After Him..

a change of heart

Our apartment, was, perfect. It was just big enough for everything we needed.

It fitted a kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a mini lounge room, with a little balcony that looked over the busy streets.

It was around 6pm when we finally arrived at our hotel, after catching a short uber ride from the airport. Neither Elena or I had even thought about un-packing, but luckily, most of the furniture and our big belongings were already positioned in our rooms, ready for us to move straight in.

I walked out of my room and down one door knocking and pushing it open, to see Elena basically asleep on her bed, with her phone in one hand.

"Pizza and movie night? You in?" I suggested, flopping down on the bed next to her.

"Yes please, that is exactly what I feel like." She rolled over and switched on her wall TV, bringing her Netflix up, and began scrolling through the movies as I googled and called up the nearest pizza place.

"I'm ready for a rom com where I can just cry." I said straight up, positioning the pillows comfortably behind me.

"Any reason in particular?" Elena questioned, arching her eyebrow as she looked in my direction.

"No, El, I don't want to talk about earlier. I'm fine. I promise." I pull up the fluffy blanket and wrap myself up like a mini burrito.

I look across at Elena who just shrugs her shoulders and jumps off the bed, heading out to the front door to wait for the pizza to arrive down stairs.

"If you say so."

- - -

"RISE AND SHINE SLEEPY HEAD! ITS OUR FIRST DAY IN LA, COME ON LETS EXPLORE!" I yell as I skip through the apartment, opening every single window and curtain, to let as much light in as possible.

"T what the heck, why are you up so early, we didn't even sleep till 3am!" She groaned, rolling over as she pulled the blanket back over her head, and hid beneath the covers.

"It's literally like 10 something El, get up! We start the internship soon, and I need to travel this place before my days are taken over by study"

I flopped down onto the bed, my eyes forcefully shutting before my face landed on the fluffy pillow.

"Fiii-ne" she replied, dragging out the word, as long as she possibly could without loosing her breath.

"Get dressed, we'll just head to a cafe for breakfast"

"Great, first day here, and you're already making me spend money, thanks Tay"

Elena rolled her eyes, before she practically dragged her whole body through her room, and into the bathroom. After a few minutes I heard the shower turn on, and I knew she was giving in, and coming out to have breakfast.

- - -

"I wonder when the boys-" I cut her off before she speak anymore, holding my hand over her mouth, glaring at her.

"Don't. Even. Start." I began to say, "Please."

"Look, Taiya, I miss Jack! I just wish you could have at least given me the chance to go see them. Just because you and Daniel aren't talking anymore, doesn't mean I have to avoid Jack the whole time. Maybe you should have listened to him first before jumping to conclusions, and this whole thing wouldn't be happening. "

We sat there in silence for what felt like 10 minutes, not wanting to make any eye contact, or interaction with her. I slowly stood up and made my way to the register, paying for my meal, and heading back along the streets of LA, leaving Elena behind. My feet trudged along the ground, kicking the soft bits of dirt along the sidewalk, before I found myself at a dusty old park.

I sat on the swing, slowly drifting into my thoughts, as the memories and moments I shared with Daniel, come flooding back to mind.

Elena was right, I could have listened to him first, but he had plenty of opportunities to do so, before the whole situation was even brought up. I know we lived on opposite sides of the world, and we weren't an official 'couple' but I thought he would have the decency in him, to tell me when something was happening, or tell me that whatever we had was "over."

The thoughts processed though my mind, as the salty, dry tears fell down my face, causing my mascara to smudge down my cheek. I pulled out my phone, fixing my face up a little in the reflection, before standing up from the swing, and heading towards the mall that was down the street.

I turned the sharp corner and ran into a hard chest, causing me to fall off balance, and land on the cold, hard, pavement beneath me.

"I am so sorry," the voice began to speak up, causing me to slowly bring my face up a little bit. "I really am- wait, Taiya?" The words struck a cord in me when I realised who's voice this was.

"Jonah?" I spoke up, not looking fully up. "Sorry, it was my fault I ran into you." I said awkwardly, avoiding all eye contact, once again.

"No, don't be sorry Taiya, I should have been more careful." He stuck out his hand for me to take, as he lifted me up off the cement. "Where are you off, too, are you okay?"

I finally look up at him, tears forming at the brim of my eyes, as they try to push out.

"Oh my god, Tay are you okay? Come here."

Jonah pulled me into his arms, the scent of his cologne wrapping all through me. I hadn't been held like this in so long, and the warmth that flowed through me instantly brought me to a better place and made me feel worth it, even if it was for a short time.

He slowly pulled away, cupping my cheeks and looking straight at me. "Do you want to talk about it?" He questioned, wiping a tear with his left thumb, and replacing his hand into my chin.

"I'd rather not talk." I replied, pulling away so I quickly hug him tight once more, before I slowly stood beside him. He nodded and we began to continue the way he was walking, wiping the thoughts from my mind.

"Where are we off to?" I spoke up, in a more happier, cheerful tone, trying to loosen up the tension and change the subject.

"I was heading to Forever 21 actually. I need to pick up a jacket from there that I put on hold last week. The car is this way though, so we can just drive there."

I nodded silently and followed him through the streets, soon arriving at his red, sports, car that was delicately parked on the end car spot.

"I can't believe I am finally having a drive in this, do you know how long I have waited to be in this car!!" I exclaim, as I look all over his car, afraid you could probably see hearts glowing in my eyes. The slick roof that was easily convertible was placed upon the car, as the black, leather, seats shone in the sun, feeling the warmth shoot up through my jeans, as I sat down.

"I forgot that you haven't been here in LA with us, and haven't gone for a ride in my girl yet," Jonah winked, patting his car as he too, felt the warmth from the seats through his jeans and against his skin, as he too sat in. "Damn, this is actually burning my thigh." He let out, trying to act cool when I know it was clearly hurting him.

I couldn't help but sit there and laugh, my hair falling in front of my face, as I gently slapped my knee, gasping for air.

"Oh shut up T, it's not that funny." He replies, rolling his eyes. I looked at him with confusion as I realised what nickname he had just used. He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly as he shuffled back on his seat, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Stop being a baby, and drive," I laughed once more, nudging his shoulder with my fist.

I saw a cord dangling from the centre consol, and as I went to reach for it, Jonah's eyes shot down to where I was looking, reaching for the cord also. "Shot gun the aux!" I yelled, snatching it up, trying to ignore the fact that when our hands quickly brushed by each other's, I felt something shoot through me, making my heart stop for just a second, before our eyes locked with one another's, tension growing in the air.

• • •

it's been so long since i posted WOW
i'm so sorry!!

what might happen? who did we like better, Taiya and daniel or Taiya and Jonah?

But I mean, technically, Jonah is still with Kitty... right? 😉