The Choice

.2

I couldn't believe it was him. Joel Pimentel. He made his way towards me and gave me a look with his chocolate brown eyes. the look I had fallen for 8th grade year.

"Hey. How's your ankle?" What? my ankle? how did he know I hurt my ankle?

"H-how do you know I hurt my ankle?" I asked dumbstruck.

"well I kinda was the guy that you crashed into at the airport." He had a smile across his face. oh how had I missed that cheesy smile. Wait. What are you thinking Erika? You have a boyfriend.

"wait what? you were the guy I crashed into at the airport?" I knew i had heard that voice somewhere. I couldn't really take a look at his face. but it was him

"yup" he popped the p. he raised one of his eyebrows and let out another smile. my favorite face.

okay so let me catch you guys up. Joel and I met 8th grade year. we became best friends. I began to develop feelings for him and so did he. but one night, he just disappeared. no one knew where his family had gone. I tried calling him, texting him but I never got a call or text back. I was heartbroken. I thought he had left because of me and the way I felt towards him. As time went by I decided that he wasn't worth it anymore. I then went into high school and met Alex. we became close friends and began dating sophomore year. I thought that by being with someone else I was going to be able to forget Joel. and that had worked until now.

"oh. um that's so weird" my hands were sweating. my hands only sweated when I got nervous. why was I nervous?

"I wouldn't call it weird. I'd call it a coincidence" he looked at his feet as he said this. "maybe it was destiny that brought us together again. you know?"

did he expect me to be fine after he left town without saying a word? my blood began to boil but I answered in a calm tone. "I'd say destiny was the one that brought us apart. and that's why you left. or at least that's what I like to say to myself since the day you left without saying goodbye." my eyes began to get watery. it still hurt and it probably always will.

"let me explain. my family and I were having some problems and we had to leave town immediately." he reached out for my hands.

"and you couldn't call me. text me? a nice 'hey gotta leave town. bye' would've been nice you know. I waited for you for 2 years Joel. 2 years. but you never came back or called me back. I gave up on you....on us." tears were rolling down my cheeks.

"I know and I'm sorry. but I'm back. and I think that if we found each other like this is for a reason." he looked deep into my eyes.

"it's too late Joel. a little too late. I have a boyfriend and I love him and he loves me. I got tired of waiting for you. I had to move on. and you should do the same" I got up and limped my way towards Johann. where the hell was he?

"hey you okay? why are you limping?" he raised an eyebrow at me

"yea I'm fine it's just my ankle kinda hurts when I put weigh on it. um are you almost done. Can we please leave. um you know what if you want to stay longer just give me the keys and I'll come pick you later." I didn't want to be here any longer

"Um Erika I don't think you can drive with your ankle hurt. oh my gosh guess who I just remembered I saw earlier. Joel! remember him? he like disappeared but he's competing here so that's nice" he had a smile on his face. Joel and Johann were friends back in California

"oh...um that's cool I guess. but I can drive" I said taking the keys from his hands.

"no you can't" he snatched the keys back. "here I'll tell Joel if he can take you and he can drive the car back here" oh my god. no I was going to kill him

"No Johann it's fi-"

"Hey Joel! can I ask you for the biggest favor. I have to go do something and my sister doesn't feel good. would you mind driving her to our hotel?" he handed him the keys leaving him with no other choice.

"of course, my pleasure" he had that little smirk on his face.

great just great. because this is what I needed.