What Comes Next

Chapter 14: Antoinelle

Chapter 14: Antoinelle

"Hit me with your best shot."

Max raised his eyebrows at me. "Kelly Clarkson?" he said. I sighed, "I was going more towards the I'm a depressed guy who needs to get drunk type of thing but your version works too."

"Wow, rough night? Was it that Leo guy because if it was I can arrange for him to get accidently put in the hospital."

"No Max, it wasn't Leonardo. He was great, fantastic actually. It was one of the best nights I've had with a guy since you-know-who."

"Voldemort? I don't want you with him. Leonardo, as funny as his name is, is better for you. Voldy seems like he'd be a bad influence on you." I chucked my bag at him from across the counter. "Okay, I'm sorry. Was it that dipshot jerk of a guy you used to hang out with? Lenny, Lerbert, Lyle-" I'd had enough. I interrupted him, my voice tearing up. "It was Lucas. His name was Lucas, Max. You and I both know that very well."

Max looked at me pityingly. "Nellie, you know that guy was wrong about everything. You should never believe any of the lies he told you."

I stood up. "So you're telling me that I'm not beautiful; because that was one of the lies he told me."

Max stared at me, a combination of surprise and hurt. "Nel! You know that's not what I meant."

"Well that's what you said." I told him, standing up and slamming the door behind me, the store bells jingling in the distance. I should've never accepted Leo's offer. He may have baggage but that doesn't mean he'll want to carry mine around.

"I'm so worried about exams! What if I fail? You said you were going to come over to help me study right?" I cried into the phone, distressed about everything. Lucas sighed. "Yeah babe, I'll come after this soccer game. You know I'd do anything for you."

"While you're over here, we should eat dinner. I feel like we haven't been spending as much time together as we should have."

"And how much time is that supposed to be?"

"I don't know. More than twice a week?" I was trying to make it sound like I wasn't worried about our relationship, but I was. "Yeah, you're right babe. You know what? I'll come over right now. Coach was going to bench me because of my attitude with him anyways." I was shocked. "Lucas, don't do that! You have to support your team."

"Yeah, and I need to be there for my girl." It shouldn't have but it made me feel so special when he said that.

~

"I love you so much you know. I hope you know that because I'll spend every day of my life proving to you that I love you." I giggled as Lucas whispered sweet nothings into my ear. "You're so beautiful. I hope you know that Antoinelle. You're the most beautiful girl I have ever known. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise my beautiful, beautiful girl. You're so amazing."

I giggled some more (I did a lot of that back then) after Lucas professed his love to me. His kisses trailed down my neck. He took my hand and softly kissed it, telling me, "I hope I'm the only one who will ever get to hold your hand. "Of course silly!" I told him. "You're my one and only." He smiled at me and kissed me softly on the lips again. All he said was, "Beautiful."

What was I? A jobless fool who walks down the roads crying? Well, I guess that's exactly what I'm doing. It was days like this when I really missed Lucas. Times like now when I really missed him calling me beautiful. He was the first person (other than family) to call me beautiful to my face. And I really did love him, so much.