A Summer of New Beginnings | Completed |

Chapter 9

I walk into May's, my heart hopeful. Maybe he left an explanation. If he loves me the way he says he does, he wouldn't have hurt me like that. May looks up, smiling at me, her hair in a messy bun, pale denim shirt paired with a dark pair of jeggings, her classic white apron wrapped around her waist. She disappears into the back of the shop, reappearing shortly, letter in hand.

She places it down next to me, and I opened it, my hands shaking.

Dear Starlight,

Please let me explain. It wasn't what it looked like. I would never hurt you. At Coral Park Beach? Three o'clock pm on Tuesday? I'll be waiting.

Sincerely,

Firefly

I gasp, staring at the letter. Should I go? What if he hurts me again? But at the same time, I want to believe him. I miss Gavin and the least I could do is let him explain. He was there for me. What more do I have to lose?

I turn to May. "Thank you."

She smiles. "Anytime, Aspen."

Maisie stares up at me from her playpen on the family room floor. Her beautiful eyes scanned my face, her face lighting up in happiness. She coo's, as I lift her up, holding her close. "I won't let any guy hurt you the way I was hurt. I promise you."

Marie walks in, smiling at me sadly, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. "Do you want to talk about it?" I nod, placing Maisie back in her playpen as Maison coos from the other one. I smile, as Marie strokes his little face, her eyes glowing. We walked over to the couch, sitting facing each other.

"I loved him, Marie. He was there for me, and he always made me laugh. " I pause, as tears well up in my eyes. "And when I saw him kissing another girl, my heart broke."

Marie pulls me close, wiping my tears off my face. "It will be okay, Aspen. There's probably a good explanation."

"I hope so." She holds me tight, stroking my hair as I sobbed into her arms.

Maison cries out, and Marie smiles at me. I glance at him. Tears are flooding down his red face, his green eyes not visible. I turn back to Marie. "Thanks for listening."

She smiles. "Anytime."

I walk up to my room, pulling out paper and a pen from my desk.

Dear Firefly,

You broke my heart more than I thought possible. When I saw you kissing her, it hurt more than I ever thought it could.

I'll be there, just to hear you out.

Sincerely,

Starlight

I head over to May's dropping it off and then out to the beach. He's sitting on the bench, the same one I was sitting on not too long ago waiting for him. He nervously fidgets, his hands tapping the bench. His eyes look sad, bags lining them from days of no sleep. I can't imagine I look any better. I walk forward, awkwardly sitting down next to him, my eyes on my shoes. "Hi." I look up as he smiles, the same genuinely happy look in his eyes like always.

"Aspen, I would never hurt you." He squeezes my hand. Against my better judgment, my face softens as I slowly forgive him. " I love you more than I know how to tell you. I've loved you from the moment you tried to fly from a tree."

I smile, laughing. "You've got to admit, it was pretty funny."

He laughs. "It was."

I gaze at him. His eyes are sparkling, a smile overtaking his face. I need to know. "Gavin, if you love me so much, why were you kissing that girl?"