Page 54 of The Comeback Pact
Standing, I peel off West’s jersey and lay it on my comforter.Brooksruns from shoulder to shoulder. I haven’t paid that much attention, but I don’t think I’ve seen anyone else wearing his jersey before.
I change into a respectable outfit, just a plain shirt and jeans, and then run a brush through my hair. Peering at myself in the mirror, my eyes snap over to my scar, but I don’t feel the self-loathing I used to. It’s just a part of me now. It kind of looks a little smaller, actually. I twist my head from side t0 side, then I put a bit of powder across my face and call it done.
When I step back, my phonepings,and I pull it out while I shout for Sydney, before remembering that she went to see her parents when we got back. Guilt trip from her mother.
NoOne: I had a shit day.
I tilt my head. NoOne hasn’t contacted me in a while. I search back up our message thread and see that the last time we talked, he called me a badass for my scar. My mind has only been on West since.
McKennaK: I’m sorry. Want to talk about it?
I finish the message and then grab my card and ID and shove them in my back pocket. My dive jacket goes on last, and I leave the front open as I lock up the house and head down the sidewalk.
NoOne: It’s my dad. We don’t get along, and he just embarrassed the shit out of me.
McKennaK: He came to campus? That sucks. Are you okay?
I alternate between typing out the message and watching where I’m going. NoOne was there for me when no one else could penetrate my walls. I don’t know who he is, and I might be obsessed with West Brooks right now, but NoOne’s my friend.
NoOne: Not exactly.
I’m not sure which question he’s answering.
McKennaK: What did he do?
NoOne: Belittled me. He makes me feel small. You ever wonder if your parents really wanted you?
I stop in my tracks, staring down at the screen. I’ve never felt that way. My parents are more the hover type. Annoying, kind of, but I guess the opposite of that isn’t great either.
McKennaK: That’s terrible. I’m so sorry.
I huff out a breath and stare up at the darkening sky. The first few stars are out and the sight of them always reminds me of camping with my parents. Of feeling like I’m a small piece in the grand scheme of things. But what if stars look at us and thinkwow. They’re so tiny, yet bright.
Sure, some of us sparkle more than others. Some shine with megawatt smiles in front of adoring fans, but NoOne, he was my bright spot for a while. He doesn’t deserve to be feeling this way.
McKennaK: That’s fucked up, actually, and any parent who doesn’t want their kids is shitty. End of story. I don’t know you very well, but I know you deserve better than that.
NoOne: Kenna…
I stare down at my screen, my feet still firmly rooted to the sidewalk. That’s the first time NoOne has used my real name.
NoOne: Turn around.
My breath hitches in my chest, and I feel like I’m going to puke as I slowly turn.
Shit. Holy shit.
“West?”
He walks toward me, his university football jacket hugging his wide shoulders. I watch him as he pockets his phone, determined footsteps moving my way. The entire time, he keeps his gaze locked on mine.
“Don’t be mad,” he says.
“You’re—” My mouth suddenly feels dry. All the way to the back of my throat is like a scorched desert. “You’reNoOne?”
He nods slowly before stopping in front of me and jamming his hands into his pockets. Like usual, he dwarfs me. His presence is second to none, and I think back to the words he just wrote me. His dad makes him feel small.Impossible.Not West Brooks. Not the fucking golden boy on campus.
Plus, I was at his game. I didn’t see his father.
