Ninth
*Kayla*
November 9, 2015
Ever since that moment in Psychology class, about a month ago, Dallas hasn’t spoken one word to me. Not even a simple hello as we pass each other in the hall. No. He barely even looks at me. If I catch his eyes on me, he immediately averts his attention elsewhere.
I will never understand how someone can so easily kick a person out of their lives. Dallas and I almost spent every minute together for a week, and all of a sudden, he’s done with me. I’m just another notch on his list.
I should have known better than to sleep with the Devil…although we didn’t sleep together, I did develop feelings for him. He was a good friend when he wanted to be. He knew how to make people laugh, and at times, it did seem as though he cared for me.
Psychology is unbelievably hard to focus on now, since Dallas sits right in front of me, and I can’t help but watch him. Usually, thoughts of anger and self-hatred are what come to mind. Sometimes I remember that day in the courtyard, before our date. Everything seemed peaceful and happy. The date, I thought, went well too.
Did he end things because I didn’t kiss him? Or because I’m so shy around his friends? Did I do something wrong?
I grit my teeth.
I need to stop thinking about him.
Kyle never made an appearance, at least not to me. He might have made one to Dallas, but from what I can tell, I don’t think he has. Dallas seems preoccupied, usually doodling the black SUV in a notebook, or a gun. He sometimes will write the whole class period, never lifting his head to take notes.
What is he writing? Is he trying to remember something from that night that could help him find Kyle’s murderer?
“Ugh!” I scream, slamming my book on my desk to help snap me out of my thoughts.
Why can’t I get him out of my head?
“Do you have a comment, Kayla?” I tense, my eyes widening as I remember that I am in class. My eyes connect with Mrs. White before they flicker to Dallas. He has an arched eyebrow as he stares intently at me.
“Uh…” I whisper, extremely embarrassed at my outburst. “There was a spider.” I offer an innocent smile.
Mrs. White gives me a dubious look before she turns to continue the lecture. My attention goes back to Dallas, who has a stupid smile on his face. My glare seems to wipe it off, however.
“Spider?” I quietly scold myself as I hang my head back against the tree. The bark of the tree is irritating, but I ignore it. How could I be so dense?
“Where’s a spider?” I look up to see Anne walking over to sit beside me. I move my backpack, hugging it to me so she can take its former position.
“There is no spider. There was never a spider. I lied,” I mumble, shaking my head.
Anne chuckles, opening her lunch bag and pulling out a turkey sandwich. She tears it in half and gives me some. I gladly accept it. I forgot to pack my lunch this morning…rather, I didn’t have time, since I woke up late. Sleep has been absent for the last month and a half. Whenever I close my eyes, all I can see is Kyle’s ghost. And when I have them open, looking up at the ceiling, I’m thinking about Dallas.
I just want answers.
“So. Dairy Queen tonight?” Anne asks. I shrug my shoulders. It was something Kyle and I did, and Anne seems to understand that. Perhaps she’s just trying to help. Just like my mother and Katie are trying to help.
I smile as a memory enters my mind, of when I took Kyle to Dairy Queen last year.
“Happy Birthday!” Kyle cheers, handing me an Oreo Blizzard. I gladly accept it as he takes a seat next to me.
“Where did you get the money to buy me an Oreo Blizzard?” I ask him, taking a spoonful. I moan. Dairy Queen does it right.
“Chores.” Kyle shrugs as he begins to devour his Butterfinger Blizzard. I smile at him. This little treat means more to me than he knows.
Kyle is using his own chore money, not on new Nikes or a new game for the Xbox One. Instead, he’s using it on me, to celebrate my birthday. “Thank you, Kyle,” I say, leaning over to rub his hair. He shakes his head, trying to evade my touch.
Ahh. He’s still a teenage boy at heart, though.
“Let’s do this every month, on the ninth. No matter what day of the week or what we have planned, it must be cancelled or rearranged for Dairy Queen and Oreo and Butterfinger Blizzards. Deal?” Kyle even holds out his hand for me to shake, as if we are striking a real deal. But little does he know that I will do whatever is in my power to ensure that every month, on the ninth, we will be enjoying each other’s company at the local Dairy Queen.
“Deal.”
“He was a special kid,” I say softly, returning to the present. I look over at Anne, who furrows her brows. Her green eyes are bright when the sun hits them at a perfect angle.
A few weeks ago, Anne broke up with Drew. Drew was at a party after the Homecoming football game and ended up sleeping with some sophomore. Anne has been devastated, even though Drew and she weren’t serious. They have only been dating a few months. However, when you open your heart to someone and they crush it, it takes a while to recover.
I’ve tried my best to be here for her. My mind seems preoccupied most of the time, but I try to be in the present and current when she’s sharing her feelings.
“He was. He saw the world differently. He always lived in the now, never anxious or worried about the future.” I nod my head. Anne is right. Anne hardly knew Kyle. They might have met once or twice in passing when she was coming over after a tutoring session.
But in that short amount of time, it was evident how easy it was to get along with Kyle. There was something about him that always made people want to be his friend.
“Is it okay if I bring Katie to Dairy Queen?” Anne nods her head. “All right. We’ll meet at seven?”
Katie was more than eager to go to Dairy Queen. She has been on a strict diet for dance, but every now and then, Mom allows her to splurge.
Katie is already outside before I can even finish saying, “Let’s go to Dairy Queen.” She is dancing by the car, her arms wrapped around her to keep warm from the cool November breeze. I can’t help but laugh at her.
I’ve never seen a teenager more excited for ice cream.
Pulling into the lot, I see Anne’s car already parked. Katie hops out and bolts for the door while I take my time. I can see Anne giving Katie a hug through the windows. Locking my car, I open the door, and the “ding” signifies another guest has entered the small shop.
Anne gives me a side hug as well, and I fish through my purse to grab my wallet. Anne orders first, getting an Oreo Blizzard.
That was actually one of the things that enticed our friendship. We were listing our favorites and that was among one of the many.
Katie orders a brownie sundae, and when it’s my turn, I stare at the cashier for a moment, a frown on my face. An Oreo Blizzard is screaming my name; however, that isn’t what I say to the lady. “Butterfinger Blizzard.”
Katie and Anne both cast a confused look at me, but I just stare back at them. I’m confused as well. I’ve tried Kyle’s Blizzard before, many times. I’m not a fan, so why would I want to get it for myself?
Sighing, I pay the cashier for both Katie and me and then accept the ice cream. We head over to a table where we all sit down, eating quietly.
“Is it good?” Katie asks, a cautious look etching across her face. I chuckle and slide the ice cream to her. Surprisingly, it’s not as bad as I remember it being. It’s actually pretty good. Katie moans in approval.
“Yum,” she says, then allows Anne a bite. Except she takes another, and then two more.
“All right!” I shout, snatching my ice cream back. “My ice cream.” I point to the brownie sundae and the Oreo Blizzard. “Your ice cream.”
Anne and Katie giggle as they return to eating. I lean back in the chair and look around the small shop. It hasn’t changed since the last time I’ve been here, which is about two months.
Kyle’s tradition only lasted about nine months; however, it was great to share something special with him. Every month, on the ninth, I will remember being here with him. No matter where I am, or what I am doing, I will always think of him.
The “ding” sounds through the store, and I glance up to see Dallas walk in with Mikey and Tyler. They’re laughing about some joke, wide smiles adorning each of their faces. Dallas’s eyes scan the area until they land on me. His smile falters, and I see him gulp.
“Let’s go.” Katie gets to her feet. She walks over, and I see Dallas look down at her. I can’t hear what Katie says, but I can tell it’s sharp, because he’s taken back by it. “Come on, Kayla,” Katie calls over her shoulder at me.
Sometimes, I think she’s the older sister. Anne quickly follows after my sister, casting a glance at the three boys. I toss my garbage out and move to walk past Dallas. His warm hand locks around my wrist, and my feet stop short. I jerk my head around to look up at him.
“I-I…” His eyebrows come together as he’s a loss for words.
“We’ll be outside,” Tyler says, grabbing Mikey by the shoulders and shoving him out the door. I look out the window and hold up a finger to Katie and Anne.
This better be quick.
“I’m sorry,” Dallas says. I sigh, closing my eyes.
Sorry isn’t going to cut it. This is nothing like spoiling my Saturday to help a drunken idiot. This is breaking my trust, my friendship.
“Okay,” I whisper, lifting my eyes to stare into his blue ones. Dallas frowns, his moppy blond hair falling into his eyes.
“Kayla…I’m really sorry that I hurt you.”
“No, Dallas. I’m the one who’s sorry. I should have known better than to allow you to get too close. It was my mistake.” I shrug, pulling my arm away from him.
I really didn’t want to spend today like this. This was supposed to be a good day, a happy day. I was supposed to remember Kyle and let the memory bring me bliss. But now Dallas has ruined it. He has brought forth my feelings and reminded me how much he hurt me.
“Kayla…”
“I have to go.” My voice is quiet as I turn away from him. I make my way to the door, ready to exit.
“I leave you guys all happy and friendly for a few days, and now look at you two.” I grip the handle on the door tightly as I recognize that voice instantly. I spin around to see Kyle sitting at the table I had just occupied.
He has his arms crossed over his chest, a stupid, lazy smile on his face. He looks between Dallas and me, eyebrows raised.
“Well, go on. Explain yourselves.” He motions to us. I turn to look up at Dallas, who has the same look of awe on his face.
He’s finally back. But why?
“You’ve been gone for a month, Kyle. Not a few days,” Dallas answers. Kyle looks at his brother with shock, eyes wide. He then frowns and looks down at the table. “Why are you here?” Dallas’s voice has dropped to a whisper.
“Kayla and I…” He trails off and is silent for a moment. I watch as his eyes move across the table and his lips talk in silent whispers. He’s counting. “Happy birthday, Kayla,” Kyle says, looking me dead in the eye.
I let out a soft gasp as a smile crosses my face. “I had a Butterfinger Blizzard.”
“I told you they were good. I told you.” Kyle jumps to his feet, clapping his hands as he chuckles lightly.
“It’s your birthday?” Dallas questions. I nod slowly, eyeing him cautiously. “You came here every year?”
“Every month, to be exact. On the ninth,” Kyle responds, walking toward me. He throws a punch to my arm. “Eighteen. Finally an adult.”
I step back, rubbing my arm at the dull punch. It was odd. I know I felt the force of it, but it also felt as if he went right through me. I look down at my arm, half expecting a bruise to form.
“What brought you here?” I ask.
Kyle shrugs, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. “I’m not sure. I guess I was just drawn here.”
Dallas turns to look at me, and when our eyes meet, I know we’re both thinking the same thing.
More unanswered questions.