Chapter Seventeen

The rest of the week, I stayed home to catch up on some rest. By the time the weekend came around, I was feeling a lot better. On Saturday, Mrs. Hall brought Dawn, Ellen, and me out for a little girl time.

We went to get our nails done, ate some food at a cute little diner, and then went to the movies. All of us had such a great time. We spent the entire day laughing, so much so that the day passed by very quickly. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mrs. Hall smile so much. She was in absolute heaven spending the day with us.

When we returned home later that evening, Dawn and Ellen stayed for a couple of hours, hanging out in my room.

“We are glad to see you feeling better,” Dawn states, hugging me.

“Yeah, you really gave us a scare,” Ellen added.

“I know… I’m sorry,” I responded guiltily.

“Well, whatever the problem was, even if you won’t tell us, I hope you’ve figured it out and it is now behind us,” Dawn continued.

“Me too,” I respond.

“I’m glad to see that your room is in a much better state as well!” Ellen announces with a giggle.

“That is definitely a plus,” Dawn adds on to Ellen’s comment. “But the best part is that Bree has showered,” she continues, teasing.

“Hey! I was still bathing!”

Before long, it was time for them to go home. To be honest, the day started out a bit awkward after everything that happened. Thankfully, the uneasiness dissipated within minutes.

After seeing my friends off, I walk into the kitchen to see Mrs. Hall.

“What are your plans for tomorrow?” She asks as we sit down at the table, each enjoying a slice of strawberry shortcake.

“Hm… I think tomorrow I will rest so I’ll have enough energy for classes on Monday,” I respond, taking a bite of my cake.

“That sounds like a good idea,” She replies. “I haven’t had that much fun in a while! Maybe I should take it easy tomorrow as well.”

I laugh. “Today was a lot of fun! Thank you for everything!”

“I’m just glad to see you smiling again.” She states happily.

I finish my slice of cake, then begin to yawn. “Well, I think I’m going to go to sleep now.”

“Okay, good night, sweetie.”

Hugging her, I say, “Good night, mom.”

Mrs. Hall’s face lit up hearing me call her that. Her eyes teared up as she smiled at me with pride.

Heading upstairs, I quickly close the door behind me as I sit down at my computer. Where should I begin? I thought as I started to check around for cheap apartments.

Sunday flew by quickly, as I spent most of the day sleeping. But by Monday morning I was well-rested, even waking up before the sun had risen.

I go into the bathroom and take a long soothing shower. As I wash my hair, I accidentally touch the injury on my forehead, sending shockwaves through my body. “Ouch!” I mutter in the shower. I have been taking care of my forehead since I got home from the hospital, and it looks awful. Keeping gauze on it is the best thing. I’d rather people stare at me because it looks like I’m wearing a maxi pad on my head than to stare at the deeply bruised, swollen mass on my forehead with black dots covering the center.

After the shower, I finish getting ready for the day. Getting dressed in some comfy clothes, I then covered the wound on my forehead, applied makeup, and put my hair in a ponytail. Then I sat in my room, waiting for everyone to wake up, and for breakfast, as I began looking over some notes that I should’ve been studying.

Over the past week, I had been thinking maybe I should start trying in the classes that I am currently taking. I could put in the effort and then, later on, or hopefully, today change my schedule accordingly, so I won’t have to be in the same classes as Liam.

After studying for two hours, the alarm I set to wake up goes off. I begin packing my books and notes into my backpack then grab it and head downstairs.

Mrs. Hall, Mr. Hall, my dad, Oscar, and Liam were all sitting at the table, eating breakfast.

“Good morning!” Mrs. Hall’s cheery voice rang through the room.

“Good morning, mom. Good morning everyone,” I greeted, hugging my dad. Though, I made sure not to make eye contact with Liam, nor acknowledge him.

“Did you sleep well?” My dad asks.

“Yes, I slept very well, “I answer. “I got up really early this morning, but I did sleep all day yesterday.”

“You look a lot better,” Oscar comments. “You looked like you were knocking on death’s door last week.”

“Oh…” I stammer, “Well thanks… I guess…” I tousle his hair, as I pass by to grab an orange and head to the fridge for bottled water.

Oscar sat rigorously flattening his hair back down with an irritated look on his face.

“Why don’t you sit and eat with us?” Mrs. Hall asks, concern painting her voice, disappointed to see that I only grabbed an orange and bottle of water.

“I would, but I need to get going,” I reply. “I have a couple of things I want to do before class starts.”

“Shouldn’t you eat something more than just an orange?” Mrs. Hall continues with worry. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!”

“Honey, she’s an adult. She can take care of herself,” Mr. Hall defends me. “Bree may have had a little faux pas last week, but I think it isn’t something we should be concerned about happening again.” He continues, pulling out his wallet. “Would you like to have some lunch money?”

“No, thank you,” I respond, taken aback. “I can get lunch.” The situation made me feel uncomfortable. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have already done so much for me and my dad. I didn’t want to add taking cash out of their hands to it.

“It may put my wife and your father’s minds at ease knowing that you definitely have a way to get something to eat.” He responded, giving me a wink.

Looking at my dad and then Mrs. Hall, seeing their pleading eyes, begging me to take it, I let out a sigh, “if it makes all of you feel better…”

Mr. Hall hands me the money. “Make sure to get something delicious and filling! And don’t forget some dessert too!” He continued happily.

I smile. “I’ll be sure to get everything. Ok, I’m heading out now.”

“Bye!” The three parents respond in unison.

“Bye!” I call back, heading out the door.

“Have a good day!” I hear Mr. Hall’s voice call.

Arriving at the college campus, I head straight for the guidance counselor’s office. I wanted to get started with courses that would help me achieve becoming a kindergarten teacher.

Knocking on the door, I begin, “Hi, Mrs. Lily.”

“Oh, hello Bree. What brings you here so early?” She replies with a smile. Her hazel eyes stared at the gauze on my forehead. Her perfectly white teeth flashed brightly at me as she watched me take a seat.

“I have decided what career path I want to take,” I respond happily. “I was hoping we could put me in the classes I need to become a kindergarten teacher.”

“Okay,” She replied, beginning to type at her computer. Her frizzy red hair was pulled back into a ponytail with a few loose strands making their way in front of her eyes.

There was a long pause in the conversation. The air was filled by the taps of the keyboard as she typed and the clicking of the mouse.

“I have your schedule for next semester fixed so you can start taking classes in the education field.”

“Couldn’t I transfer to some of those classes now?” I ask, expectantly.

“Unfortunately, no. That’s what took so long. I was looking to see whether I could somehow get you into those classes.” She replied apologetically. “But we are too far into this semester, so transferring isn’t an option anymore.”

“I see…” I replied with a sigh. “Could I keep the classes I have now, but change the time and days I attend?”

Mrs. Lily begins clicking and typing away at her computer again at my request. “All of the other classes are filled up. I’m sorry but you will have to remain with the schedule you currently have.”

Letting out a sigh of defeat, I start again, standing up. “Okay. Thank you, Mrs. Lily.”

“I can tell you are disappointed. May I ask why you want to suddenly change your schedule?” She questions.

“Would it change anything if I did?” I question with a bit more bite than I intended to put on the statement.

She gives a sympathetic smile. “Probably not. It depends on the situation.”

I nod, giving a small smile. “Thank you, anyway.”

“Have a great day, Bree!” She calls after me. “If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to reach out!”

“Okay… You have a great day too.”

Walking out of the building and into the courtyard, I started to feel disheartened. But I am also trying to be optimistic. At least next semester I won’t share classes with Liam. I just have to make it through this one.

The courtyard started to fill with more and more people as the time drew nearer to classes starting. As I began my way towards a bench, I heard a female’s voice call out, “Bree!”

Looking to see who called my name, I instantly become aggravated. Oh God, what does she want now? “Hi, Ember,” I reply with shortness.

She is wearing short denim shorts, which show off her luxuriously long legs with knee-high boots, along with a T-shirt that appeared too tight. Her boobs looked like they were about to bust the front of the shirt open. “How are you feeling?” Ember asks with fake sincerity, eyeing my forehead.

“I’m all right.”

“You look a lot better!” She continues. “So what were you doing? Did you have to talk to the guidance counselor?”

“Yeah… I wanted to change my future schedules to the career path I finally decided to pursue…”

“Oh! Liam met with Mrs. Lily just the other day too!” Ember replies. “He decided to start taking classes in the medical field.”

“What?” I question in shock. I thought he said that was a stupid idea…

“I know! It is something that is entirely unlike him, right?” She continued, speaking excitedly. “He won’t even tell me where he came up with it. As far as I know, he just woke up one morning with the thought.”

I stare at her dumbfounded.

“Oh…” Ember groans. “Don’t tell me that’s not what you’re majoring in now, is it?” She retorts, rolling her eyes. “How pathetic are you?”

“Excuse me?” I reply, narrowing my eyes.

“Why do you go to such great lengths to catch his attention?” Her voice had a mocking air to it.

“Not that it is any of your business, but I’m not concerned about him anymore.”

“Oh really? Is that why you are now going to have a hideous scar on that once plain, slightly attractive face of yours?”

My nostrils flare as I become enraged. “For your information, bitch, I’m not following him into the medical field. How about you get your facts straight before accusing others of stupid shit?” I had enough of people pushing me around while I held my tongue.

“Please… It’s so obvious what you are doing—“

“Is there a problem here?” Chad cuts in.

Ember looks at him, then back at me with a malicious smile playing on her lips. “No. There’s no problem at all.” It almost appeared as if a light bulb just blinked over her head.

“Right… Let’s go, Bree,” He replies, grabbing my hand and leading me off-campus. “So what was that all about?”

“She thinks I’m trying to follow Liam around.”

“Oh…” His voice sounded disappointed.

“I went to the guidance counselor to change my classes so I wouldn’t have to see him anymore. What she was accusing me of couldn’t be further from the truth!” I begin, explaining myself to Chad. “I’m done with all of that.”

We walked together to the café where Ellen works.

“Let’s get a cup of coffee,” He says, opening the door and ushering me inside.

The sweet smell of freshly brewed coffee beckoned to me. “I really should get back… I need to go to class…” I state, unwilling to leave.

“What’s one more day to yourself?” Chad asks. “After Ember upset you, I don’t think anyone would blame you for taking another day off.”

I considered for a moment. “You’re probably right,” I reply with a smile. Walking over to a table, I take a seat. Glancing over at the workers behind the counter, I didn’t see Ellen. She must have today off.

“I’ll go order us something,” He says.

“You aren’t going to ask me what I want?” I question, irritated that he was just going to order something whether I wanted it or not.

“Did you want something other than a mocha latte and croissant?” Chad smiles.

“No… That’s what want…” I reply slightly embarrassed, shocked that he knew me so well.

Before long, he came back with only the mocha latte and croissant. A big, cheerful smile plastered on his face as he walked toward me.

“Aren’t you going to get anything?” I question, confused by why he only got me something.

“I’m fine for now,” he replied.

“Then why did we come here?” I inquire further, still lost at the reason for this trip.

“Because I knew you would enjoy your favorite treat.”

“Oh…” I answer, suddenly feeling awkward.

“That friend of Liam’s obviously upset you. So why not have one of your favorite treats to forget about that mess?” He responds light-heartedly. “Forget about the evil witch and relax your mind.”

Chad stared at me for a moment as I began picking at my croissant, trying to avoid his gaze. I’ve never felt so uneasy around him before. Why is that?

“Bree… You know I have been crazy about you since the day we met.”

I finally look at him, my heart racing. “Yeah…”

“Would you go out with me?” He questions. “Give me a chance to show you the way you should be treated. The way you deserve to be treated by someone who respects you.”

I continue to stare at him, awestruck, considering my options. Chad has been in love with me since… Well probably since the first day we met when we were kids. But I’ve never felt that way about him. Well… Once upon a time, I thought he was cute, but then I laid eyes on Liam in high school and my eyes never strayed again. I’ve never considered dating him. Watching Chad’s gaze on me, I wondered, Is this the way I look at Liam?

It was time to weigh my options and think this through rationally. I’m still hung up on Liam, it’s not a secret. But he has mercilessly made it clear that I am nothing to him. So what if I started dating Chad? Could I learn to love him?

He is handsome, with his blonde hair and blue eyes, which was never really my type. He is funny and always knows how to make me laugh. He is also determined. Which no one can claim he isn’t, he’s been after me for over a decade now. And he always makes sure that I am happy and comfortable. Maybe he is the right person for me?

But even if he is, could I forget about Liam while dating Chad? I’ve been trying to move on from Liam for a while now, but there is always something making me hold on. Maybe it was time to just let go.

Last week, I decided that it was time for me to start making some changes in my life. Not just with my current living situation or my class schedule, but with every aspect of my life.

Chad stared at me, desperation filling his eyes as he patiently waited for my answer. The tension in the air was palpable. His heart was probably beating one hundred times per second. As he watched, I could see that he was starting to sweat.

“Yes, I’ll go out with you,” I finally reply with a smile.

Chad’s face lit up with excitement. The day has finally come when he decided to tell me how he felt and ask me out.

As we were leaving the café, we walked past a little stand that contained newspapers. Without any thought, I grab one.

“What is that for?” Chad questions me curiously.

“I’ve been apartment hunting,” I admit to him. “And if we are going to be dating, it’s probably best I move out…”

“You could look that stuff up online…” He replies.

“I have, but I don’t like sitting at my computer for too long.”

Maybe I can call Mr. Brians to see if I can come back to work soon? The money I did make is still in my account, but I would like to keep more in there to make sure I keep enough for any unforeseen expenditures… But could I manage to keep working and studying at the same time? Would I be too overwhelmed again? I’m sure it will be fine…