The Vacation Program (ReWrite)

Chapter 9: Day 31; New Boo

***Sorry For My Break, Been Going Through It, But I'm Back***

I woke up crying, with Jayce holding me. I grabbed him for support and sobbed into his bare chest. He ran his fingers through my hair, and whispered to me. Eventually, my crying calmed and Jayce let go to face me.

He rubbed my shoulder, "Hey, what was that?"

I stared emptily into my bed sheets, "It was a nightmare. It was all real again..."

He grabbed and held my hand, "Hey hey, look at me," I looked over to him, "It's okay now. I'm here. Tell me."

I explained to him my dream, and we talked about the horrific experience I had in high school.

"I think I need a day out of the house, alone. I'm clearly in my own head, I need to be alone for a minute."

He whispered to me, "Okay, then you can have the day. Take some time, I know this is a lot."

The day was still young, and I needed to get out of the house. Jayce called me a car, and I got ready to go out alone. Jayce was in the workout room working out, even after our two miles he wanted to workout. I sat in the living room waiting for my car, and scrolled through places around here. I found a mall that looked like it had some cool shops, so I decided to go there. When the car got here, I showed him the address and he drove off. There was a slight rain outside, and I listened to the pitter patter against the car. After we arrived, I ran into the mall and tried to stay dry.

***

I sat in the food court, sipping on a coffee and flipping through a new book. I was reading as I stood up and walked to the trash can in an attempt to throw away my coffee but instead I fell into someone and almost fell to the ground before hands grabbed my waist and swung me around.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry," I was face to face with a man who was holding me tight and close.

"You're fine," he laughed.

He released me from his embrace but I was still pretty frozen from embarrassment. He picked up my book and handed it to me, and I laughed as I felt awkward.

"Julius Caesar?"

I laughed, "Yeah... I don't think much will come out of it, just something I picked up."

He put his hand out for me, "I'm Jackson."

I shook his hand, "Autumn Brooke's, how are you?"

"I was good, but now that I've met you I'm great."

My cheeks got hot and I twiddled my thumbs, "Would you like to sit?"

"Sure sure."

"So, Jackson, tell me about yourself."

"Well, I'm twenty-two years old, and am about to head to medical school."

"Wow really? What do you want to be?'

Please, don't, say, psychologist.

"Neurosurgeon mostly, but we'll see how the cards play out. How about you?"

"I'm eighteen years old high school graduate, without knowledge of what I wanna do."

"Wow, only eighteen and so gorgeous."

"Oh stop," I laughed, "But I appreciate that."

"So, Autumn. Do you live here?"

I swallowed and smiled, "I don't, I'm just here visiting with a friend for a few months."

"A friend? A boyfriend?"

I shook my head, "No, just a friend. But then I don't know what's for me after."

He licked his lips, "I hope this isn't too forward, but I'd like to take you dinner."

"Dinner? How about we start with yogurt or something."

He laughed, "Okay, okay. Can I get your number then?"

I bit my lip, "Yeah," He handed me his phone with a blank contact open.

I filled out my contact and handed him back his phone, laughing to conceal the butterflies in my stomach.

"I'd love to stay and chat, but I really have to get home to my two dogs."

"Two dogs?" I smiled.

"Yeah, so I'll call you and we can set up a date."

"I'll be waiting," I bit my lip.

He left, smiling back at me every few seconds causing my stomach to jump.