My Hometown Love

Chapter 19 – The Other Side

Kevin’s P.O.V.

“Well, it was six years ago, the night of your graduation dance and I had just been asked by Coach to help chaperone your dance. I was very reluctant to go since I’ve been having a lot of problems at home lately, especially with my Mom and Dad.”, I said as I took a deep breath and let my mind take me back to that fateful day.

I opened my eyes as breathed out, trying to compose myself.

“I had this weird feeling insisting that I stay home, but since Coach asked me, I didn’t want to turn him down, especially after everything he has done for me.”

“You see, it was Coach that sat me down one day and had a heart-to-heart talk with me. He told me that he saw a lot of potential in me and that I shouldn’t be wasting it. He even helped put in a good word for me and got me a job at the local pet shop. You saw me there, remember?”, I said as I turn to look at Lexie, who nodded lightly.

“Well, because of all that, I didn’t want to let him down. So, Jake and I got ready and drove to school. I still remember how you walked up to us as we entered the hall. You were wearing this blue dress and black heels, that you were finding it difficult to walk in. You seemed quite annoyed that Jake had to chaperone your graduation dance.”, I explained in detail.

“Wait, you can still remember what I was wearing that night?”, Lexie said abruptly as she suddenly sat upright, waiting for me to answer.

I looked away quickly, regretting that I mentioned that as I tried to find a way to change the topic.

“Yeah of course. That whole day is burned into my memory. Anyway, moving on, let’s see, what happened next?”, I said as I tried to put myself back into that day.

“Ah yes. I was talking to your brother in the corner of the hall and he told me to-”, I started saying before realizing that I almost blurted out something I wasn’t supposed to again.

“Oh wait. No No. What happened was Jake told me that Maria was here and he was going to go take a walk with her around the school. So, I let him go and leaned back against the wall in the front of the hall, watching a bunch of seniors dance away.”, I said, hoping Lexie didn’t catch my sudden change of topic.

Lexie just sat there, eating strawberries as she listened to me narrate the events of that night. Thankful she didn’t investigate further, I prepared myself to narrate the part of the story that changed our lives.

“Just as the principal was ending his speech, I got a text from my sister.”, I started saying.

“She said that my Dad had just come home drunk, as usual, and was yelling at my Mom and sister. She told me that my Mom had asked her to run and hide in the bathroom.”, I said painfully.

“I was furious! I knew I couldn’t call them, since my Dad will know where she was hiding. So, I kept texting her, asking her to keep me updated on the situation. I was so conflicted if I should stay or go. But since Jake was not around as well, I knew I had to stay back and chaperone.”, I continued as Lexie listened to me silently.

“My whole focus went into my phone as the dance faded away around me. So much so, that I didn’t even realize that you were approaching me.”, I said as I watched Lexie tense up.

“It was then my sister suddenly texted that she had peeked out of the bathroom and that she saw my Dad hit my Mom. That was it. I was boiling mad and extremely infuriated. I was busy texting my sister to get back into the bathroom and hide while I get the neighbors to come and help out.”, I explained as my fist balled up in anger.

“But then, she sent a half-scrambled message that my Dad had tried to push my Mom down the stairs and that she had escaped to save her before he could do it. He hit them both but they managed to run to the pantry and lock themselves in.”, I said hesitantly.

“It was when I received this message, that you asked me if we could talk. My mind and heart were blinded with rage that I didn’t even know what I was saying. I screamed at you and humiliated you in front of your peers in that anger and frustration.”, I explained as I looked at her guiltily.

“But believe me, Lexie, I didn’t mean a word. I was looking forward to spending time with you at the dance and getting to know you better. Especially since our conversation at the pet store. I appreciated how you always saw me for me and not my past mistakes. You made me believe that I can change and become a better person. And I wanted to, for you.”, I said emotionally as I painstakingly tried to hold back the tears that were stinging my eyes.

But I succumbed to my tears when I felt a soft hand cover my hand comfortingly. I looked up to see Lexie, with tears streaming down her face and sniffling as she held my hand.

As soon as I saw her crying, I had this inclination in me that made me stop worrying about my tears and start desperately trying to stop her from crying or being sad. It was the same feeling I had when I wanted to protect her from falling in the church or from Liliana.

“No No No. Please don’t cry. It was all my fault.”, I said nervously as I moved myself to sit right in front of her and hold her hand.

“I had no idea that was what happened.”, Lexie said as she bit her lip, trying to swallow her sobs.

“It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault. I should have taken it out on you like that. I’m really sorry Lex.”, I replied as I tapped the hand comfortingly.

“Well, then what happened? Did your Mom and sister get out okay?”, Lexie asked suddenly, clearly worried about what happened next.

I took another deep breath as I started narrating the last part of my story.

“Well, I rushed out of the hall and quickly told your brother I had a family emergency. I drove back home as fast as I could. I came home to find my Dad missing, along with the kitchen petty cash jar. I knew he had gone out to buy more liquor and that he will back again for Round 2. So, I got them out of the pantry and helped them pack up our stuff. We left town that very night to my aunt’s house in San Francisco.”, I said as I closed my eyes, recalling back everything that happened that night.

“We returned two weeks later, found the house nearly empty with all of my Dad’s things gone. My mom filed for divorce and he agreed. We never heard from him again. During those two weeks, I felt so guilty and upset as I finally began to remember what I did to you. I wanted to call, but I was a coward. I kept telling myself that I would apologize to you when I see you face-to-face.”, I said as I reluctantly looked at Lexie guiltily.

“As soon as we returned, I came by your house but your brother told me that you had already left for Seattle and how you were so upset ever since the dance and moving to Seattle to study made you so cheerful and enthusiastic I was bummed that I didn’t get a chance to say that I was sorry and to say goodbye, but I was so happy that you were so excited that I didn’t want to upset you again by calling you to apologize.”, I explained slowly, gauging Lexie’s response to every word I said.

“So, I cowardly told myself that I would do it the next time I saw you in person which happened to be 2 weeks ago. Thanks to your brother, I kind of kept track of you and your life, which is how I knew you were in town a few times before that, but I kind of felt that you didn’t want to see me; besides, I was busy with med school So, then, here we are.”, I said as I let go of a deep breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

I took a sip of my orange juice and turn to look back at Lexie, bracing myself for what she was going to say.

“Wow. Kevin, I had no idea. I am such a jerk! I’m so sorry.”, Lexie said as she frustratingly pulled out the grass from the field below us.

“Well, I’m glad that is behind us now. So, we cool?”, I say as extend my glass to her.

“Yeah, we cool”, Lexie replied as she clinked her glass against mine with a huge smile on her face.

*************

Lexie’s P.O.V

I had just heard Kevin tell his side of the story about the events of that night. As I watched his face change from worried, scared, serious, angry to relieved, I felt the gate holding back all the feelings I had for him that I buried deep down, breakaway, filling me with the warmth of affection.

I felt my shoulders lighten as I finally bid farewell to the ghosts of my past. I found myself giving in to my original feelings for him.

With all this emotion I was feeling, I was curious if he was ever going to ask me out formally. I knew it was time and it has been a long time coming.

But most importantly, in this very moment, all I wanted to do is run into his arms and hug him as I rest my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

I shook my head, thinking what a silly idea that was, or was it?