A Love Lost & Found (Willow Haven #1)

Prologue

. . .

Becky

Hickory Hills High School

Fernwood, Alabama

I’m already running late and still need to grab the books for my next class when my BFF, Georgie, leans against the locker next to mine.

“Did he ask you to senior prom yet?”

“Not yet.” I shrug. Our senior year is almost over. Somehow, I’ve kept that I’m dating Jason Richard a secret all year. Not because he wanted to keep it quiet. It’s all me. I didn’t want to deal with the mean girls, and there were so many at our high school.

“What are you going to do if he does?” Georgie asked.

She was the only one who knew how much I was into him.

Jason and I were so good together whenever we’re alone.

But that’s the problem. I’d sworn her to secrecy when I started dating him.

Like he was a dirty secret. He wasn’t, but I couldn’t deal with the pressure of dating a boy who was dirt poor, bought his clothes from Goodwill, and got free lunch.

It shouldn’t matter. I didn’t to me, but I was a product of Fernwood and status was everything to my parents.

I despised myself for letting them make me into this—a horrible person.

Why couldn’t I stand up to them? I was almost eighteen.

What could they do to me? Cut me off? So what?

I’d earned my scholarship. I didn’t need their money.

But being on my own, with no family, no friends.

I probably wasn’t strong enough for that.

It’s a conversation I’ve had with myself for months.

It always ended the same way, with me hating myself but still going along with what they wanted.

“I don’t think he will. A suit, the flowers, the ticket. That’s too much money and he wouldn’t let me help him pay for it either.”

“But what if he does?”

“I’ll have to make up an excuse not to go. It’s just prom. Not like it’s a big deal.”

“What the hell, Becky? It’s only the biggest deal of our young lives. The Senior Freaking Prom! Only the most important moment of our senior year. I know you want to go.”

“That’s a bit of an exaggeration. You know that right? Graduating and getting into college is a much bigger deal.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You know exactly what I mean. Plus, I told mom we were going shopping for dresses together this weekend. It’s the only way I could ditch her. Could you imagine the piece of crap she’d pick out? I’d probably look like something that belongs on a wedding cake.”

Oh yeah, her mom would for sure dress her up like a Southern belle, but then so would mine. Sighing, I look at Georgie, seeing the sympathy in her expression, and my stomach churns with guilt and regret.

Jason deserves so much better than me. He should have a girlfriend who didn’t care what anyone else thought. Without parents who’d hurt him and his mother for even thinking he could date their precious daughter. Dammit.

No matter how badly I feel about it, or how much I care about the blond-haired boy with the soft smile and a voice like an angel, I can’t go to prom with him. It would be a catastrophe of epic proportions. Hell, as soon as Jason came to the house with a corsage, Mom would ground me for life.

My parents raised me to be their perfect little angel, always dressed appropriately, a cheerleader, straight A’s, and friends with all the “right” people.

Everything I hated. The only saving grace was Georgie.

She was my partner in crime, more like a sister than a bestie.

But her parents were the same, and we were both held to higher standards, at least until we got the hell out of this town.

We’d been plotting our college escape for years. Except a few months ago, her parents told her she was going to Community College and marrying Peter Brooks, the son of her father’s business partner.

“We’ll still go shopping. I’ll buy a ticket and go without a date.”

“Your mother will be horrified. She’s worse than mine. But then again, they’re making me go with Peter.” Georgie rolled her eyes.

I giggled. “Poor you. At least he’s not a troll. I’m still waiting for my mom to tell me she set something up. I’ve been avoiding her for days, and when no one comes to pick me up, it will be too late.”

“Peter and I will pick you up. She won’t throw a fit in front of him.” Georgie said with a nod.

“Perfect. We have a plan. But I need to go, if I’m late again Mr. Sherman will give me detention for sure.”

“Run, Becks. See you at lunch.”

I slam my locker shut and run down the hall to class.

The final bell rings, and Mr. Sherman starts to pull the door shut as I slide by him into the classroom.

Thankfully, he only raises an eyebrow at me.

I drop into my seat with a sigh of relief and catch the smirk of Michael Mitchell.

He sits next to me. I’m just so lucky—not.

The self-proclaimed school god, he’s the quarterback of the football team, the class president, son of the mayor, and a total asshole. I ignore him whenever I can.

Class drags. History is not my favorite topic, and Mr. Sherman’s droning on almost puts me to sleep. When the torture is finally over, my plan is to stop at my locker, drop my books off, and then meet Georgie at the cafeteria.

It’s a good plan until Michael Asshole Mitchell grabs my arm.

“Hey Becky, I need to talk to you.”

“Well, sorry, but I’d rather not.” Okay, so maybe I’m the perfect daughter until it comes to Michael. He makes me feel dirty anytime he touches me. I’d just as soon spit on him than talk to him.

“Don’t be that way.”

“Sorry. I’m busy.” I pull my arm away from him and head to my locker. It should have been enough to get rid of him, but he’s extra persistent today and follows me down the hall. Why me?

“Can you just stop for a minute?” Michael says as he puts his hand on me again.

Now I need another shower. That’s twice today. Why does he keep doing that? “No, I’m meeting Georgie and the girls for lunch.”

“Your mother told me to talk to you today.”

The words make my throat dry. Dread makes my shoulders stiffen. I have a horrible feeling I know what’s coming.

“My mother can tell me whatever it is when I get home later.”

“Not this. Dammit, will you listen to me.” His grip tightens on my arm, and his expression gets extra smug when I make the mistake of looking at him.

“Fine. What’s so important you have to talk to me right now?” I want to cross my fingers and pray I’m wrong, but I can’t imagine it being anything else.

“Just that I’m taking you to the prom. You need to wear a white or pink dress so we coordinate.”

“What the hell? You’re telling me or asking me?”

“I’m telling you. It’s already been decided. My mother spoke to your mine. They’re both thrilled.”

I mumble under my breath that I’m sure they are.

“What? Did you hear me, Becky? You need to grow up. This was always inevitable. Be thankful I’m allowing you to go away for college before we get married…”

I see red, then white, as my breath comes in short pants. Married? Since when? I’m going to kill my parents.

“You’re the one who needs a come to Jesus meeting with reality. I’m not marrying you. Now stop touching me before I kick you.”

Michael steps back and holds up his hands. His smirk firmly in place. His gaze moves from my face to something behind me, and his grin turns evil. Can this day get any worse?

I turn and see Jason waiting at my locker. His expression is closed off, and my stomach twists.

“Hey dip shit. What are you doing hanging around my girl’s locker. Get lost.”

“Michael, shut the hell up. I’m not your girl.”

“That’s right. She’s mine and she’s not going to prom with you, she’s going with me. Right, Becky,” Jason says as he straightens from where he was leaning against the locker.

Oh shit. I can’t get any words past my lips. I just stand there like a deer in the headlights. My heart is racing, and my skin is clammy, and I might just vomit.

“Becky?” Jason asks more softly this time. His gaze focused on my face.

I look up at him, and tears pool in my eyes. One slides down my cheek even as I try to blink them back.

“Look shithead, you made her cry at the horror of going anywhere with you.” Michael stalks over to Jason and punches him in the stomach.

As I see the pain on Jason’s face, I feel it deep in my soul. There is no coming back from this. I don’t know what to say. If I stick up for Jason, my parents will kill me. They probably have this all arranged with Michael’s parents like he says.

The longer I stay silent, the worse it gets. Michael wraps his arm around my shoulder. Jason’s eyes fill with so much hurt, it feels like my heart is breaking.

“Get the fuck out of here before I really hurt you.” Michael puffs out his chest like he’s hot shit.

With one last look at me, Jason turns and walks away.

I still haven’t said a word. There’s no coming back from this.

That’s all it took to break something precious, and I don’t think I’ll ever recover.

If only I could have a do-over for the last fifteen minutes, but what would I have done differently? I’m a horrible person.

I stomp on Michael’s foot so he lets me go, and I run to the bathroom. The one place he won’t follow me.

Eventually, Georgie steps into the bathroom. Wrapping her arms around my shoulders, she stays quiet until my tears turn into sniffles and finally stop.

“What am I going to do? I broke his heart. Hell, I broke mine too.”

Georgie grabs some toilet paper from a stall and hands it to me to wipe my face.

“There’s nothing you can do. Michael told everyone in the cafeteria.

I tried to talk to Jason as he grabbed his backpack, but he told me to leave him alone and stormed out the main doors.

It won’t be long before the whole town knows. You knew this was possible.”

Nodding, I feel the tears starting again. Sure, I knew it, but he’s my first love, or was until I set it on fire. Nothing will ever be the same.