“Mariah made every single year of high school miserable for me. So yeah, I think I have a pretty good reason for hating her. Mariah and I used to be best friends from practically the time that we were born. Our moms were best friends and had us within months of each other. Then it all started to change when we hit high school. Suddenly, guys were paying attention to her, and we started to hang out less.
“Then one guy in particular that she was dating started flirting with me when I was around. When she found his lips on mine, which, let me just point out, I wanted no part of and was totally trying to get him off of me, she went postal. Of course, he told her I attacked him and she believed him. She spread rumors all over school that I had forced myself on him and that it wasn’t the first time because I just wanted what she had. Every one believed poor Mariah since she was always the more popular one, and I sort of stayed behind her shadow.
“The rumors have grown over the years, apparently I’ve slept with almost all of Allen County, and I’m STD infested. I also have three secret babies at home that I keep hidden from the public eye; it’s a tough life. So basically no one talked to me during high school. It’s changed a bit since coming here, even though a lot of people from my school came here.”
“That must have been tough,” I reached out to pat her hand, wishing I could take away the pain that flashed through her eyes. I had never been on the receiving end of rumors like that; I guess that’s one thing I could thank my mother for. But I did know how it felt to not have any friends, even though it seemed like I had an endless amount back home. “What’s your problem with Nash though? Did he tease you at school or something?”
“No,” she gave a shake of her auburn waves. “Actually, Nash was a year ahead of us, but he had always been nice towards me when no one else was. When he started dating Mariah right before he graduated, it sort of felt like a betrayal, even though we were never really friends.”
“But now you have us,” Callie piped in. “And none of that high school drama matters now. I, on the other hand, think Nash is a sweet guy. He’s always so nice to everyone and such a gentleman about everything. I really have no clue how him and Mariah have been together so long, they are like complete opposites.”
It was good to know Nash hadn’t changed much, even if his girlfriend wasn’t the greatest. Now that I was back, it would be nice to rekindle our friendship, which he seemed to want too, but I guess we would have to see how that all played at once we actually met.
*********
“Yes, Grams, the first day of school went great. I think I should do pretty well in my classes as long as I stay focused.” I cradled my phone on my shoulder as I flipped through my closet looking for something to wear for my first night out with my roommates.
“So what’s on the agenda tonight, Della?”
“Oh, not much,” I replied as my hands landed on an off the shoulder black dress that still had the tags on it. I actually sort of regretted pulling them off. I could really use that extra money right now, but I guess that was the price I had to pay for looking good. “Probably just hanging around my room, getting some studying done, and getting ready for classes tomorrow.” I winced when I caught my reflection in the mirror as I lied to my Grams.
It wasn’t like I was going out tonight to get crazy, but I deserved to have a little fun every once in awhile as long as I controlled myself and didn’t get into too much trouble. What Grams didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her as long as I kept up with school.
“Well, that sounds great, Della. Very mature of you, I’ll make sure to let your Grandpa know how responsible you’re being. Are you still planning on coming over for dinner later this week?”
“Of course, Grams.” I turned to my doorway to find Callie standing there with an armful of pink, and I held a finger up to her. “Listen, I have to get started on all of my studying. I’ll talk to you later on, love you.”
“Love you too, Della.”
I tossed my phone on the bed and eyed Callie as she unloaded her pile onto the lounge chair I had tucked in the corner. “I feel a little guilty lying to Grams even if I’m old enough to be doing whatever I want.”
“Oh, please, Della. You really didn’t lie perse. We’re going to be studying tonight, your Grams just doesn’t need to know that it will be the male species that we’re studying.”
“Very true,” I replied with a laugh as I threw my dress on the bed.
“What’s the deal with that anyway? Did you really do something so horrible that now your every move needs to be monitored? I mean, not to sound harsh, but you could always just cut off all contact with your family and do your own thing.”