Worth the Ache

Chapter 6

Early that morning I had softball practice for my school team. I finally was going to be able to see my best friend Marie. We hadn't seen each other all summer, we had a bad habit of  never seeing each other outside of school, but when school was in session we were thick as thieves.

When I saw her get out of her moms white SUV we ran to give each other a hug. I missed her so much and I wish I had made a better effort of hanging out, but I had been so busy with Alex that I had completely forgotten that I had other friends.

Speaking of Alex I had to tell her exactly what had happened with him. "Marie, you wouldn't believe the summer I've been having." I told her, "Shit girl, spill!" She said in response. This was one of the reasons I loved her, she was always my biggest hype. 

I started spilling into the story and was telling her everything, every little detail. At the end of my story all she did was smack my arm. "What the hell?" I said, "You didn't let the guy kiss you? This is not how I raised you!" She said. Okay, that's fair but I had my reasons.

"I was so scared, I've never kissed anyone before." I explained. "Show me a picture of the guy." She insisted. Alex and I hadn't taken any pictures together but I had sneaked a few pics of him every now and then just for this moment. I pulled out my phone and showed her the cutest picture I had of him.

"Oh, I thought you said he was cute?" She said, which is exactly the reaction I needed from her, because that meant he really was cute. Marie has the worst taste in guys, like every guy she's every crushed on has been butt ass ugly.

"Shut up, he's gorgeous!" I told her. I didn't care what she thought, I didn't care what anyone thought about him. I thought he was perfect.

Our coach had finally shown up and practice had started, but Marie and I weren't really focused. All we did was talk about Alex.

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That night I was at a dinner party for my dad's 40th birthday party. I had invited Alex but he already had plans. 

He was texting me all dinner, and all I could think about was him. I was completely consumed by the feelings I had for him. He made me so happy. 

For my dad's birthday this weekend my family was going to the Flaming Gorge for a short vacation. I had been so excited to go since my mom told me about it, but now that I had gotten so close with Alex I didn't want to go anymore, I just wanted to stay and spend the last few weeks of summer with him.

After the dinner, we were driving home and Alex was still texting me. "Hey, I just had the best idea." He texted, "Oh yeah? Let's hear it." I replied.

"I take you to Lagoon, and I kiss you on top of the Ferris Wheel." Oh. My. God. Did he really just say that? Shit, what should I say? 

"That is a good idea." Okay good, peeks interest but doesn't make me seem like this is what I have been waiting for since the first time I had seen him. The first time I had seen him was night games about 2 years ago. He wore a tank top that night. I never caught his name but I had always referred to him as tank top until we met that night at the bonfire.

"When can you go?" He asked, I wanted more than anything to go tomorrow, but we leave tomorrow. "Next Tuesday?"  I suggested. "You can't go this weekend?" I could just imagine a frown playing on his lips as he sent that.

"I'm going to the Flaming Gorge this weekend with my family." I hope this doesn't change anything. "Next Tuesday it is (:" Was his reply, and my god to me it was a good one.

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The next morning I was feeling on top of the world, I had gotten the guy and I was going river rafting. I also had gotten a text from Lizzy and asked if I could hang out, but I told her I was going out of town for the weekend. If I wasn't there I bet her and Alex wouldn't be hanging out, which made me very happy.

When my family got to the cabin, my brother immediately ran to the biggest bed and jumped right on, "I dibs this bed!" He declared. What a boy, I thought rolling my eyes. That night we went to a local diner for dinner, and watched movies. 

After everyone had gone to bed I stayed up late on pinterest and looked up couple quotes, each and everyone I read reminded me of him. After about 2 in the morning I turned my phone off and set it on the side table next to my bed. I laid there staring at my phone, I couldn't close my eyes I was way to happy.

My phone screen lit up, and I immediately picked it up. It was a text from Alex!

"Hey, I know its late but I have to tell you. I know we talked about Lagoon, but I don't think I can go. I saw Lizzy today, and she was the girl I liked first and I need to pick her. I am so sorry."

My head got really heavy at that moment, and so did my eyes. I couldn't see anymore through the tears. I typed back "Ok."

My stomach was in so much pain, and I felt an ache in almost every inch of my body. I was shaking, and tears fell from my eyes, but no sound came from my mouth. I don't remember falling asleep. All I remember is my mom waking me up in the morning.

"Are you okay? Your eyes are really puffy." She asked. I showed her the text and felt the pain rise in my stomach again along with the bubble of anxiety in my chest.

"I'm so sorry, sweet heart." She told me while pulling me into a hug. 

I'm sorry too.