1 Bad To Good & Bad Again

It's been three years, and I'm finally home, finally back where I belong. A few years ago, I fled town; being cheated on really pushed me out. So, I packed up everything I owned, and I went on a vacation, an extended break. I slowly stepped off the plane and looked around until I spotted my best friend waving at me like a crazy person. This was Emily; we had been best friends for as long as I could remember. "Rachel!!! Over here!! I'm here!!" I laughed and hugged her tightly, "Ohhh, I missed you so much, Emily!!!" We hugged each other for a while before slowly pulling away. "Welcome home, baby girl! Let me carry your bag." I smiled as she tossed my bag over her shoulder before looping her arm around mine.

"Everyone is so excited to have you home, especially Caliber…." "Oh my god Em, did you tell him I was back in town!?" "Well, it depends… if you are referring to an accidental told him like him overhearing me while I was talking to our friends, then yes…. I did." Caliber was my ex, who cheated on me with my sister. He was nothing but trouble; everywhere he went, it followed. We were together for a year before he decided to sleep with my sister. He was known around town as the bad boy, Daddy's wealthy son who couldn't be controlled. I couldn't see him again; I wouldn't be able to handle it. "Don't worry; he only knows your back in town. He doesn't know about the party we are having tonight.

I smiled, and I sighed in relief as we made our way out of the airport and to the parking lot. "Tell me you don't still have that hideous car." "Hey! My car is amazing! You're just jealous!" I laughed as we walked through the parking lot, and I could see Emily's car from miles away. It was a neon green jeep with bright pink rims. All I could do was laugh and get in the car. As Emily started to drive, I sank into my seat, and she punched my shoulder. "Okay, enough of that, geez! It hasn't been an hour, and you're bothering me." "Oh, you love me!" I sat up, and I looked around as we drove into town. Nothing changed; everything seemed to be the same, down to the little coffee shops that sat on the corner to the enormous town library.

Everything brought back memories; I had lived here my whole life. This place was home, and I regretted leaving. "Welcome back to Stone Brook!!!" I laughed as I looked at Emily, "Is it that serious?" "Oh, it is severe!!" We both laughed loudly as we pulled up at Emily's house. "Home sweet home." "Wow, it's been so long…..." As I slowly got out of the car, I smiled and looked around. I used to live with Emily, this house was our first, and we swore to make it our last. So much had happened in this place we couldn't just let it go. "Come on…"

We walked inside, and I smiled at everything. From the cherry scent that filled the air and dents in the wall, it all just felt like home. "I hope you remember where your room is because I have better things to do." She walked into the kitchen, and I laughed, "Wow, what a way to treat your guest!!!" She peaked around the corner and smiled, "You aren't a guest. This is your home." I smiled as she disappeared around the corner then I made my way up to my room. I slowly opened the door to find my bed made and the covers still the same. My desk sat in the corner with my old trash bin, and I smiled at it.

Nothing felt better than being home, in my room, and living with my best friend again. I wouldn't let anything make me leave again, this was my home, and I needed to claim it. I walked over to my bed and slowly laid down. The feeling of the soft sheets against my body made me smile as I took a long deep sniff, and they smelled freshly washed. I felt myself drifting to sleep, and I slowly gave in to my tiredness.

I woke up hours later, and I looked around. A small smile came across my face when I looked at where Emily and I had written our names on the wall. I grabbed my phone and checked my notifications, and then I heard Emily yelling. "She's asleep, and she doesn't want to see you! Get out, Caliber. You can't go up there!" Suddenly the door swung open, and I jumped up, seeing Caliber standing there. He had gotten so tall and muscular. His brown hair was much longer but shaved on the sides, and his green eyes were bright with just a tiny hint of blue. "It's great to see you again, Rachael." I stood there staring at him, and suddenly a shoe hit him in the back of his head.

"Ow!!!" "I said get out, you big idiot!!" I watched them both fight like little kids, and it did feel like we were back in high school. The only difference was he was no longer the class clown. He was the bad boy who broke my heart. "Em, it's fine. I got this…" "Thank you..." He smiled at me, "She said get out, you idiot!!!!" I picked up the shoe she threw, and I started hitting him with it all the way downstairs until we got out on the porch. "Ow!!! A shoe!? Seriously!?" I smiled softly at his pain. As I stopped, he looked into my eyes and stepped closer. I raised the shoe, and he took a step back, "Look, Rachael, I really did miss you." "You should have thought about missing me before you slept with my sister."

He sighed and shook his head, "I made a dumb mistake." "Oh, is that what you call it?" "Come on, Rachael." "No, you come on, Caliber... you don't always get everything you want." "There is a difference between wanting someone and needing someone." "You're right, there is, and you aren't a loyal person. Whether you need or want someone, you'll never stop thinking with one of your heads…." I walked inside and pressed my back against the door. As I slid down to the floor, I sighed heavily.

My life was finally coming back together, and now he came back trying to ruin everything. Emily came around the corner and looked at me. She leaned against the wall, "Don't let him stress you again, baby girl. You just got back. You don't want to worry." I smiled at her, then nodded as she walked away, slowly stood up, and took a deep breath before going back to my room and taking a shower. I stood under the shower head, letting the water run over me as I took a deep breath.

"Why did I even come back to this place....." After my shower, I got out and dressed, then went to my suitcase. I opened it, and I got dressed. I put on high-waisted jeans with a belly shirt and heels. Looking in the mirror, I smiled and then started my makeup. Emily walked in and she sat on my bed, smiling. "This feels just like old times. Having you back here with me." I looked at her and smiled as I continued doing my makeup. "I know it feels like I never even left."

We laughed a bit, and after I finished, we walked downstairs and out to the car. As we got in we turned up the radio and she started driving to the club where we were meeting our friends. "Are you ready to see the girls again?" "Hehe, you know I am. It's been too long." We laughed and sang along to the radio, and after a long car ride, we arrived at the club and then made our way inside. As we walked in, we looked around for our friends, spotting them at the bar. We walked over, and they hugged me tightly.

"Oh my god, hey! It's so nice to see you again!" "Don't ever disappear on us again!" I smiled at them all as we hugged and greeted each other. "Well, to welcome me back, why don't we get a round of shots!" We all cheered, and I looked at the bartender, "Six shots of tequila, please, and keep them coming." He smiled at me and nodded. Then I looked around the club to see Caliber walk in. He looked around until we made eye contact, then he smiled and started walking over. I grabbed Em's arm, and I pulled her over to me, "How in the world did Caliber know we were here!?" "I don't know!!"

"Hey...I assume you're talking about me." I looked at Caliber as he butted into our conversation and smiled at us. "What are you doing here?" "Oh, I'm sorry. Is this not a public club?" I rolled my eyes at him and tried to walk away, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his arms. We locked eyes, and he slowly shifted his gaze to my lips. "We need to talk." "Cali- " "I'm not asking Rachel." He looked into my eyes and gently pulled me to a back room. Once we were alone, he pushed me against the wall and kissed me hard and deep, pressing our bodies together.

I pushed him off, and I looked away, "Don't touch me, Caliber!" He came closer again and pinned my hands against the wall. "You want me as much as I want you...." His warm breath grazed my neck as he whispered in my ear, and I blushed as I felt anger and lust take over my body. He kissed me again, and this time I gave in, starting to make out roughly. He pulled off his jacket and shirt, pulled off my dress, and kissed my neck. "Don't forget you belong to me!" A little while later, we laid on the couch breathing heavily; realizing what I had just done, I got up and started getting dressed.

"Where are you going?" I ignored him and continued putting on my clothes, feeling so ashamed. "Hey." He grabbed my arm and pulled me to him; as I looked down at him, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pressed his chin against my stomach. "You didn't do anything wrong...We love each other." "You cheated on me, and like a dummy, I just let you come back into my life." He sighed heavily, and then he pressed his forehead against my stomach. "It was a mistake I made one time Rachel...I swear I will never hurt you like that again!" I looked down at him, and I gently ran my fingers through his hair. "Okay....you have one chance, Caliber. Just one."

He smiled, and then we got dressed and walked out the room back to our friends. "Everything okay?" I nodded at Emily, and then we all took a few shots then started to party. After a few hours, the night slowly ended, and everyone started to go home. "Will I see you tomorrow?" I looked into Caliber's eyes then I looked away. "I don't know...I want to spend some time with Em." "Well, what about tomorrow night?" He kissed me softly and looked into my eyes as Emily beeped the horn. "I'll let you know, Caliber." I pulled away and got into the car as Emily drove us home. Months later, everything was working out perfectly. Caliber and I were happy. It seemed like the incident had flown out the window.

Late one night, we were at his birthday party celebrating. "Hey, I'd like to say something." I smiled as I looked over at Caliber with a mic. "I just wanted to thank everyone for coming out and celebrating my birthday with me and my beautiful girlfriend. I couldn't ask to be surrounded by such amazing people." Everyone cheered as he walked over to me and grabbed my hand. "There is one thing I have been dying for the best birthday gift out of many." I watched as he handed Emily the microphone.

He slowly pulled out a small black box from his pocket and kneeled. "Rachael… I know I've made mistakes, and I know I could never fully make up for it. These past few months have been so amazing, and I most definitely don't deserve it. I only know that you do. So please do me the honor of becoming my wife. Let me make you the happiest woman in this world." I started to cry as he opened the little box. Being so overwhelmed, I covered my face and nodded. "Yes! Yes!" He smiled and slid the ring on my finger, then stood and hugged me tightly.

Everyone cheered, and the guys whistled as I kissed him deeply, but little did we know the happiness would only last very shortly. "Caliber!! We have company!!!" He looked around worriedly, "Get Rachael out of here!!!" "No! What about you!? Baby, I've done this before; go with the guys. I'll see you later." A few guys grabbed me and Emily as we ran out the back of the club. I looked around as a car pulled up, and we got in. Hours later, I started to pace the warehouse floor, worrying about Caliber. He was right; he had done this so many times before, but this time it was different.

He had just proposed, and I didn't want to lose him. After a few moments, the door opened, and the guys started piling in. I looked around for Caliber, but I couldn't find him. "Where is Caliber!?" It was dead silent; no one answered me. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and started to call Sinclair. I heard it ringing, and I looked around for him until his best friend walked over and handed me Caliber's gang jacket and cell phone. I felt a huge lump in my throat and an empty pit in my stomach. "No!!!! No!!!!" I fell to my knees, crying and screaming as Emily came over and held me along with the other girls. Caliber was gone, and the emotion overwhelmed me.

I regretted leaving; I regretted not staying and working it out. Our time together was so short, and I couldn't help up feel like it was all my fault. Weeks later, I woke up in a dark room. The light barely shined through the curtains as I got up and went for a shower. I felt like the world was on my shoulders, and my legs would give out any second. After my shower, I wore a short black dress with black heels. As I looked into the mirror, I couldn't bring myself to do my makeup. There was a loud knock on the door as I walked downstairs; I walked to the door and opened it. I looked up at Emily and Charles, Caliber's best friend. "You ready, girly?"

I nodded as she took me into her arms, and we walked to the car. The car ride was quiet; the rain ran down the window, and nothing but pain filled my chest. I shouldn't have gotten out of bed. I should have just let today go by and ignored everything around me. We arrived at a small white church, and everyone hugged me. They all repeated they were sorry, but I knew it wasn't true. They all thought Sinclair was trouble, and I genuinely wish they weren't there. We made our way inside and then sat down for the service. The entire time my eyes were focused on the casket, I zoned out of everything entirely, and after the service, I walked with Emily to the gravesite.

I grabbed a blood-red rose and gently laid it on his casket. I was saying goodbye to the love of my life. I was out of tears; all I could do was smile and whisper. "I forgive you…" Emily looped her arm around mine, and we walked away. The guys followed, and we all went to the warehouse. "Can I have everyone's attention?" I looked up as everyone started gathering around Charles. "Now I know you all are looking at me to take over. I can't; it wouldn't be right." He looked at me and gave me a weak smile. "I won't do this without you." "Rachael, you don't have to do this. You don't have to turn bad." I looked over at Emily, "Caliber was far from bad." I nodded at Charles as I took his hand. "For Sinclair!!" Everyone cheered, and for the first time in weeks, a smile spread across my face.