Billionairess's Dilemma: Reclaiming His Heart

Chapter 3: Backing Away

Kevin

I say nothing for a few minutes. "Polly, I'm sorry you feel like I'm trying to control you. But if you'd listen to me about Simon..."

She holds her hand up huffing out. "Just stop! He was perfectly nice when I danced with him. Not everyone is trying to take advantage of me. And who were the three you stopped before him?"

I sigh. She's about to get more pissed. "Three other football players. I had a good reason though. They were...."

"I don't want to hear it! Either you realize I'm not stupid and trust me or you can stay away from me, Kevin for the next two weeks."

We're already at her house and I park turning toward her. This did not go at all like I had hoped. "Pol, please listen to me. There's something you need to know."

"Can it wait, Kevin? I'm done tonight. My head is killing me and I want to go change out of this dress into my pajamas." She gives me the most irritated look I've ever seen.

"Yeah it can wait. See you Monday...I guess." I open the door but turn when she calls my name again. She shakes her head.

"Don't. I can get out and walk to the door. Night." She is already out and ready to close the door.

I wait and make sure she gets inside before I drive away. Once I'm a mile away, I grip the steering wheel tight and groan. Epic fail and I may have just lost my best friend.

Polly

I avoided talking to Kevin for the rest of the weekend. Monday morning, Mom drove me to school when I asked her to take me really early. I texted Kevin and told him Mom was taking me to meet someone about a project. He didn't even answer, just sent me a thumbs up emoji. All day long, I catch people whispering about me when I pass them.

Finally, I can't take it anymore and I ask Archer if he's heard anything. He gets this look on his face before he nods slowly. "They are talking about how you can't do anything without your shadow. They're calling you....Kevin Harris's personal property."

I stare at him and then glance around. Sure enough, I see all the little whispers and smiles. "Archer, can you give me a ride home today?"

"I can. You sure your boyfriend isn't going to hit me with a hockey stick?"

"He's not my boyfriend! Our families are good friends for crying out loud! That's it." I exclaim loudly and the whole cafeteria hears me. I get a text from him as we leave the cafeteria.

"I have a hockey team meeting so I can't give you a ride home.“

Well that takes care of that awkward problem. I was dreading telling him that Archer would take me home.

I get home hoping to run upstairs and hide my irritation from my parents. I’m on the bottom stair tread when I hear my parents talking quietly in the living room.

“She’s going to be crushed, Charles. She was looking forward to this trip so much.”

“I know but with this virus causing issues there, it’s really not safe for Kevin to go. And this was a joint trip.” Dad sighs as I want to scream. We aren’t taking our big trip to Australia now?! Because of some virus and Kevin’s health?

“When should we tell her?” Dad says sadly.

“Tomorrow. Coline wants to tell Kevin before dinner tomorrow night.” Right; we were having a big “family” dinner tomorrow night. I hurry up the stairs as I hear them moving. Rushing into my room and closing the door quietly so I could throw my stuff on the bed. I sink down next to it and want to scream. Instead, I pull out my phone and search for this virus.

“New severe respiratory virus that has caused almost fifteen thousand hospitalizations countrywide.”

“Highly contagious among anyone with compromised immune systems.”

“Aggressive pneumonia in heart transplant patients.”

I close my eyes and realize this is serious. But I’ve been dying to go. My cousins, Chase snd Sawyer have been with Tyrese to his aunt’s spread there and it was finally my turn to go. I read the articles noting it says it barely affects people with normal healthy immune systems.

I make it through dinner silently moping. Mom notices and asks but I just answer with tired from school. Dad took me to school early again. I was too upset about the trip to be able to ride with Kevin. When Archer sneaks up on me at lunch I jump about four feet in the air. “Not funny jerk!” I say angrily.

He looks taken aback. “Testy much?”

I instantly feel bad. “Sorry. It’s not your fault. I am just annoyed and angry.”

“Wanna talk about it?”

I sigh and begin laying it out for him. My irritation with Kevin at the prom, the trip being canceled, feeling smothered, the stress of being Kevin's friend due to his kidney transplant. He listens quietly. At the end, he squeezes my hand. “Why do you have to back out? Why don’t they let him skip it and you could still go? You’re not at risk. He is. I mean that would be the fair thing to do. You should get to be selfish sometimes.”

I sit back. He’s right. Why do Mom and I have to skip it? Coline could come over for the gala and then who knows, maybe the virus would be under control. Or are they canceling the whole fashion show? Guess I need to find out about that first.

“Thanks Arch. I think you’ve just solved my problem.” I smile at him. “Umm could you give me a ride home today?”

“Sure.” He smiles back.

It’s cowardly, but if I see Kevin I’ll give in and back out. I send him a text that Mom is picking me up. A little lie, but he gets nuts about Archer giving me rides.

“Sounds good. I need to practice early anyway. I found your missing book by the way under the seat. I'll drop it off on the way home since you have to finish your homework with it."

I tell him thanks before closing the message. It’s weird I’ve barely seen him the past two days.

When I get home, I find Mom and Dad in the living room waiting. “Polly, sweetheart, we need to talk to you.” Dad starts. I set my backpack down feeling remarkably calm. They sit and explain about the virus and remind me of Kevin’s issues due to his transplant. When they finish, they stare at me expectantly.

“Mom are you and Coline canceling the show? Is she coming over by herself if it’s still a problem?” I need to clarify that first.

“She will play it by ear. We were planning to have it and only travel for the three days if it’s bad. If it gets worse we may have to scrap the whole thing entirely.” Mom tells me honestly.

Here goes I think.

“Why can’t you and I go without Kevin, Mom? I mean I’m not at risk like he is. I shouldn’t have to give up the trip I worked all year for because of him.”

Dad eyes me hard. “Polly, you are at risk. You could catch this though it’s only affected immunocompromised people so far.”

“Not true. I saw that it seems to cause a mild sinus infection in healthy people. And this is almost a month away. A lot could change by then. We could not cancel and watch it. Why do I have to change my life for Kevin?” I fold my arms over my chest.

“Polly Diane Barnes! This was a trip he came up with.” Mom begins but I cut her off.

“Yes, but I worked hard doing what you asked of me to earn it. Why am I tied to Kevin? He’s just a family friend. It’s not like he can’t go another time. He should stay home and be safe. I shouldn’t have to change my life every time something could make him sick. Like our group ski trip two years ago that we canceled for him. Or the beach trip when Abbie and Hunter were over there sick and we suddenly all had to stay here. We can’t be miserable just because he might have to stay home sometimes.”

“Polly….do you hear yourself? Kevin is your best friend.” Mom exclaims, eyeing me like I’ve grown an extra head.

“Maybe I’d like to have more friends too. I mean he hovers and won’t let anyone near me. He’s that overprotective big brother I didn’t ask for.” I’m on a roll now voicing all the little frustrations I’ve felt the last year. “Do you know how hard it is to be friends with him Mom? I mean I’ve isolated myself from others after he caught the flu from Isabelle when we started becoming friends.” Guilt haunts me to this day from that. He was in the hospital for a month and weak for another six weeks afterwards.

“Polly, no one asked you to do that. Least of all, Kevin. I want you to think very hard about the things you’re saying. I understand it’s hard to be sixteen and unable to see past your own wants and desires, but you should attempt to put yourself in his shoes.” Dad says quietly. “We won’t say anything about the trip until Coline and your mother talk more. Go get changed for dinner. We leave in thirty minutes.” Dad’s words hit home a little and I think without all the irritation.

“I will Dad. And maybe by the time we leave, it will be under control and he can come with.” I offer. “I don’t really want Kevin to miss it either. He’s as excited as I am. But I think rushing to cancel it now is way too presumptuous. And you always say not to be that way.”

“True. Think it through carefully, Polly.”

I head upstairs feeling a cross between relief and guilt. Archer was right. I shouldn't have to give up my summer trip because of Kevin.

Family dinner is at Granddad's house tonight. He's not my grandfather but he always acted like it. Uncle Henry hugs me. "How did the prom go? Your mom said you got back much earlier than your curfew. Any issues there?" His gaze is intense. Uncle Goose would run to the school and behead anyone if they hurt me.

"It was fine. I just had enough early." I move in and greet all the other families and my cousins both blood and chosen. I notice as we walk toward the table that Kevin isn't here. "Uncle Kyle, is Kevin running late?" I ask. He exchanges a look with Aunt Relly.

"He's not coming tonight. He had something to take care of. I have a book to give you. It's on the kitchen island. Don't forget it."

I nod while taking that in. Kevin never misses dinner with all his grandparents. I pull out my phone to text him as Mom calls out. "Polly phone up.”

“One second Mom please.”

I send Kevin a quick text. “You’re missing out on pot roast Kevin.” With a little laughing emoji. It's his favorite.

He never responds to that which is odd.

I barely see him the next two weeks, but he’s busy getting ready for graduation. His party is at Papa T’s house that night. We’d all cheered loudly as he crossed the stage. I was proud of him. He’d be leaving for Stanford University in the fall. It was going to be weird around here without my friend.

I talked to Mom and Dad last night about the things I said. I told them if they felt we should cancel the trip, I would understand. I’d be upset, but I know they are looking after us. I felt guilty for the way I belittled Kevin. At least the conversation was only between my parents and I.

I found Kevin with his dad and Uncle Ellis near the drink table. Hurrying over, I call his name and wrap my arms around him in a hug. He wraps one arm around my back and squeezes lightly. I pull away surprised but see he’s holding some fancy iced drink in his other hand. “Congratulations Sir Kevin!” I gush out.

“Thanks Polly.” He says quietly before Uncle Goose comes over to grab him. "Time to eat and you get to make your plate first.”

After everyone eats, they corral him into a chair by the present table. He shakes his head fussing. “I said I didn’t want anything.”

“Too bad buddy.” Aunt Relly calls out.

I’d gotten him a leather planner that he could change out the pages and replace them each year. I had it embossed with the phrase “So you never forget.” I also got him a picture. On one side was us as kids dressed as a knight and a princess. He was fighting off a red dragon. The other side showed a transformation with half his knight costume turning into a suit as he held a law book in his hands. It was a pencil drawing and I thought the artist did such a good job.

He stared at it for a long time, smiling almost sadly. “Thank you, Polly. It’s beautiful. You must have ordered it a long time ago.” He sets it down gently. “After opening all those, I want to say thank you everyone. And I have something big to share. I was supposed to go to Australia this summer but instead, Dad is taking me to London and then Canada to see if I might be interested in international law eventually. I’ll be shadowing some of his old friends who live there. We’re going to make a family trip out of it for about a month. Mom will go to Australia for the gala and meet up with us after that.”

I sit back stunned. Mom and Coline exchange glances before talking quietly about the show. I watch Aunt Relly stand up and hug Kevin, whispering in his ear. I try to talk to Kevin, but he’s passed from adult to adult until people slowly begin leaving. Almost everyone is gone when I finally get a chance to talk to him.

“London and Canada huh?”

He shoves his hands in his pockets. “Yeah. Should be fun.”

“You’ll have to tell me all about it when you get back. And I’ll tell you about Australia. When will you be back?”

He looks down, frowning a little. “I won’t be back but maybe a day or two. I’m going white water rafting and hiking with Dylan and Bates right after. Then probably straight to Stanford to start my job there.”

That surprises me. He said before that he wanted to be here as much as possible this summer. “Oh you’ve made a lot of plans. That’s good. We’ll find time to catch up.”

“Yeah I originally told them no, afraid I’d hold them back, but they kept asking. Hopefully it won’t be too miserable of a trip having me along.” He eyes me intently after that and I smile encouragingly.

“It’ll be great. You’ll enjoy that.”

He nods, looking over my shoulder. “Your dad is trying to get your attention. Enjoy Australia. You worked hard for it.”

“It won’t be the same without you.” I say honestly.

He scoffs a little, looking away again. “You’ll never even notice I’m not there.” But then his eyes meet mine and I’ve never seen them so blank and dull. “You gave up a lot to go. Although I guess it wasn’t much in the end. Bye Polly.” He turns away and I make a sound.

“Umm no hug goodbye?”

“Sure.” His arms wrap around me tight briefly before he whispers. “Goodbye Polly.”