Start of Something New

Ch 7: cheer up

The next morning Candace didn't get out of bed she cried most of the morning only stopping when she could distract herself with YouTube videos or disney movies. It was currently 3pm and she had missed all of her classes that day but she didn't care. She thought about her decision to stay and she didn't regret her decision. She couldn't give up her future just to keep a guy. No matter how much she loved him. Vanessa had went to class only stopping by once between her classes to bring Candace lunch which so was grateful for. There was a knock on her door and she sighed before slowly getting up to answer it. Her bloodshot eyes widened when it was Jeremy at the door. "Um-hey didn't see you in class and wanted to check on you and see if you were feeling okay." He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Candace gave a slight smile and gestured for him to enter. She quickly tried to smoothen out her hair that she was sure was a mess right now. "I'm just not feeling to hot...Jason and I broke up last night" she said sitting on the edge of her bed letting out a tiny sob. Jeremy tensed. He hated to see girls cry, especially her. He sat next to her on her bed and rubbed her back. "Hey don't cry. Break ups suck, trust me but it'll get better. If you don't mind me asking why did you guys break up?" Candace sniffed. "He wanted me to leave here and go to school closer to him." Jeremy scoffed. "So he wants you to throw away your future for him? Candace that's ridiculous." This conversation was not making her feel better and Jeremy could feel the anxiety coming from her. He quickly changed the subject. "Ehem. Um, how about we hang out today? It'll be a nice distractioan" Candace shrugged. "I don't know...I was just gonna stay in and watch chick flicks." Jeremy smiled. "Well you're in luck because I love chick flicks. And I have popcorn at my dorm and ice cream" she smiled at him. "Why are you so nice?" He smirked. "Hey don't tell anyone it'll ruin my rep" Candace couldn't help but to laugh at this. "Hey there's a smile!" He said, pinching her cheek. "Stop it" she laughed, pushing his hand away. "Alright I'll go get the snacks and you can choose the movie."
She nodded shyly and he smiled and left to his room a few doors down.

Candace wiped her face and stood up and straightened her blankets out before grabbing one of her favorite chick flick dvds. A few minutes later Jeremy returned he had changed into some sweats and had a carton of cookies and cream ice cream in one hand and a bag of popcorn in the other. "Alright what we watching?" he asked taking a seat next to her on the bed. "Sixteen Candles" she said smiling gratefully as she took the icecream from his hand. She took two plastic spoons from on top of her mini fridge and stuck them into the carton. "A classic" he said leaning back against the wall with a pillow behind him. They watched the movie occasionally commenting on the movie and the goldmine that was 80s movies. They went through Clueless and was in the middle of the notebook when Candace fell asleep on Jeremy's shoulder. He stared down at her and smiled. Her face was puffy from crying and her hair was messy but she still looked beautiful to him. He leaned down to kiss her cheek when the door opened. Candace immediately woke up and head budded Jeremy who groaned in pain. "Oh my gosh Jeremy I'm sorry!" He rubbed his head and shook his head. "It's fine"
"sorry guys" Vanessa said sheepishly. Jeremy stood up from the bed. "Um it's fine I have to go anyways. Lots of studying to do but I hope you feel better soon Candace" he gave her a smile and she smiled back and nodded. "I feel a lot better already so thanks..." "good. We'll see you tommorow then? she nodded and he left to his room.
"Sooooo...already on the rebound are we?"
Candace scoffed. "What are you talking about?"
Vanessa rolled her eyes. "C'mon seriously? You break up with your boyfriend yesterday and today you're cuddling with Jeremy. You need to slow down before someone gets hurt" Candace frowned. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Jeremy. But maybe Vanessa was right...she had to think about this.
"But I'm glad he was able to keep you distracted because you look a lot better now than you did earlier, that's for sure."
Candace groaned and laid her face into her pillow.

....
The next day Candace gathered the strength to go to class. Fortunately, she only had 2 classes that day then she had to meet Jeremy to finish they're project before the following day when they would have to turn it in. They were supposed to work on it the day prior but obviously that didn't happen and she felt bad for making him watch pitty movies with her instead of getting work done. But she did smile to herself when thinking about how caring he was towards her. Later that day she found herself in the library before going to meet Jeremy. She really needed to find a book for her English class. To kill a mockingbird was the name of the book and all she knew is it had something to do with racism and court. Should be a cheerful read. She thought sarcastically. After finding the book she was heading to the journalism building to meet Jeremy when her phone vibrated in her pocket. She took it out and read the text.
Jason
Hey babe I'm so sorry about the other night. I wasn't thinking straight and I over reacted. I don't want to break up. I love you.

Candace read the text about 5 times. He didn't want to break up with her? She didn't know whether to be happy or angry at him for breaking up with her in the first place.
She needed time to think she put her phone back in her pocket and continued her treck to the classroom.
She went inside and Jeremy looked up from his computer and smiled at her. "Hey, feeling better?" Candace nodded. "Yeah I mean still could be better but the show must go on" she said throwing her bag into a random chair. "Alright, well let's get started. We have a substantial amount of evidence already and plenty of witnesses though most of them are anonymous...now we just need to figure out a way to present it." Candace thought about it. "Hm well how about we do like a PSA. We can do a quick 2-3 minute video on the stats and the truth about sexual assault at college parties and back it up with our evidence." Jeremy nodded. "There's a party tonight! We can get some real footage." Candace smiled. "Perfect!"
They worked for a while longer before calling it a day. "So...you wanna get some lunch or something?" Candace smiled before her phone vibrated again. That reminded her about Jason's text. "Um..actually I can't right now...so much work to do ya know? But I'll see you at the party tonight!" Jeremy nodded. "Alright no problem see you later" he smiled and Candace couldn't help but admire his perfect teeth and bright smile. He was so handsome. She shook her head and snapped out of it. "Okay"

....
Candace left the building and took out her phone and called Jason. He picked up immediately.

Hey! Candace babe I'm so glad you called. Did you get my text?

Candace sighed. Yes I got it that's actually why I'm calling...I don't know Jason...I mean you broke up with me because I wanted to stay at my dream school. You knew from the first day of high school that I wanted to go here and you tried to take that away from me...

I know babe I'm so sorry! I was blinded by jealousy and I should've trusted you. Please forgive me

Candace swallowed. "Okay Jason. I'll give you one more chance. But I'm not leaving this school."

I understand. Thanks babe. I love you.

I love you too. I'll talk to you later.

She hung up and went back to her dorm where Vanessa was dancing around the room to some rock music. Her hair swung all over the place and she used a hairbrush to sing along. Candace chuckled and shut the door causing Vanessa to stop in her tracks and freeze embarrassed. "Oh hey! Didn't know you'd be back so soon" she said sheepishly Turing the misic off. "Don't stop on my account" Candace laughed.
"I just had a really good day" Vanessa smiled. "This guy in my music class asked me out" Candace smiled. "Nice! Where and when?"
"Tonight and we're going to a party"
"Frat party?"
"Yeah!"
"Great! Jeremy and I are going as well!"
"Oh yes. You and lover boy" she smirked.
Candace blushed.
"Um-actually Jason and I got back together today...he apologized"
Vanessa nodded slowly. "Oh...Kay and your totally sure about that?"
Candace nodded. "I think so...I mean why throw away 4 years over something so...juvenile?"
Vanessa nodded. "Okay well as long as you're happy"