Chasing Possibilities

11 - Of Confronting My Demons

All I ever thought of during the remainder of my weekend was Sev, ice cream, and roller skates. The date at the park was totally out of this world amazing. I was exaggerating, but hey, I'd never really had that much experience with guys before so there wasn't any to compare to. To be honest, I didn't really thought I'd ever go out on a date.

Roller skating with him was super fun. His boisterous laughs whenever I tripped over and fell on my butt was so infectious, I completely forgotten the embarrassment. I never expected I could enjoy myself that much with a guy's company. I mean I had always been awkward with guys besides Bryce. It never occurred to me that I'd meet another guy who could just make me relax and let loose.

The ice cream afterwards was also great. I never thought I could survive socializing with someone I had recently met. I had never exchanged more than ten words with random people besides my friends, so a conversation with him was already some sort of an achievement.

I really liked Sev. He was so easy to get along with and so much fun to be with. One thing that bothered me about him was his moves. I'm so new to this dating kind of thing so I wasn't exactly sure if the kisses on the cheek and holding hands were appropriate. I knew I was old enough to date and do pretty much whatever I wanted but I was just not sure about taking things too fast. As much as I was liking him already, I still wanted to take things slow. Besides, I didn't want another heartbreak just like what happened to me and Bryce.

Stop! Stop! Stop! Why did everything led back to Bryce? He was history so get over it Haeley!

I shrugged off the thought of adding Bryce into the equation and got myself busied with house cleaning. I hadn't cleaned up all weekend and now that it was the start of another work week, I won't be able to clean the house until this weekend if I didn't do it now.

* * *

I struggled with the roller skates on my feet and fell on my butt again for the fifth time. I heard some chuckles over my head so I looked up. Sev was laughing, but it wasn't the mean kind of laugh, it was rather the teasing kind. He helped me up and held my hand as he guided me. I was beginning to get the hang of it and was ready to let go but he didn't. For two rounds around the skating rink, Sev and I held hands.

Then the scene went foggy and I found myself in a crowd of people.

"Come on we will miss the first ride."

That voice. It wasn't Sev's. I turned around and saw Bryce, only this time, it was the fifth grader Bryce.

We were making our way through a sea of people while he held my hand firmly in his. We were heading towards the Ferris wheel. I didn't know he liked to ride the Ferris wheel too. I thought he was the I-want-adrenaline-rush kind of guy. The Ferris wheel was more like for the romantics and I obviously didn't see him as one.

"Do you really want to go?" He asked incredulously at me, his eyes wide in disbelief.

"Of course I do. I was just thinking---"

"Stop overthinking, Hurry up so we can get on the first round. I don't want to keep waiting in line." He cut me off and dragged me to follow his lead.

We arrived at the end of the queue for the Ferris wheel. The cabins were being filled one by one with the waiting passengers. Finally it was our turn and I excitedly got inside. A young, 5th grade Bryce sat beside me and grinned at me. The Ferris wheel began to move and the next thing I knew we were already at the top. It wasn't the adrenaline pumping kind of ride but I loved it, especially because Bryce was with me. It was the most romantic ride of my life.