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not here, and if there’s a chance for us before I can
move forward with Summer. I hear someone yell, “GC,” and I’m
brought back to the present. Focus, GC.
You’ve got a game to play. I shake all of the girls
from my thoughts and listen for the announcer to welcome us to the
court. As my name and number are announced, I forget about
everything but this game right now, and it’s time to bring
it.
    As soon as the game is over, I’m met by Summer who’s
super excited about our win. I talk briefly with her and look as I
see the girls leaving.
    “ GC! Where are you going?” she asks before
looking in the direction I’m going. “Should have figured,” she says
with more attitude than I like.
    Turning to face her, I walk up to her and look her
in the eyes. “I know you don’t understand, but I’ve got to have an
answer. I need to know what’s going on before I can be ready for us
to move forward. Just let me do this,” I say as I place my hand on
her cheek. A smile escapes as she nods, and I hustle across the gym
to them.
    Carleigh is leading the way down the bleachers and
when our eyes meet, it’s obvious she’s trying to figure out the
fastest route of escape.
    “ Carleigh! Tinleigh!” I shout. They look but
keep walking. “Where is she?” I shout from behind them. I just put
it out there without caring who is looking. They stop and look at
each other. It’s obvious they’re arguing about what to do. Why? Then Tinleigh turns and walks
directly toward me with Carleigh quick on her heels. They look more
grown up and their hair is darker. It makes me wonder if Marleigh’s
looks the same. My thoughts come to a halt when Tinleigh
speaks.
    “ Whatcha need, GC?” she says
shortly.
    “ I just want to know why you guys are here and
she’s not. Is she okay?”
    “ Things changed this summer and she’s got new
responsibilities in Gaffney now. She’s moved on, and you should,
too.” Damn, that stings. I
stand there without words. I glance over my shoulder to see Summer
watching. “Oh, it looks like you already have,” she says
bitterly.
    “ Summer has been fun to hang out with but I
still can’t get Marleigh out my head. There’s not a day that I
don’t think about her and wish we were still a part of each others
lives. I needed to know if she was okay and if I had a chance to be
with her again but it sounds like I don’t. Summer doesn’t even
compare to Marleigh but if she’s moved on then I guess I have to
too. I hope she’s happy, and you guys don’t have to run each time
you see me.” The way Tinleigh looks at me strangely, I don’t know
what I’ve done but I wasn’t the one to call it quits. “Tinleigh,
you don’t have to be this way. If you remember correctly, your
sister broke my heart, not the other way around.”
    As I turn to walk away, Carleigh speaks. “Hey,
GC. Just so you know. She did love you. Sometimes things happen in
our lives that we can’t control, and this isn’t in her plans right now.”
    “ Thanks, Carleigh.” I smile knowing she did
love me. They’ve given me closure so I can move forward… with
Summer.
    As I walk back toward Summer, I can see her
eagerness to get an answer. She walks toward me and I smile through
my hurting heart. It’s time to move on and that’s exactly what I’m
doing. I take my arm and wrap it over her shoulder as we leave the
gym.

Chapter 9
    August 2014
    MARLEIGH
    I’ve spent the past three years trying my best to
forget one week of my life. At the time, I thought meeting GC was
the best thing that could ever happen to me, but I soon realized it
was the total opposite. My life has changed, and honestly, I
wouldn’t trade it for the world, but I’ve missed out on the things
girls my age do on a day to day basis.
    I’ve worked hard for what I have and what I want to
accomplish in life. While my sisters have been living our dream at
Coastal Carolina University, I’ve stayed in Gaffney and attended
Spartanburg Community College.