I Loved You From The Beginning

Hope For Something Better

We pulled away, both out of breath and needing air. "So I'm guessing that means you feel the same way?" Jason asks, still slightly afraid I might say no, that this was a mistake.

I laughed and reassured him that I've always felt this way about him. He looked a little taken aback by my small confession, but was happy nonetheless.

For a while we just stayed there, holding each other, admiring one another, neither one of us wanting to let go, but both knowing we had to at some point.

"I better get back home, it's getting kinda late," I say sadly.

He reluctantly let's me go, but then offers to drive me home. I take him up on it. The car ride was silent, but it wasn't an awkward silence, it was comforting. He held my hand as he drove and there was a slight smile playing on his lips.

We finally pulled up to my driveway, but neither one of us felt compelled to get out of the car. We sat for a few minutes, me thinking about how well my night turned out to be, and Jason watched me with those piercing eyes.

I sighed and looked over at him, not wanting to ruin the moment but I knew that if I didn't get out soon, my parents would come outside to see what was taking so long. Jason knew this as well and got out of the car and opened my door for me. He walked me to my porch, and when we got to the top of the steps, I turned to face him. Again, he was staring with his unwavering eyes. It was like he could see right through you when he gave you that look.

I looked from his eyes, to his lips, and back to his eyes, conveying my thoughts and he willing complied.

The second kiss was as sweet as the first.

"Goodnight Jason," I whispered to him after we parted.

"Goodnight Aria," he replied, giving me one last, soft kiss, before he turned around and went home.

I watched him leave and my eyes never left his car, until he turned the corner, and his headlights were no longer visible.

Finally, stepping inside, I saw my parents sitting at the kitchen table, having a hushed conversation, which I assumed was about Mike. I told them goodnight and headed up to my room to get ready for bed.

The day had taken a surprising turn of events, and with my rollercoaster emotions, I was physically drained. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out.

***

I woke up the next morning a little later than usual, but since it was only Sunday, I didn't worry too much. It wasn't until my phone vibrated that I got worried.

Good morning beautiful. Wanna go out for some coffee? - Jason

I sighed, relieved it wasn't anything from A and texted Jason back.

I'd love to :) meet at the Brew in an hour? - Aria

Jason confirmed he'd be there and I got up and started to get ready. I smiled at the thought of getting to see Jason again. He made my heart beat like crazy and have major butterflies in my stomach, something I haven't felt in a long time, even when I was with Ezra.

I never truly realized how dull my relationship with him had become until Jason came back into town. I did love Ezra, don't get me wrong, but after a while, the love I felt for him sort of faded and got distorted, almost. Instead of feeling this undying passionate love, I felt... Empty. I think the only reason we really stayed together was because after everything that happened, and all that we both had to sacrifice for one another, we felt compelled to stay together, like it was the right thing to do. I guess Ezra was tired of feeling that way. Which would explain Jackie.

Ugh, I hate thinking about that. No matter how my feelings changed while I was with Ezra, seeing him with another woman, his ex-fiancè no less, was a betrayal of the worst kind, and it still hurt.

Was I really really ready to start over so soon? Was I ready to open my heart again and let someone in?