A New Beginning

Chapter 20

I don't really know if I want to keep writing. It seems like you guys don't enjoy this story... :/

Jaden drove me back to my house. I couldn't help but smile to myself as I continuously took sneak glances at him. He was growing out these dreads that were a little messy, but they were cute with half of them up in a ponytail and the rest were free. His nice eyes and smile and how bright they both were. The way he bit his lip when he concentrated on the road. How radiant his skin tone was when the sun shined on it.

"I'm sexy aren't I?" He asked suddenly.

"What?" I giggled a little.

"I see you looking at me. I know I look good." We both started laughing.

"Yeah whatever Jaden. Don't flatter yourself."

We came to a stop in front of my house.

"Do you wanna come in?" I asked him.

"You sure?"

"Of course. I wouldn't have offered if I didn't mean it." We smiled at each other. He stopped the car and walked with me to the door. We walked in m, being immediately greeted by my mother.

"Oh, hello honey...and Jaden?" She looked at me funny.

"Good evening Ms. Anderson," Jaden waved.

"Nice to see you again, Jaden. I thought you would be with Daniel tonight sweetie."

"I'll explain it to you later," I said.

"But right now, I think I'm gonna spend time with someone who really appreciates me." I grabbed Jaden's hand. He looked at me with a surprised look.

"Well alright. You kids have fun."

"Thanks mom!" We headed upstairs and into the loft.

"Wow. It sure has even a while since I've seen this place." I felt a small pang of guilt rush through me.

"Um. I'm going to go change really quickly." I went to my room and quickly changed into Nike running shorts and a loose t-shirt. I came back and joined him on the couch. I sat indian-style, leaving a bit of space between us. I knew Jaden didn't really watch TV that often, so I didn't even bother turning on the television. I figured we could just talk and catch up on things. Hopefully this won't be awkward. He was scrolling through something on his phone and I caught myself staring at him again. I noticed he was starting to build a bit of muscle on his arms. God he's changed over these past few months. He must've felt my eyes because his gaze shifted from his phone over to me. He laughed a little.

"What?" He asked with a small smile.

"Nothing," I just shook my head. He put his phone down and shifted closer to me on the couch. He rested his hand on my thigh.

"Talk to me Darian."

"What about?" I asked.

"What's going on with you? You wouldn't even look my way for months, and now you want to hang out again? Whats going on? I thought you hated me," I sighed.

"I don't hate you Jaden. I could never hate you. Or anyone for that matter. It's just. The day you told me you had feelings for me, I got so scared. You were the new star at our school and I was the new girl and it just didn't add up. I had to put up this huge wall to protect myself. It was all just from fear."

"Fear of what? What are you scared of?" He asked.

"I just-I don't want a repeat of the past Jay. That's all," I wasn't going to let myself cry. I wasn't going to look vulnerable in front of him.

"Tell me Darian, what happened in the past that has made you so scared." I took a deep breath. Maybe I should tell someone about this.

"Back in New York, there was a boy. Lucas. He was perfect. His smile, his eyes, his teeth, his hair, everything. He was a basketball star and the guy every girl wanted. One day out of the blue he just complimented me and then it turned into a weekly routine. We started talking and he asked me to the spring dance and I said yes. I really thought he was starting to like me. But it was after the spring dance. He blew me off on a night we were supposed to hang out. I decided I would just go to the mall with some of my old friends, Kara and Mecca. Lucas was there, all lovey dovey with another girl. I went and confronted him and he embarrassed me in front of everyone. He said I was just his 'charity case'. I was so heartbroken. And it didn't stop there, after that, I became the laughing stock of the whole school. Some people don't want to be my friends or talk to me and it sucked, it really did. My brother couldnt really do anything about it because we went to different schools. I would just dance. All the time to get away from it. Then my mom told me we were moving and I'll admit, I was pretty excited at first. I realized we were moving across the entire nation and I was ecstatic. Then we got here, and I realized I missed some things about New York. Then you came along, and I just thought. This is perfect. A little too perfect. I figured it was the perfect opportunity for me to go through the same things I went through back in New York. I just couldn't do it. So there. That's why I'm the way I am. It's all his fault. You can blame Lucas I guess."

"Wow. I had no idea you went through such cruelty. That shows the type of world we live in."

"Yeah." I bit my lip. I'm not going to cry in front of him. I'm not gonna do it.

"And-" my voice cracked. I paused. Stop it Darian. Get yourself together.

"And then Daniel, he seemed so dif-,"

He kissed me. Just like that. Jaden kissed me. We pulled away and I stared at him in shock. Our lips gravitated back towards each other. My fingers tangled themselves in his small dreads as he brought his hand to the back of my neck. My heart raced as our lips moved in sync. I felt...sparks. This kiss felt amazing. We pulled away again, and this time we both had the same shocked expression.

"Did that just?"

"Did we just?" We both spoke at the same time.

"Wow Jaden. I didn't know you felt that way."

"I'm just glad to know you feel the same way." He did his infamous smirk. I smiled.

Maybe Jaden and I could actually work something out.