Chapter Seven: We're All in This Together

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I didn't want to disappoint Jason. Besides, I couldn't tell him I wanted to go with Damian; that would hurt his feelings. I mean, I did tell Jason I would give him a second chance, after all.

I had no choice but to tell Jason yes and pretend to be excited.

After school, I took a chance and went to the sanctuary. I needed time to think alone.

My friends didn't come to the sanctuary today, so it was empty and quiet, except for the occasional chirping heard from the forest.

I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.

"Hey," someone said.

Startled, I sat up and looked in the direction of the voice.

Damian stood before me, his hands in his pockets, clear blue eyes and a small smile on his face.

"Oh, hey," I said, relieved.

"I didn't expect you to be here, especially after what happened the other day," he said.

"Yeah, me too, actually. But I needed some time alone, and I couldn't think of a better place to do so," I said.

"Oh, should I go?" he said, embarrassed.

"No, no. Please, stay. I could actually use your company," I said, inviting him to sit.

"So," he said as he walked over to the table and sat down. "Earlier, before Tyler asked me to join the football team, we were talking about something."

I raised my eyebrows, trying to recall our conversation. "Sorry, I don't remember."

"The Fall Dance," he said.

Shit.

"Right. Look, I've been meaning to talk to you about that," I said.

He looked at me with clear blue eyes, confused.

"Jason asked me."

Damian looked down at his hands.

"I know I told you Jason and I not dating, but we were dating. We broke up over summer break. He asked me to forgive him, and for a second chance. I told him I would try my best. But this was all before I met you, on the first day of school," I explained.

Damian nodded and pursed his lips. He looked at me with a forced smile and said, "It's fine. I understand. Go to the dance with Jason."

***

When I arrived at home, my mom was cooking dinner in the kitchen.

"Hey, sweetie, how was school today?" she asked while stirring something on the stove.

"It was alright," I said. "Jason asked me to the dance."

"Honey, that's great!" my mom congratulated with a smile.

"I guess so."

"What's wrong?" she asked, stopping from her cooking and turning to look at me.

"It's justーI would rather go with Damian, but he told me he doesn't usually go to dances. And then, Jason asked me out of the blue, and I couldn't say no."

"You really like Damian, huh," she said, tilting her head to one side.

I nodded. "It's just, things with Jason are so simpleーthey always have been. But with Damian, everything is just soーcomplicated."

"Well, honey, sometimes simple is good. But if your heart disagrees, then you can try complicated. But then, things getーcomplicated," she laughed. "I know you'll make the right decision."

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