My Last Breath

Chapter 30- the end of an era

Summer was amazing, yet it was also full of surprises. My brother proposed to his long time girlfriend Rachel, Jake and I dated for a little bit, but decided to stay friends once school started back up, and Bruce gave me a private tour of LSU. Well, I guess summer doesn't last forever; time to face reality now:

Setting my stuff on a cart, I look up at my crying mom and hug her, "thank you for everything mom." Tears in her eyes, she wipes them away and embraces me tight, "your welcome baby girl."
Rolling my eyes, I look at my dad and hug him tight. Not wanting to let go, I sniff as he strokes my hair "it'll be alright Ashely, you'll do fine."
Nodding, I release him and roll my stuff to the door. One last look at my parents, I wave at them as I walk into the hallway: Seeing posters,  sign up sheets for clubs and decorations everywhere, I mumble to myself "just make it through today, that's it." Stopping at my room number, I open it and step in. Taking in the scent of the clean room, I place my boxes down and start unpacking.

  Finished unpacking, I hear the door crack open and footsteps as she stares at me "hi, I'm Lexi; your roommate."
I slightly smile "Ashely, you're a freshmen too?"
She chuckles "this is the freshmen dorm after all." Setting her stuff down on the floor beside her bed, she sits down and looks around "I think I'm going to like it here. Do you know anyone else here?"
Cracking my neck, I shrug "this guy that I've been best friends with forever. He's a sophomore."
She eyes me and I clear my throat "so what school did you come from Lexi?"
She pushes back her straight brown hair, " Martin, you?"
"Seawater Prep, it's a Catholic school."
She starts unpacking her things as I ask "would you care for some help?"
Shrugging "sure," I get up and help her as I glance at her and spot a heart shaped tattoo on her back. I shake my head and finish helping her unpack.
Plopping down on my bed, she does the same and stares up at the ceiling "so who's this friend of yours exactly?"
Breaking the conversation, I look out the window "let's see what type of clubs their are okay?"
Moaning, she walks with me outside as we pass college students encouraging people to join their clubs. Rolling my eyes, Lexi nudges me "who's that?"
Looking around, I raise an eyebrow "who?"
I find him by some trees sitting down talking to some juniors, "oh there he is."
Confused, she follows me as I walk toward him and he looks up. Excusing himself, he walks toward me and embraces me as I hug him back, "hello to you too Bruce."
He closes his eyes and exhales "I've missed Ash, I'm glad you're here."

Clearing her throat, I jump back "Lexi, meet Bruce; my best friend."
She smiles and waves "hi," as Bruce nods "nice to meet you."
Whispering something in my ear, I blush and roll my eyes "later."
Shrugging, a guy pushes him and wraps his arm around him "hey man, where were you last night?" Bruce sighs "I'm sorry dude, something came up with Emma." He nods and his hazel eyes find mine "who's this?"
Bruce clears his throat and rubs his neck "this is my friend Ashely."
I smile and say "hi, this is my friend Lexi," pushing her forward. She stutters "h-hey, I'm Lexi, and you are?"
Pushing his brown hair back, he winks "Scott Samson, wide receiver."
She blushes "I see," and turns toward me. Nodding, she hugs me and walks with him as I'm left alone with Bruce. Just the way he grinned at me made me giggle as I lick my lips "so, how's college?"

"Not bad thanks, how's your first day going?"
"Not bad, it's rough, but I'll make it," running a hand down my arm. Yawning, he scans me up and down "listen A, I know you hated me in the past; but I do want to say I'm sorry.. for everything that occurred." Stuffing his hands into his pockets, I look away "it's okay, I didn't mind it."
Raising an eyebrow, he asks "oh really? Well, I have something to show you." Turning his back to me, he walks off as I follow him. Wondering where we were going, he walks a few minutes and stops "my parents raised me to be a gentlemen, but it seemed I wasn't one in high school; so I'm gonna make it up to you."
Tilting my head, I bite back a laugh "how?"
He smirks "you'll see," and walks off leaving me standing there; a blank expression on my face.
• • •

Yawning, I hear a knock come from the door and open it to see a groomed man in front of me. Eyeing his appearance, I smile at him "you ready?"
He nods and takes my arm in his as we walk down the hall. Wearing a gray beanie, a black t shirt, jeans and a green black shirt; I keep quiet as he blinks "so, you like it here?"
I nod "yeah, so far so good. I'm just glad to know a familiar face," I chuckle. He grins "I'm glad you're here too."
Blushing, he opens the door for me as a slight breeze of night air hits my face. Stepping out onto the grass, I walk a little ways before I turn around "where are we going?"
He whistles and walks beside me "just trust me for once A."
Exhaling, I rub my neck and groan "oh, ok."
He smirks and walks a little farther. Taking my hand, he pulls me toward him as I hear music.
He bows "care to dance?"
I blush more and bite my lip "sure," as I put my cold hand in his warm one. Pulling my body close, we sway and spin to the waltz. Spinning me, my hair flows behind me as I smile "this is a wonderful gift Bruce. Thank you."

He smiles "you're welcome, I thought you needed it." Rolling my eyes, he chuckles "you ready?"
As the music gets faster, I tilt my head "ready for what?"
He spins me fast as our hands clasp together "just follow my lead."
Gulping down that I couldn't dance, I try my best as we swing dance. I laugh when he spins me and sigh. "I didn't know you could dance like this," I breathe hard.
He shrugs "I've never been taught, but I just move my feet and these are the results."

"Oh." Looking him in the eyes, I see a glimmer of silver in there then it goes away. Moving my feet the wrong way, he laughs and keeps going. Spinning me around, he lets go of my hand as I stand there feeling dizzy. The world is spinning as I sit on the grass, him sitting with me. Aware of his surroundings, he pats my knee "see, I told you it would be fun."
Shrugging, I nod "you were right."
Grinning, he claps his hands in the air "I win."
I laugh " you wished you won."
  Resting on my arms, I cross my legs and look up at the night sky. A breeze hitting my face, I shiver as he pulls off his jacket and sets it in my lap. Wrapping it around my shoulders, I smile "thanks," and scoot closer. Arm to arm, I sigh "you're right, you are warm dude."
He smiles "I know, you need to learn how to generate body heat girl."
I shake my hair from my face "I know, I'm a cold person."
He nudges me and I nudge him back as I lean my head on his shoulder as I look up at him "you don't mind do you?"
He shakes his head, "not at all."
Yawning, I shiver more as he sighs and puts a arm around me "better?"
I nod "much," as I smile.
  Trying not to blush, he kisses my hand as he clears his throat "Ash, can I ask you something?"
I glare up at him "anything."
  Turning red a little, he puts the other hand on my waist and licks his lips. He connects his lips to mine in a heartbeat as I pull away to look into his eyes and smile. Kissing him back, I place a hand on his chest feeling his heart beat. His lips are soft as he gently kisses me as if I were fragile. Just in that moment, I didn't want anything to ruin this, being with him made my day less crappy. I know I can never be with him because he has Emma. But did he finally choose me this time?