Keegan Likes You

Morning came and I was so excited to get my hair done at Elsa Mae’s Beauty Salon with Casey. We were going to be so stunning today. I ended up with my aqua dress after all. The front had interchanging patterns of sheer and sequins. I looked like a mermaid in it and I couldn’t wait to wear it. My mom had undershorts made for me that matched perfectly. It was a dream. Baylen wanted to stop by the hospital to see Keegan before we all headed to the Ernest Memorial Convention center for Homecoming. He hadn’t missed a school dance with his best friend in the last two years and he didn’t plan on starting now. Jeff was incredibly supportive about us meeting them at the restaurant and then riding in the limo to the dance. He was just such a sweetheart like that. I smiled thinking about how handsome he would look. He had such a beautiful head of hair and he was already so amazing to me on a regular day. I can’t even imagine what it would look like on a special day like today.

I peeked in the refrigerator to make sure Jeff’s boutineer was still in the same spot I had left it. Sometimes Baylen can be so incredibly disoriented when he is hungry and he will shove things all over the place to get a snack. It was there. The beautiful, single white rose with aqua tips and matching ribbon. The pin was black and the box was gorgeous. My mom did such an amazing job with the attention to detail. She runs an Etsy shop and sells all of her beautiful crafts when she isn’t taking pictures. My mom has always had such an artistic eye. She is truly so talented. I wish she would start dating, but she said there is no one that interests her. Something that broke my heart was when she said that she had only ever truly been in love once in her life. My dad however has moved on and is dating someone new. She doesn’t act like it bothers her, but surely it must.

Casey’s mom honked the horn. Shoot! I almost forgot in the midst of my daydreams that we were going to get our hair done. I grabbed my purse and slipped on my slides. My mom beckoned my attention before I left however.

“Brees, I wanted to talk to you briefly before you leave,” she said.

I nodded and curiosity took over. Was I in trouble? Did something happen with Keegan? My mind started going to places that it shouldn’t.

“I heard what that nurse said about Keegan asking for you when he woke up and I wanted to check your mental state today and see what you were feeling,” she continued.

“Oh, I didn’t think much of it. I asked Keegan about it and he said he doesn’t recall that and that he must have been asking for everyone,” I said looking away.

Talking about this made my heart ache. I know somewhere in his heart he felt something for me, but the mystery was too painful to think about.

“Now Brees, I’m not stupid. I have seen how he has been with you this year. He definitely has some feelings there that he needs to sort out. The way he cared for you after your mishap and how he looks at you my girl. Those aren’t friendship eyes he is giving,” she observed.

“Mom does any of that really matter if he has a girlfriend? I’m enjoying my time with Jeff and I have left my heart closed off to anyone but Keegan for years and I’m not doing it any longer. I have to move on for myself and honestly for Jada too. I see her pain when she looks at me and I don’t want to be the cause of it,” I said, picking up my things.

“Understood babe. I just want you to be happy and I know Keegan does that for you. But if this is what you want. I won’t meddle any further. Please have fun today and be safe,” she said, cupping my face with her hand.

I hugged her tightly and then headed outside to meet with Casey and her mom. We rode in her mom’s Porsche. I loved when she brought out her “toys”, as she called them.