from first love to worst heartbreak

Chapter 44

The restaurant Jace chose was small but cozy, with soft lighting that made everything feel warm and intimate. It was the kind of place where the world outside didn't seem to exist for a while—just a haven of quiet conversation and good food. As we sat down, I glanced at Jace and noticed how relaxed he seemed now. There was a slight awkwardness in the air, but it wasn't uncomfortable. More like... we were both easing into something neither of us fully understood yet.

We ordered our meals, the conversation flowing easily between us. Jace had a way of making me laugh without even trying, and for the first time in what felt like weeks, I found myself genuinely smiling. We didn't talk much about what had happened with my dad, Elizabeth, or Sara, and that was exactly what I needed. Jace understood, without me even having to say it, that I wanted to escape from that part of my life for a little while.

"So, what's been going on with you?" I asked him, leaning back in my chair after taking a bite of pasta.
"Nothing as dramatic as your life, that's for sure," he teased with a grin, and I rolled my eyes playfully.
"Come on, I'm serious. Tell me about you."

He shrugged. "Honestly? It's been pretty chill. Classes, work, some basketball. I've been spending a lot of time at the gym to keep busy. You know, the usual."
It was comforting hearing him talk about normal things. The routine of campus life seemed so far away from the chaos I'd just been through, but now, sitting here with Jace, I was reminded that normalcy still existed. It made me feel like I could find my way back to it, too.
"Sounds like you've got it all figured out," I said with a small smile.

"I don't know about that," Jace laughed. "But I'm trying. Anyway, how's your leg? You sure you're okay to be out and about?"
I glanced down at my leg, which was still aching but not unbearable. "It's getting better. I'll be fine. Besides, I needed this. I needed to just... be somewhere else."
He nodded, his eyes softening a bit. "I'm glad you came out with me tonight."
"Me too," I admitted, surprised at how true that felt.

The rest of the night passed in a blur of good conversation and laughter. By the time we finished eating and Jace drove me back to campus, I felt lighter. Not completely, but enough to know that I could keep going. Enough to feel like the world wasn't as overwhelming as it had been.

When we reached my dorm, Jace walked me to the door, and there was that familiar tension in the air again. I wasn't sure if this was a date, or if we were just two friends reconnecting after a long, hard time. But as I turned to say goodnight, Jace leaned in, his eyes flicking to mine for a split second before closing the distance.

His lips brushed mine gently, almost as if he was testing the waters, giving me a moment to pull back if I wanted. But I didn't. I kissed him back softly, and for a moment, everything faded away—the stress, the guilt, the confusion. It was just Jace and me, standing in the quiet of the night, sharing a kiss that felt like something new and hopeful.
When we pulled apart, he smiled, a little shyly this time. "Goodnight, Bella," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Goodnight," I replied, my heart still racing as I watched him walk away.

As soon as I got back into my room, I collapsed on the bed, my mind spinning with everything that had just happened. It wasn't long before exhaustion caught up with me, and I fell into a deep sleep.

The next morning, I woke up to sunlight streaming through the window, casting a soft glow over the room. It was strange to wake up feeling... lighter. After the heaviness of the past few weeks, it was a relief. But I didn't have time to dwell on that feeling for too long. My classes were starting again today, and I knew I had to get back into my routine.
I took my time getting ready, making sure to stretch my leg a bit before leaving my room. The pain was still there, but it was manageable. It was a reminder, though—a reminder of everything that had happened, but also of the fact that I had survived it.
As I made my way across campus to my first class, I couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. I had been away for what felt like an eternity, even though it had only been a week. So much had happened in that short time, and I wasn't sure how to just slip back into normal life again. But I had to try.