Mistrust Read online

  MISTRUST

  Copyright © 2016 Margaret McHeyzer

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN ebook: 978–0-9943547–9-2

  ISBN paperback: 978–0-9946460–0-2

  This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be stored or reproduced by any process without prior written permission. Enquiries should be made to the publisher.

  Interior Formatting by Tami Norman, Integrity Formatting

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  Chapter 46

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgements

  Preview: Ugly

  Also by Margaret McHeyzer

  Trust is something that has to be earned. It’s not freely given.

  There are some people in our lives we automatically trust. We believe everything our parents say and do. We know their actions and instincts are always to protect and teach us.

  We learn to trust those with whom we develop a bond of friendship.

  Strangers don’t have our trust. We’re wary of them; we keep them at arm’s length until they prove themselves to us.

  Trust, once earned, can also be ripped away. That can happen over a period of time or in an instant.

  Tonight I’ll discover how cruel the world can be when trust is brutally torn away…

  Standing in front of the full length mirror, I look myself over. My emerald green gown sweeps the floor while my long, dark brown hair is twisted back into a simple, yet elegant chignon.

  “You look beautiful, darling,” Mom murmurs, leaning against the door frame.

  Looking to her, I see tears glimmering in her eyes. “Mom,” I say walking toward her.

  Her arms open and she folds me into a warm ‘mom’ hug. “Oh look at me! I’m being so silly, Dakota. It feels like it was only yesterday I was watching you crawl around the house in diapers and today, you’re the most beautiful sixteen-year-old young lady my eyes have ever seen.”

  Smiling broadly at her, I can’t stem the wetness beginning to well up in my own eyes. “Mom,” I whisper as I blink crazily, trying to hold back the tears.

  Mom steps back and holds me at arm’s length. “Let me look at my gorgeous daughter all ready for her junior prom.” She looks me over as I do a small spin for her, showing off my dress and my hairstyle. “Oh darling,” she whispers while shaking her head. “I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you.”

  “You have to say that; you’re my mom.”

  “No, I don’t.” She’s shakes her head. “I’m so blessed to have you as my daughter.” Suddenly the few tears Mom’s let escape have escalated to more and before I know it, her whole face is drenched in salt water. I move to hug her again, but Mom pushes me away. “Don’t, I’ll ruin your dress,” she says wiping her tears from her face. “I’m just being a silly old lady.”

  “You’re not silly, and it doesn’t matter about my dress.” I hug Mom, and she holds me close to her body.

  “Thank you, sweetheart. It means so much to me to be able to hug you today.” Mom’s body relaxes and she takes a deep breath. “You have to finish getting ready before Levi arrives to take you to prom.”

  “I need to touch up my makeup and I’ll be out.”

  “Okay, I’ll go get the camera ready. Dad said he wants heaps of photos, because he won’t be home from work in time to see you leave.”

  “It’s okay, I understand,” I tell her. Truthfully, I’m a little hurt Dad can’t be here, but I know he wants to be and he can’t get any time off from work because he’s taking two weeks’ vacation over the summer break so we can go to Canada to visit Mom’s sister and our cousins.

  “You look so beautiful.” Mom lovingly smiles at me before turning to leave my room.

  I sit back down in front of my dressing table, and carefully touch up my hair and make-up. When I’m finally ready, I pick up my small clutch and head out to wait for Levi.

  My heels make a clicking sound as I make my way down the hall and into the family room where Mom is already waiting with the camera. My younger sister, Sam, is standing beside her, eagerly watching me walk toward them.

  “Dakota,” she gasps as her eyes follow my dress up and down. “You look so . . . wow!”

  Sam has recently turned fourteen and I know she idolizes me. It’s obvious in the way she tries to style her hair like mine and copies what I wear. It used to bother me when I was younger, but it doesn’t anymore because I know she loves me and wants to be exactly like her big sister.

  I’m considered to be one of the ‘popular’ girls at school. I’m on the cheerleading squad, have great grades, and I’m dating Levi Matthews, who’s on the basketball team. We’re the couple everyone wants to be.

  “Let me take some photos out back by the pool,” Mom says.

  “You look so pretty, Dakota,” Sammy says again. “I can’t wait for my prom, but you have to promise you’ll help me look like a princess, too.”

  “Of course I will. Come on, let’s go,” I call to Sam, who’s sitting on the sofa watching me and Mom.

  “You want me to come too?” Her eyes light up as if I’ve given her the best news of her life.

  “Well, you are my little sister, and I can’t exactly be in these photos all by myself.”

  Sam’s face brightens with joy at being included. She leaps off the sofa and runs straight at me, just stopping before she falls into my arms. “I don’t want to ruin your dress so I’ll just stand beside you,” she says, excitedly bouncing on the spot.

  When we get out to the pool, Mom has already positioned herself, ready to take a million or so pictures. “Stand over here, Dakota.”

  Sam follows me as I walk to where Mom’s pointing, already snapping pictures. Before long, I have Sam in the photos with me, and Mom continues with the broadest, proudest smile she can muster. “I think I’ve got about three hundred,” Mom says. “I’m certain Dad will love them. Come on, let’s go inside and wait for Levi.”

  “Are you nervous about tonight?” Sam quietly asks me.

  I’d confided in her that maybe Levi and I would finally go all the way tonight. He’s booked a hotel room, and without Mom and Dad knowing we’re planning to leave the prom early to go there. But I’ve been having second thoughts, and I just don’t think I’m ready for it. “I don’t know if I can,” I whisper to Sam as we keep an eye on Mom to make sure she’s not listening.

  “If you’re not sure, then don’t do it. You don’t want to regret it. Just talk to Levi. He loves you, and if you’re not ready, te
ll him.” She brings her arm up to drape around my shoulders and pulls me in close for a hug.

  “Who made you so responsible? You’re supposed to be fourteen, Sam, not logical and level-headed.” We both giggle, because we know Sam has always been the super smart one, the one who can look at a situation and instantly know what’s right and wrong. She’s been like that for as long as I can remember. As I lean in to kiss her cheek, there’s a knock on the door. “Eeeek,” I squeal happily and Sam jumps up and down, clapping.

  Mom answers the door, and Sam leans in to whisper, “Just talk to him, okay?” Nodding my head, I bring her in to give her another tight cuddle.

  “Hello, Mrs. Bennett, how are you?” I hear the deep gravel of Levi’s voice.

  “Don’t you look handsome tonight, Levi? And I’m very well. Please come in. Dakota is waiting for you.” She opens the door further and Levi enters looking so hot. He’s wearing a black suit with a green tie that perfectly matches the color of my dress. His dark hair is nicely styled back, and his suit really emphasizes his broad shoulders. I’m so lucky to have him.

  “Oh my God,” Levi breathes when his gaze falls on me. Hungrily, he looks me up and down, and I see him gulp while his eyes appear glued to me. “You look . . .” He shakes his head and shoves a hand in his pocket. Seemingly speechless, he leans in close and under the guise of kissing my cheek, he whispers, “You look good enough to eat.” My heart beats quicker and my cheeks burn with an obvious flush. Pulling back, he smiles at me and hands me a corsage. “I can’t talk, I’m blown away by how gorgeous you are.”

  “Thank you,” I say while looking down at the vibrant pink rose. “Will you pin it on me?” Taking it out of the clear plastic container, I hand it to Levi to pin on my dress.

  “You two look so cute together,” Mom gushes and I hear the camera clicking.

  Both Levi and I turn to look at Mom, who’s busy staring at us from behind her active lens. “Okay, well, we should get going,” Levi announces once the flower is pinned to my dress.

  “Have you got your keys?” Mom asks. I double-check my clutch and nod my head. “If you can’t get home, call me and I’ll come to get you. And no drinking,” she says the last part in her firm ‘mom’ voice, while pointing her finger.

  “I won’t, Mom.” Levi opens the door while I give Sam and Mom another hug.

  We walk out the door hand in hand and head toward the car Levi hired. “Oh wow,” I squeal excitedly. “A limousine!” The long black car waits out on the street in front of my house, and the uniformed driver is standing beside it with the back passenger door open for us. “Oh my goodness,” I murmur as I excitedly clasp my hand to my mouth.

  “Nothing but the best for my girl.” Levi holds me close against his body. “I love you.” He leans down and brushes his lips across mine. “I’d do anything to put a smile on your gorgeous face.” His fingers flex against my hip as he makes me a silent promise about tonight.

  My heart is pounding inside my chest, and I feel as if a swarm of butterflies have taken up residency in the pit of my belly. When we reach the car, he holds out his hand to help me slide in first. Once I’m settled inside the back of the car, Levi slides in beside me and the driver gently closes the door, then goes around to the front to get into the driver’s seat.

  “How are you feeling?” Levi asks quietly. I know the question is more about our plans for after the dance, rather than the dance itself.

  I lift my head to see the privacy partition is up, separating us from the driver. “I’m not sure I’m ready, Levi,” I openly admit. With my blood thrumming loudly through my veins, I hold my breath and watch Levi’s reaction to my words.

  “Oh.” The hopeless defeat in his voice makes me squirm in my seat with guilt.

  “I’m so sorry. But I don’t think I can give you that tonight.” This is the first time I’ll be having sex, and even though I know I love Levi, something is telling me to wait.

  “Yeah, okay,” Levi responds dejectedly and sits back in his seat. He turns his head and looks out the window, while his left leg bounces up and down. “I thought you loved me, Dakota.” He doesn’t turn his head to look at me, and the knot in my stomach tightens even more. He’s disappointed in me, but I’m not ready to give him my virginity. I can’t do something that doesn’t feel right.

  “Can you please wait for me?” I move my hand to touch his arm, hoping he won’t hate me.

  He takes a deep breath and slowly his shoulders move up and drop as he expels the air. Levi turns to look at me. His features don’t seem harsh, “Of course I can wait,” he responds and leans in to give me a small kiss on the forehead.

  Suddenly the butterflies leave my stomach and I let out a ragged breath. “I’m sorry if I’ve lead you on.” I slide my hand down to his so we can link our fingers.

  “Don’t worry about it. We’ve been together for seven months now and I thought it was time. But I can wait, I suppose.” He trails his fingers up and down my bare arm while leaning in to kiss my temple. “It’ll be fine,” he mumbles against my forehead.

  We arrive at the prom and can hear the thumping of the music from the street. As we walk in, I let out a soft gasp, taking in the brightly colored decorations transforming our usually drab gym into a place of magic.

  “Let’s get a photo together,” Levi says as he pulls me toward one of the four photo booths already set up.

  “Like we haven’t had enough.” I laugh, referring to the scene with Mom as Levi leads me to a booth.

  We spend a few moments taking pictures, and head over to where our friends are sitting.

  “Hey,” Jordan sings out as she stands and gives me a hug. “You look beautiful.”

  “Thanks, Jordan, but your dress is killer! Crap, check out how low that V is.” I point to where the point of the V stops, inches above her navel. Jordan is one of my best friends. There are four of us in our group; Jordan, Lindsey, Mariah, and me. We’re incredibly close, and have no secrets between us.

  “I know,” she coyly responds. “Aaron can’t keep his hands off me.” Aaron is Jordan’s boyfriend and one of Levi’s friends from the basketball team.

  “Hey.” I look over to Levi and see Reece has arrived. Reece is Levi’s best friend and those two do practically everything together. They hang out all the time and play ball after school and even on weekends. Reece’s gaze slowly roams over me, and I feel a rush of heat travel up my spine. “You look breathtaking, Dakota,” he says as he leans over to give my cheek a light peck.

  “Thank you.” I glance behind him. “You’re not here with anyone?”

  “Nope.” He smiles. “The person I like doesn’t even know I exist.” His words are full of sorrow. The worst part though, is that he’s clearly accepted this as fact.

  “You should fight for what you want,” I respond.

  “Yeah, fight for it,” Levi adds, then turns to give me a wink.

  “Anyone want a drink?” Reece asks and moves from foot to foot, suddenly looking uncomfortable being here.

  “Grab me a Coke,” Levi says. “Want anything, babe?” he asks me.

  “Any type of soda please.”

  Reece looks at me, then Levi. “One soda coming up.” He smiles at me. “You can get your own,” he says, playfully punching Levi’s shoulder as he turns to get us a drink.

  “Get me a drink, dick!” Levi yells at Reece and Reece turns to flip him off. “Asshole,” he mumbles before jogging after him to catch up.

  “Oh my God. Look at Mr. C.” Jordan stares over my shoulder as I sit next to her. Just as I turn to look, Lindsey comes to sit with us. “Hey.” Jordan and I smile at her.

  “Who are we looking at?” Lindsey asks.

  “Mr. C,” Jordan answers.

  Lindsey shivers but looks toward Mr. C, who’s over in the far corner staring at us. “Oh crap,” Lindsey says and looks away. She giggles and her hand covers her mouth as her shoulders come up, looking like she’s been caught staring at the cute guy at the mall.
/>   “He creeps me out.” A shudder of grossness and revulsion runs over me. “There’s something off about him.”

  “Last week, Aaron and I went to the movies and he was there. It’s freaky,” Jordan says as she sneaks a look over at Mr. C.

  “That’s why we call him Mr. C and not Mr. Collins. The C is for creepy.” Both Lindsey and Jordan laugh.

  “You know, I went to the mall the other day, and I swear to God, I saw him sitting in a car in the parking lot just outside the mall. It wasn’t his car, it was another one. He was just sitting there, not doing anything. I waved to him, and he looked right through me. It was like he didn’t see me, but I know he did,” Lindsey says, her face contorting with disgust.

  “Yuck.” I pretend to gag and can feel my forehead scrunching.

  “Here’s your drink, Dakota.” Reece hands me a cup of soda and sits opposite me. Levi sits beside him.

  I thank him and place the cup on the table in front of me.

  “Oh I love this song! Let’s go dance.” Lindsey eagerly stands and seductively moves her body on the spot. “Come on, this is our prom!”

  As Jordan and I head out to the dance floor, I turn back to see both Levi and Reece staring at us. Blowing a kiss to Levi, he catches it and sends one back. “You two are so cute together,” Lindsey says when we get to the dance floor.

  “Yeah I know,” I respond with a smile, because really, I do know how lucky I am to have him.

  “You two are going to finally have sex tonight, right?” she asks in a lower tone.

  Shaking my head I look down at the floor to avoid the look I know she’s giving me. “I’m not ready.”

  “How can you not be ready? You’ve been with him practically forever. Even Aaron and I have done it. Just do it and get it over with.” Lindsey nods in agreement with Jordan’s words.

  “Hey, what are you girls talking about?” Mariah asks as she joins us on the dance floor.

  “Dakota doesn’t want to have sex with Levi.” Lindsey fills her in. “Hell, if you’re not going to have sex with him, I certainly will,” she playfully taunts. But I know she’d never betray me like that. We’re all tight, like sisters. “He’s mighty fine, he is.” She looks at me pointedly.