Destroying the Wrong (6 page)

Alissa

One of Matt’s old friends was visiting for the summer and invited us to a pool party. Normally, I would have declined but I didn’t want Matt hanging around the pool with a bunch of girls in skimpy bikinis alone. I trusted him but the thought made me uncomfortable.

My first mission was to find a perfect fitting bathing suit. I didn’t know who would be there, but it was safe to assume most of them would try to look as hot as possible.

I settled on a hot pink bikini that looked amazing against my tanned skin. I took a picture of it and sent it to Matt, hoping he would approve. He texted me back two minutes later confirming it looked great. A minute later he sent me another text saying, “Scott thinks it looks hot too.” I knew they were working out together but I never imagined he would show the picture to Scott. I had to admit that I liked Scott thinking it was hot.

I called Kat after doing a happy dance in the dressing room.

“Hello,” she answered.

“Hey. I know I said I would come over Saturday night, but Matt got invited to a pool party and I agreed to go with.”

She paused for a moment. “Okay. Maybe next week?”

“Sure. I’ll see you for our regularly scheduled homework date.”

“Sounds good,” she replied.

“Bye. Love you.”

“Love you back. Bye.” She hung up before I could make my kissing noise.

~
*~

Matt picked me up late in the afternoon for the party. He came in to say hello to my parents while I finished getting ready. I looked over myself in the mirror about ten times before I was confident enough to be done.

I met him in the kitchen, interrupting another legal story my dad liked to share with him. I wasn’t completely sure, but I had a sneaking suspicion he used bragging about the cases he’d won as an intimidation technique to keep Matt in line.

“You look beautiful,” Matt whispered in my ear when I greeted him with a hug.

“Well, Mom, Dad, we need to go.”

“Make sure you’re home by midnight,” my dad warned.

I smiled my best good girl smile. “Of course.”

I hugged them both before we left. Matt held the car door open for me and I climbed, taking a moment to glance in the mirror one last time.

“I still don’t think your parents like me very much,” he said once we pulled out of the driveway.

“Don’t be silly, of course they do.”

He smirked, not totally believing me. “So, I don’t know who all is going to be at this party but if you’re having a horrible time, we can leave early.”

“It’s just some kids that graduated last year, right?”

“Yeah, but you never know who else might show up,” he said, reaching over into my lap and locking my fingers with his.

We pulled into the driveway of a house twice as big as mine. It was a beautiful, Victorian style house. Cars were lined up around the half circle driveway that surrounded a flower garden.

“Wow,” I said, feeling terrified by the number of parked vehicles.

“I know. Jason’s family has owned this house for over a hundred years.”

I opened my door and stepped out, feeling intimidated. I heard screaming and the splash of pool water. Matt threw my bag over his shoulder and held out his hand. We only took a few steps before someone was running out of the front door towards us. I didn’t recognize him.

“My man, great to see you,” Matt said, giving a half hug to the guy. “This is Alissa. Alissa, this is Jason, one of my oldest friends.”

“Nice to meet you, Jason,” I said, shaking his hand.

“You, too,” he replied. “Come on in and go grab a beer in the back. Everyone is already in the pool.”

Matt took my hand and lead me through the enormous entry-way. We walked through an open living room with cathedral ceilings, through double doors and out onto the patio. About fifteen people were already in the pool. A group of three girls were lounging by the pool on towels, soaking up the sun. One of them sat up the moment she spotted us.

“Matt! So great to see you,” she yelled over the noise of music and people talking.

Matt waved at her. “That’s Jason’s older sister, Chelle. They’re going to the same college.”

I held on to Matt’s arm as we made the rounds, saying hello to everyone. I didn’t recognize a single person. We walked to the other side of the pool near Chelle and put our bags down.

“So, Matt, who’s the girl?” she asked. Her friends looked like they were asleep under their sunglasses.

“This is Alissa,” he said, sitting down on the edge of the pool, dangling his feet over.

She smiled at me but didn’t say anything else. I smiled back and sat next to Matt. The water felt cold but fantastic.

“Should we get it over with?” Matt asked.

“Get what?” I looked at him for an answer and he smiled while pulling me down into the pool with him. Matt greeted me at the surface, laughing. “I still have my cover on, dork.”

“Just take it off and throw it by the bag,” he said, pulling me in for a hug. He kissed me and everyone started whistling.

“Looks like someone’s getting lucky tonight,” Chelle said, getting even more whistles.

I felt my cheeks heat up as I looked around at all the people watching us. “I’m getting out.”

“Okay, I’ll get out with you,” Matt replied, seeming unfazed by the attention.

I pulled myself up onto the side. My terrycloth suit cover was drenched in water. I began pulling it down from the top and stood up to let step out of it. I looked to my side and noticed Chelle was watching me. She smirked as I finished taking it off. I saw her eyes scan over my body, the smirk never leaving her face. I had never felt more self-conscious in my life.

I quickly grabbed my towel and wrapped it around myself. Matt was standing next to me now, pulling me in for a hug. The last thing I wanted to do right now was give them another affection show.

“I’m going to go inside and use the restroom. Can you give me directions?” I asked.

“Through the double doors, to the right. Go down the hallway and it’s your first door on the left.”

I pulled my towel up to face, pretending to dry off so he wouldn’t try to kiss me. I looked back before heading through the doors as Matt jumped back in with a large splash. Chelle got up and was walking in my direction. I hurried inside, towards the bathroom.

The door was shut and when I knocked, someone said occupied. Not sure what to do except stand there and wait, I leaned against the wall.

“You can come use my bathroom,” Chelle said, still smirking at me.

“Oh, that’s okay. I’m sure whoever is in there will be done soon,” I replied, hoping she would just walk away. I didn’t like the way she was staring at me.

“It’s just down here,” she said, grabbing my hand and pulling me down the hall. The room she directed me into was a dark shade of red, with black furniture. “It’s right in there.”

I looked to my side and saw the bathroom. “Thank you.” I walked in and locked the door behind me. I hurried, looking at myself in the mirror, adjusting my wet hair. I hesitated opening the door but I didn’t want to be in there longer than necessary. Chelle greeted me the moment I walked through the door.

“You know, Matt’s ex is going to be here soon. She’s one of my best friends and if you try to mess with her, I’ll fuck you up.”

I looked at her stunned, not moving an inch. “I don’t know why you think I would want to mess with her.”

“Uh-huh. Maybe you should go,” she said and left the room.

I waited a couple minutes before I left the room and made my way down the hall. Matt jumped out of the pool when he saw I’d returned. He scooped me up and twirled me around, puckering his lips.

“We should go,” I said.

“Why? We just got here.”

I looked around to make sure no one was listening in to our conversation. “Chelle told me your ex is coming.”

He put me down. “Oh, Chelle told you that, huh?” His face went from happy to angry.

She was standing next to the cooler when Matt walked up to her. “What the fuck, Chelle?”

She batted her eyes but didn’t flinch. “What?”

“You invited her even though you knew I would be here?” he asked.

“I didn’t know you would be here with some other skank,” she replied.

Matt turned away, grabbed my hand and walked me to where my bag was. He picked up our stuff and wrapped his towel around himself. Without saying a word to anyone, we left the house and got in the car.

“What just happened?” I asked.

“Chelle’s a bitch is what happened.”

“I’m sorry if me being here caused problems,” I said, grabbing my extra shirt from my bag.

“No, don’t be sorry. It’s not you, it’s them. I don’t know why I even considered giving them another shot. These people were my friends back when I was a football player but they’re nothing to me now.” He started the car up and drove me back to my house.

My parents were surprised when I walked in but I used the excuse that Matt wasn’t feeling good after eating a bad hamburger. They bought it and we spent the rest of the night watching movies.

~
*~

Matt picked me up before heading to the gym. He wanted me to get more training time in with Scott during the summer. I hadn’t spent much time with Scott on purpose. After Matt left the pool party for me, I promised myself that he would be the only guy I would dream about.

He never explained what happened with his ex to cause him to become so angry. I forced myself to stop thinking about it once we entered the gym. The place was packed but we found a spot to work on pull ups. My arm strength was so pathetic that I had to use a box to help me get up on the bar.

Scott walked up after I pulled myself up a couple times. “Do you want help?”

“Sure. Can you give me some of your muscles?” I asked, trying not to blush. The moment he’d walked up to us, my body felt like it had been set on fire.

He put his hands on my hips and helped guide me up and down. I’d watch him helping others, wishing his hands were on me, not them. My palms got so sweaty from him touching me that I had to take a minute to wipe them off. I moved to the side, letting Scott show me the best way to do the exercise.

Matt watched him, too, while moving to my side. He put his arm around me and kissed the top of my head. In that moment, Matt’s touch made me want to push him away.

“Okay, I’m ready to try again,” I said, moving away from Matt.

We took turns using the bar. Every time it was Scott’s turn, Matt would hold my hand or put his arm around me. I was so confused why being around Scott was making Matt’s attention feel like torture. I pretended to pull my arm muscle and used a treadmill the remainder of the session. I had to get away from both of them.

Katherine

The summer flew by entirely too fast for my liking. The heat and humidity were brutal. Not that I was looking forward to the snow, but cooler air would’ve been nice. The stress of school starting again made me break out and encouraged my mom to ask me what was wrong a million times. I replied with an excuse about needing to start preparing for college entrance exams and applying for scholarships. Those excuses seemed to pacify her. What I didn’t tell her was that I feared how everyone would treat me this year after the mall incident.

Alissa and I had a traditional sleep-over at her house the last weekend of summer vacation every year since first grade. Her brother, Dillon, would always try to scare the crap out of us. It didn’t always work but we secretly enjoyed watching him try. When he joined the Army last year, he’d been at basic training during the last sleepover and we both missed him. He just happened to be home on leave this year and I couldn't wait to see him.

“Mom, I'm leaving for Alissa's! See you tomorrow!” I yelled even though I didn't need to because in our small apartment, we had no trouble hearing everything, including the neighbors.

“Be safe and tell everyone hello for me!” she yelled back.

I had been walking to Alissa's all summer since it was the only time I got any exercise. As I turned the corner towards her house, I caught sight of Dillon washing his car, with no shirt on and it stopped me in my tracks. I couldn't move. I just stared at him, watching his muscles flex as he cleaned the windows with a soapy sponge. I had never wanted to be a sponge so badly in my entire life. He moved to the other side of the car and must have seen me from the corner of his eye because his head turned directly at me and he smiled while I stood there motionless, staring and probably drooling.

“Hey, Katherine!” He waved, but I didn't wave back. His eyebrows lifted and he walked towards me. “Umm, Katherine, is there something wrong?”

My hand reached up to my cheek and I slapped myself.
Oh my gosh! Could you be more pathetic?

“I thought I saw a bee. And I'm allergic.” I'm not sure if I actually am allergic to bees, but it was the only excuse I could come up with.

“I don't see any bees so I think you're safe.” He chuckled and I’m pretty sure I experienced a pre-menopausal hot flash if the heat in my cheeks was any indication.

“Wow, Dillon, it's so great to see you!” I reached out my hand like a dork for a handshake.

“Come here,” he said and pulled me in for a hug. He smelled like sweat and soap. I had to refrain myself from licking his shoulder.
Ugh, Alissa must be rubbing her boy crazy on me.
“Look at you, Katherine, all grown up.” His eyes roamed over my entire body, making me blush.

“Look at you! All muscular and stuff.”
I need a hole to crawl in.

His grin got even bigger. “Yep, I had to workout so I didn't get my ass kicked.”
Would it be wrong to run my hands over his chest?

His face turned serious and I was afraid he could read my mind for a second. He ran his hand over his buzzed black hair and got so close I had to look up at him. “Alissa kind of filled me in on what happened and I just want you to know I'm sorry you had to go through all that crap.”
I'm going to kill her.

“Yeah, well it happened. I'm over it.” I'm sure he could tell I was lying because I’d grown up alongside Alissa, practically an unofficial extension of his family.

“I'm sure you are. You've always been strong and won't take any crap.” His smile was reassuring and I couldn't help but smile back.

“Well, hey, we should catch up. I'm only in town for a couple more days, but maybe we can talk tomorrow or sometime.”

“Umm, yeah, that would be great. I better go in before Alissa thinks I ditched her.”
Unless you need help washing the car?

“Okay, just let yourself in and I'll see you later.” He started walking back towards the house and I couldn't help but watch the muscles in his legs flex.
This is going to be a long night.

The first thing I did when I walked into Alissa's room was smack her on the arm. “Why did you tell Dillon what happened? Like I'm not embarrassed enough,” I said, seething through my teeth.

“Hey! Why would you care if I told Dillon or not? It's not like he'll repeat any of it,” she said rubbing her arm.

“That's not the point and you know it!”

“Then what is the point? He's my brother and…” She tilted her head and stopped mid-sentence, studying me. “Oh, oh, oh, hang on a second!”

I felt my body blush when I realized she was on to me.

“You have a crush on my brother!” She started jumping up and down clapping her hands together like we were back in kindergarten.

“Do not!” If it wasn't obvious before, it was now. I giggled and hid my face in my hands.

“It's about damn time! Do you have any idea how long I've waited for you to crush on someone so we can talk about boys?” She stopped jumping and threw herself on her bed. “Eww, why did you have to pick my brother, though?”

“Oh, stop,” I said moving her curtain just a little, hoping I could sneak a peek at Dillon down in the drive way. “I mean, who wouldn't notice a tall, built, sweaty guy washing his car without a shirt? His buzzed dark hair all wet? Not to mention his grey eyes,” I sighed and fell to the floor in the most dramatic way I could muster up.

“So, do you want to hear about what Matt did to me the other night?” Alissa flung her head over the bed and flashed me a huge smile.

“Nope.” I covered my ears.

“Oh, come on! I thought we were gonna talk about boys?”

“Your version of talking includes way too many details that my virgin ears don't want to hear.”

“You're no fun, Kat.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me off the floor. “Let's go downstairs, raid the fridge and find a movie to watch.”

~
*~

Just after midnight, we finished my all-time favorite movie,
So I Married an Axe Murder
. Actually, it was my mom’s favorite movie first, but it makes me laugh so much, it never gets old.

Alissa yawned and said, “Man, we are getting old! I can't believe how tired I am.” Her phone started playing some stupid song. “Hey Matt!” I couldn't hear what he was saying, but she had a goofy grin on her face. “Don't you remember me telling you Kat's here for the night?” I strained to hear what he was saying. “Okay, be down in a second, but only for one kiss.” She ended the call and looked at me with the puppy dog face she always used when she wanted something or was about to talk me into doing something. “Matt is here for a kiss.”

“Okay. You're not going to leave me up here all night by myself are you?”

“No! I'll just go give him a kiss and be right back. I promise.”

I rolled my eyes at her. “Fine, but us old ladies need our sleep, so don't be too long.”

Alissa jumped up, threw on her sneakers, opened up her window and started climbing down a small ladder that hung just below her window.

“What the hell are you doing? And where the hell did you get that ladder?” I grabbed onto her arm so she wouldn't fall.

“It's not like I can just go out the front door. It's fine, I do this all the time. I told my parents I wanted a ladder just in case our house caught on fire.” She wiggled her eyebrows and smiled, proud of her deception.

“Alissa, we are on the second story!” I looked out onto the grassy lawn and didn't see anything that would break her fall if she missed the ladder.

“There's plenty of things to grab onto and like I said, I've done it before. Just watch.” She climbed down so fast she looked like a professional stunt woman. Once she was down, she gave me the thumbs up and ran around the corner.

I can't believe I just watched my best friend climb out her window. What was up with her lately? I suddenly had to pee.

Walking out of the bathroom, my face hit a wall. No, not a wall, just Dillon. “Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry.”

He grabbed both my arms to steady me. “Don't be. Totally my fault.”

I giggled like a dork. “Hey, you didn't try messing with us tonight! Did you run out of good ideas?” I was so thankful we were in a dark hallway so he couldn't see how short my night shorts were. Being alone with him was making my heart race as I pictured him pushing me against the wall and kissing me.

“I never run out of good ideas. But I figured if I did anything to make you mad, you wouldn't want to talk to me the rest of the time I'm home.”

“I would talk to you no matter what.”
Ugh, I’m so cheesy.

“Better to be safe.” I could almost hear his smile. He walked towards his room. “Well goodnight, Katherine.”

“Goodnight.”

I walked back into Alissa's room just as she started to climb back into the window.

“I told you I wouldn't be gone long. What were you doing?”

“I went to the bathroom and ran into Dillon, literally. Hey! What is wrong with you, jumping in and out of second story windows? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

Alissa just shrugged and climbed back into bed. “Someday maybe you'll be as awesome as me.”

“Oh no, you're not getting out of this that easy! Spill it! What's going on with you?” I sat myself down on the chaise lounge next to the bed.

I watched Alissa pull her hair into a bun on top of her head as she stalled answering. “Scott is teaching Matt and me how to defend ourselves. That way we can protect ourselves and anyone else that needs help.”

“Defend yourselves and others against what?” I asked, concerned.

“Against people like Kelly and all the other creeps out there doing things to people who can't defend themselves. Everywhere you go people are taking advantage of each other.” She stood up from her bed and started pacing back and forth on her carpet. “We haven’t gotten to the mental part yet, but that may be my favorite part.” She moved her eyebrows up and down like she always does when she has a bad idea.

“Okay, I get the physical part but mentally, how?” I looked at her like she was crazy, but really I was worried she could get hurt doing something stupid.

“I’m not really sure.”

“So, what does climbing in and out of your window have to do with anything?” I was trying to keep my voice down but it was difficult because I wanted to scream at her.

“I have to work on training myself to be brave.” Her face was serious, not scared at all.

“Just know if anyone messes with you or makes you do something you don't want to do, I'll break out my mad fighting skills.” I punched my pillow and it barely made an indent.

We both started laughing. “You? Fighting skills? That'll be the day.” Alissa kissed my cheek and we both crawled into bed.

“Goodnight, love you,” I said in the middle of a yawn.

“Love you, too. Don’t drool on the pillow when you dream about Dillon,” she joked while making kissing noises.

“Shut up.” We both giggled.

Sleep came easy. I really was getting old.

~
*~

I never got to talk to Dillon because he had to go back a day early. I tried to convince myself that it was better that way because I didn't need any distractions while I was getting ready for the first day of school. Not having Matt there anymore was nice on one hand because I would get more Alissa time but he had come in handy when it came down to warding off people looking to do verbal harm.

Only one more semester, Kat. One more semester.

Alissa always dragged me along for school shopping with her and her mom. It was fun because the two of them looked more like sisters than mother and daughter. They tended to act that way, too. It took hours for them to shop. I, however, tended to shop in one store for my entire wardrobe. I did occasionally change up where I bought my underwear but only because I followed the sales. Alissa liked brand names and even if we had been the same size, I would stick with comfort over style.

Only one more semester, Kat. One more semester.