Fiction/Drama/High School
Assumptions— Senior Year — Chapter Forty-Three
Ash West
I stood on the sidelines, staring at my vacant field. The practice team finished up their workout about an hour ago. Our backup quarterback did well, but we're unsure how he’ll fare in the homecoming game since most seniors will be inactive.
Mr. H., who I once thought was cool, really dissed us hard. All but two from our group failed three of his tests, enough that we all fell below a ‘C’ average, thus making us ineligible to play ball and cheer. My dad will go freakin ballistic on me; most likely, he’ll blame Reagan for all of this.
I ripped off my top t-shirt, which was sweat-soaked from running the track, and draped it around my neck. A slight cough from behind turned my attention from the field to the entrance to the stadium.
Kennedy, who is Colton’s ex-girlfriend and Reagan’s best friend, stood behind me with another younger woman and a little girl. She looks as stunningly beautiful as the day she left, almost two years ago.
Not that she could compare to Reagan, because, well, Reg’s my girl, and no other woman can come close to her, but Kennedy grabs everyone’s attention with her looks. She looks sweet, but oh so deadly.
“Do you always stand and stare at an empty football field?”
“You made it.” I rubbed my hands over my face. “How the hell are we going to explain this to Colton?”
Kennedy waved me off and ignored my question. “Ash, this is my cousin, Shay.” The lady with Kennedy gave a small smile and waved. I could tell she and Kennedy were related, but she looked to be a year or two older. Kennedy lovingly stroked the little girl’s hair. “And this is Nyla Rose.”
I spent a moment looking at the toddler, who had no clue what kind of hell her mom had just dragged her into. Nyla looked like Kennedy, but I could see small features that resembled her dad. “Kennedy, he’s going to find out. This isn’t something you can keep hidden from him forever.”
“I know that. Why do you think I’m here?” Kennedy’s attitude shone brightly. She hadn’t changed at all.
I lift a shoulder and shrug. “This shit should've been cleaned up a long time ago.”
Kennedy brushed her hair back. “Don’t you think I know that? Fuck, Ash, I’ve been dealing with this alone for the past two years. We couldn’t tell him what we did; you know that. My father would’ve come looking for me.”
I nod in agreement. “He’s going to hate all of us for this.”
Although Kennedy chuckled, it was a sad one. “He hates me already.” She let out a large sigh. “I did try to see him, you know I did.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Kennedy’s vacant stare seemed like she was talking more to herself than me. “But his young, stupid self refused to see me. I was going to tell him, we could’ve worked this out together.”
I shake my head disbelievably. “You said…”
Kennedy held her hand up. A silent scream of frustration escaped. “I know! Like I don’t know the story. I fuckin live with it Every. Day. Of. My. Life.”
I could tell she’d been hurting like the rest of us. Life hadn’t been good or fair to any of us. “Whatever you do, just don’t throw this at him. You’re not the only one who’s had a lot to deal with these past two years.”
Kennedy nodded, then glanced at her cell phone. “I better get going. I just wanted to stop in and say, Hey.” She looked around at the field with a soft smile of sadness. “Remember some of the old times.” She took hold of Nyla Rose’s hand and turned to walk away. “Guess I’ll see you later.”
“Kennedy.” She turned around. He’ll probably be at the party.” She smiled, nodded, and walked away.
Oh, shit was about to hit the fan.
