The Night We Met

Chapter 17:Jace

While driving to Aspen's house I saw how the neighborhood went from nice to not-so-nice to somewhat nice again which was Aspen's neighborhood. I felt an overwhelming sense of warmth I don't know if it was because I was nervous and my heart was in my ass or it was from my seeing her standing up in her garage looking at her front yard. How she loved her perfectly curly hair behind her ear to keep it from getting stuck in her lipgloss. Or how she was slightly smiling at how beautifully the snow covered her lawn she was just so perfect. Then our eyes connected and all I could do was look down and walk up to the garage. 

"So you found your way here I see," Aspen smiled and the tip of her nose was red just like her cheeks it was so cute. 

"Why are you just standing out here your nose is red," I looked at her concerned and she laughed and put her hand over her face. 

"Yeah, that happens when it's cold"  She looked nervously over into the garage rubbing her arms. With every blow of wind, I got a wif of her vanilla-scented perfume brushing ever so warm and smoothly by my nose. 

"Hey look who it is Jace has come to save the day." Journey came out of the house smiling and behind him came a short girl with light brown skin a bit lighter than Aspen her hair was long black and silky. She was wearing black Doc Martens which made her look taller than she was. 

"This is Stacey, Stacey this is my best friend after Aspen of course Jace." Journey turned to Aspen and smiled.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," she shook my hand, and for such a small girl she had a very strong handshake. You can tell by her demeanor that she was the big sister, I didn't even have to ask that question. She was shorter than Aspen but the big sister. 

"You too, so you're our Superman today I guess" Stacey smiled and looked at Aspen. 

 Journey flashed a big cheesy at me and opened the door for Stacey. I've never seen him this gitty over a girl before but it was nice he deserves to be with someone who will love him. God knows that he does have that at home. Walking into Target all I wanted to do was get more time to talk to Aspen but she was glued to her sister, I don't know if she was just nervous or just simply didn't want to talk to me. 

"Dude, go talk to her," Journey nudged me. 

"What are you talking about,"

"I know you have a thing for Aspen I can tell, you're just too scared to act on your feelings,"  Journey was right I was scared. This was the first time in my life where I could honestly say that pursuing a girl scared me. I never wanted to be in the position where I put my heart on the line to get it shattered even more than it already is. There was no point in trying we just didn't fit. 

"Nah I don't think she likes me like that"  

"Dude what,.. you're a dumbass" Journey rolled his eyes and grabbed a bag of chips from the shelf. 

"What,"  

"Your dumb and you're an ass,...dumbass"  He laughed and all I could do is push him but he was right maybe it was dumb of me to think that she didn't like me. I mean she does if she's nervous to even be around me. 

"Hey guys so are we ready to check out or are you guys still shopping," Stacey and Aspen walked up with a cart full of food and snacks.  

"Damn are you guys feeding an army" By the looks of their cart it seemed that way I mean I understand being prepared but being this prepared is unreal. When I looked up from the cart I saw Stacey staring at me annoyed.

"No, and it's better to be parped than no you never know the roads can shut down again as soon as we get back home. Jae, you need to be a bit more open-minded sir." Jae I haven't heard that nickname in a while. It's what my sister would always call me so hearing it come from Stacey took me by surprise.  

" I still need some clothes and body wash, I can't  go any longer using Aspens Bath and Body Works body wash." Aspen laughed and covered her mouth quickly with her hand to muffle the loudness of it. Journey walked away and Stacey followed him leaving Aspen and me behind.