Destiny Destroyed

Chapter 26 (1982)

Monday when Lucas shows up in the art room I am beyond crazy with worry. What if he realized I was way too much trouble. I think about Tara saying he was cute. There were probably a ton of girls who thought he was cute. Why hadn't that even crossed my mind before now. I think about Beth Penland and Marcie Grueber. They are always hanging out with that group. By the time Lucas comes in, I am so green with jealousy I think I'm going to explode. I'm so worked up I am close to crying. I take a deep breath and struggle to get myself together.

Lucas smiles at me and I instantly feel better. He locks the door and throw myself into his arms. "I missed you," I tell him as I plant a kiss on his gorgeous lips. When we finally part," he's grinning at me. "That was a nice welcome. I missed you to," he says taking my hand in his. He pulls me over to a chair and pulls me on to his lap. I giggle. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me tight against him. "How's your head," he asks. I feel his hand gently searching for the bump. "It's fine," I say turning my head to look at him.

"I hated to leave you there," he tells me. "It was fine. Seth didn't bother me, but he did give me the death stare the rest of the night. Tiff wouldn't take us home." I watch as he draws circles on the back of my hand. He's quiet. Something's on his mind. I spin around to face him. "What's up." He looks at me. "You know me so well already." I lean in and wrap my arms around him hugging me to him. I'm so worried he's going to say something I don't want to hear. I kiss his ear. He groans.

He pulls me away from him so he can look at me. "I spent the rest of my Saturday night trying to talk Mark out of asking you out," he says watching me closely. I look at him stunned. "What." He sighs. "Apparently Mark has had a thing for you for some time. He wants to ask you out Destiny." "But I'm with you," I say confused. He shakes his head. "No, you're not. You're not with anyone right now Destiny." My eyes widen. "Shit. Did you talk him out of it?" He shrugs. "I'm not sure." I can see Lucas's insecurities coming out.

I bring my lips down on his. When the kiss ends, I say "I'm not interested in anyone but you Lucas. I love you." I take his hand and put it over my heart. I watch as relief spreads over him. "Did you think I might be interested in Mark," I ask him. "Just being insecure. It was hard watching him flirt with you at the mall. Then listening to him talk about you Saturday night and how hot you are. I want every boy in this school to know you are mine Destiny. I love you," he says. Lucas and I spend the rest of the period just talking. I'm over the moon in love with him and for some reason he appears to be over the moon in love with me to.

He tells me more about Saturday night after they left. I tell him how I think I am giving up parties for good. "I don't want to hang out at them if I can't be with you. Not to mention Seth will probably start going now that we aren't together. He never liked to go to them before." Lucas looks at me and says "why." I think about it. "I don't know. He doesn't drink. He wasn't looking to pick up girls since he had me." I shrug. "I never bothered to ask him why. It just wasn't what we did." The bell rings and Lucas and I linger in each other's arms. Reluctantly we part.

I'm standing outside looking at the crowd that has gathered around the parking lot. I slowly make my way over to see what everyone is looking at. My eyes nearly pop out of my head. Mark's car has four flat tires and all the lights have been smashed out. He is beyond pissed. I can feel all the eyes turning to me. Mark turns and looks at me. This is my fault. Mark knows it and so does everyone else. I turn and hurry towards my bus. I sit with my head down so no one can see my tears. Seth had trashed Mark's car.

The next morning I'm walking to my locker as I feel the stares and hear the whispers. I freeze when I get closer to my locker and see Mark standing there. He's leaning on my locker with his arms crossed. It's obvious he's waiting for me. I stop dead in my tracks. I look around. I'm not sure what I'm looking for. An escape, I guess. I pray for Gabby or Tara to pop out of nowhere and save me. I look back towards my locker and see Mark watching me. Shit. It has to be obvious I was looking for an escape. He smiles at me and motions for me to join him. I put on my big girl panties and take a deep breath as I walk towards my locker.

I can feel people watching me as I approach him. Some are walking slower. Others have just stopped to watch whatever scene that was about to play out. "I'm really sorry about your car," I say when I reach him. "That's why I'm here Destiny. I don't want you blaming yourself. What happened to my car is not your fault." "How can you say that. We both know who trashed your car and why." Mark leans closer to me and smiles. I can smell the cigarette smoke clinging to him. "Seth's an asshole. It's no big deal Destiny. I have car insurance. I just wanted to make sure you weren't blaming yourself over it." I shrug. "Alright. Um. Thanks," I say sounding very intelligent. I just don't know what else to say.

"Mark, dude, I've been looking everywhere for you," Lucas says as he comes jogging up to us. "How's the car," he asks pulling Mark's attention away from me. Relief washes over me now that Lucas is here. I turn my attention to my locker and find my first period book. Just then Tara and Gabby show up. They look at Mark and Lucas. Then they turn to me. Tara grins. I roll my eyes at her and hurry off leaving Mark and Lucas behind while Gabby and Tara hurry to catch up.

"What was Mark doing waiting at your locker," Tara says excitedly as we walk. "Down girl. He was just making sure I wasn't blaming myself." "Uh huh. And new boy?" I stop and turn to look at her. "He was looking for Mark." I continue walking. "Come on Destiny live a little. Mark is cute and he's a year older so that's a plus." I shake my head. "He's a partier. You really think the two of us would make a good couple," I say with disbelief. "We'll what about new boy then. He's cute in an understated kind of way." I turn and look at her. "What does that even mean." I look to Gabby. She shrugs and says. "I like new boy. I think he's super cute. He reminds me of Matt Dillion in Tex." "No, blond ponyboy from the outsiders," Gabby says as she turns to Tara. I glare at them. "What," Gabby she says. "He does not," I say. We reach their classroom.  "Stay gold Destiny," Gabby says with a giggle as they turn into their classroom and I continue to mine.

I'm sitting in my class thinking about what Tara said. Lucas does not look like ponyboy when he was blond. Ponyboy didn't have cute freckles across his nose. I try to remember Matt Dillion in Tex. I was so caught up in my comparisons that I didn't even hear the announcement that I'm wanted in the office. Ms. Barch had to tell me. Seriously. What has happened to my life. I spend the next twenty minutes being grilled by the principal about Mark's car. By the time the principal is convinced I have no idea who trashed Mark's car the period is over. I make my way to the art room anxious to see Lucas. As I sit waiting for him, the door opens. I look up to Seth standing there. I'm so stunned I don't know what to say.

"You can't be in here," I say. "I'm not. I'm actually outside of the room," he points out. Have I mentioned that I can't stand him. "What do you want." He stares at me for a good minute. "What did you tell Principal McCully," he asks. "I don't know anything to tell him Seth. I didn't see whoever smashed up Mark's car." He gives me a nasty look and says "Stay away from Mark or else. You got it Destiny. Next time it won't be the car." I stare at him thinking for the first time ever he really is crazy. "Did. You. Hear me," he yells startling me. I nod and say "yes."

I sit staring at the door wondering if he is going to come back. After several minutes Lucas comes in. He quickly closes the door and locks it. "Are you alright," he asks as he hugs me to him. "I heard everything he said. There is something wrong with him Destiny. I'm more scared for you than anyone else." I'm so shocked by Seth that I can't even think straight. When I don't say anything, he pulls away to look at me. We stand looking into each other's eyes. "We have to be very careful Lucas," I tell him. For the first time he nods agreeing with me.

I spend the rest of the class sitting on the floor between Lucas' legs. My back against his chest. He's leaning against the wall holding my left hand in his while he plays with my hair with his right hand. I lean my head back on him. "I love when you play with my hair." He kisses my head. We've both accepted this is all we can have for now. I wasn't going to think about Seth anymore. I was going to enjoy the time I had with Lucas.