Definition of Love

Chapter 2

The summer after 8th grade was when Polaris and I grew incredibly close. The days leading up to our first date made me incredibly excited. My mother had helped me pick out an outfit consisting of a blue and black flannel tucked into a short black skirt and some black boots.

My mother and I spent a lot of time together that day. We hadn't been able to do that in such a long time and it felt good to be able to be somewhat close to her again. We definitely didn't agree on much, but that could never change the fact that she's my mother and cared for me more than anything. I would always be thankful for that.

Once my hair was all curled and I finally had my eyeliner at the best it would get that night, I headed downstairs and waited for Polaris. It was just about 7 pm when I sat in the living to watch my favorite show while waiting for him.

He was supposed to come at 7:30, but it was already 8 and he still hasn't arrived. I was a bit devastated. My first date wasn't going to happen. I had texted him multiple times, however he didn't answer once. I ended up going back upstairs and changing into a pair of sweats and a tank top. I laid in bed that night waiting for a text. Good thing it was summer, because I had an all nighter.

I finally fell asleep at around 5, but I awoke again 2 hours later to a sound outside of my window. I knew immediately who it was.

I crawled out of bed and opened my window. I looked out expecting to see Polaris' blue eyes, but I was met with a different familiarity. Rafael.

"Meet me in the treehouse," he whispered almost soft enough for it to be blown away into the wind.

I simply nodded my head.

I grabbed a pair of Uggs and I tip-toed down the hall and stairs. Once I reached the back yard, I quietly climbed up and found Raf sitting in my beanbag.

"That's mine, Raf," I glared. But he only chuckled.

"I know but I'm too lazy to get up again," he said and I rolled my eyes with a smile.

"So what's up? It's almost like you've disappeared from everyone's lives," I stated.

"No, I haven't. I've just been busy because I want to get my habits in check. But we aren't here to talk about me. What's going on with you? You seem upset," he said with concern in his eyes.

The look in his eyes was enough to make me break down. I started crying and told him about all the details of my night. The guy that was my best friend and who I thought knew me better than almost anyone had the nerve to stand me up. That made me so upset.

Raf simply gave me a hug and assured me it would be okay. He rubbed my back and I laid on his chest attempting to calm down.

"It's not even that I like him that much, it's just that he's someone who knows me so well, but still left me hanging," I said a bit more calmly.

"I understand what you mean, but maybe he was just scared? I don't know. I don't get what goes through his head sometimes," he said.

Eventually, the two of us fell asleep in each other's arms. It was calm and nice. I should've held on to that. But I was not prepared for what I would wake up to the next morning.