Entry 18: Miranda Has Returned

My life going sideways is not an unexpected occurrence to me anymore. I'm pretty much prepared to take whatever life has to throw at me, any time, any day. But nothing... and I mean, NOTHING could have prepared me for the way my life was going to be uprooted today.

After our little sleepover this past weekend, I was stuck to Preston like glue. I was trying hard to make up for not going all the way with him. I honestly wish I hadn't chickened out.

Preston didn't seem to mind though. He would still kiss me and touch me occasionally when we made out but he didn't try to take things much further. I appreciated the way he didn't bring it up but I sort of wanted him to. I could never create the right vibe to insert in conversation that I really did want to do more with him. I just needed to get over this fear that lingered inside of me.

After school, I asked Preston if he would come to my first game of the new season. Basketball had started and we had to cheer tonight. He agreed to go only after he finished a car he was working on for one of his dad's clients. I asked him if there was anything I could do to help and he invited me to come keep him company at the garage.

Obviously, I agreed and we headed over right away. I had everything I needed for the game. I was already dressed head to toe in my winter cheerleading uniform and I had my duffle bag with my pompoms, warm ups and a change of clothes for The Basement.

I was sitting on a stool in the garage, resting my face in my hands and staring at my boyfriend's legs while he worked under a large SUV. I couldn't tell if he was close to finishing or not but time wasn't passing any slower. As the sun lowered, I knew we had to leave soon.

Just when I was about to speak up and give Preston a time update, I heard a very sultry, feminine voice come from behind me.

"Preston? Is that you down there?"

I turned to the voice that called his name and my jaw nearly hit the floor. I swear, it was like all I saw were legs. Legs up to the ceiling. This girl was tall with the leggiest legs I'd ever seen. That or it was just the shorts she was wearing in the middle of fall.

Other than being a little weather confused, she seemed to have a sense of style. Not the same as mine but in a punk rock sort of way. The girl was skinny but totally stacked. I mean, butt and boobs, she had more than enough to spare. She was wearing a low cut v neck tank top with a long, woven cardigan over top.

Her hair was also long and black. It wasn't a natural black though. She definitely dyed it darker. Her eyes were green and behind her heavily mascara cladded eyelashes, they looked brighter.

In an instant, I was jealous.

She was definitely Preston's type. I feared the moment he came out from under the car and saw her, I'd be totally done for. I kept looking between her and I. She looked like an older rock band groupie and I looked like a middle schooler in my cheerleading uniform.

The girl stared past me, watching him roll out. It was like I wasn't even there. Meanwhile, I couldn't take my eyes off the girl whose existence threatened my entire relationship.

Yeah, I'll admit that.

I felt jealous and threatened.

I mean, if you could see this girl...

Preston wiped his hands on his pants and looked up.

I had never seen the color drain from a person's face so fast. He turned completely white looking at the girl. It was like he'd just seen a ghost.

"What are you doing here?" The words came out very cold and almost hateful.

She flashed him a smoldering smile. I didn't even know a person could make their face look sexy like that.

"I just transferred to the community college in the city this past semester. You were on my mind so I thought I'd stop by and come see you. Didn't you miss me?"

They knew each other. I couldn't believe it. My jealousy grew deeper as I could tell there was an obvious history between the two. Before Preston could speak another word, the girl turned to me.

"Hi, what's your name?" She asked while extending a hand confidently.

"Parker." My voice sounded so small coming out of my mouth.

"Miranda St James."

YES!! Miranda!! As in THAT Miranda. The girl that broke Preston's heart only a couple of months ago. His ex girlfriend that had cheated on him and left him for another guy.

You know, to this day I was still unsure if he was actually over her. Now, looking at her, there was no way he would've gotten over someone like that. She looked too good. Almost too perfect.

"Miranda?" I repeated aloud. I don't know if it was the panic in my voice or the shaken look on my face but Preston immediately spoke up.

"Can you give us a second?"

He was talking to me. Not only that, he was sending me away! I couldn't believe he was sending me away!

"But I-"

"Please." He asked with a tone I'd never heard him use with me. It was like the one he used with Alyssa. Like he was my big brother telling me what to do.

I looked between the two, incredibly afraid of leaving Preston alone with his ex. For whatever reason, my legs began to move anyways. They dragged me away and into the office. That didn't stop me from keeping the door cracked and peaking from the small window to eavesdrop.

"Seriously, Miranda. What are you doing here?" Preston asked her as he folded his arms.

"I told you. I'm here to see you."

"Why?"

"Because I miss you. I just wanted to see how you've been."

Preston scoffed, shaking his head. I wanted him to tell her to beat it. I wanted him to tell her he was with me now. But as usual, he didn't say anything. In fact, Miranda brought me up first.

"What's up with cheerleader Barbie?" She asked snarkily.

"Don't call her that," Preston said as he turned to work under the hood of the car.

"Is she one of Alyssa's friends? I bet she has a crush on you."

"I should hope so." He sighed, annoyed.

"Preston, that's so mean. Don't let that little girl hang around. You're going to get her hopes up."

"No I'm not," he shrugged. "She's my girlfriend."

I was glad he finally told her, but her reaction was humbling.

"Girlfriend?" She basically snorted when she laughed. "Preston, she's like 13."

"17," he corrected her.

"Well she looks 13."

"She does not."

Preston was defending me which obviously bothered Miranda. But did she lay into Preston? Nope. She just went in on me.

"Come on, Preston, you don't like younger girls? Especially not preppy cheerleaders like that. We always made fun of people like that. Besides, she's immature. She's got no body and I can smell her virginity from a mile away. I bet she's never even given you head."

Yup! That's what she said! That bitch had no right to call me out like that! She doesn't know me! It was none of her business what Preston and I did or didn't do!

I was honestly shocked when Preston dropped his tool, threw the dirty rag on the ground and yelled at her.

"Don't talk about her like that! She's sweet. Parker treats me a hell of a lot better than you did and she actually likes me. So maybe it's a good thing she doesn't have it on her mind to just fuck any guy she meets."

He looked Miranda up and down. I almost felt bad for the girl but she really did ask for it. Little did Preston know, sex was absolutely on my mind. Literally every time I saw him, it was all I could think about but he didn't need to know that.

"Preston?" She scoffed, flipping her hair off her shoulder. "You can't be serious. You're still not over that?"

When he didn't respond, my heart sank. Was he not over getting cheated on or was he not over her?

"Whatever, forget it. I have to take Parker and Alyssa

to their game."

"Preston, wait..."

I watched through the window as she grabbed his hand. She actually touched him! My boyfriend! A part of me wanted to beat her ass for that alone.

Preston pulled his hand out of hers and pulled his car keys out of his pocket.

"Are you going to be at The Basement tonight?" She asked.

Preston ignored her question and called me back.

"Parker, we gotta go!" He called.

I re entered the garage and returned the phony smile Miranda was giving me. I grabbed my duffle bag but Preston took it from me. He slung it over his shoulder and took my hand in his.

"Bye," I gave her a small, polite wave.

"It was nice meeting you," she lied.

"Yeah, you too." I lied back.

Preston's grip on my hand was telling. The boy was shaking. He didn't say a word as he opened the door for me. I climbed into my seat and took a deep breath once he closed the door. My mind was absolutely racing.

The drive to the school was silent. So silent that I was afraid to speak. Preston was pissed. I could tell by the pensive look on his face and the way he had the steering wheel in a death grip. I just couldn't read where his emotions were coming from. Was he mad at Miranda for having the audacity to show up? Or was he secretly hoping to reunite with her?

All I know is, she better back the fuck off.