A New Beginning

Chapter 9

Hey everyone! Here is chapter 9! Enjoy!

JAMES ALVAREZ

Athena was gone...not gone, as if she died. That's not what I meant. I just said goodbye to her as she got into a cab to the airport on her way to Santiago. While going, she dropped a bomb, no, better...a grenade or most probably a nuclear bomb with the entire U.S army shooting at me. She loved me. No matter how much she denied it moments ago, I knew her well enough to know that she was lying. The scene at the library? I knew that that one was just by pure pleasure, I surely would have loved to join in if she hadn't meant every single word she had said.

I didn't want to end this year badly, that's mostly why I caught up with her the next day of that event but also to make sure whether she was being truthful or not back then. The question you probably have is, do I love her? To be honest guys, I wish I knew. My feelings are in a rollercoaster right now, it is like finding a needle in a stack of straw. It was complicated but fortunately I had some time to figure them out. One thing that I was sure of was that I loved Bree but I also knew that I was a blinded idiot. Like Athena rightfully pointed out when I first met her.

For now, all I wanted to focus on was my family. Yes, like everyone, I was going back home. My home, Nevada. However, two weeks were enough for me. About a three hour drive to get home, the trip was not going to be very tiring. Let's go! Not now...I was going out at night for a reason, wasn't I? The less time I spent there, the better.

-My baby!! Shrieked my mother. I immediately wondered why I came back, what wouldn't I give to be on my bed with Bree...those two weeks were going to look like two years...

My mother squeezed me, crushing my intestines, you know what? Let's make it twenty years, after all, I was going to die here. Gosh...I really hated my three weeks ago past self right now, who stupidly decided to call my father to announce him, that I was finally going to come here to visit. The only person I was happy to see was Shelby, my dog. I missed that big guy, he used to be my best friend when I was little. He was my whole universe and I was his. He literally jumped on me, at my sight, making me fall on the hardwood as he licked my whole face.

My younger sister was here, Kienna. She came yesterday and decided to come visit also during the holidays. I rushed towards her, mostly to hide from my mother.

-Don't hide here! You're older, be a man you coward and go get your unlimited kisses! She said as she playfully punched me on the arm.

-You're only younger by a year, you should go. I said wisely.

-I already got my share. She laughed. It's good to see you, big brother.

-You too. I missed you so much sis! I said as I hugged her. Tell me about law school...Harvard, how is it?

-Same old, same old...but I just got more juicy news...

I looked at her questioningly.

-You! You, you jerk! She said punching me harder, but in the stomach this time.

-What do you mean!? I yelped in pain.

She guided me outside and made me sit down in the damp grass. She looked so flustered and frustrated at the same time that it reminded of Athena. I laughed to myself.

-What is it? Spit it Kienna! This grass is wet and I'm really hungry...mom said that dinner was-

-Oh...stop complaining and tell me more about your girlfriend. She interrupted as she suddenly sat next to me, her eyes wide with curiosity, thirsty for information.

That wasn't hard, without wasting a second, I started a whole monologue on Bree and how incredible she was. How beautiful, how kind, generous, polite, wonderful...how perfect she was. I couldn't stop smiling, just by picturing her by my side, it made my day so much better than I expected. My whole world lit up again. I felt complete, although I still wished that she was here with me, or me with her rather.

I looked at my sister, she was tearing up the petals of flowers, deep in thought. Her attitude hit me, she acted so much like Athena. They would have loved each other, that's for sure. Maybe they should meet someday...My sister, I could see that now, had almost the same brain as Athena. Why "almost"? Let's be honest, Athena was unique. Unique in her own way! If I had told her that, she would have probably shot back that everyone was unique...

-A penny for your thoughts? I asked, focusing back on my sister.

-You love her, do you?

-Yes I do. I replied instantly.

She looked as if she wanted to say something else but hesitated and said instead, smiling sadly,

-Then I'm happy for you. I really am.

-Thanks sis.

 -Come on, let's go eat dinner. Dad is back from work. She said as she slapped my shoulder, suddenly cheerful again.

She raced me home and I couldn't wait to meet my father. He was among one of the only people in my family who was not insane like my mother or like my other siblings. Kienna and I always felt that we took a lot more after our father than our mother. We were the golden trio of the house when I was younger. My father meant everything to me, he was the one who introduced me to the movie classics and books. He has taught me almost everything I know, all the merits to the man I am right now, I owe it to him. Yes, as oddly it might seem to say as a nineteen year old, my dad was my hero.

While talking to my family during the meal, I knew that I had made my decision. Especially when Bree called later that evening. We had promised to call each other everyday. I loved both of them but...Bree was the love of my life and Athena was my best friend. Those places would never change, I would not come back on my decision...but that didn't mean that I had to tell Athena about that. She was persuaded that she had convinced me that her feelings towards me were nothing but friendship...then let it be! She didn't need to know that I knew that she was lying. She didn't need to know any of this. As long as I didn't say anything, nothing could compromise my friendship with her. We were friends, the situation was already mended when I talked to her on the last day, wasn't it?

Only one more chapter to go... 

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Until next time!