It was 10 minutes before Taylor was due to arrive. I checked my apperance in the mirror and ran a brush through my hair once more. I looked at my watch for the hundredth time and left my room. I walked around the house a few times, straightening up different places when the doorbell rang. My heart skipped a beat as I made my way to the door.
"This is going to be the best night of your life girl, don't blow it!" I told myself as I reached the door. A smile from ear to ear, I opend the door. "Hi! wow, your early.. well, thats worth a gold star!" I said, laughing. As I watched Taylors face, my smile quickly faded. "Wha... whats wrong?" I asked him.
"Why didn't you tell me Jaida?"
"Tell.... tell you what?"
"You know what I'm talking about." Taylor said, his voice cold. My heart started to pound and I pushed my hair back behind my ears nervously. He knew.
"No, I don't believe I do Taylor..."
"Well, let me refresh your memory. Two years ago you were convicted of drink driving without a licence. Your boyfriend was killed when you lost control of the car and wrapped it around a tree." He told me. Tears welled up in my eyes.
"How did you find out?" I whispered.
"So it's true? Victoria... why? I thought... I thought I knew you." He said, his face softening but his voice remaining cold.
"Taylor, it was an accident I- what did you call me?" I asked him.
"Victoria.. it is your name isn't it?" He asked me.
"Why are you doing this to me? who told you?"
"Why did you keep something like this from me? Your still on probation for Christ's sake!" Taylor yelled at me. I couldn't help it, tears spilled down my cheeks. I watched Taylor's face, but he showed no sign that he cared. I knew everything was gone, lost. The reputation I had worked so hard to have was now trash. I knew who had told him, and he was going to pay.
"Taylor, it's in the past.. you didn't need to know! I .. I would have told you but-"
"But what? you knew what would happen if you told me! You just let me believe that you were some innocent little girl who was just looking for her big break.. and now I know the truth. You're a killer. It was you who killed Lucas." Taylor said, his eyes turning to stone.
"You... I mean.... but.. what?" I stammered. Taylor said nothing. His face showed nothing but hatred for me.
"I haven't told anyone in my family. My parents love you like a daughter. It would kill them to know you did this. I didn't believe it myself at first but then I found this." He said, then reaching into his pocket, he produced a folded up piece of newspaper. He gave it to me and I unfolded it. In big bold black letters read
VICTORIA ANTERS : GUILTY!
16 year old Victoria Anters was convicted today of drink driving without a licence, and of the manslaughter of Lucas Hanson. Judge White took pity on the girl, seeing her remorse, he sentanced Victoria to 8 years prison, on probation. She also has to complete 250 hours of community service.
The article went on to explain a lot of the details of the trial. I looked up at Taylor. It suddenly hit me, Lucas Hanson! He was Taylors cousin.
"Ohmy...Taylor I... I didn't know" I whispered, overcome with grief. My legs felt week and I thought I was going to pass out.
"Yeah, well ... now you do. He was my best friend and my cousin. We were going to go to college together and ... but now I can't do that.. becasue of one studpid mistake on your part"
"Thats exactly what it was! a mistake! I loved him! He was my first love and until you, my only love.."
"You lied to me. About your past... your future... who you are. I.. I don't even know you anymore Jaida. I can't... my family can never forgive you for this ... I don't want anything to do with you again. Do you understand me? Jaida??" I didn't hear him. I didn't want to hear him.
"Taylor, no, please.. listen to me! I love you and I love Lucas... I have to live with what I did every day of my life.. until you, I didn't think I could go on.. please, don't do this to me!" I cried, my voice shaking, tears falling like they would never stop. I knew it was to late. He hated me. His whole family hated me and there was nothing I could do about it. Without a word, Taylor turned and walked away. Out of my life, and I let him. I stood there and let him. When he was out of sight, I collapsed in the doorway and started to sob uncontrollably.
