Sudden Hope Read online

  Someone rings the doorbell. I get the door and it’s Alec.

  I smile at him and, honestly, never having a boyfriend before, I feel unsure of what to do.

  “Come in,” I say. He steps in and pulls me into a hug. With his arms around me, he says, “Hey Mike.”

  “Hi,” Mike says back.

  “Are you ready to go?” Alec asks.

  “You mean to the baseball field? I didn’t think you would go this early.”

  “Actually, I thought we’d grab breakfast first.”

  I look from him to Mike.

  “Is it okay if Mike comes along? Mike, do you want to?”

  “No. I have things to do,” he says. “Kristi’s mom asked me to go to the cemetery with her.”

  “Oh. She didn’t call me,” I say.

  “That is why I came here this morning—to see if you wanted to go, but I’m sure she’ll understand you’re busy with your new friends.”

  “Boyfriend,” Alec corrects Mike. “I’m her boyfriend now.” Alec turns me around in his arms. He tries to smile, but I can tell this conversation is upsetting him. “You can go with him if you want. I know it’s important to you.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course. We can do something later today. Unless you want me to go with you?”

  “No. It’s okay. You already have plans. Just text me when you are back.”

  He leans in and gives me a quick kiss. I don’t think I will ever get tired of this.

  I close the door behind Alec and turn to face Mike.

  “So, this is actually happening, huh?” he says and he sounds sarcastic.

  “Yeah. What time are we meeting Kristi’s mom?”

  He looks at the time. “We should get going.”

  ALEC

  I dislike Sky’s friend more and more. I get this feeling that he’s trying to manipulate her by bringing up Kristi. I know it was important for her to go and that they’ve been friends for a long time. I just know this isn’t the first time he has pulled something like this. It’s the way he talks to her too…

  I take a deep breath and walk toward the truck.

  I send her a message. ‘Text me if you need anything?’

  ‘Ok’

  I go grab something to eat and then head over to the baseball field. Kyle and some of the guys are already here. They’re sitting on the ground, talking, while they wait for everyone else.

  I plop down next to Kyle.

  “Spill it. Are you dating the girl?”

  “I’m dating the girl,” I say.

  “Nice! I can’t wait until Lizzie and Mandy find out.”

  “Yeah, that should be interesting.”

  “By the way,” says Kyle. “Don’t take up all of her time. We still need to practice for the talent show.”

  I shake my head.

  “I guess so much for going to prom as a group of friends now, huh?” says Kyle. “I guess I’m stuck without a date.”

  “Grayson doesn’t have one either.”

  Kyle laughs. “Right! It’s one thing going as a group of friends. If it’s just Grayson and me going, it’s going to look like a whole different thing.”

  “You have a point. Ask Mandy.”

  “Dude! So not funny. Especially now that she has gone all psycho.”

  “What did she do now?”

  “The pill thing last night was enough for me.”

  I almost forgot about that.

  “Did you tell your mom?” I ask.

  “Sure did. She said to keep an eye on Skylar,” he grins.

  “I think I got that covered,” I say.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  SKYLAR

  Mike and I don’t talk much on the way to the cemetery. When we get there, Kristi’s mom is already waiting.

  She has flowers and a teddy bear for Kristi. She comes over and hugs us both. “I’m so glad you two came,” she says.

  We walk with her and stand in front of the spot where Kristi’s laid to rest. I hate that saying… laid to rest. I like to think she’s in another world, living a happier life.

  “Dennis and I have decided to move,” says her mom. Mike and I both look at her in shock.

  “It’s too much for us being here. Everything reminds us of Kristi. The memories are not a bad thing. But, it’s the thoughts and reminders of what will never be that hurt so much.”

  In a way, I understand. Mike does too.

  “When are you moving?” I ask.

  “This weekend. That is why I wanted you to meet me here. I was wondering if maybe you could come by the cemetery every once in a while, and bring her flowers, or even stop by just to make sure everything looks okay.”

  “Of course,” I say.

  Mike doesn’t say anything. He stands quietly, but I know he will too.

  “I’m going to miss you, kids.”

  “We’re going to miss you too,” I say.

  As we tell her goodbye, all I can think about is that another part of Kristi is leaving us.

  Mike and I get in the car and I look at the time. “Do you mind dropping me off at the baseball field?”

  He rolls his eyes but doesn’t say anything. In fact, he doesn’t say a word the whole way there.

  When he parks the car by the field, Alec sees us. He stops mid-game and runs toward the car, which makes me grin from ear to ear.

  “Ugh. I can’t believe this is really happening—that you’re really dating that guy,” Mike says.

  “Be nice, Mike,” I say.

  “I’m being as nice as I can be,” he says, but I’m already getting out of the car and walking toward Alec.

  Alec surprises me by kissing me… One long kiss… I guess I thought this would be awkward or embarrassing, especially with him being my first boyfriend, but it’s not. It feels right. Of course, I still blush when I hear the guys cheering us from the field. I pull away from Alec and look behind us. Mike is gone. I grab my phone from my pocket.

  ‘Thanks for the ride. You didn’t have to leave though.’

  “Is everything good?” asks Alec.

  “Yeah. Kristi’s parents are moving.”

  “Oh.” He pauses. “I’m going to tell the guys we’re going to leave. I’ll be right back.”

  I grab his wrist and stop him, “You don’t have to leave.”

  “I want to,” he winks.

  He tells the guys that we’re leaving and then we get in the truck.

  “Where are we going?” I ask.

  “It’s a surprise.”

  We drive past Grayson’s farm and toward an area I have never been to before.

  “Are you okay with doing some hiking?” he asks.

  “Hmm—I’m not the sporty type. You know that, but sure…”

  He laughs. “It’s not that bad.”

  He parks in a wooded area and we get out of the truck.

  We start to walk for a while. I’m not doing much talking. Honestly, I’m trying to focus on where I step so I don’t trip and fall.

  After a few minutes, we stop for a break. “You know,” I say. “If you want to go back to not dating, there are easier ways to get rid of me.”

  He bursts out laughing.

  “Nah. I think I want to keep you around.”

  “Oh, that makes me feel so much better about this,” I say jokingly.

  “I could carry you,” he says in a serious tone.

  “I’m kidding, Alec. I’m okay.”

  We walk for a few more minutes until we get to an open area and there, in front of us, is a waterfall.

  “Wow. This is beautiful!” I say.

  He smiles. “Come on,” he pulls me along and we sit side-by-side, on the rocks by the water.

  “So what’s the plan? I don’t have anything to wear in the water.”

  He shrugs. “We can just sit here. I thought we could hang out and talk.”

  “You sound like such a girl,” I joke.

  “Would you rather make out all day? Because I’m game for tha
t too.”

  I blush and can’t even look him in the eye.

  He reaches over, lifts my chin up, and kisses me.

  When he pulls away, I pull him back in for more, and he kisses me until I’m the one pulling away for air.”

  “I was thinking,” he says against my lips, “that we could maybe play truth or dare.”

  Ugh. I hate that game, but I find myself wanting to know things about him that I don’t think I would ask in a day-to-day conversation.

  “Okay,” I agree.

  “Okay. Me first,” he says. “Truth or dare?”

  “Truth.”

  “Have you ever dated anyone before me?” he asks and I already regret playing this game.

  “No,” I say.

  “Was I your first kiss?” he asks.

  “Hey! That’s cheating. You only get one question.”

  We both laugh, “Fair enough,” he says.

  “Truth or dare?” I ask.

  “Truth.”

  “Same question.” I say.

  “I have hooked up with girls before, at parties. Nothing serious—”

  “Because of the rules?” I ask and he grins.

  “Only one question,” he says.

  “Truth or dare?” he asks.

  “Truth.”

  “Does it scare you to date me?” he asks.

  “Because of you being sick before?” I ask and he nods.

  “Not one bit.”

  “You’re amazing,” he says before he leans in and kisses me.

  “Your turn,” I say against his lips.

  He surprises me by saying dare.

  I look around trying to figure out what in the world I should dare him to do.

  “I dare you to get in the water.”

  He shakes his head. “You thought that your uncle’s pool was cold… just wait!” he says.

  I laugh. “I’m not getting in the water. You are.”

  He laughs back. “You can’t say truth more than three times in a row. Soon, you’ll have to say dare.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “Dead serious. Those are the rules of the game.”

  He gets up, kicks his shoes off, and then pulls his shirt over his head. When he takes his pants off, down to his boxers, I blush like never before.

  He extends his hand toward me, “Do you want to get it over with and get in the water with me? Because that is definitely going to be your dare.”

  “I don’t have anything to wear, Alec.”

  “Just wear the shirt you have on. I have an extra one in my bag.”

  “Come on,” he winks at me and I can’t say no.

  Just last week I was telling everyone I would never be into him like this—that we were just friends, but I know that things didn’t happen overnight. I was scared and in some serious denial.

  I get up, kick my shoes off, and, thankful that I wore a long shirt, take my shorts off and follow him into the water.

  I regret daring him to do this as soon as my feet touch the freezing water.

  He swims away and I follow him. When he stops, I stop. “Your turn,” he says. “I choose truth.”

  “Do you think we’d be where we are today if we hadn’t stopped talking for all those years?”

  “Without a doubt,” he says.

  “The answer to your second question is yes,” I say.

  He gives me a puzzled look.

  “That was my first kiss.”

  He grins and pulls me into his arms, and I just want to stay like this. In fact, the day goes by so fast, and I feel like I can’t get enough of him.

  When we go back to the truck, he turns around so I can change into his shirt. I love the scent of the shirt.

  I keep looking back to make sure he’s not peeking. When he moves a little, I panic. I quickly pull his shirt over my head. “Hey! No looking!” I say.

  That makes him look and, even though I’m already dressed, I duck behind the side of the truck just to mess with him.

  I can hear him laugh on the other side.

  “So not funny, Alec.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to. It’s normal reaction when someone says ‘HEY’, I look.”

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  I make my way to the back of the truck. “You can turn around now.”

  He turns around and he looks embarrassed.

  “Are you ready to go?” he asks.

  “Yeah.” I regret playing that joke on him. Things seem a little awkward for a bit.

  I go toward the passenger’s side door and Alec stops me. “Hey!” he says and I look at him.

  He laughs. “See…normal human reaction. He winks. “I’ll get the door for you.”

  He comes running toward me and he is about to open the door when I see him jump back and yell like a little girl. I then see the spider come down from the door handle and I burst out laughing.

  “You can’t be serious!” I say as I walk toward the spider and knock it off the truck with my hand. I look back at him and he looks terrified. “Are you really afraid of spiders?” I ask, still laughing.

  “Hmmm yeah.”

  I shake my head and open my own door. Alec, still looking pale, gets in the truck from the other side.

  “Is there anything you are afraid of?” he asks.

  “Hmmm I’m not ready to reveal that yet. I’m not giving you that kind of power over me.” I laugh.

  “Are you trying to say you would use my fears against me?” he asks.

  “Maybe,” I laugh. “What about you, Alec? What are you afraid of besides heights and spiders?”

  “You,” he says as he starts the truck.

  “What does that mean?”

  He looks at me before he puts the truck in drive, “Well, not you so much as your ability to change my mind about stuff.”

  I look away, trying to process what he just said.

  “It’s a good thing, Sky. It’s like being afraid of the unknown. It’s a good type of fear.”

  The drive home is fun. Alec plays all my favorite songs and we both sing along with the music.

  “I had fun today,” he says when he parks the truck in front of his house.

  “I did too. I almost don’t want to go back in,”

  “Almost?” he asks with a hurt look.

  I laugh. “I’m exhausted!”

  “Come on. I’ll walk you to your door.”

  When we get to my front porch, he pulls me into a hug.

  When he pulls away, I yawn.

  “I’ll let you rest. Do you want to hang out and watch movies tomorrow?”

  “I have to practice with Kyle, but after that, yeah.”

  We kiss goodbye and I go inside my house. Everything is dark. Mom and Dad must have gone out for dinner, so I just go up to my room. I’m hungry but too tired to make anything, so I decide to go to bed. I can’t make myself take his shirt off, so I lay down while still wearing it. I start singing for a few minutes until I start to doze off.

  Sunday morning, I realize Mike never replied to my text so I call him and ask if he wants to come over to watch movies with Alec, Kyle, and me. He says he has to study and rushes me off the phone. I end up spending Sunday with Alec and Kyle. After Kyle and I practice our song a few times, and sing some different ones in between, we decide to watch a few old horror movies. I sit on the couch with Alec, while Kyle sits on the floor. They both seem impressed, yet disappointed that these movies don’t scare me like most girls.

  We order pizza for dinner and we go back to watching movies until Dad practically kicks them out of the house.

  I stay in the living room watching TV with Mom and Dad.

  “I haven’t seen Mike around much,” says Mom.

  I shrug. “I invited him today. He said he had things to do.”

  “Oh ok. I just wanted to make sure you’re still including him in things that you do.”

  “Why wouldn’t I, Mom? Thing are different, but he’s still my friend.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE


  I wake up on Monday feeling really, really nervous. And I know why… things are probably going to get worse with Mandy and Lizzie.

  Alec drives us to school and I’m about to ask him to do what we usually do and go our own ways, when he grabs my hand. “We’re in this together, Sky. We were before too, and I wanted to respect your space, but Lizzie and Mandy are a piece of work. I’m not leaving you alone.”

  “That’s fine, Alec, but you can’t be with me all the time; not to mention that I need to stand up to them on my own.”

  He nods. “I know that, but I’m still holding your hand when we walk into school. I’m not going to pretend we’re not together.”

  “I’m not either,” I say.

  “Good,” he smiles.

  We walk into the school a little later than usual. Kyle is already here and he even meets us right at the door. There is some kind of commotion behind him.

  “Hey,” he says. “I forgot something in my car. Why don’t you come back out with me to get it?”

  He sounds nervous. Something is up. I just know it. I walk past him and toward the area where people are standing around. There is a long piece of paper taped to the wall. It reads: 'Skylar dumps her boyfriend Mike to be with Kyle, and then, Kyle to be with Alec. Wonder who’s next? Write down your guess here.’

  Alec, who is behind me, pushes people out of the way and rips the paper off the wall.

  He leaves me with Kyle and walks toward the principal’s office.

  ALEC

  I’m so mad. This has got to stop.

  I rip the paper from the wall and go to the principal’s office.

  I know I don’t handle things the way I should, but I just barge into her office and slam the paper on the desk.

  “Excuse me, young man. You don’t just walk in here without knocking, and slam papers on my desk.”

  I take a step back. “I’m sorry, Ms. Erickson.”

  She takes a deep breath and seems to calm down a little. “I’ll let it go this time, Alec. What’s this?” She picks up the paper and reads it.

  “It was on the wall for everyone to see. The bullying at this school is getting out of hand.”

  That makes her change her attitude and I know I messed up again. I know that by saying this, it sounds like I’m saying she isn’t doing her job.

  “Do you know who did this?” she asks.