Chapter 9

                Going back to school after the homecoming dance had passed wasn’t easy for me. Everywhere I looked, from either down the hall, or to my left corner, I saw the newest addition to Everett and his group of friends, Maria Lopez. She seemed to fit in like a charm, because she was making great friends with everyone. Every time I happened to glance over at them, Maria was either laughing, or making everyone laugh. Maria was the epitome of a perfect girl. She was absolutely stunning, and from what I’ve heard, she was extremely nice. And now, she was funny, as well. What else could we add onto the list of Maria Lopez’s good traits?

                Well on the brighter side of things, Max and Cassandra have been around each other more often since the homecoming dance. I’ve seen them flirt one too many times during lunch hours, and I’ve even caught in on them swapping spit. But, whenever I ask, Cassandra tells me that Max hasn’t asked her to be official, yet.

                “You’re doing it again, Riley.” Max nudged my elbow, as we walked down the hallway towards our first class the next morning at school.

                My eyes flickered up to him, as I frowned. I clutched my books tighter against my chest, raising an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

                Max pointed to the group of Everett’s friends, which were down the hallway, laughing. In the center of the clique was Maria, who had a wide, pearly white smile across her face. My insides fumed, as I shot daggers with her with my eyes. “Why do you hate her so much?” Max asked. I stayed quiet, as I sulked. When I didn’t say anything, Max let out a deep breath of air, as he shook his head. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous.”

                A red hot blush crept up my neck, as my palms suddenly became sweaty. I dipped my head low, staring down at the tiled flooring. Okay, I must admit that I was the slightest bit jealous of Maria Lopez. I mean, come on, who wasn’t? She has everything I want, and is everything that I want to be. Oh, and not to mention, Everett had his sight set on her.

                “I’m not-“ I started off, as Max shot me a look. I licked my lips, as I sagged my shoulders with defeat. “Okay, I’m jealous.”

                Max rolled his eyes, letting out a huff of air. “Of what?” he started off. “I mean, sure, she is incredibly hot, and she would look pretty fucking amazing in a tight-“

                “Shut up, Max.” I hissed, cutting him off. Max chuckled, as he reached over my head to ruffle up my hair. I gave him an unimpressed look, before trying to untangle the mess he made on the top of my head.

                Max chuckled, as I waited for his uncontrollable laughter to die down. When it finally did, he gave me a grin before throwing an arm around me. “But honestly, Riley, what exactly are you jealous about?”

                I cringed at the word, jealous. I’ve never been the jealous type of girl, but when it came to seeing Everett with another girl, the thought just made me angry. At one point in our young lives, Everett did make me swear to him that I would be forever and always his. “Maria has Everett.” I whispered finally, sighing dramatically. “I don’t.”

                Max’s face was blank and pale, before it turned bright red. A muffled chuckle escaped his lips, as he clamped his hand over his lips to cover his laugh. I suddenly frowned, as Max’s face turned pink from trying to hold in his laughter. Groaning, I punched him in the ribs, as he jolted back with a wince. “What the hell is so funny about that, you jerk?!” I snapped, punching him once again, this time in the arm.

                Max stepped away from me, scared that I would hit him once again. Max finally relaxed, as he stared into my eyes with an amused expression. “You do know that Maria is going to be Everett’s new step-sister, right?”

                My eyes suddenly widened, as I choked on my own saliva with disbelief. I stared at Max with broad eyes, as he raised an eyebrow. “What?” I snapped. “How come I’m finding about this just now? How did you find out?!”

                Max shrugged. “I overheard the guys on the team talking about it. I figured that they were right, since Maria just transferred here and all.”

                Oh my Lord, did I feel like an immense idiot. I was jealous of Maria because I thought that she was dating Everett, when in reality, they were going to be siblings. I cringed at the mental thought, as a shiver sent down my spine. But if Maria was going to be Everett’s step sister, then that meant that       Mr. Rosenfeld was getting married to another woman.

                My heart suddenly sank to the pit of my stomach, as I gnawed on my lower lip. I gulped, as I stared at Max with panicked eyes. Everett’s mother, Colette, had only passed away two years ago.

                Mr. Rosenfeld was getting married to another woman already?

*

                “Mom?” I called out the second I got into my house. “Mom, where are you?”

                My mother suddenly appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her stained pink apron that she had tied around her waist. She had a bit of cake batter smeared on her cheek, but I was too angry to tell her about it just yet. I wanted to know what the hell was going on, and why it took me this long to find out the truth.

                “Honey, you’re home early.” She stared at the clock that was hung on our wall. “Are you hungry?”

                I shook my head, as I crossed my arms in all seriousness. “Mom, did you know that Mr. Rosenfeld is getting married?”

                My mother’s face suddenly paled and hollowed, as my lips parted. My blood immediately began to boil, as my mother looked like a deer in headlights. I clenched my fists, to the point where my nails were digging into my flesh. “How did you find out?” she whispered.

                I don’t know what made me more frustrated, the fact that my own mother had been lying to be this entire time, or the fact that she wasn’t even denying it. I shut my eyes tightly, as I felt tears welling up. I gulped down the ball that raising up in my throat, as I let out a ragged breath of air. “News travels around fast at my school.” I muttered. “How did you not expect me to find out if the new girl suddenly becomes best friends with Everett at school?”

                My mother let out a soft sigh, as she placed a hand on my shoulder. I stubbornly brushed her hand off, as I took a step away from her. I knew I was being too harsh on my own mother, but I was royally pissed. “I was going to tell you soon.” My mother softly whispered.

                I rolled my eyes, not even wanting to hear her bullshit. “When?!” I snapped angrily, my voice echoing throughout the room. “Were you actually going to tell me on their wedding day?”

                My mother looked hurt, and I hated the fact that I was the one that was causing her pain. I knew she was hurting just as much as I was, since Colette was her best friend, after all. “Honey, I didn’t tell you yet, because I knew how much you loved Colette.” My mother said, her voice already starting to crack. “I know you miss her, she was like a second mother to you.”

                A tear finally slid down my cheek, as my lips quivered. “But why, mom?” I whispered, finally breaking down. “Why does Mr. Rosenfeld have to do this to everyone?”

                Mom bit the insides of her cheeks, as she gave me a weak smile. “Everett’s father hurt just as much as we all did, but he’s trying to be the bigger person, and move on. He’s finally happy again, and I’m pretty sure that Colette wants what is best for him.”

                Bullshit, complete and utter bullshit.

                Taking in one last breath, I stared down at the floor. I felt completely numb all over. I’ve never felt this emotion before, an emotion of complete cluelessness and betrayal. Unclenching my fists, I wanted nothing more than to just wrap myself into Colette’s arms again, breathing in her fresh lavender scent.

                “You’re okay, right?” my mother asked, running a hand through my brown locks. “I didn’t want to upset you.”

                I nodded, telling her that I was fine, even though I wasn’t. I didn’t want to talk to her any further, as I began to turn around, heading for the front door.

                There was only one person I wanted to see right now and whether he wanted to see me or not, I was determined to see him.

*

                “Riley, what a pleasant surprise to see you here.” Mr. Rosenfeld smiled down at me, as I rang the doorbell on his front steps later that day.

                I gave him a tight smile, as I saw Maria Lopez walking in the background, behind Mr. Rosenfeld. I bet that my eyes were still bloodshot and puffy, but it didn’t matter, because I didn’t want to wait any further to see Everett. “Is Everett home, sir?” I mumbled, staring down at the Rosenfeld’s welcome mat that I was standing on.

                Mr. Rosenfeld opened the door wider, letting me come inside. “He’s upstairs in his room. He hasn’t been out of that thing for the past few weeks.”

                I nodded, as I began to make my way up the stairs. I suddenly turned around, noticing that Mr. Rosenfeld was still standing at the bottom staircase, waiting for me to go upstairs. Before I left, I gave him a weak smile. “Congratulations on the marriage, by the way.” I whispered, before continuing my way up.

                I made my way down the left hallways, all the way to the end. My hands shook by my sides, as I remembered exactly where Everett’s room was located. I was suddenly surprised when I came across the room beside his, which used to be a guest room. It was now filled with boxes, and had a girly purple theme to it.

                Sighing, I turned away, as I faced Everett’s door. I hesitantly raised my hand up to knock, but when I finally did, I couldn’t help but feel my stomach churn. There was no answer the first time around, so when I knocked the second time, the door opened itself.

                Stepping inside, I noticed that Everett was lying on his back on his bed. His eyes were closed, and there were headphones plugged in his ears, shielding him from the outside world of his imagination. I took the time to look around his room, and I was pleasantly satisfied when I noticed that nothing much had changed in the two years that I haven’t been in here. Everett was never to neatest person, but he wasn’t the messiest, either. Everything was pretty put together, with the exception of a few things scattered across his floor.

                “What are you doing here?” Everett’s voice suddenly surprised me, making me jolt.

                I turned to him, noticing that he was sitting up on his bed now. His headphones were thrown across his bed, as he stared at me with an impatient look. But, when he noticed that my face and eyes were red from crying, his face softened up. I watched as his fists gripped his sheets, before he let out an exaggerated sigh.

                “I’m guessing you found out.” Everett muttered. I weakly nodded, as Everett turned to me with his eyebrows raised challengingly. “Why do you care, anyways? I mean, you are pretty much the reason why my mother is dead right now.”

                I grit my teeth together, as my heart hammered against my chest. I was always sensitive when it came to this subject, but I decided to hold my ground today. “I loved her just as much as you did.” I whispered. Everett stayed quiet for a long moment, before his eyes broke gaze with mine. I sucked in a deep breath of air, preparing myself to ask him the question that I’ve been wanting an answer to for years now. “Everett, do you still blame me?”

                Everett’s eyes finally reached back up to mine, as I read all of the emotions that were running in those exotic green orbs of his. There was so much frustration, but most of all, there was sorrow. His eyes stared back at me, looking as if he had been trying to bottle up his emotions for years now, and finally letting them all out. My heart ached with pain just looking at him.

                “I don’t know, Riley.” He finally let out a breath of air, throwing his head back as he rubbed his tired eyes. “I really don’t know.”

                I pursed my lips, as I blinked away a few tears. “Would you ever forgive me?” my croaky voice spoke.

                I was actually quite surprised with myself that I was mustering up the courage to finally ask Everett all of these unspoken questions, and the fact that he and I were having the first real conversation in two years now. But, even though I’ve never felt so brave before, I couldn’t help but feel my heart constantly hammering against my chest, telling me that I was a nervous wreck.

                Everett ran a hand through his messy dark locks, before letting out a big sigh. “I already have.”

                My eyes widened, as I let out the breath of air that I was holding in for so long. My hands trembled by my sides, as I turned to Everett. I tried to find any traces of dishonesty in his face, but I couldn’t. He looked me right in the eye, holding my gaze.

                “Hey Everett, my mom just brought home some food if you want to-“Maria Lopez barged in the door with a chicken bone in her left hand, as she stopped and stared between Everett and I. Her tanned skin turned bright red at her face once she saw that I was staring back at her with glossy eyes. She cleared her throat, before giving the two of us a tight smile. “Sorry if I interrupted anything. I’m Maria, by the way.”

                I blinked at her, before giving her back a small smile. “I’m Riley.” I let out a deep breath of air. “I should probably head out now.”

                Maria looked alarmed, as her free hand shot out. She held my arm, as she gave me a light smile. “You could join us for dinner if you want!”

                I choked on my own saliva for the second time today, as I stared at Maria with surprise. I glanced back over to Everett, who didn’t seem too fazed at all. He finally let out a breath of air, standing up. “Yeah.” He muttered. “You could stay.”

                “Great!” Maria cheered, as she laced her arm around mine. “I can finally meet a new friend who doesn’t have two faces.”

                Everett groaned behind the two of us, as we walked down the hallway. “What is that supposed to mean?”

                Maria rolled her eyes, giving me a sly look. “It means that you have some shitty friends, Everett. They’re all fake.”