Opening Up

Chapter 5

"Yes, just make sure your brother doesn't see it first!" I said, looking at her from where I was standing in my closet. "Have you told your brother you like someone?"

"Yeah, right, telling him I like a guy, I'm sure he and Dad will react the same way. They will hate the idea, I mean..." She stops talking momentarily, looks down at her phone, and rolls her eyes. "Dean wants us outside so he can see you before we leave for school."

"Okay." I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I look out my window, which faces his window across the street, and he is looking at me. I smile and feel happy with how things are going for the first time in a long time. "I guess this is as ready as I'm going to be to meet one of Danny's exes. I hate this. I wish this was over, and I could move on with my life."

"I know, but think not much longer now, and you will be able to. There are only two more weeks until court."

As we made our way to the stairs, I heard my mom and dad talking in the living room; they weren't sure what would be best for me, but I had been doing better over the last few weeks. The only times I had any issues were days when I had to talk about Danny. With court just weeks away, it isn't easy to not think about him. I hate this feeling of my life being centered on him again, but I know that this needs to happen for me to move past this and for him to be out of my life for good.

There was a knock at the door. My dad stood up from the couch he was sitting on and walked over. Watching as he carefully opened the door, I held my breath. I didn't know the person, which always made it much harder. I watched as my father greeted the person and then walked him back to his office.

"Mom, I'm going to talk with Dean, and then we are good to take off." I smile.

"Okay," she smiles. I will finish getting ready, and then we can go." She gets up from the chair and walks to their bedroom.

Once we open the door, Dean sits on the swing like he does every morning. I smile. He stood up once he saw me and smiled. His shaggy blond hair was curlier today.

I'm unsure what was happening, but he was dressier than I had seen him in months. He's wearing a dark blue shirt that makes his eyes stand out even more. It was cold outside as we were getting closer to October.

"You are beautiful, darling," Dean said as he approached me. "I wanted to tell you how proud I am. You are standing up to him, and he will never do this again."

"I know he won't, but it doesn't mean I want to be reminded of it every time I see you. I love you, but stop bringing him up."

"Sorry, I just..." he pauses, and my heart races. "I just worry about you and want you to be happy with your actions." He hasn't hugged me or kissed me. He just stands there talking like we are just friends. "I have a question, though..." he takes a deep breath, and I hold mine. He pulls something out of his pocket, a little black box no bigger than the palm of my hand. He gets down on a knee and looks up at me, smiling. Vicky has pulled her phone out and is recording, "Will you go to homecoming with me?"

With tears in my eyes, I couldn't believe he was asking me to homecoming. I hadn't even been thinking about it that much lately. I nodded yes; I couldn't speak. I had yet to look at what was in the box. He pulled it out as tears fell from his eyes. It was a gold chain with a small light purple stone on it. As he was putting it on me, I couldn't help but notice how he was shaking.

"I love it," I whisper.

"I'm glad. I stressed that you'd hate it. Now, can I have a hug?" I smiled and couldn't help but giggle. "Good, because I'm taking one," he laughs, his blue eyes full of genuine joy for the first time in weeks. "I've been having a hard time finding something that would work for you."

"Dean, it's beautiful. I can't believe you bought this for me." I couldn't. It had to cost more than he had saved up.

"I had to," he smiles, still hugging me.

I was lucky to have him back in my life. I never wanted this moment or our relationship to end, but we are in high school, and nothing lasts forever. He pulled back from me, "Now I have to get going to school. I don't want to be late."

He smiles, kisses me quickly, and walks away immediately. I stand there lost; I run my finger over the stone more times than I can count. I know I am lucky to have him, and he will make sure I am happy no matter what happens, and that's the best part of our relationship.

While driving down the highway, we didn't talk about much; I was looking out the window for most of the ride. This isn't something that is going to be easy. This would be the first time I get to meet the other woman, the woman Danny had a fling with while hurting me. I don't know how I feel about any of it, but I know that this will be something that I need to do. I need to make sure he didn't harm someone else again.

I have to break the quietness that fills the car. "Mom, what would you think of me graduating early?"

"I think that'd be okay. Are you thinking of being done after this December?"

"Yes, if you'll sign off on that." I smile, looking out my window at the changing colors and falling leaves.

"We will sign off on it. You are already taking classes, and most don't consider taking them until college. I am so proud of you." She smiles and looks over at me next to her. I spent the last two years of high school piling up on the classes so I could graduate early if I wanted to, and that's what I'm going to do finally, be done with high school and start over.