Little Wonders ((Shansel))

Chapter 18 》 A Beginning Ending

Shailene. . .

I slide a hoodie on. Two steps to the door, which I take. As I open the door, I know this is what Ansel and I's ending depends on.

I'm ready for this talk.

Ansel. . .

I am starting to wonder if Shai will show up, its been two minutes of waiting. I hope she does. Just then, I hear the heavy elevator door open and a girl with a hood shielding her face from me appears.

She doesn't need to take off her hood or not look at the ground, I know its Shai. The way she walks, her waist, its Shai. Shai has been imprinted into my brain, I didn't ask for it its automatic.

She eventually does take off her hood as she nears me and her hair is tied back in a short ponytail. When she manages to look at me she whispers a greeting. She looks scared... scared of ...me.

I want to throw my hands around Shailene and feel her hug again. Those hugs that she used to so freely give to me that I took for granted.

Even when she sits now, she sits at the edge of the lobby chair, keeping her distance from me. And when I take her hand, she flinches, but lets me take it.

"Listen Shai, I'm so sorry. Really. Please forgive me, I didn't mean to yell at you. Please. Don't be afraid of me."

She takes one tearful look at me. "I'm sorry too." She whispers and its barely audible. "I'm so sprry for a lot of things. I don't think we can ever be the same again."

"We can. One day." I say determined although my eyes mirror Shai's. Tearful. Anxious. But there is a small spark in both of us, a small spark of hope. We both feel it. I know it.

That spark is the spark that drives me to ask a question that I've always been scared to ask to anybody.

"Shailene, can we start over?"

"Yes." She says, a small smile forms on her face.

And for once, I like clean slates.