A Summer Musical

🎶 Chapter 19 - Second Chances 🎶

Gina's POV

Maybe it had been 1 day since I had talked to EJ, and maybe I was the one who didn't— couldn't— say I love him. Now we had rehearsals, which I was going to use to talk to EJ this time. I didn't want to before, but I had now worked up the courage to. Partially.

Ashlyn was driving to Miss Jenn; I was in the passenger's seat. "Hey Ash?"

"Mhm?"

"EJ..."

"I'm not getting in the middle." She said, almost immediately. "And I'm not taking sides, I love you both."

"Fair enough, I just wanna know... what's the best way to apologize?"

"Don't." She looked over at me. "Just tell him you aren't ready. Tell him the truth. Like... you're not dating him to date, you have full intentions of ending up loving him. Just... not yet."

"Yeah."

"Does that make sense?"

"Yeah. I might talk to Ricky. He seems to know how to handle this." I weakly laughed. I saw her bite her lip. "What?"

"Nothing." She lied.

"Come on."

"I'm not getting in the middle."

"Fine." I sighed. I waited a minute. "Okay, but was it bad, or... yeah, fine." I gave up.

"I'm just saying... maybe don't get anyone in the middle."

"Feels like it's more than that."

"Yep." She confirmed. "I want to help but this is kinda a... thing you do on your own right now. Later I'll help if you need it. Plus, I'm in... a mood."

"Talk to him Ash."

"I'm going to. I was too busy last night, but I will today."

"Now seems like as good a time as any." I said as we pulled up to Miss Jenn's house.

"No getting in the middle for you either."

"I feel like you're over exaggerating what the middle is."

"Maybe." She shrugged, forcing a smile at me. I forced one back, but we both knew neither of us were very cheery. "And there he is." She pointed out EJ.

"There's your guy." I pointed to Big Red.

"I hope."

"Yeah, me too." I nodded. She hugged me tightly.

"Good luck."

"You too." I nodded, going off to talk to EJ. "Hey..."

"Hi." He said stubbornly.

One thing living with Ashlyn and dating EJ has taught me: the Caswell's are stubborn. Luckily, in the case, I am too which meant at least I understood the feeling. Now I just had to explain why I couldn't tell someone I loved them. The absolute opposite of something easy or that Ashlyn's granted luck could help with.

"EJ, we need to talk."

"If you don't love me, you don't love me."

"I never said I didn't." I defended.

"You never said you did, though, that's the problem Gina."

"Can we please just talk? Away from everyone else?" I said, feeling guilty. "I just need a chance."

"Just... come over tonight. My dad won't be home until around 11."

"Uh... great." I nodded.

"I think Carlos wanted to run some number with me. See you then."