CHASING ME DOWN [COMPLETED]

Chapter 23

Our drive back home was very fun. Shane let me in on his family, his childhood, his education, college life...
"Had any girlfriends?"
It came out before I had thought about it. That was way too personal. I was about to apologize when he cut in.
"I'm-
"One. She died.... in a car accident."
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."
"We were heading back from our date... engaged... j-just after I had proposed. A truck run into our car and.... she didn't make it."

I could see tears filling his eyes. He was truly one of a kind. He's an epitome of strength. After all he's been through, he still managed to keep a smile on his face and a humour that was so contagious.

We stopped at the gate. He looked into my eyes.
"Jael... I like you... I really do."
I was taken aback by his sudden outburst.
"I know it's too soon but I just wanted you to know that I'll always be here for you- that I've always got your back."
"Gosh no! I'm not even 18!"

I was so overwhelmed. Immediately we got in, I jumped out of the car and headed straight for my room.

This is too much to handle...

*. *. *. *. *. *. *. *.
The finals were over. Two weeks more to graduate and a week more to my eighteenth birthday. And Jayla's too, of course.

There's no school today. Father hired someone to work on our college applications; perks of having a tech millionaire for a dad.

We were both applying to Harvard. It's been our dream school since birth- us three.
Our mum was a Harvard alumni. Jayla dreamed of pursue Neuroscience as a pre-med course. She wanted to be a doctor just like mum but instead of pediatrics, she wanted to specialize in neurosurgery.

Carrie wanted to study Economics. She was pretty good with figures, calculation s and some humanities. I'd bet she'll do great too.
And me, I just wanted to study Forensics. Unraveling mysteries was my thing.

I was home by myself. Mum was still locked up in her room. Father wouldn't be back till very late at night. I saw less and less of Shane, but I knew he was in my shadows.

After father recounted his early marriage life with mum and how it was related to Carlos Diego and all, I began to appreciate Shane more. I could see Jayla was beginning to be more appreciative too.

Jayla and Carrie went over to Grandpa Whyte's New York residence for a treat. I decided to stay behind. I wanted to catch up with Myles- I wanted my best friend back.

I felt different. I felt changed. Even in my fashion sense. I had made  friends too. I wasn't so engrossed in my study of Chemistry. My friendship with Myles was different too now. What is going on with me?

Myles and I had lots of fun during those four days. We went to the cinema, for picnics in the park, stayed in my lab going through several procedures, drove around town at night even to the theatre to watch live drama performances.

It was in those times, that I felt truly happy.