new girl (part 2)

chapter 1

KALE’S POV.

I haven’t seen her in two years. I hadn’t even known she was moving. She hadn’t left a call. She hadn’t said good bye. I got nothing from her. But then again, I ripped her heart out of her fragile body, stomped on it, and threw it on fire for good measure. I guess I deserved it. I knew I deserved it. And that’s why I’m going to make it right.

Yeah, Valery Clash was my girlfriend. We’d been friends –more like acquaintances through junior high. We started liking each other in freshmen year. And we dated for two years. The day I ended things, or to be nicer, broke up with her; was the last day I saw her. She’d been in my brother’s band with me since eighth grade. We didn’t talk much to each other, she liked my already junior-year brother. That’s why she hung around. To be with Toby, my bro. He still lives with my parents. He dropped out of high school to go “pro” in his band. Then they found out our bassist was a cocaine addict. And the band fell apart. I was glad the band fell apart. It was just an awful memory of Valery, and I had to focus on my art. Once I graduate, I’m out of here. I’ll find Valery, we’ll buy a house, have a few kids, and get a good life. And I won’t screw it up.

So, that’s why I’m here. At Valery’s old bestie’s house. I needed to know where she was so I could plan ahead, make things right between us. Make her fall in love with me again. And boom –life complete. That’s all I wanted. I was a dick when I was younger and didn’t know what life was about. Now, I’m trying to make it right. I don’t want to mess up like my parents did or Toby.

I knocked on the door, and leaned against the frame. It took a moment, but Gabi, Valery’s best friend, opened the door. Her green eyes went round at the sight of me. Yeah, she probably hated my guts too. She put a hand on her hip and puffed out her chest like a stubborn two year-old.

“What do you want.” Ice drowned her words.

“I was strolling by and I decided to drop in.” I smirked.

“And?” she tapped her foot.

“What else do you want me to say?” I asked, already getting bored with her.

“Oh, I don’t know. To say ‘sorry’?! For breaking my friend’s heart, for making her move away?! You’re an asshole! Do you know how long I’ve waited for this moment to scream in your face?! You dick!” her freckled face almost got as red as her hair.

“I’m touched. Those are the best insults I’ve ever heard, Gabs. You should really put those in my book, ‘Best Insults.’” I put a hand over my heart.

She smacked me. I didn’t lose my cool. I simply turned back to her. She started huffing.        

“I hate you! You ruined her life! Do you know how long I tried getting her better?! Sending texts to her, calls -everything! Screw you!” she screamed, and slammed the door in my face.

Well deserved, but I didn’t get the information I wanted. I tried the doorknob. Silly girl, really. She didn’t lock it. I walked right in, past Gabi and her gapping mouth, straight into the kitchen.

“If you want an apology, I want you to cool down. And answer my questions reasonably.” I opened her fridge.

“If you think you can just-“ she started, but I stopped her with my hand and a look.

“I’m not going to ask you again, Gabs. All I want are some answers about Clash.” I grabbed a soda and opened it.

Gabi glared but nodded, “Fine. But I’m not guaranteeing anything.”

I shrugged, “Fair enough. I want to know where Clash is.”

“Why don’t you just call her by her name! You-“

I shook my head and put a hand up. “Gabs…”

“OK. Fine. She moved in the middle of nowhere. The town doesn’t even show up on maps.” She shrugged.

“What’s it called?”

“Radiator.”

I nodded, taking this in. I drank the soda, “How far away?”

“Don’t know. Never asked. And she hasn’t been really answering my texts.” She looked hurt about it.

“I’m sure she’s fine, Gabs.”

Gabi shrugged and nodded. “Why?”

“I want to make things right. I was a dick. I still am, but I want to fix what I did.” I took another swig of the soda.

“She’ll never forgive you, Kale.” Gabi shook her head at me, her red hair waving around.

“Worth a shot, right? Why’d she move?” I asked softly. This is where she’d explode on me again.

To my surprise, she sighed and calmly said, “She moved because her uncle got a weird job. Don’t ask what it is because I don’t even know.”

“She wasn’t going to tell me?”

“She was going to live with me, but you changed everything. You just had to mess up her life, didn’t you, Kale? I mean, I thought you two where perfect for each other, and you just had to go out and-“

“Stop.”

“No! If the truth’s too painful for you, then you shouldn’t have done it in the first place. I mean, you just-“

“Stop.”

“Screw you, Kale. Do you know how hard it is for me? How dare you. Why, why would you ever?” tears were forming in her green eyes.

“Gabs-“

“No. Just go. I hope you make things right between you two. And even if you do, and if I’m standing at your guy’s wedding –which don’t get your hopes up, pretty boy- just remember, I’ll always hate you. Okay? There is nothing that you will do to make me be friends with you. Understand?”

I stood there for a second, and nodded, “Fair enough. See you, Gabs.”

“Have fun in hell.”

I chuckled and left. After throwing the empty soda can over my shoulder.