A Dozen Reasons

Chapter 27- Paradise Continued

My bright orange tee shirt glowed in the sun. It was a beacon. All I wanted at this moment was for the ground to open up and swallow me.

"Weather isn't too bad," Brian peered my way.

I smirked. " That's your opening line? Weather? I thought you were this bad boy who had all the great quips?"

"Things aren't what they always seem to be."

I stabbed a piece of trash with my long pointy stick and shoved it into a giant black trash bag. "I get it. Bad boy exterior and mushy interior?"

He chuckled. The deep rhythm of his laugh made my stomach flip. "You know, Jasmine Alva, if you were to actually get to know me, you might like me."

I stabbed my stick into the ground. "Like you? You've been taunting me since I arrived at this school! I know your type. And no, I wouldn't and I don't like you!" I grabbed my stick and kept stabbing trash.

As I worked, I waited for a sarcastic comeback. There was nothing.

I turned around and saw Brian quietly picking up trash.

I instantly felt guilty.

Why wouldn't he fight back? After a minute, I sighed. "Listen, I'm sorry. No human being deserves what I just threw at you." He turned toward me. His deep blue eyes wavered. I continued, "I just don't get it. What did I ever do to you? Why do you tease me?"

His eyes locked onto mine. My heartbeat fastened. "Because you're special."

I stood there. Doubtful. "Special?"

He dropped his stick and trash bag. He stepped closer to me. Our eyes locked. "From the first day we met, I knew and I felt something was different about you. I tried to talk to you every chance I had. I just wanted to know more about you."

"I…uh…"

"Do you remember the question I asked you the first day we met?"

I tried my best to recall. "Um…what inspires you?"

"You remember." He smiled so brilliantly. I felt so overwhelmed. "You never answered."

I took a step back. I sat down on the plush green grass. "Let me try to understand this…you like me?"

He sat down next to me. "In so many words, yes."

I placed my head on my knees. Trying to process all this new information.

"Jasmine, I know my approach with you isn't conventional, but I feel like I know you. And I want to give us a chance."

"Definitely not conventional. I…just…I don't know Brian…you treated me like…"

"I know Jasmine. I'm so sorry for that. I just never felt the way for someone like I do for you, and I didn't know how to approach you."

"How would your girlfriend feel about you feeling the way you do for another girl?" I held his steady gaze.

"Girlfriend?"

I broke eye contact.

"I see you talk to her in the hallways. I saw you with her the first day we met, and I even overheard you two talking about me."

He looked at me completely lost.

"Umm…she tall and blond. If I recall correctly,  I believe her name is Madison?"

He began to laugh so deeply I wondered if he was actually taking in oxygen. I narrowed my eyes, "Why are you laughing?"

"Madison?" He continued to laugh. "She's…my…sister!"

I gasped and my eyes grew big. "Ohhh…" I placed my face on my knees to hide my embarrassment.

Brian chuckled and sighed. I felt him place his hand on my head. "Jasmine, look at me."

I peered up.

"Don't hide your beautiful face. It's a mistake."

"Oh great." I thought for a minute. "So she's your sister…she seemed so close to you."

"I hope so. We shared a womb. She's my twin sister."

"Twin? Woah."

His blue eyes filled with joy. "Yeah, my twin." His smile faded and his eyes grew serious. "Jasmine Alva, there's no one but you."

"Brian, how can you have such…deep feelings for me if you don't even know me? I don't even really know you. I don't even know your last name!"

"Henson."

WHAT?!

"Henson?! Like Principal Henson??"

"Yes."

"Oh…OH!" Realization hit me. "That's why Chelsea backed off in the bathroom…its because of Madison."

"What?"

I shook my head. "Nevermind."

"Jasmine, will you go out with me? Like on a date?"

"Brian, this is alot to process. I can't give you an answer now. I need to figure all this out first."

"Okay. That's fine. I'll wait for your decision." He reached out and gently placed a strand of hair behind my ear. Everything within me reacted to his touch. It was completely confusing.

We both stood to our feet and picked up our trash-picking tools.

"Yes." He smirked.

"What?" I was genuinely confused.

"Yes, I have a bad boy exterior and mushy interior."

I chuckled, "Welcome back."

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  The rest of that day was filled with laughter and childhood stories.

I felt so connected to him.

That was the day I realized he was so much more than I thought.
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A/N: Hey guys, I'm not really sure if anyone is still reading this story. But for peace of mind, I'm going to finish this story.
It only took me nearly 5 years. Lol