Choices

Chapter 13 - The Storm

I wake up, the sun shines so brightly into my eyes.

I heard James leave early this morning. I wanted him to.

I pick up my phone, it's 9:35 am. I want to sleep forever, but I know I have to get on with homework.

I slug out of bed and brush my hair. I get dressed, then go downstairs to make coffee. I really need some caffeine right about now. I click the coffee machine on, grab my cup and sit by the counter. I grab the TV remote and switch though channels. The coffee machine beeps, and that's my queue. I switch off the TV, place the remote on the table and pour my coffee.

I slug back upstairs and into my room. I grab my laptop from my desk and bring it to my bed.

"Study time." I mumble to myself, and I begin my homework.

...

Suddenly I get woken up to my phone buzzing in my ear and pen smudged across my face.

"Shit. I fell asleep again." I whispered to myself.

I slowly picked up my phone and answered it half asleep.

"Hello?" I mumbled.

"Um, hey..... Tara. Are you.... ok?" I hear Jace's voice.

"Oh, hey..... yeah I'm ok." I say, trying to stay calm.

"Haven't heard from you in a while. That's all."

"Oh, right." I say.

"Um..... do you want to meet at the bakery down the road. I would like to talk to you."

"We certainly have a lot to talk about." I say, bluntly.

"I know, and I'm sorry Tara. Can we?"

"Sure, why not!" I say, sarcastically.

"Tara...."

"What!"

"I'm sorry. Ok. I'll see you soon."

"Fine. The bakery right?"

"Yeah, about 4?"

"Ok." I say and I hang up.

I scream at the top of my lungs. I don't know what's wrong. I throw my pillows around my bedroom, until I nearly smash my grandma's plate on the ground. I suddenly calm down and start crying. I collect my pillows and replace them on my bed. I settle onto them after grabbing my laptop from my desk and continue with my essay.

...

I check my phone for the hundredth time this hour, and it reads 3:50pm. I leap out of bed after closing down my laptop. I get changed, I put on my denim shorts and a black cropped tee. I throw on my converse and grab my keys. I waltz out of the door and stroll down the road towards the bakery.

I arrive at the bakery at 15 past 4 and I see Jace in a corner table. I walk towards him and he sees me as I walk. I pull the chair and sit in it.

"Holy shit Tara, you look so hot today." He says as he greedily looks at me.

"Not yours to look at, Jace." I say, breathing heavily. I've been planning this moment for a while now.

Even before we started dating, I kept seeing Shane and Jace together and I thought everybody knew. I liked Jace still though. He was one of those guys who is hot, but gay. All the hot ones have to be gay. Anyway, then when he asked me out, I thought he was like, trying to change or something. And so I went with it. I liked him. But then the rumours. And I started to doubt the relationship. So I've been planning to brake up with Jace for a while, but haven't had to right opportunity. I've been so busy with all of this drama. So I plan to do it here and now. And I'm pretty sure he wants to brake up with me too.

"What do you mean?" Jace says

"I'm sorry, Jace. But things haven't been working out between us. It hasn't been long, but it was fun. Thanks. I'll see you around." I say, and I walk out of the bakery towards my house feeling refreshed, feeling free.

The cold air hits me as I walk out of the bakery. I really should of warn that puffer. The weather has suddenly changed. I look to the sky and see dark rain clouds looming above me. I see lightning then thunder strikes right after. Then the rain comes. I run as fast as I can, to my house with my arms over my head. The rain pours down on me, and it flows downwards on the pathway. I struggle to walk up my street, the wind is so strong. I run and run through the weather, and finally I see my house. I unlock the door so quickly and slam it back shut. Home. I walk up to my bedroom, smiling.

I've never been so happy.

...