Bittersweet Endings

Chapter Fifteen

Once I was sure that I had everything I needed we headed back to the apartment. It didn't take long to get back to the apartment and somehow Tristan and I managed to bring everything up in one trip. We got to work packing it all away, building a good rhythm it didn't take long for us to get it all put away. There was still an hour or so until the furniture was going to arrive, I let Tristan know I was going to lay down for a little bit and he said he just had to pop out and do a couple of things.

I woke to a knock on the door, looking over at the clock I realised that would be the furniture arriving. I felt much better than I had this morning, I didn't realise how good it would feel to get it all off my chest in particular to the police. It was a massive weight lifted off my shoulders. Plus there was everything that was happening with Jesse. I was going to take Tristan's advice and just let it play out. I got out of bed and went to let the people in, directing them to where I wanted everything placed. The place was already beginning to feel more like home then that place I had been living in for years.

I wasn't planning on speaking to any of them ever again, I would let my lawyer do all the talking. I heard my phone ringing and checked the ID it was my mother. Letting the call go to voicemail I smiled to myself. They were going to be in for the shock of her life next week when they got the papers. I had contemplated leaving a note or something but I figured it would be more dramatic if I didn't. Plus I was still somewhat hurt over what he said to me but that could be because it was the clincher on the night.

Tristan wasn't back yet, he must have gotten caught up doing whatever it was he was doing. I went and grabbed my blanket off my bed and took it out to my new lounge, laying down I pulled it right up and began playing games on my phone. He would be back eventually and for once I felt relaxed and not like I had to be prepared for a fight. I knew there was one coming, they wouldn't back down without a fight but at the end of the day Scott ended it first. I stopped myself from thinking about Scott, he wasn't worth it. Now I just had to work out what was going on in my head for Jesse and how exactly I would tell him.

I must have zoned out because next thing I noticed an arm been waved in my face. Blinking a couple of times I looked up to who it was knowing it had to be someone I knew. It was Tristan, he had that knowing grin on his face again and I wasn't sure if I should be concerned. Before I could ask what he was doing he handed me his phone. I gave him a confused look but took the phone anyway. Cautiously putting the phone to my ear I said hello. I heard the person on the other end sigh, at least that's what it sounded like. Then they replied, I recognised the voice instantly. Jesse.

We slipped into our usual easy conversation, although I had a suspicion that there was something else he wanted to ask. After some more small talk I asked if there was something in particular he called for, especially given that we now lived in the same building. He paused for a moment, like he was thinking about how to word what he wanted to say next. When he finally spoke he asked if I wanted to go somewhere with him. I was a little surprised unsure of what brought this on. I knew I had to say yes, after everything he had done for me in the last couple of days I couldn't say no. It wasn't until I heard him repeating my name that I realised I hadn't answered him yet. Telling him that of course I would go with him, I asked him where we were going. He replied it was a surprise but to dress warmish. Before I had a chance to reply he hung up.

Sitting up on the lounge I looked over at Tristan who was grinning still, he clearly was clued in on what was going on. I was a little surprised at myself that I had agreed to go on a quasi-date with Jesse. I jumped off the lounge and raced into the bedroom to find something to wear, laughter followed me down the hall. I really wish he had told me where we were going, dressing warmly was not much of a help. I began pulling my clothes out of my closet, I really didn't know what to wear. That was until I spotted my old lucky jeans. The ones I used to wear fighting with rips all up the front of them. I needed luck for tonight, so I threw those on the bed and started hunting for a shirt. I found a random shirt and threw it onto the bed and then found my lucky hoodie from underneath the pile of clothes.

I grabbed the clothes and went into the bathroom, taking a nice hot shower. Jesse said I had an hour until he would be here. I went through all the things I needed to before getting out and getting dressed. I left my hair out and applied the basics of makeup eyeliner, mascara and lip balm. I ran the towel through my hair to dry it off as much as possible and then ran the brush through it. My phone beeped, a message from Jesse saying he was ten minutes away. I got my hoodie on, grabbed my bag and went out to the lounge room to say goodbye to Tristan.

I said a quick goodbye, him telling me to enjoy myself and that he'd see me when I got back. I then walked downstairs to wait for him to get here. It wasn't long later that he pulled up, on his bike. He looked good in his dark jeans and leather jacket. Lifting the seat he pulled out a second leather jacket and handed it to me as he unhooked the helmet off the back. I slung my bag across my chest and put the jacket on quickly. Then putting the helmet on, grateful that I left my hair out.

I asked again before we got onto the bike where we were going but he again refused this time with a chuckle. Once I was on the back of the bike I wrapped my arms around him, I didn't really need to but there was a part of me that wanted it. We then took off, it felt great to be on the back of the bike even better with who the person was. He told me before we left that it was a bit of a drive and I was going to enjoy every second of it. I rested my head on his back and let my thoughts consume me.

After however long it was I felt the bike begin to slow snapping me out of my thoughts and taking in the surroundings. We were in a wooded area and looking ahead all I could see was a little wooden cabin. I was confused for a second, but as we got closer I realised this was in fact where we were going. I wasn't sure what I was expecting but this was not it. He stopped the bike just down from the cabin, climbing off I took the helmet off placing it onto my seat, running my fingers through my hair. I waited a minute for him to get off the bike and join me but he was taking too long and I couldn't wait any longer so I started walking towards the cabin. I had only made it a few steps when two arms wrapped around my waist.

"Where do you think you're going?" He whispered in my ear.

I shivered but not from the cold. "Inside." I replied, I couldn't help but be smart.

"Oh really, so impatient." He replied, I could hear the grin in his tone.

I nodded. I really wanted to get inside and see what was in there. I wasn't very good with surprises. As I tried to pull away he simply tightened his grip, again whispering in my ear this time telling me to close my eyes. As much as I wasn't sure I wanted to I trusted him more than anyone so I did, letting him guide me inside. We must have made it to the front door because one of his arms left my waist, and I had to admit that it felt wrong for it to be gone. Had I really had these feelings all along but was so consumed with Scott that I hadn't noticed them. I really wanted to peek but I didn't want to ruin the surprise.

A few seconds later he led me inside, before I could open my eyes straight away he moved his hands and covered my eyes.

"Damn you Jesse!" I said, with a grin.

"I knew you would want to peek, you never liked surprises." He replied.

My grin got wider, he was right. Before I had a chance to reply, the hands moved away from my eyes and I was allowed to look around. All that came to mind was wow! It was beautiful. There were lit candles everywhere, along with rose petals and a lit open fire. It was amazing, magical even. I didn't know he had it in him to do something so romantic. I turned to face him, this time a real smile graced my face. For the first time in a long time I was beginning to feel genuinely happy. I was still in awe that I forgot what I was going to say to him.

He closed the small distance between us and rested his forehead against mine asking me what I thought. All I could mutter out was wow, I just couldn’t believe it. I had no idea what I was in store for tonight but this was more than I thought, better than I could have ever imagined. I took a few more seconds so that I could say something more intelligent. I told him how beautiful and absolutely perfect it was. A smile lit up his face. I'm glad that it made him happy to know that I enjoyed what he had put together.

Placing his hand in mine he led me to the dining room, letting go he pulled my chair out before going and grabbing whatever it was we were having to eat. He was been so gentlemanly, it was different. Nice but different. I did kind of miss my Jesse, the one where we would spar for the sake of it, and push and shove each other to make the other laugh or where I would climb on his back and he would carry me just because he could. He walked back into the room carrying a tray, sitting down between us he lifted the lid to reveal a variety of burgers from different fast food places. I couldn't help but laugh. There had been a number of times that Jesse and I had fought over who had the best burgers.

He told me that he wanted to cook something but he didn't have the time. I smiled and told him that this was great. He handed me my favourite burger from KFC and then started to eat his own. I was a little surprised that he remembered.

Twenty minutes later we had finished eating, I had taken my jumper off half way through eating and now I was starting to feel cold. Getting up I began walking towards the open fire, I wasn't sure if he was following me or not, he would find me when he was ready. Sitting down in front of the fire, I removed my shoes and enjoyed the heat the fire was producing. A few minutes later Jesse joined me, he sat down next to me and smiled. Before I had a chance to say anything Jesse moved a little and then motioned for me to get closer. Which I did, as I was about to get comfortable he pulled me between his legs with my back to his chest. I leaned my head back and relaxed even more as I felt his arms wrap around me.

We sat in silence, simply enjoying each other's company beside a nice warm fire with candles in the background and the smell of roses wafting in the air. Right now in this moment I realised that I did in fact care for Jesse more than the others, I wasn't sure if it was love but it was definitely more. I wasn't sure where we would end up but in this moment I knew I had to tell him and see what his reaction would be. Shuffling slightly I turned so that I was somewhat facing him, he looked at me with a curious expression in his eyes. Taking a deep breathe I knew I had to do this.

"I need to tell you something." I whispered to him, not trusting my voice if I spoke any louder.

"What is it?" He asked, worry lacing his voice.

Taking one final breathe I let it all out.

"I think I like you a lot, in a different way to everyone else. A better way. I don't think I can say it's love yet because realistically I'm still hurt and confused over Scott but I know I care about you more than everyone else. And I really appreciate everything you've done here and I would like to see where things go between us." I rushed out.

He looked shocked to start with, not what he was expecting I was probably going to say. After it really sunk in what I had just said he smiled. His eyes danced the way someone who has won the lottery would. I didn't know what this meant for us but it was contagious and I couldn't help but smile back. He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist and pulled me as close as possible. I wasn’t about to complain. Just when I thought the moment couldn't get any better he whispered into my ear.

"I want to see where this goes too."