𝐁𝐀𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐒; 𝘑𝘠𝘈𝘛𝘛

ch. 18

— third person; a few days later —

"jaeden! wait up!"

jaeden spun around and faced sophia. "oh, hey soph."

"fuck, you walk fast." she panted, gripping his shoulder.

"have you seen how fast mrs dyer walks? it's like she running a marathon or some shit."

"true. thank god we don't have her for p.e."

jaeden chuckled and nodded. sophia smiled as she remembered something. "so, remember how i told you about that girl i like?"

"yeah?"

"well..." sophia giggled, unable to contain her grin. "she asked me out."

"she—oh my god! that's great!" jaeden hugged sophia. "i'm so happy for you. you said yes, right?"

"duh." sophia poked her tongue out.

"i have to meet her. do you know where she lives?"

"well, not exactly. but she lives in [insert random area] area."

"we're stalking that neighbourhood tomorrow."

"jaeden." sophia groaned, slapping his arm and jaeden laughed. the two fell silent, just appreciating each other's presence. sophia sighed after a while. "i noticed the little meet-up with wyatt didn't go well."

"that was like, last week. why are you bringing it up all of a sudden?" jaeden asked curiously, not rudely.

"i don't know, i just... i haven't asked you about it. and i feel terrible, because you probably feel like you're going to explode with emotions. it must be hard, i mean, you did lose—"

"sophia, i don't want pity. and i don't want to talk about it. so, please, don't urge me."

"okay, sorry." sophia apologised, looking down at her feet as they walked.

jaeden shrugged. "don't be."

the silence resumed, until they arrived at sophia's house. jaeden smiled softly at her. she sighed and hugged him, needing to go on her tippy-toes. "don't do anything stupid, jae. i love you."

"love you too, soph. i'll be fine." he pulled away and she caressed his cheek, then let her hand fall. "can i trust you?"

he nodded, looking away. she frowned. "i can't, can i? not with this."

"sophia, i promise. i won't do anything."

she let out a deep breath and stared at him. "okay, okay, fine. just call me if you're feeling upset, alright?"

he nodded again. "i will."

jaeden looked up as he noticed someone come out of her house. he realised it was her dad, and he sent a friendly smile. the man returned the gesture, adding a simple wave. jaeden looked back at the red-headed girl, who glanced up at him. "i have to go now, but i'll see you tomorrow."

"okay, bye jaeden." she separated herself from him and made her way over to her father. jaeden shoved his hands in the pockets of his hoodie and walked away.

instead of going to his house, he headed to the park instead. he used to go there all the time when he was little, but stopped when his father wouldn't allow him to go out anywhere.

he arrived and sat down on a bench. he admired all the colourful sugar maple trees that surrounded the public garden. his eyes landed on a boy, with familiar curls on his head.