? It was winter and the gym was certainly over crowded do to lack of outside activities. But those panties, why else would they be there?

    “SAWYER!” Serenity snapped her fingers in front of my face pulling me from my inner battle.

    “Shit, sorry guys.” I said apologetically.

    “We’re here, let’s go.” Maria states.

    As we walk up to the street filled with fraternities and sororities, there’s people everywhere. Loud music and voices fill the crisp cool air. It looks like the entire student body is here. Serenity links her hand with Maria and Maria takes my hand with her free one as we brave the sea of drunken college students. Bodies bumping every part of us, until we reach the back yard of one of the fraternities. Beta Kapa something or other, I couldn’t pay enough attention to any of it with the amount of people and the increasingly louder music.

During all of the chaos I let go of Maria and spot two guys having a very heated talk. I move a little closer and realize one of the guys is Zeek. As I go to say hi, Zeek moves and I recognize the other man. Gaylon? What the hell was Gaylon doing here. He’s wearing an MSU football t-shirt. Oh no, shit! He can’t see me; he’ll tell Beau I’m here and I’m not ready to face him. I feel a hand take hold of my wrist and then tugged me away from the guys.

    I was quickly pulled into the house down a hall with several doors. I was so busy looking at my surroundings I forgot to see who had ahold of my wrist. Suddenly I’m gently yanked into a room. I search the wall, when I come across the light switch I flick it up. I gaze into two beautifully blue eyes. My heart flutters for second before I feel the my hand stinging.

    “What the actual fuck Beau!”

*Author's Note*

Beau's back!

Sawyer's inner battle about Beau and Zeek, who do you think she belongs with?