Falling In Love: Of All The Dumb Luck (On Hold)

Chapter 23

Just so everyone knows, in the last chapter I accidentally said Skylar when I meant Paris, so I apologize. Hope you're enjoying Jared and Kelsea's love story.

Jared:

Halfway to the banquet it started raining. I was leaning my head against the window, staring at the falling against the asphalt of the highway. The pattering of the rain helps me relax and hope it's doing the same for Kelsea.

I turn my head so it's still leaning against the window, but Kelsea is in my sight now. Her head is leaning against the window, staring out, past the rain. I wished I knew what was going on. She was really distraught this morning and then again this afternoon. 

I shook my head. I felt so bad, so guilty, and I didn't do anything, all I want to do is help, and she pushed me away. I would do anything to see her smile right now. Anything.

I leaned between the front seat to find that Kelsea was asleep. "Long day." Nick said breaking the silence.

"Yeah." In more ways than you know.

"Have you talked to Skylar since you left the hospital?"

"A little. We weren't on good terms before, but we're able to attempt at being friends, it's just a little weird."

"Understandable. Do you know the real reason Paris didn't come?"

I shook my head no. "Maybe she had a better idea of a Saturday night." He let out a small laugh. "But I do know they have a competition on Monday."

Nick clicked a button and turned the radio on, I didn't even notice it wasn't on. Probably because I always have music playing in my head, according to my mom.

I fell asleep for the last twenty minutes of the ride to the banquet hall. "You guys. Wake up. We're here."

Pulling myself back to reality, I sit up and Kelsea is wiping her eyes again. More in a tired: I want to go back to sleep way than an upset way. A smile slid across my face as her hands went over her head to stretch. She reached for her purse and opened the door.

She stuck her head back into the car. "Are you guys coming or are you just going to sit there?" That's when I realized Nick was looking at Kelsea like I was. I can only imagine how he felt when he got the call that she was in a car accident. He was so proud, loving, and... I don't know how to describe it, but I think it has to do with almost losing her. That's how my parents looked when I woke up.

Once we were in the banquet hall, Kelsea's hand slid into mine. It completely caught me by surprise. Nick didn't seem to notice and said, "You guys can go mingle if you like. I'll be around if you need me." And he headed over to a group of people.

"So what do you want to do?" Kelsea said looking up at me.

"Are you sure about this?" I said raising my hand up, pulling hers along with it.

"My dads not paying a lick of attention to us. And he trusts us. So let's have some fun."

"Would either of you like a glass of champagne?" A tall, tan man asked Kelsea and I.

Just as I was about to object Kelsea is grabbing a glass off of the tray. "Thank you, Oliver."

He nods and offers the tray to me and I shake my head. A man on the other side of the room catches the young man's eye and he crosses the room to bring him the drinks.

I turn so I'm facing Kelsea, and grab the glass from her hand before the glass reaches her lips. "Kelsea, I don't think we should be doing this."

She tilts her head a little to the right like she's studying me. "Jared, I can take care of myself. I don't need a babysitter." She said sternly, reaching for the glass again. I pull away before she can grab it again. "Screw you, Jared!"