The Path of Roses 🥀

CHAPTER EIGHT

Word Count: 3,466

Thursday, July 8th, 2004

Dear Younger Me,

       If you ever wondered what we're like at 15 years old, let me just tell you that life has a seriously weird sense of humor. We moved back to Baldwin Park in the summer. So far it's not as awful as I thought it would be. I was able to go to the City of Hope a couple weeks ago. Even though it's a place of bittersweet memories, I still like going. Also, I met this guy.

     Now, don't start freaking out and going on about how stupid I am to forget about our long time crush on David. We're actually dating right now and I only have eyes for him. Nobody else. Nonetheless, the guy I met at City of Hope is named Jordan Walker. He's the same age as me, but we're like the sun and the moon. He enjoys school while I wish it could be burned to the ground. He's a hopeless romantic while I prefer tragic romances. I think you get the idea at this point.

    He's also very convincing. He somehow got me to admit that I love reading and what genre of books I like. It feels weird for someone to acknowledge that part of me without criticizing my taste (cough cough Nicole!) 

    But I guess I shouldn't have to worry much about it. So far Jordan doesn't seem like a blabbermouth. But knowing Jordan, I'll probably confess every single thing I've done. I've noticed that he doesn't like small talk. He likes long, meaningful conversations. When I talk to him, he pays attention to me, as if I'm the most important person in the world. It feels a little weird to see someone actually paying attention to me and lingering onto every word I say. Maybe I should be a little more grateful. Jordan could have despised me as much as Destiny does.

    Speaking of which, I met his friends. All guys of course. One of his friends, Sebastian, tried seducing me. He's the only one from the group I can't stand. The others, Aidan, Mark, and Erin are alright. Aidan has a lazy look, but he's definitely dirty minded like every other guy in the universe. Mark is more on the chill side, but I know there's a crazy side to him. It's always the quiet ones you gotta keep an eye on, as they say. And Eric kind of reminds me of David, except he's a year younger and isn't a gangster. 

    As much as I like hanging out with them, I can't help but wonder, "How long will our friendship last before I mess it up?"

I sighed as I closed my journal and placed it in my bookbag. Ever since I started writing, I have had the habit of writing to different versions of myself. I gave my younger self updates about my life while I asked my future self about well, the future, duh. So far the hardest thing I ever wrote to myself was when I told my younger self that Jonathan died. I didn't even get past the first paragraph. I ripped it apart before crying my eyes out the rest of night.

I heard my phone Ding! several times. I grabbed it and saw that I have messages from David and Mal. Another Ding! rung. I opened the message.

Jordan: You should really get off the phone. You'll get blind.

I looked up, chuckling, and was surprised to see none other than Jordan Walker. We exchanged numbers the last time we hung out. I figured that it would be a faster way of communicating with him instead of waiting till the next time I see him.

"Hey there stranger." I teased, looking up to see him, dressed casually in a dark gray t-shirt and denim jeans. 

"Long time no see Victoria. I saw that you got my text." Jordan responded.

"Yes I did. And it's pretty ironic that you said that." I said.

"But it's also true. Why do you think a bunch of people are wearing glasses?"