A Second Chance at Life

Chapter 10

HEY GUYS!  Sorry for this late upload and the shortness of this chapter. School has started and we've been so busy! Thanks so much for reading! I love you all!

Love, Ashten. 

Chapter 10

The next week was somewhat of a blur. Aunt M wanted me to stay home even though I was a okay to go back. “But, sweetheart I don’t want you to get hurt anymore.” This is pretty much all I heard from Aunt M for like 3 days... Believe me it gets irritating about the second time around. Aunt M was still talking about, “my self- confidence” when Zoe walked through the front door. “Look Aunt M, Zoe’s home! She’s home from school! ZOEEEEE!” Zoe was almost crying from laughing so hard but still managed to say, “Hey Arin, how are you this fine afternoon?” “Aunt M, we’re just going to go up to my room.” I said, “Okay sweethearts. I’ll just…..fix dinner.” When we got to my room I asked Zoe, “So what’s going on at school?” She replied with, “Nothing much. Claire and her posse have been getting a lot of negative attention. Jason’s been asking about you a lot. You should probably get in touch with him…” I couldn’t help smile at the Claire thing, but my smile faltered a bit when she mentioned Jason. “Zoe, it’s going to be so awkward. I mean, that video... and then that kiss… Eh, maybe he should have a little more space?” I swear if looks could kill, I’d be dead. “Arin De La Rosa,” Zoe nearly yelled. “YOU ARE GOING TO TALK TO JASON RIGHT NOW. AFTER EVERYTHING YOU’VE PUT HIM THROUGH? IF YOU DON’T CALL HIM RIGHT NOW, I SWEAR TO YOU.” Startled, I said, “Okay Zoe. Geez, anything for you… look I’ll text him right now. OH LOOK, I don’t have to because he already texted me….like eight times…Okay, Zoe. I’m going to the park. I’ll be back later.” “I won’t wait up,” Zoe said with a wink. Cousins.

I made sure to grab two coffees before going to the park, it seemed like that was the least I could do. And then, I saw him. Did he get more handsome after the last few days? Wow...  Then he looked up at me and smiled. That smile, woah. I slowly made my way over to him.

“Hey Jason, I brought you some coffee…” “Thanks.” Again, he flashed that smile…. Breathe Arin, breathe. “So, it seems that the park has become our little meeting place.” I said with a smile of my own. “I guess so.” He responded with a shrug. “Listen, Arin we need to talk.” Jason said, “Duh.” I responded.

 “Jason, I’m sorry. You know that video. I can’t believe I was such a brat. You were the best friend I’ve ever had and I just through that out the window in ninth grade. You shouldn’t forgive me, because I was horrible to you. I’m so sorry.” I let out a huge breath after letting that all that. “Arin, it’s okay. Look at you know, you changed. You’re the girl you were before all this happened. You care more for the well-being of others than anything.” Jason is so sweet. “Jason… I can’t, it’s just.” I was stumbling over my words. “Arin, please shut up. I forgive you I promise.” And with that Jason stood up said,”  “Let’s go. Grab you stuff and follow me!” As we got into the car I asked, “Jason, where are we going?” “It’s a surprise,” He responded with a wink.

Twenty minutes later and we were at a fair? Jason gave me a shy smile, “I figured you needed a little fun. Plus this is one of the only fairs that take place in Chicago, and I know how much you love those...” Jason remembered? FAIRS ARE MY FAVORITE! “Jason I don’t know what to say…” Jason slyly replied, “Just don’t scream to loudly on these rides.”

Eight hours later and we were arriving at a beach? “Jason, shouldn’t I be getting home? It is almost 1 in the morning.” “Ah, Arin, you see I’ve already run all this through your Aunt and Zoe. So, your fine.” Jason said, sounding pretty pleased with himself. “Oh,okay, but what about you? Won’t that be a problem with you? I mean having to drive that far?” After I said this, Jason looked at me with the funniest expression on his face. “Arin, are you forgetting we live in the same apartment complex?” Huh, I actually did. But wait, “Then why didn’t you come to my apartment to talk to me?” Jason looked at me with an odd expression, “I did. Zoe said you weren’t in the mood to talk to me.” I started laughing and said, “Well that is partially true, but I didn’t want it to be awkward.” Jason smiled as he said, “Well it’s not awkward anymore, huh?” and with that he kissed me. A kiss that was amazing, something I’ve never experienced before. Almost like a billion tiny fireworks exploding at once.  “Nope, not awkward at all.” I said with a smile. Then, we just stayed there for a while, watching the gentle waves and enjoying each other’s company.