The Redemption Stage (Book 2: The Second Chance)

Reasons (9) Jax

After the weeks of our vacation came to a close, I was thoroughly sad to have to leave this cabin. The lake, the memories, the experiences here were all so enjoyable. It was good to get away.

We were all packed up already, tomorrow we were leaving and our ten hour journey back home would consists of Grayson, me, and possibly Lissa driving.

It was about 10PM and we were all in our rooms, Lissa and I sitting on the bed, night owls.

"Hey, don't hate me, but just listen." I told her. "Remember when you told Joy about all the things you like about me? And how I heard everything?" I asked her.

She nodded slowly, I could tell she was growing suspicious as to where this was going. "Well... Don't hate me for being cheesy, but hear me out." She motioned for me to keep going and I did.

"Melissa Isabelle Robinson, you... Are adorable, for starters. I would never say this in a room of people... But here I go... What I like about you.

"I like the way you scrunch up your nose sometimes when you laugh too hard, I like the way you smile and giggle at the stupidest things, I like the way you get a glint in your eye when you talk about your fandoms, I like the way you jump around and act all crazy when you excited or hyper, I like the way you can never explain yourself whenever you do something so weird, I like the way you just know what exactly to say or do when Joy or I are feeling bad,

"I like the way you stuck with me and believed in me even after I was being the ultimate bipolar jerk, I like the way you give everyone a chance... Sometimes... I like the way you flail your arms around and act all embarrassing to get my attention, I like how you would embarrass yourself to be funny,

"I like how you're the perfect hugging height as if it were meant to be, I like how you could be talking to your friends in a goofy way, but then turn around and act composed and proper in front of an adult, I like your competitive spirit even though it sparks fights between us sometimes,

"I like how you just instantly clicked with my family instantly when you stepped through our door twelve years ago, I like your love for art even if it's just a line on a paper, I like you passion for the things you love, I like how you would stop everything you're doing for a moment to take a picture on your phone of the sky or something, I like how you roll up your sleeves when you complain that it's warm but you never take off you jacket,

"I like how you sometimes leave little notes around my house for me, I like how how basically live at my house so I can see you everyday, I like how you always show up after Joy or I's games with food and drinks, I like how you cherish and dwell on our little cute moments like these, I like how you notice the little things that no one else sees but yet you still are unaware, I like how you know exactly what I like,

"I like how you genuinely love all these moments we spend with each other, I like all these memories we've made..." I paused for a long moment, her eyes were glazed over. "All of these things made me realize... From the stupid things that we do to the adorable things I like about you, my reasons are enough to equate to... What I love about you. Er, I love you." I said.

We've never said 'I love you' before, or at least I can't recall a moment we said it seriously. The word 'love' to her means a lot, she hates using it when it's unnecessary.

"Really? You really mean all that?" She said with a shaky breath, tears were streaming down her face, turning he cheeks a soft pink color.

I nodded, she gave me the biggest hug ever, I mean like ever. "I love you too." She whispered, I gave her a squeeze and we just stayed like that for a while.

When we finally pulled away, we talked. "When we get back, we have to go to college, have you decided what you want to be?" She asked me, I wiped the tears from her face and smiled.