Vacant

Chapter Seventeen

 YEAH YEAH I know this is a short chapter too, but stay tuned for chapter 18, because... it's getting hot in here so take - yeah ok that's ALL that I'm saying, you know the rest ;P anyways, hope you like this chapter, it's no biggie, but it's important because it leads up to the next one! :D

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          “So why’d you take off yesterday?” Jesse asked. We were at the skate park now; the days were quickly getting colder and colder. Soon all skateboarders were to probably move to the parking lot/mall park, or just stop boarding until spring came back.

            Jesse and I were skating and trying out new tricks we saw Ryan Sheckler do in a competition on TV.

            “I don’t know, I was overwhelmed,” I said, getting annoyed. “Out of all people you should know that.”

            Jesse shut his mouth then. He was starting to get annoying. I thought we were best friends, but lately, he’s been acting really weird and not himself.

            We kept on trying tricks out on the ramp. I was scrutinizing Jesse’s precision, trying to aid him into landing the trick.  

            “Hey, guys.” Someone said. I turned, and there was Tyler. He was walking up to us, with his skateboard in one hand, while his helmet lay nestled on top of his head.

            “Hey, Tyler. What’s up?” I asked.

            “Nothing too much, you?”

            “Nothing.”

            We all fell silent for a while, until Jesse broke the silence, “So how was that?”

            “You need more of an edge when you take off,” I directed. I made my way over to the end of the rail, and backed up a bit. Since there was no one at the skate park excluding us three, I didn’t bother bringing my sunglasses or oversized hoodie.

“Like this.” I backed up and pumped my back leg. I demonstrated the edge Jesse needed, and then I preformed the trick precisely and flawlessly.

            “Damn Chloe, you got some serious talent. Was that your first try?” Tyler inquired.

            “Thanks, and yeah, it was actually.” I smiled and skated beside Jesse.

            “Your turn.”  I nudged him to go, and he skated towards the rail. Jesse skated to a perfect speed, and just as he began to lift up his board, a pair of arms wrapped around my waist. What the? I thought. But then I turned around to find River standing there, a smirk plastered on his face.

            “Hey you,” he said, while pecking my cheek. “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in days.” It’s true; I have been kind of avoiding River and especially Luke. I just didn’t want to talk about what’s been happening.

            “River?” Jesse spoke aloud.

            “Jesse, my man!” River exclaimed, while holding out his hand for a “bromance” handshake.

            “Nice to see you again man.” Jesse said.        

            “Hey if you’ll let me, mind if I steal your Chloe for a minute?” River questioned.

            “I hardly think she’s mine to steal from.” replied Jesse.

            River gave a quick chuckle and grabbed my hand, leading me away from the group.

            He led me to a faraway tree, and he leaned me against it. He gently stroked my cheek and also played with my hair. I couldn’t help but smile. His familiar cologne scent smelt so familiar. I breathed him in, while he studied my face. He leaned closer to me and whispered, “God, you’re beautiful.” He planted his soft lips against mine, satisfying my craving for him since last time. He broke off the kiss first, but only to talk about last time.

            “Do you regret it?” He asked.

            “Regret what?” I asked him, knowing what he was really talking about, but wanting him to say it.

            “About the last time we, you know… made out.” He stumbled a bit, but picked himself up again. His dark blue eyes were boring into mine, starving for an answer.

            “No, I don’t.” And that seemed to enliven him, because he smiled, and we kept making out.

            But really, in the back of my mind, something was saying that I really did regret it, and that I was betraying Luke. Was I really betraying him, would he even care? He said he likes me, but I don’t even know if he was serious or not. But I wasn’t on planning on finding out anytime soon, so I tried to enjoy this moment I was having now, with River.

            But in the end, all I could think about was Luke.