A LIE AT THE BEACH

Chapter 24: Athens.

"I...I..."

Jill cuts me off with a raise of her hand showing she hasn't finished her rant that is really getting to me. "You love the guy yourself. Have you seen the way you look at him? Like you've never had eyes for anyone else? Like he means the world to you. Like he's the only person for you. Athens you grin by just getting a simple text 'hi' from him. You get anxious whenever he's coming to pick you up and take you out. Just tell me you still don't see that you love this guy. I'll give up. You guys are perfect for each other!" She continues, "He may have used weird ways to get to you but at least he fessed up infront of you. He apologised and I'm sure he was really ashamed of himself. Athens, just forgive him and leave the past in the past. Move on for fuck's sake. Don't hold onto shit or you won't find happiness even when it's infront of you. Look, I'm not forcing you into anything but at least think about it. Sid makes you happy and you also know it. Give him another chance. Think about it." Jill finalises her speech.

I feel like I've been punched in the gut numerous times with the truths Jill has been spewing. I've been dumb this whole time. I didn't see what was right infront of me. No, I can't lose Sidney. I love that man. He is the only person that makes me feel like not punching the other gender you know since Mike. Mike really ruined me...I see mom's point now clear as day and I won't let Mike live rent-free in my mind. To hell with him and now, I'm going to put all my focus on the man I have right now. I've been through shit in the past but I won't let it dictate who I am. I need to talk to Sid. Now.

"Oh I've been so dumb. Thank you so much Jill. 'Preciate it, sis." I say to Jill amd she hugs me tight.

"I got you always. I'm sorry for having lied and hidden stuff from you and it won't happen again." She says firmly. "Thank God." I say.

"Now get out of here and go talk to your man." She says with a smirk and I grin at her knowing what I have to do. I get back to my room and it's around eleven pm...pretty early. I decide to text Sid so we can meet. I hope he's not so hurt and ignores my calls. I text him quickly. Me: Hey. Can we talk? I'm practically shaking right now because I'm half thinking he won't reply. He surprises me by replying a mere two seconds later. My Hero: I'll be there in a few. Now I'm more anxious. I wear a hoodie and jeans plus sketchers and wait for his next text when he has arrived. The elders are still at work...mum goes with aunt Jolly to aunt's boutique in the middle of town. I sit on my bed..anxiously waiting. My Hero: I'm here. Come out. I'm panicking because I clearly overreacted earlier. I rush to Jill's room and say to her "Wish me luck. He's outside." "Good luck. You'll need it." She winks at me.

I hurry downstairs and out the door then out the gate to get to my man. Not yet fully but we're getting there. I knock at his windowside of the car and he opens the passenger door to his infamous jeep for me and I hop in. We remain quiet for some time trying to figure out where to start from. This is harder than I thought it would be. I blow out a breath and decide to start off the conversation since I called him anyway. "Soo I'm sorry I overreacted earlier... " He just hums in response. Okayyy I guess I'm doing all the talking for now. "I was shocked from the whole dilemma and I couldn't believe you did that. I was so mad and I couldn't think straight. Although, what you did to me with your friends wasn't fine by me, I should have focused more on your honest apology. I needed time to think about it though. It was for the best that I got some time alone...to think straight and decide on what to do or say about it." I say as I look for what else to say. There is a major silence right now and it's too tense that I can't even breathe. After what feels like forever, Sid decided to open his mouth. "I'm relieved that you saw where I was coming from." He's saying this while looking ahead at the road then he turns towards me slowly. He looks at me with those grey eyes that can pierce through my soul to see what I'm feeling. I shift a little uncomfortably.