Page 10 of Strange Love

As we pull up to the imposing brick building of the high school, my confidence wavers. The parking lot is a chaotic sea of cars and students, all excited to see one another. Cliques have already been cemented, with jocks sporting their letterman’s jackets, pretty girls huddled together like a protective shield, and a group of laid-back students tossing a hacky sack back and forth on the grass. I’m an outsider, not fitting in anywhere among any of them, but I remind myself that none of them can hurt me unless I allow them to.

I take a quick, deep breath and put on a false bravado for my dad, flashing a confident smile before stepping out of the car. As I walk towards the front doors, I offer him a small wave over my shoulder. I have my class schedule and a general idea of where I’m going, but I decided to arrive early just in case. To my dismay, the doors are still locked, and my plan has backfired.

I take a few steps away from the door, obviously anxious, shifting from foot to foot as I try to blend into the bustling atmosphere. My body starts to shake with nerves, and tears threaten with a familiar burning sensation in the corners of my eyes as laughter surrounds me. No, I refuse to cry and ruin another round of fresh mascara.

Instead, I grab a cherry PopTart and pick at its pastry corners, momentarily distracting myself. I can do this. Sure, I have no friends and haven’t sat in a classroom since I was my sister’s age, but I’ve been through more than most people, and I can do this.

I think.

Chapter 6

“You Dropped a Bomb on Me”

Corey - Age 18, 1988

As we gather in the school parking lot on the first day of our last year of high school, Landry’s eyes narrow on a group of girls huddled together, but my attention is drawn to the girl standing alone, her eyes darting from one group to the next. Landry elbows me and gestures towards her.

“Who’s that?” he asks.

Garrison chimes in, his voice oozing with confidence and swagger. “She’s fresh.”

I shrug. “She must be new.”

She surveys the area cautiously, not making eye contact with anyone.

“She seems lonely,” Landry says with a grin. “I should go introduce myself.” We all laugh because he is by far the most shy among us. Maybe he’s trying to start the school year with a bang, but I don’t see it going well.

All of my hockey friends do well with the girls around here, but something tells me this particular girl isn’t going to fall for his blue eyes and charm.

“Sure,” I reply. “Let me know how that works out for you.”

We stand back and observe as he approaches the blonde girl in the pink dress. I can tell by looking at her that she’s nervous. She shifts her weight from side to side and covers her midsection with her arms, almost as if she’s hugging herself. She’s looking down as Landry approaches but glances up and shoves her PopTart in her backpack when he greets her.

“Oh my God,” Tiffany’s voice rings out. I didn’t hear her walk up, but now that she’s here, I’m surrounded by the stench of her Electric Youth perfume, which rolls my stomach. The stupidest mistake I’ve ever made was making out with her once this past summer. She’s been even more annoying ever since.

“Why is Landry talking to that freak?” Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard as she speaks again.

“Who? The blonde with the banging body over there?” Garrison teases. “Are you jealous, Tiff?”

“As if,” she responds, rolling her eyes and jutting her hip. “I’d hardly be jealous of that weirdo.” Tiffany is both a drama queen and a snob, just more reasons to keep her at arm’s length.

She looks normal to me. I glance at her and then back to Tiffany.

“Who is she?” I ask, intrigued.

Her mouth forms an ‘O’ shape as a realization dawns on her, and she punches me in the shoulder.

“That’s right, Corey. You moved here after the kidnapping.”

“What kidnapping?” I ask with genuine curiosity as I step back to put distance between us.

“Ugh,” Tiffany starts. “That’s Ivy Owens,“ she says with emphasis, looking at Taz and Garrison as if they are supposed to know what she’s talking about. She continues with an exacerbated sigh when all she encounters are confused faces.

“I can’t believe you guys don’t remember her. She was kidnapped when we were like thirteen, on the way to school. It wasn’t far from her house.”

“Oh shit,” Garrison exclaims. “I remember that now. Didn’t she save her sister or something?”

“Who knows?” Tiffany sneers and rolls her eyes. “What is she thinking, coming back here?”