Love's Maze

By mattesa powell

As a preteen, Hailey Maxwell has developed a crush on her best friend Jackson. She’s growing up in a loving home where her parents nurture the belief of unconditional love for their
family and each other. Her desire is to have that same kind of love with Jackson.

One tragic day her dreams are shattered when her father is brutally murdered. Now a single parent family, her life is in a tailspin, gone are the carefree days and socializing with friends.
Sheltered and filled with the responsibility of caring and raising her 3 younger sisters while her mother struggles to find a job and keep the family together, Hailey knows her life will never be the same. For years, she struggles to balance high school, family, a nagging emptiness of no social life and no father to guide her through her adult life.

How will her life turn out? Will she become an excellent student and go off to college or will she fall prey to a slick fasting man and become a teenage mother. Will she marry Jackson, the man of her dreams and live happily ever after or will she enter into a loveless, abusive marriage.

• Language: English
• Publisher: mattesa powell
• Release date: Oct 6, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301860425

mattesa powell

I’m in the process of publishing my first novel, Love’s Maze. It has been a life-long dream to become a published author. My passion for books blossomed into my opinion works of the heart. I have often been told that I have somewhat of a “flare” for telling stories. For years, I’ve created, developed and nurtured my writings. I’m a single mother of two sons and legally blind. 19yrs ago, I was diagnosed with open-angular glaucoma and currently completely blind in my right eye. Even though, at times it seems difficult to write and I have to work twice as hard as most writers, I press forward. I’m committed as well as dedicated to promoting my craft. With publishing Love’s Maze, I can inspire my sons to achieve their dreams and build a foundation for a legacy they can be proud of.

Book preview

Part One

Chapter 1

Stepping out onto the porch, Hailey Maxwell inhaled the delightful scent of fresh cut grass. Standing with her eyes closed, she enjoyed the warmth of the sun as it peeped through the clouds and caressed her smooth, chocolate skin. The bright rays of light glistened over her curly auburn hair. She was a young version of her late grandmother with her honey brown colored eyes, long lashes, beautifully structured cheek bones, and naturally arched eyebrows.

Today she’d get a chance to see Jackson Simone, again. She liked him so much more than the other boys her age. They were too busy trying to act like thugs, gangstas and wannabe playas. Jackson always seemed more mature. He was cute with a dimpled smile. His eyes were as dark as they were inviting. He never took a breath whenever he talked about his family, sports, or the books he read.

Recently, she had noticed little changes in his behavior. At the Cambridge Center, whenever they played sports, he was more competitive. Other times he seemed nervous and shy. Whenever she reached in to hug him, he’d drawback. His actions were strange and confusing. She simply thought he was going through puberty or The Hormones, as her mom liked to call it whenever her thirteen-year-old sister Alexiss, started acting weird.

At twelve years old, Hailey was experiencing her own hormonal changes. Lately, she was excited as well as intrigued to see Jackson. He’d say her name and instantly a smile appeared on her face. He’d tell a joke, funny or not she’d giggle uncontrollably. He’d stare into her eyes and she blushed then looked away. There was intensity between them she couldn’t shake. Her palms sweated, heat rose in her cheeks, and a strange tingling sensation filled her stomach. She didn’t know what was happening but wanted to understand.

Normally, she’d spend hours talking to Alexiss about things they couldn’t discuss with their parents― mostly boys and their developing bodies. Those days were gone and her sister began hanging around Jackson’s older brother, Brice. Alexiss was not an option to confide in or discuss her feelings about Jackson. She feared her sister would somehow embarrass her.

Opening her eyes, she saw Alexiss getting into the station wagon. She glared back at Hailey and in a split second threw up her middle finger. Hailey rolled her eyes and was about to say something when their mother called her name.

Yes, Ma’am, she answered then walked down the hall to the kitchen.

I need your help with the food. Eva will be here soon, Naomi said.

Hailey became infuriated as she thought back on yesterday evening. Her mother had her peel potatoes, chop carrots, shred cabbage, and ice the triple chocolate cake, while Alexiss painted her nails in the den.

What about Alex? It’s her turn to help. I did it yesterday, Hailey said. As she turned to look out of the kitchen window, the station wagon was gone.

Your father took your sister to the Center.

I can’t believe this, Hailey said louder than she had intended. Alex never has to help and I do EVERYTHING? I do her chores and mine too, she wined.

Hailey shook her head and stifled her frustration. Two weeks ago, she overheard her parents talking. Alexiss refused to apologize for a fight she started ― which resulted in several stitches across the other girl’s forehead. Three days later, Alexiss stood in front of a juvenile court judge. Naomi had asked for leniency, and the judge sentenced Alexiss to ninety days of community service work at the Cambridge Center.

It’s not fair.

One…two…three, Naomi slowly counted as her pecan complexion heated. Young lady, you do as you’re told. I don’t want to hear anymore lip from you. Do you understand me?

Hailey quietly nodded and huffed past her mother. Even though she stood a whole foot over her mother’s four-feet-nine frame, Hailey knew to stay away from her wrath. Her mother usually flashed a fiery temper at a disobedient child. Today was not the day to provoke her, especially not before the cookout. She strutted up to her room just as the phone rang.

Hello.

You busy? his voice came through like a whisper.

Jay? I can’t hear you. Speak up.

Can you…meet me at… his voice trailed off.

We’ll see each other at the park.

It’s important, he said a little louder.

I can’t. I have to watch my sisters.

Oh. Okay, he stammered, meet me in your backyard… in a few minutes.

I can’t.

Please. I need to talk to you.

She sensed the urgency in his voice. Okay, she agreed, and it better be important. She hung up the phone. The Hormones, she said out loud. I never ever want to catch, ‘The Hormones.’

Hailey saw how severe it had affected Alexiss. She wouldn’t do her chores, but stayed in front of the bathroom mirror primping. At night, she’d hide in the basement and sneak calls to Brice. Eight-year-old, Bianca, the tattler, would always find her and run tell their mother. Naomi constantly reminded Alexiss that a seventeen-year-old boy had no interest in child-like teenagers. Hailey disagreed.

Last Sunday, the Simone’ family hosted the cookout at their home. Brice walked in with some of his thuggish friends and Alexiss began prancing around to get their attention. Her flirting caused a confrontation between Brice and their father, George. He caught Brice touching Alexiss on the butt. He was livid as he confronted Brice. Hailey couldn’t hear what was being said, but by her father’s tone and hand motions in Brice’s face, he was definitely giving him a piece of his mind. Brice yelled back then raised his fist. Almost on cue, Mr. Simone’ jumped between them before Brice’s friends intervened. Hailey was shocked. Never in her life had anyone disrespected her father.

Afterwards Brice and his friends stormed away. Alexiss sat pouting, while both sets of parents extremely upset decided to cook out at the downtown park. Alexiss was forbidden to see, talk to, or even look in Brice’s direction.

Nevertheless, her behavior worsened. She yelled, cursed, and fought with Hailey day and night, it seemed. She spent the majority of her time in her room either sleeping or just daydreaming of Brice.

No. Hailey didn’t want the Hormones.

***

Finished, Jackson said aloud. He drew the last response box on the note for Hailey. He was asking her for the third time, to go to the back-to-school dance with him. She still hadn’t answered him. He hoped she hadn’t been asked by another boy. Today, he’d give her the note and wait for an answer. He walked down the hall as Brice called then motioned for him to come.

Where you going? he asked.

For a ride. Why? Jackson asked standing in the doorway of his brother’s room.

You sneaking out to see that fine ass Hailey aren’t you? he asked with a mischievous grin.

Why? Jackson’s jaw flexed and his nose flared.

Every so often, Brice would give Jackson bad advice on girls. He told him to never become tied down to one girl. Always make them think they are the only one. Do this and girls would do anything he asked. Jackson saw this first-hand when Brice began playing with Alexiss. She was just like the other girls, doing whatever his brother said. He used her on a daily basis and Jackson hated to see her so desperate. It just wasn’t right.

What’s up with you and Hailey?

Why? Jackson asked.

I have a few pointers for you. Jackson remained silent. He didn’t want to let on he had no clue what he was going to do. He stood there waiting for Brice to speak.

You kissed her yet?

No.

Brice chuckled. When you kiss her, if it’s her first, she will be yours forever. Jackson’s brows rose. They always remember their firsts― kiss, boyfriend, and fuck. Brand her for life, like I did her sister. That ho can’t get enough of me. If I told her to bark, she would. I got her trained well, just like the rest of them stupid ass bitches. Brice pulled up his pant leg and took out a pack of cigarettes.

Dad’s gonna smell that.

Fuck him! It ain’t like him and Mom never smoked before.

I gotta go. And with that Jackson was gone.

He crept past the den to the back door. His father was sitting on the couch watching T.V. He didn’t know where his mother was.

Hailey had really messed up his plans, by making him come to her backyard. He had wanted to be alone with her. If his mother found out he left home without permission or before doing his chores, he’d get the beating of a lifetime. He still had a little time before the cookout. Taking out the trash and making his bed would have to wait. Outside he spotted flowers in his mother’s garden.

Perfect, he said, picking one for Hailey. He twisted the flower between his fingers and smiled. He didn’t know what type of flower it was. It may be his mother’s favorite. There weren’t many, so he hoped she didn’t count them like she did the snacks in the pantry. If she did, Hailey’s worth getting into trouble for.

He jumped on his bike. Speeding down the sidewalk, he was already late. If he peddled faster, he might make it there in less than ten minutes.

The neighborhood, quiet on weekdays, bustled with activity this bright Sunday afternoon. Jackson whizzed pass house after house. Spotting a crowd of little boys pit-stopped on bicycles, he swerved to avoid them. He slowed down riding passed a group of girls playing hop-scotch. He quickened his speed, as he barely missed an elderly couple strolling leisurely down the sidewalk.

Sorry, he yelled over his shoulder and continued down the street. Veering around the last curb, he got to the street the Maxwell’s lived on. Excitement fueled his legs, and they pumped harder on the pedals when Hailey’s house came into view.

Chapter 2

Hailey ran down the hall to open the front door to see Jackson’s mother, Ms Eva. Hey. Mama’s in the kitchen, she said, before heading to the den. Peeking inside the room, she saw her three younger sisters watching cartoons. Jackson would be there soon, so she hurriedly snuck out the back door unseen.

At the fence, she paced back and forth. Jay, where are you? she whispered to herself. As she walked back toward the house, she heard the wheels of a bike come to a screeching halt. She turned.

Jackson jumped off his bike. He swung the gate open then wheeled it inside with him. He awkwardly walked towards her as he wiped sweat off of his forehead.

Arms folded across her chest, Hailey frowned at him and said, What took you so long? You know I’m going to get in trouble if I don’t get back inside.

Sorry. Catching his breath, he stopped in front of her. I had something to do before I came. He affectionately stared down at her.

His eyes twinkled and her frown softened. What was so urgent that we had to meet? Are you trying to get in trouble? You know your mom’s here, right?

Okay. I just wanted to talk to you, he said, his gaze never leaving hers. Here, this is for you. He held out the flower.

A tulip, she said. It’s beautiful. She lifted it to her nose, inhaling its fragrance. Thank you.

No boy had ever given her a flower before. She stepped closer and hugged him. He wasn’t getting away this time. The instant their bodies touched, she was caught off guard by the rush of tingling sensations passing between them.

Hailey’s heart pounded against his as he pulled her closer. His heat enveloped her and she inhaled his scent. She drew near him, and kissed him on the cheek, setting him afire.

Shocked, he touched the place where her soft lips had been. He had never been kissed by a girl. He liked it. For the next few moments, they stood staring at each other in awe.

What’s wrong? she asked, noticing his excited facial expression. It was only a kiss on the cheek, she thought to herself. He was acting as if she had kissed him