Finding Laila: Some Changes are Necessary Page 18

  He turns to walk away and nods his head in our direction, but doesn’t stop on his way to class.

  “Well that didn’t take long, did it?” I ask.

  “What, people being assholes? Nope, never does,” Bailey chimes in. “What did you expect?”

  “Decency,” I mutter. “I can’t wait to get out of here.”

  “Did you finally mail off your application?” Joey asks.

  We haven’t had much time to talk since New Year’s Eve. We stayed out until well after one in the morning talking and laughing, but the next day I was glued to my desk, working on my essay for my applications. I spent the better part of two days getting it perfect and had my parents read it over to make sure that it was okay. The following Monday, Haden picked me up and we mailed off our applications together.

  “Yep, all taken care of,” I smile.

  “Yeah, we each had three applications to mail off, and none of them were to the same school,” Haden says.

  I wrap my arm around his waist and hold onto him. We were both disappointed, but considering that he wants to study art and I want to study psychology, we had limited options.

  “But most of our choices are only an hour away, so we’ll see what happens,” I remind him.

  “C’mon, Lai,” Joey says, “we’re going to be late.”

  “Fine,” I pout before giving Haden a quick hug. “See you at lunch?”

  “See you.”

  The classroom is buzzing with chatter, and it barely stops when we walk in; it’s obvious what—or rather whom—they are talking about. Some attempt to modify the volume of their voices, but others talk louder.

  Mr. Tredway slams the door shut and causes a few people to jump in their seats.

  “You’re on my time now. You can continue your conversation after class.” He narrows his eyes at the repeat offenders before turning around to the whiteboard.

  “Laila,” Kasey sneers at me, “how’d you do it?”

  “Do what?” I play along.

  “Turn Braxton gay—I mean, we all know he wasn’t always,” she laughs.

  “That’s enough, Kasey,” Joey says.

  “You better watch it, I bet you’re next,” she bites out.

  “Please tell me you’re not that stupid” I roll my eyes. “There is no way you are so ignorant to believe that someone can be ‘changed,’ right?”

  “He was perfectly fine before you,” she answers.

  “And he’s fine now. Jeez, Kasey, you need to get over it. You never stood a chance with Braxton. And even if he did like girls, there’s no way he’d have ever gone for you because you’re mean, self-centered, and obnoxious—so take your ignorant, small-minded, stupid opinions and keep them to yourself. Got it?”

  “Are you threatening me?” she asks, feigning concern. “Mr. Tredway, I don’t feel safe with Laila Nixon in the room.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Mr. Tredway. I’m out,” I announce, grabbing my things and leaving.

  I hear the teacher call out to stop me, but I keep walking until I find myself outside the building and headed straight for Joey’s car. I know I shouldn’t walk out, but it pisses me off—she pisses me off. I open the door and toss my things into the back before climbing into the passenger seat and closing the door harder than I need to. I wish I had his keys to start the engine and run the heater—I’m just glad he always leaves this thing unlocked.

  I run through a mental list of the things I’d love to do to Kasey, but for some reason I can’t get past public humiliation. I’m not sure how I’d do it, but considering the things she’s done to so many people, I think it would be fitting.

  I’m not sure how long I’ve been sitting here conjuring up all the ways to torture Kasey, but I hear a noise outside that snaps me to the present. The driver side door swings open and Joey takes a seat without saying a word. He puts his key in the ignition and turns the heater on while we remain quiet. It’s overcast and windy outside; the trees look like mere twigs without the leaves It’s plain ugly out there, but I can’t stop staring. Joey exhales a loud breath and clears his throat to get my attention, but I don’t look at him.

  “That was stupid,” he says.

  “Yeah, well, she’s a jerk. Guess she brings it out in me,” I counter.

  “You let her win, Lai. You never let her win, why this time?”

  “She was talking about Braxton.”

  “And she talks about you all the time, it’s not like you’ve never heard it before.”

  “I can take it, Joey. I’ve always been a nobody, but Braxton was king of the school and now they’re ripping him apart. Because he’s gay?”

  “You’re not a nobody, Laila. People don’t talk about nobodies—they talk about the people they’re jealous or scared of, and you scare people. Besides, do you see Brax crying about it? Is he hiding and slinking away? No, because he’s better than that and so are you.”

  “Then why are you out here?”

  “It’s what best friends do, right?”

  “Tredway sent you after me, didn’t he?”

  “Yeah, but only after he lectured Kasey and the others about treating people with respect.” He looks at his watch. “We have a few minutes until class is over—we should probably head back.”

  I nod in agreement and grab my things so I can meet Joey, who’s waiting for me at the front of the car.

  “How did you know where to find me, anyway?”

  “You’re always giving me a hard time about leaving my car doors unlocked—figured that was the only place you’d go. Bet you’re glad I haven’t started taking your advice.”

  “You know me too well.” I smile lazily. “Guess that’s why you’re my favorite.”

  “I knew it,” he laughs and wraps an arm around me.

  We open the doors to enter the building and take a few steps in but the bell has rung and people are rushing to class. Someone pushes between us and I almost fall from the force, but I don’t have time to reprimand the jerk because he’s out of my sight by the time I look. Suddenly, people are pushing to get to the far end of the hall with no regard for others.

  Fight.

  “Ah, let’s go this way,” Joey says, pulling me in the opposite direction, and I agree.

  “Why do people like fights so much?” I scoff.

  “Probably bec—”

  “Braxton is beating that dude’s ass,” someone shouts and I swing around to see what they’re talking about. There’s only one Braxton in the entire school and my heart rate increases as I rush toward the commotion.

  “Laila, come back,” Joey shouts, but I keep running and pushing my way through.

  I plow my body through a few people, trying desperately to get to the center, but it feels like I’m getting nowhere. The crowd doesn’t notice me because they’re too busy shouting and cheering the whole thing on.

  “Stop it,” I yell, but no one is listening. They never listen. They’re like animals.

  I can hear the lockers slamming and people are actually chanting in the chaos—it makes me sick to my stomach.

  “Braxton,” I shout, “stop it.”

  Somehow I manage to break through the last barrier and see not only Braxton, but Haden fighting with two other football players—Davis and Jason. Jason’s arm is raised, poised to swing at Braxton when I run over and push him from behind, throwing him into the lockers so he knocks his head against them.

  “Stop it!”

  He turns around to face me and checks his face for blood. Don’t worry, loser, there isn’t any. Davis pushes me back, but I fight against him and break free so I can get to Jason, who watches every move I make with a sick interest.

  “What’s your problem, Jason? Braxton has been your teammate and friend for years, even though I’ve never understood why. And now you want to pick a fight with him? You realize he can kick your ass any day of the week, right?”

  “I’d like to see him try,” he argues half-convincingly.

  “Are you really that
stupid?” I scoff and shake my head.

  “Someone needs to teach you to keep that smart mouth of yours shut, don’t you think, Davis?” he sneers and licks at his bottom lip.

  “Trust me, you are too stupid to teach me anything,” I smart back.

  “Shut up, Laila, and mind your own damn business,” he says as his face flames red. He tries to shove me out of his way but I push back.

  “These,” I point to Braxton and Haden, “are my business.”

  “Mine, too,” Cole says, with Joey following behind him.

  “Are all of you gay or something?” Davis asks with a small laugh.

  “No, we’re not, but we’re not homophobic bigots either,” Joey challenges. “Apparently you are.”

  “It’s cool, Lai.” Braxton steps in front of me and pushes Jason back. “He caught me when my back was turned. Not sure he’d do it again while I’m ready for it.”

  “Screw you,” Jason sneers.

  “Sorry, bro,” Braxton smiles and winks, “you’re not my type.”

  Braxton turns around and Haden follows, but I remain rooted to the floor staring down Jason and Davis.

  “What are you looking at?” Davis asks, stepping into my personal space.

  “Nothing,” I snap. “Just trying to figure out what level of idiot we’re dealing with here.”

  He looks at me with confusion on his face, and I step forward and shove my finger into his chest, pushing him backward until he hits the lockers behind him.

  “Get over your issues. And if you ever say another ignorant thing like that again, I’ll do it myself or get someone bigger than you to shut you up.” I look around at the crowd still gathered. “I’m sure there’s someone here who loathes you as much as I do.”

  I turn around and push my way through the guys and past the students watching the crazy side show and walk outside without bothering to stop despite the calls from the guys to do otherwise.

  * * *

  After what happened in the hall today, I called my mom and told her I was going home from school early. She wasn’t happy that I’d miss my last classes, but it’s not the norm for me to leave, so she relented. I came home, changed into my swimsuit, and swam twenty laps at the local pool, but it did nothing to relieve my temper.

  It blows my mind that people are so hateful and closed-minded, but it was right in front of me. I guess it always has been. Mom should be home soon and I’ll have to face the music, but hopefully she’ll understand when it’s all said and done. My phone screen lights up so I check to see who’s trying to get ahold of me.

  Haden: Where are you?

  Me: Home

  Haden: Can I come by?

  Me: I’m fine. I’ll see you tomorrow

  Haden: Look outside

  I jump off my bed and looked out the window to see Haden leaning on the hood of his car with his arms crossed over his chest. He runs his hand through his hair and gives me a wave to come down, but I step back and grab my phone to text him again.

  Me: Hi

  Haden: Come down here

  Me: I just want to be alone. Talk later?

  Haden: I’m going home to change. Run with me. 10 mins?

  I consider saying no, but maybe the run will do me some good; so I tell him yes, and a second later I hear his engine roar to life and watch as he backs out of my driveway. I grab my running clothes and put them on before I head downstairs, and I’m met with Mom as she enters the back door and she gives me that look.

  “What?” I shrug, unable to say anything else.

  “What?” she repeats. “Want to explain to me why you needed to leave school early?”

  “It was a bad day,” I offer, knowing it won’t be enough.

  “Don’t give me that. What was so bad that you just had to leave? You can’t just take off because things don’t go your way.”

  “Please, Mom, can we do this later? I’m going to go for a run.”

  “No, we can do it now.” She narrows her eyes at me. “Start talking.”

  I recount the events with Davis and Jason and how I got involved. She listens and nods in the appropriate places, and asks questions in the others. When I finish the story, she sits on the barstool and rests her arms on the counter.

  “So am I getting a phone call from the school about this? I mean, I need to make sure I’m still in the running for mom of the year,” she teases. But I know there is a hint of truth to that. Ever since I told her I wanted to find my birth mom, she’s been supportive, but I see the concern, too.

  “You are. Especially if you let me get out of here.” I lean my head toward the front door. “I’m about to go for a run with Haden. Finish when I get back?”

  She leans against the counter and nods. “Okay, but we are going to talk.”

  I run over and give her a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, Mom. Love you.”

  Chapter 22 ~ Finding Partners

  “I was thinking you were going to stand me up,” Haden says from the end of the driveway.

  “Never crossed my mind.” I attempt to smile, but I don’t think I pull it off.

  He wraps his arms around me and pulls me close and I take in the scent of his paints and natural clean smell and relax as I return the hug. Each of the guys have had a way of keeping me grounded, but Haden makes me feel lighter—as if he has the ability to help me shoulder my load.

  “Do you wanna jog or just walk?” he asks when he lets me go.

  “We can walk,” I say, starting on our usual path.

  The first quarter of a mile, neither of us says a thing, and only cars and kids playing outside fill our silence. Every once in a while his hand brushes mine and I’m brought back to this moment, but the rest of time my head is elsewhere. I can feel his eyes on me, waiting to gauge my mood so he can pounce, but I feel like if I don’t say something I’m going to burst.

  “I can’t stop being pissed,” I finally breathe out. “You guys are my family, you’re like brothers to me, and for someone to come after you like that kills me.”

  “Well, that sucks.” He stops walking and I look at him in question. “Brothers? Really?”

  “I don’t mean it like that,” I scoff and walk over to wrap my arms around him. “You know that’s not what I mean, but yeah, for the last…however many years, you guys have been closer to me than friends. Looking after each other, it’s what we do—what we’ve always done. You know what I mean, right?”

  “Just checking,” he says, starting to walk again.

  As we near the path that leads to the quarry, he continues to walk straight and I tug at his arm, but he only nods his head in the direction he was heading. Instead of fighting it, I follow, curious to see where the new direction takes us.

  “So what happened anyway?” I finally ask. I left in such a hurry that I never got details or figured out why they were fighting in the first place.

  “You know how guys are,” he shrugs as if it explains everything.

  “I know how my guys are, and you never fight.”

  “That’s what you think,” he teases, but I shove at him and laugh when he stumbles.

  “Be serious,” I demand. “I’ve never seen that side of y’all and it scared me.”

  “We’re guys, Lai. It happens.”

  “Okay, well then why did it happen this time?”

  He exhales loudly but keeps walking and won’t look at me, so I grab his arm and stop him. It’s only now that I notice the small gash over his eyebrow and a bruise on his cheek. I reach up to touch it but he pulls back, reaching for my hand instead.

  “Guy stuff.” He smiles and kisses my hand.

  “You know that’s not gonna fly. What happened?” I pull my hand away.

  “They were saying their usual crap, you know how it is.” He plays it down which only fuels my curiosity.

  “Apparently I don’t,” I answer, rooted to my place on the sidewalk.

  He takes my hand in his and kisses my cheek. “You win.”

  We start walking and his
thumb glides back and forth over mine in a soothing motion, but he still hasn’t said anything. I want to give him time, but my patience is also wearing thin so I give his hand a squeeze. He stops walking and I realize that we’re standing in front of his house.

  “C’mon in, and I’ll tell you everything,” he concedes.

  We walk through the door, the smells of homemade spaghetti sauce and garlic bread filling the air. My stomach lets out a growl and Haden laughs, nudging me forward.

  “Haden, dinner’s almost ready,” Ms. Searle calls out. “I’m leaving for work in a few minutes, so just make sure you clean up when you’re done.”

  We walk through the doorway and she turns around to see me standing with Haden and smiles.

  She walks over and wipes her hands off on her apron before she pulls me into a warm hug. “I’m glad I got to see you before I left,” she starts. “It’s been too long. I think I need to get the hospital to change my hours.”

  “Hi, Ms. Searle, how are you?” I answer.

  “I’d be a lot better if Haden would hear back from one of the colleges,” she winks. “But really, I’m good. How ’bout you, sweetie? I heard about the fight.” She scowls at Haden and I laugh because I was doing the same thing moments before.

  “I’m okay, I guess. Mom’s a little mad that I took off before school was out.”

  “She should be—you can’t just leave like that,” she reasons, and I cower under her knowing stare.

  “Yeah, that’s pretty much what she said. But what about this one and the face.” I point to the scratch over Haden’s eye.

  “I can’t get too mad.” She winks. “Sticking up for his girl.”

  “Mom,” Haden’s voice is a low warning tone, “not now.”

  I swing my head to look at him and he drops his shoulders.

  “I need to get to work,” she grabs her purse and keys before kissing Haden. “Laila, there’s plenty, help yourself, and Haden, clean up when you’re done.”

  One second she’s there, the next she’s gone, and Haden is left standing with me gawking at him over his mom’s words. She opens the door again and looks at us, “Haden, no one here after dark.”

  He gives her a salute and she shuts the door again, leaving us alone. Haden walks into the kitchen and grabs two plates, but I remain in the doorway waiting for an explanation.