NOT MY STORY...

10. Soul

"Nothing matters in one's life than their family. But what exactly is a family? For some, it is dad, mum, sister, brother and anyone who is blood related to them."

"But to me, it is the people I trust. People who have shown effort. They don't have to be blood related to me. Because it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters about everyone I trust is, are they actually worth trusting?" I look up at Anna. "Ask yourself the same question. And you might find an answer to mine."

*12 years back*

"I can't believe this. How did you know?" My eyes brim with tears. "My mum used to come here and watch the stars. Even dad had to accompany her because he believed, I mean still believes that she was a trouble magnet." I laugh at the thought. " When I miss those moments and especially mom, I come up here. But the only person who accompanies me is my best friend. How did you know that this is one of my top five favourite places?" I raise an eyebrow at him.

"Well let's say I have contacts." He smirks.

"Well I know who your contact is, but still thank you so much."

"It was nothing. For you I can do more than this. Anything. I just hope you like it." With that, he squishes me in his strong arms.

"Trust me, I love it." I mumble in his T-shirt.

"And, I love you." I freeze. No no no. Please tell me he didn't just say that. Oh my great god, please help me.

I pull away from his embrace and look him in the eye. I feel pity for him right now. But I am not love material. "You don't have to answer right away. I just had to say it to you to lift the weight off my chest." I take a deep breath.

"Listen Jason, its not like you are some bad guy, I like you really but love is just not my thing. I know I should have told you earlier but you have to know, that, uh, I can't ..." I trail off. Why is it so hard for me to simply say the word. Its just a four letter word after all.

Maybe because you are a coward. Maybe because you fear that you will have the same future as in your past if you fall into that trap again.

My subconscious mocks me. 'No! I am not! ' I scream at the back of my head. Just as I am about to start, a voice interrupts us.

"Hey dude, I thought we would miss you. Glad we didn't." A creepy looking guy, oh wait, a whole bunch of creepy guys approach us. I whisper, "Jay, you know them?" He nods.

"Woah, you have a red head chick with you. Hey hottie, wanna go for a drive?", The black guy in cheap leather comes nearer.

What. The. Fudge.

"Back off man. She's my girlfriend." My boyfriend replies, with a... Smirk? Am I hallucinating? Why does he have to smirk?

"C'mon, don't be a pussy now. And don't try to pretend all innocent. All of us know what you really are." He smirks. I am so confused. What in the hell is happening here?

"What are they talking about?" I eye Jason skeptically but he doesn't answer.

"Hey Stone, don't you wanna introduce us to her? Or should I do it myself?" Another guy with a french accent yells from the back. God, why does he have so many piercings on his face? I might be a tad bit judgemental right now but in my defence these people are giving me heeby jeebies right now.

Jason lets out a low laugh. If I didn't know him better it would have felt a little dangerous ...

But the question is, do I know him, the real him? Or is it all a mirage?

He shakes their hands and whispers something which is quite inaudible to my ears. I gather all the courage I can and ask, "What are you guys doing here anyway? It's not like you have any business here so why don't you leave?" That came out a little too harsh but I don't think I care what they think or feel anyway.