The morning after my first night school class was surprisingly warm for late February. Walking out of my house, I noticed the sky was already painted with the colorful streaks of the morning horizon. The sun was breaking light earlier than it had been in the last few weeks. I noticed more kids were walking as well, enjoying that welcoming change.
When I had arrived on the campus grounds, I found CC and Betty enjoying the beautiful morning sitting at the picnic table instead of in the library, both of them dressed to kill and looking like a couple of sirens beckoning some poor sailor to his death.
Was CC wearing a plaid skirt?
With fishnets?!!
And Doc Marten boots?!!!
Be calm, my aching heart!
I must be that poor sailor, because I was heading their way.
"Top o' the mornin'!" I greeted them warmly, trying to sound like an Irishman.
CC turned around and waved at me, whereas Betty glared instead.
"You suck, you know that," She said grumpily.
"What did I do?" I raised my hands.
"I had trouble sleeping," Betty grumbled. "No thanks to that stupid ghost story."
"What ghost story?" CC snapped up quickly, leaving the little doodles she was doing in her notebook.
"I told her about the girl in the bell tower." I chuckled.
"Oh. Her? Yeah, she's real." CC stated.
"What?" Betty turned to CC, unable to believe it herself.
"Yeah. Kenny..." CC froze and bit her dark colored lips immediately after muttering his name. She sat quietly for a moment and took a deep breath before continuing. "Umm...he freaked out once when he saw another reflection of someone walking beside us on the trophy case when it was just us there."
Betty shivered.
"Speaking of Kenny, I saw him yesterday after school, twirling around his little rifle. I really wanted to see him smack himself." I chuckled.
CC shot me a cold look for saying his name. "I'd rather wish it hit Heather. That Bitch." She said bitterly.
"Whoa." Betty's jaw dropped.
CC just sat there speechless, frustration building up, and biting her thumb. Something was bothering her today, and Betty and I could tell.
"Ugh! I'll be back!" She shouted as she stood up and stormed off angrily.
"What?" Betty just froze in confusion.
Betty and I watched her flee into the library, leaving us at the picnic table staring in disbelief. My heart sank seeing CC like this. I hated it. She was angry, confused, and heartbroken. I couldn't do a damn thing about it.
I shook my head and sighed deeply. "Last night, you wanted to know why I haven't asked her out yet. This is why. She's so strung up on Kenny that she can't stop thinking of him."
"Oh. I see that." She agreed.
My head rested on my hand, feeling hopeless and defeated again. "I wish there was something I could do. I don't even know how she's ever going to get over him."
"I wish I knew," Betty muttered. "How long have you liked CC?"
I sighed. "Since the moment I met her during summer school. She has really pretty eyes."
Betty giggled. "Poor boy. So what happened?"
"Kenny happened," I grumbled. "The whole time I was talking to her and building up this crush, I didn't know she was with Kenny. I was too chicken to ask if she was single."
"Oh." Betty hummed.
"Yeah. It was a lost cause from the start. I'm such an idiot."
We both sat for a moment and stared off into the distance, hoping CC would return soon.
"Umm...You said you had an ex back home. How did you get over him?" I asked Betty curiously.
Betty quickly blinked. "Brandon?"
"Yeah...I think?" I shrugged. I didn't recall her ever saying his name.
"That was easy for me. He was a real piece of shit." Betty showed remorse in her voice.
"Jesus." My jaw dropped, surprised by how sharp she responded. "What the hell did he do?"
Betty growled, her expression shifting to bitter and spiteful. "We were supposed to continue dating long distance while I was away. Instead, he slept with my friend the moment I was gone."
My knuckles turned white from me tightly clenching a fist. One of the things I couldn't stand or forgive, especially since it hit close to home, was cheaters.
Betty adjusted to bring out more of the story. "Oh, and that's not all. He apparently slept with her friend, too. AND—"
"And?!" I was shocked that there was more to add to it.
"He also slept with her friend's sister." Betty glared angrily. "A little thirteen-year-old."
"Thirteen?!" My breath completely escaped my chest like I had been punched in the gut. My hands clenched so tight they started to ache.
"Apparently, he got her pregnant, too," Betty added. The anger and rage emitting from Betty's light blue eyes was more than enough to kill with a simple glance.
"That greedy, filthy piece of shit!" I growled lowly.
Seriously? Disgusting. Was he a sex addict or something? I've never hated someone I've never met until that moment.
"He didn't...with you, did he?" I asked, now concerned for Betty.
"God no! As much as he pushed and tried, I stood firm and said no."
I had a sigh of relief. "Did he at least treat you right when you were together?"
Betty cocked her head to the side. "Eh. Looking back at it now, not really. There were many times he didn't want to be seen in public with me because I wasn't skinny enough. Or part of the country club."
"Jeez. That's fucked up." I muttered.
"It is. I was treated like some kind of secret girlfriend. I felt taken advantage of," Betty said softly. "Because of him, I don't even know if I want to date again. But, I also don't want to be lonely, either." She sighed deeply after letting that weight out of her chest.
"I get that. Being lonely sucks." I gave Betty a warm smile. "But if it helps, I might know someone who might be interested in you." I hinted.
"Oh." Betty didn't know how to react and was caught by surprise. "You do?"
"Mhmm." I nodded.
"Umm..." She seemed a little overwhelmed at that moment. "Well, there is a guy who had asked me out recently."
"Really?" I questioned.
"Yeah. I wasn't really looking to date for a while, but he seems sweet and not like the others that I turned down. I figured I'd give him a shot. Who knows? Maybe we'll connect." Betty shrugged, yet was optimistic.
"I wish you luck then. Whoever it is already sounds better than what you had." I added.
CC stepped out of the library entryway and returned to the picnic table with us. Her eyes were red, puffy, and I could tell she had been crying during her absence.
"Are you ok?" I asked CC, showing her my concern.
She just nodded, her smile cracked and watery. "Mhmm. I think I'll be alright." She sniffled and giggled. "Did I miss anything?"
"Just talking with Betty. She was telling about some guy who asked her out."
"Oh?" CC hummed and clicked her tongue. "I'm still not sure it's a good idea with him."
"I don't know. I'm really considering it." Betty responded.
"Really?" CC shook her head, ready to add her opinions and concerns.
DING DING
The Morning bell rang loudly, echoing across the courtyard and cutting off that uncomfortable debate between CC and Betty from starting.
"We're meeting here for lunch?" I asked quickly while grabbing my backpack, hoping to distract them and shift them away from talking about this mysterious suitor.
CC nodded and grabbed her things. "I think so. I definitely want to get those Cheeto thingies again."
"Cheeto thingies?" Betty asked, becoming interested.
"The best thing you'll have for lunch. Better than the cardboard pizza." CC giggled.
"You got it." I pointed to her. "Well, I'm off to see what strange new torture Coach Bodey has in store today."
As they walked off laughing, I just sat there and watched their silhouettes fading into the crowd. Deep down, CC was still in love and aching for Kenny; I saw it in those teary eyes of hers. A knot formed in my chest, not knowing where I stood in all of this or if I should just give up.
As for Betty, I didn't realize she had been in such a relationship that was emotionally traumatizing. I hope whoever asked her out...
Wait a minute! Did Bear ask her out?
Betty never said who asked her.
I just hoped, for Bear's sake, it really was him.