My Hometown Love

Chapter 6 - Who is Kevin Walker?

Kevin Walker. 

The painful life-changing memory that I buried deep within me. It’s been 6 years since I last saw him. At my Graduation Dance. The night I wished never happened. 

Let’s have a little flashback, shall we? 

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It was June of 2013. I had just graduated High School that week and the school decided to throw a graduation dance for the graduates. There I was completely ecstatic that I finally graduated and that I am one step closer to my dreams. I had applied to study literary & journalism degree in Seattle, which I wanted to use to get a job at one of the many successful magazines in New York City. My whole family knew of this and they were so encouraging. 

So, I threw on a beautiful blue shimmer dress that fell perfectly just on top of my knees and that complemented my eyes. I wore the classy black heels that my Mom had bought for my graduation, and I was ready for a night of excitement and freedom before the next chapter of my life. 

I was getting a glass of punch with my best friend, Priya when I laid eyes on him as he walked into the hall wearing a sharp black suit with my brother by his side. Curious to know what they were both doing at an event that they weren’t invited to, I approached them across the hall. 

“What are you doing here, Jakey?”, I asked abruptly clearly portraying that I wasn’t quite happy with his presence.

“Coach asked us to help chaperone the dance since there was a lack of teachers available tonight. Plus, it gives me time to hang with my buddy here who I haven’t seen since our graduation.”, Jake replied as he put his arm around Kevin.

“Oh, I see. Can’t argue with that. “, I replied defeated as I tried to not make eye contact with Kevin.

“You look nice tonight, Lexie.”, Kevin said to me, eyeing me from top to bottom while giving me a small smile that always showed his dimples. 

“Dude! That’s my sister.”, Jake replied snapping at him as he lightly elbowed Kevin’s side. 

Rolling my eyes, I smiled back politely and turned around to head back to the party. As soon as my back turned, I was grinning so hard till my mouth hurt. Priya, seeing me with my goofy grin eyed me suspiciously knowing all too well why I was doing so. 

***********

If it isn’t obvious enough, I have a major crush on Kevin Walker who happens to be my brother’s football teammate. However, I am too shy to ever walk up to him and tell him that, so I always treasure these small moments that make me blush. My brother, on the other hand, didn’t approve of Kevin’s attention on me. You see Mr. Walker here had a reputation around the school as the school playboy. There was always a girl saying that they went on a date with Romeo. 

Once he graduated from school, I heard he got a job at the pet store while waiting for college. I bumped into him one day and he was super sweet and even flirty maybe. Honestly, it felt like a dream come through to have my crush kind of reciprocated. And yes, I knew his history but there was something about him that felt like he has changed. So, when I felt like he was dropping hints that there were some feelings present I decided to take a leap and ask him the next time I saw him. 

The next time happened to be tonight. I was planning a little strategy of how I was going to approach him when I saw my brother and Kevin in a corner talking something that seemed serious. Jake looked like he was done with the conversation and walked away after tapping Kevin’s back. Just as I was about to go see what just happened, the principal called us to crowd in front of the stage for his speech. 

*********

After a long speech and a lot of punch later, the dance floor was open. I looked around for Jake since I wanted to give him the honor of the first dance. He was nowhere to be found. But across the hall was Kevin, busy texting on his phone. Taking it as a sign, I approached him slowly as the disco ball lights came on. 

“Ahem!”, I cleared my throat to gain his attention. 

When he didn’t respond, I moved closer with the hope he will notice me. 

“Hey Kevin, I was wondering if you’d wanna dance?”, I asked with bravery that came from God knows where. 

All he did was stare at his phone, eyebrows furrowed, tapping vigorously. 

“Erm, Kevin... Can we talk?”, I asked this time with my confidence fleeting away slowly. 

“What is it you want?!”, Kevin screamed back at me gaining the attention of the hall as the previous song had just ended.

“I... just...wanted to know... if you wanted...to dance?”, I asked fearfully, trying my best to control my tears as I was a very sensitive girl back then with no experience with confrontation. 

“No! I don’t want to dance with you. I don’t like you. Why can’t you take a hint and stop being so clingy?!”, he said breaking my heart into a million pieces before walking out of the hall as he picked up a call. 

I felt my heart stop as I stared at him walking away. I felt my tears stream down my face as I heard whispers behind my back. I turned around slowly to see my batch mates whispering with each other, staring judgingly, and probably creating rumors of what just happened. I felt so embarrassed on top of the heartbreak I was facing.

I wanted to run away from all this as far as I could but my legs wouldn’t move. My brain and heart ached as I tried to process what just happened. I felt an arm around my shoulder guiding me to the hall exit. I turn to see Priya guiding me out gently. God bless you Priya, I thought to myself. 

********

Now that I was alone in my classroom, I was on the verge of breaking down. Priya insisted she stay with me till my brother comes but I assuredly told her to go enjoy herself. I closed my eyes and all I could think was of what just happened. All my thoughts of how he has changed and that seemed like a nice guy all got thrown out the window. I was angry at myself for having a crush on him, for believing him, and for approaching him. 

I can’t believe this is going to be the last memory of me in this school. Not as class valedictorian but as the clingy needy girl that got screamed at as she threw herself on the school hottie. 

I squeezed my eyes harder in the hope that the harder I squeezed the faster the memory of tonight will disappear from my heart and brain but instead all I feel are the tears streaming down my face. I suddenly thought about Jake and my family. I didn’t want them to know about this especially Jake because I know he will want to do something about it and I didn’t want to complicate things further. All I wanted was to distance myself from Kevin, tonight’s memories, and all this baggage. 

I quickly texted Priya that I was going home and called my brother to let him know I was going home. He was skeptical at first as to why I was going home so early, but I was so glad when he didn’t ask too many questions. Luckily, Jake was actually walking around the school ground with Maria at the time my little fiasco happened, so he didn’t know about it. 

My Mom picked me up and soon I was in bed staring at my galaxy poster as I silently cried myself to sleep. The next day, Priya came over and I told her everything that happened. She comforted me and tried badmouthing Kevin in an effort to make me feel better. But seeing the sweet innocent girl that she was, trying so hard to badmouth him made me laugh. It was times like this when I always felt what did I do to deserve such great friends. 

**********

Two weeks later, I got my admission letter and I was on my way to Seattle and later to New York for work. I haven’t been home for more than a week ever since and when I did, I rarely stepped out of the house. I never saw or heard of Mr. Kevin Walker ever since nor did I want to. I had pushed the memories of him and that day so deep in, burying it even. However, I still feel it affecting me subconsciously, as I put up a wall every time I meet someone new to not get myself hurt again. As a result, I haven’t had a serious long relationship until this day. 

And now, out of the blue, there he stood in front of me, as my brother’s best man.