Infinite (Jai Brooks fanfic)

Chapter 21

My voice was caught in my throat. I really wanted to respond to everything that Jai just said, but I didn't know what I was supposed to say. A part of me knew that this wasn't right, that he shouldn't be this involved in my life because it could be dangerous for him. But when one person pushes another person so much and that person still always comes back, you can't push them away anymore. I didn't want to push him away. I wanted to keep him close to me because he was the one and only person that loved me and showed it. He never hurt me and never made me feel worthless. He was a rare gem that shouldn't be thrown away.

"You can say something too you know." He smiled. "I sound like a complete idiot."

There are moments when words aren't able to explain your emotions as well as actions can. I couldn't explain how I was feeling and so I did the only other thing I could do; I kissed him. I'm not sure how I gained so much courage that I was able to do something like that, but it seemed to work because he kissed me back so passionately that I found myself desiring more. I ignored the annoying voice in the back of my head that was telling me to run away this instant. I pulled Jai closer, not wanting to let him go. 

"Jai, we're in school." I said, completely out of breath.

I looked around in the hallway to make sure that no one saw anything, and was super relieved that the hallway was still empty and dark. 

"I forgot about that." He grabbed my hand. "I need to get to the lunchroom before anyone begins suspecting anything. But I'm taking you out on a date tonight."

"No you're not." I said.

"Actually I am. And you kinda don't have any say in that."

I backed away from him. "I'm not going on a date with you. I'm fine with hanging out with you at school or even out of school, but I'm not okay with a date."

He sighed. "Fine. We're 'hanging out' tonight."

"No you can't say that because now I know that you're actually taking me out on a date."

"It's not a date! We're just hanging out, okay?"

Why didn't he ever understand anything? "Jai.."

"I'll be at your door at eight. And please just wear casual clothes because there's absolutely no way I'm gonna wear anything formal. I'm not really into that kinda stuff." He smiled at me and then walked away.

"Jai!" I yelled at him. "You can't be serious!" He ignored me completely and walked out of the dark hallway. I sighed. Why was this happening to me?

---

I walked home and quickly ran into the kitchen for a wam cup of coffee. The weather outside was terrible. My hands were freezing and my lips felt frozen. I had to walk home today and it was the worst thing ever.

"Ava! You're freezing!" Rachel took off her warm sweater and wrapped it around me. "Why didn't you just call me, I could have picked you up." She grabbed my hands and blew on them to warm them up  a bit. "Let me go turn the heat up."

She got up but I grabbed her hand. "Rachel it's okay. I'm feeling better now." I took a sip of the warm coffee. "Thanks though."

She sat down next to me and smiled at me. "Can I tell you something?" She asked.

I nodded and put the empty cup back on the table. What did she want to tell me? And why was she acting so kind?

"Your dad faced a really tough time." She looked at me. "When your mom began drinking, she isolated herself from everyone including him. I used to be good friends with him at the time and so I saw how depressed he was. I want you to know that it was a great thing that he left your family. I'm not saying this to be rude. I'm saying this because if he stayed with your mom, he would never have the chance to be happy. I never meant to ruin your family. I loved your dad and it hurt me to see him the way he was. You've been mad at me for years and you've also been mad at your father. But Ava, you can't be mad at him for wanting happiness, can you?" I shook my head. "So please try and understand him. He loves you and I know I told you a while back that he doesn't, but I didn't mean any of that. He cares about you as much as he cares about Adam and I. Please don't ever think you're alone. We're all here for you."