Far From The Truth

Chapter 28

Avril's POV

James and I had gone bowling, to get my mind of things. It was actually really fun, probably the most I've laughed in a long time. In the end, I won the game. We were just leaving the place when I saw a group of guys hanging around at the corner, smoking and holding bottles of beer in their hands. I knew these guys, they were always being taken in by the cops for causing fights on the streets. I always wondered why they weren't in jail permanently. They hadn't harassed me or anyone in a while, so I was guessing they had been with the police for two weeks.

I tried to pull James with me in the other direction, but sadly, their leader - Arden I think was his name - called out, "Hey boys, look who it is. Little miss perfect and her new boy toy." He jeered at me, and the rest of the gang started barking out laughter. I closed my eyes and tried to ignore them. I felt James tense beside me and almost turn to go after them, but I stopped him.

"James, leave them alone. They're just a bunch of idiots who like to cause trouble." I whispered, trying to pull him along with me.

"Ooooh, the little kitten is trying to be a lion. I'm quivering in my boots." One of the other guys jeered. I just rolled my eyes, still facing away from them, and started walking again, pulling James with me.

"I wouldn't walk away from us if I were you missy." Arden said, and I could hear the slight slur to his words.

"Shut up Arden." I hissed, then walked away, listening to their drunken laughter fade behind us.

"Who were those assholes back there?" James exclaimed once we were back at the door of my apartment.

"Ignore them. They're a bunch of idiots, like I said before. They're always being taken away by the cops." I brushed it off. I admit, when I first moved into the neighborhood, those guys would scare me so much I would be shaking in my boots. But now that I was used to them, I knew they were harmless unless they had like an overdose of alcohol or drugs.

James just shook his head and then the tension from the encounter was gone. "Okay, well I should be getting home for dinner now. Do you want to come over?"

"No thanks." I smiled, "See you tomorrow."

James nodded and turned, walking away. I was just about to go in the door to my apartment when he called my name. I turned around and faced him once again.

"You're going to tell Blaise about your life right? I mean, what happened..." He trailed off, looking uncomfortable.

I thought about it for a minute, and then sighed. "Yeah, I guess I should. Don't worry, I'll tell him soon enough. Night James." I smiled small then walked into my apartment, watching James' car drive away. I closed my door and leant against it, whispering, "But I'm afraid."

I was afraid, true. I really, really liked Blaise, but I was confused. One day he was being all tough guy, and the next he was declaring his...well...like to me. I didn't understand the sparks between us when we touched. I don't think anyone can explain them. When I was young - and still living in foster care - I lived with a woman who liked to read stories to me. There was one in particular. It was about a young girl who met a handsome prince. When they touched they felt sparks, and the prince (being royalty so he knew most things) said that those sparks meant they were soul mates.

Were Blaise and I really soul mates? I mean, I felt those sparks with him, I knew they were special but I had no idea how. The woman told me later on that that story was based off of her and her husband, and they were still happily married and in love.

I guess if they felt what I - and hopefully Blaise - am feeling, and they worked out...I believe in that stuff. I've had way too much loss and sadness in my life and I am sick and tired of it.