The Promise of You and I

13. It's Too Late

Edited by: @grecya14

13. It's too late

~~~

Heartbreak occurs when one person is more in love with the other than the person is with them.

I don't love Steve.

A player is a person who never commits to someone, despite seeming interested in said person.

I know Steve is a player.

A Popular girl is one that all boys are either somewhat attracted to, or fall deeply infatuated with her. She also has many friends... But they are typically fake.

There is no doubt that Cate Ranger is a "popular girl".

With crimson, lightly curled hair, light brown eyes, matched with speckled cheeks and nose in a tight cheerleader uniform she was perfect combination to form a "popular girl".

So, riddle me this:

My heart cracks with each beat. I have only had one serious boyfriend in my life. So, not a player. And, I consider myself the exact opposite of a "popular girl".

Let me tell you. It doesn't add up.

Rushing back to the bathroom I had just left no more than 5 minutes ago. Tears sting my eyes as I slide down the wall.

The bathroom is peaceful and empty for no more than 2 minutes when the door creaks open.

A pair of pale, porcelain legs saunter in and adjust themselves toward one of the mirrors.

Before the door fully opens, I jump up, dust myself off and nearly run to it.

"Alison, wait," Cate calls as my hand rests on the handle.

You could just run? But fear freezes me.

"It is Alison, right?" Her chipper tone taunts.

"Alecia, uh, I, uh, go by Lec," I stumble out. Slowly turning around and keeping my teary eyes on the ground to avoid any more embarrassment.

Steve wasn't mine. He can kiss who he wants.

"Whatever," she adds more red lipstick to her already glossy lips. "I think we both know whatever you saw in the gym a couple minutes ago is not over. I don't know what possessed you to get you so emotional, but Chase is mine."

The tears from earlier return and burn. I turn quickly and walk out the door only to run into a brick wall of a body.

"Sorry" I mumble. The bell finally rings when I start my walk to the office.

I briefly turn around when I thought I heard someone call me. Instead of seeing Drew or any kind face, I see Cate coming out of the bathroom to a seemingly happily distracted Steve. Daggers begin to shoot through my heart at the sight.

He just wanted someone to entertain him. You were a toy. You are not wanted by him. I repeat in my head over and over again until I reach the main office.

"I don't feel well, can I go home?" I ask my practiced statement.

"Are you a senior? Or do we have to call a parent?" The office attendant asks.

"I'm a senior,"

"Sign here and write why you are leaving,"

"Thank you," I respond, doing as she says. I walk out the front door and directly to my car.

I want to scream. I am so confused. I just sit in my car for around 15 minutes, unsure of where to go. If I go home, I remember when he came over. If I stay at school, I'll remember what happened not too far from where my car is parked.

Steak n' Shake it is.

There is one about 20 minutes away. I put my car into reverse and speed out of the parking lot.

No more tears come. Just the sick and numbing feeling that follows tears.

When I get to Steak n' Shake, I order a diet Pepsie.

"Is Diet Coke alright?" Alyssa, as her nametag states, asks.

"Fine," I respond. Alyssa comes by every 8 minutes asking if I need anything. Eachtime, I see more pity in her eyes. I shake my head and try to force a smile. It fails each time.

I sit there for two hours. Either watching the old couple in the corner read newspapers, talk about the articles, and finally order fries and chili. Or, I stare out the window at what appears to be storm clouds coming in.

I hope it rains. I hope it storms. I hope the power goes out. I hope that a tornado comes through and makes trees fall everywhere.

Pulling myself up from the small booth by the window, I decide it's time to drive home.

I take my time the whole way home, going below all the speed limits until I reach my country road. Pulling into my driveway, I see a white mustang with blue racing stripes.

What the fuck?

I pull into my driveway next to Steve's car and nearly run out of my car in search of him. My confusion is quickly answered when I see Steve sitting on the steps of my porch.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I demand

Steve looks at me in shock. "How is your arm?"

"What. Are. You. Doing. Here?" I ask again, willing him to leave.

"Look, I just wanted to apologize,"

"For what? For kissing me? For showing up at my house, unannounced, not once, but two times? For kissing another girl within 24 hours of the said kiss? For fucking what, Stephen?" My anger comes through loud and clear. "No, no, no, it must be an apology for inviting a friend over to my house without my permission?"

"Yeah, what I have done is fucked u-" Steve begins.

"No, Stephen, you are bat-shit-crazy."

"Lec, listen, I-"

"You what? You're gonna apologize? I don't need that"

"Lec, I want to explain what happened earlier today"

"Hah, which part? The morning when you gave me your jacket or in the afternoon when you were making out with Cate? Yeah, tell me that story."

"Lec, please calm down-"

"You know what? Forget it. You were never mine, I don't know anything about you, and you don't know me. Let's keep it at that. Bye, Stephen," I march up the steps of the porch, shoved my key in the door, and walked into my house.

"Lec, please, list-"

SLAM.

Heaving, I feel nothing as I stare at the door and listen for Steve's car to leave.

It takes him 22 minutes.

I slowly walk up the stairs to my room, put on sweats and a t-shirt, and go to sleep.

My dreams loop through seeing Steve kiss me, then kiss Cate.

I don't love Steve. I'm not a player or "popular girl". I am not Steve's and he was never mine.

~~~

AN: soooooo not many people are reading anymore :(... But, I still love writing this so I will still be posting chapters until I decide the story is over. 

For those who are still reading or happen to stubble upon this please share it on EVERYTHING!

Thank you and as always I love you all!

SMC