[im ending this at 50 chapters & probs with an epilogue. if you want a sequel & i have enough ideas to form one i can make one. otherwise enjoy :/]
"i don't understand why you can't just put aside everything going on between you and mads to make this work between us. i have been in love with you for almost a year." i sighed.
"because lydia! mads is still a big part of my life and i still care about her. i understand you have had feelings for me, i've had them for you too, but it's not that simple. i'm sure hector isn't happy about it." jaden shot back.
"actually, hector is fully support of you and i. we are on good terms and he has been rooting for us since he and i broke up. hell, i moved out to la so i could see you more jaden. you said this would work." i yelled.
"that was before i found out you made out with a bunch of guys, not including me." he argued.
"we played spin the bottle! and don't even begin with that shit jaden. where were you the night we played spin the bottle at the hype house? oh? with mads? yeah don't think i didn't know. she rubbed it in my face." i crossed my arms and sat on my bed.
i already know ryland and chase could hear us arguing from the room next door. it wasn't healthy what jaden and i were putting each other through. i care so much for him and it's obvious i'm second to mads.
"then maybe this won't work between us, lydia." jaden started. "all we've done the past few days is argue and bicker. we're not even dating and this is all we do."
"every relationship has bumps and they have fights but it doesn't mean we should give up, jaden." i started to tear up. "i don't want to lose you to mads a second time."
"i need time to process everything, okay? i promise i'll get back to you. this is just all so much." jaden sighed, walking out of my room.
i laid on my bed and just cried. i wasn't sad, i was frustrated. ryland and chase came in after they knew for sure jaden had left. they laid on both sides of me and just sat there with me.
we didn't speak, but i had never felt more safe and comfortable in my entire life.
-
two days had gone by and i hadn't heard from jaden at all. i know he said he needed time to think but i figured he'd at least talk to me still, but i guess i was wrong.
"why don't we just date and make jaden jealous?" ryland suggested, eating the bowl of grapes i set out earlier.
"or we could stop plotting ideas that would make me lose jaden again." i laughed, shoving ryland.
"hey it was just an idea." he shrugged and continued eating the grapes.
"i just wish he would give me answer already, you know? like stop making me play the waiting game and why don't you just spare me the heartbreak." i frowned.
"well if he doesn't choose you, he's an idiot." thomas said, walking into the kitchen.
"really?" i replied.
"of course. you are head over heels for this guy and what did mads do to him? dump him? you have wanted him for so long. he'd be stupid to not choose you ten times over." thomas smiled.
"thank you thomas!" i gleamed, hugging him.
"hey ryland, will you help me pack?" i asked.
"pack for what?"
"my mom texted me and she's back in north carolina. she wants me to come visit and i might as well go see payton i'm at it." i shrugged.
"can i come meet your mom?" ryland replied.
"sure."
-
the next day, ryland and i were waiting for our ride. the uber said there was a lot of traffic in charlotte today and that's why it was taking so long.
when we finally arrived at my old house, it had felt like hours since i slept last.
my mom opened the door, greeting ryland and i, with an almost entirely new family standing behind her.
"mom, this is ryland. he's my best friend back in la." i told her.
"sweetie, this is rob, my husband and his kids, kaylyn and jack." my mom replied. "it's nice to meet you, by the way, ryland."
i shook everyone's hand and walked inside. once our suitcases were put in the guest room, since kaylyn now has my old room, i pulled my mom aside.
"when did you get remarried? and when were you planning on telling me?" i asked her.
my mom sighed, "we're not married yet. we will be in two weeks, but i just didn't know how to tell you, lydia. i wanted to tell you in person rather than over the phone and i was traveling so much, this was the only time i could think of."
"i mean, congratulations." i said, hugging her.
"you're not mad?" she replied.
"if rob makes you happy, then i'm happy." i smiled.
"where's jaden? i thought he'd be coming home with you this time." my mom frowned.
"we're not on speaking terms right now." i sighed.
"what happened?"
"he said he needs time to decide between me and his ex. which i know i shouldn't be waiting for him to choose me and i should drop him but i love him mom." i started to cry.
"don't cry, sweetie. he'll come around if he's smart." she hugged me.
-
kaylyn and jack are not that bad. jack is seventeen and kaylyn is fifteen, so they're sort of close to my age. when i first met kaylyn she told me she had to control herself because i'm her favorite tik toker. which is cute.
"so kaylyn, lydia, we are going dress shopping for the wedding tomorrow. there's only three bridesmaids and groomsmen." my mom said.
"why only three?" kaylyn responded.
"well, it's just you, lydia, and your aunt lisa." rob told her.
"and the groomsmen are my brother, chris, jack and lydia's cousin, alejandro." my mom replied.
"mom, is it okay if i invite jaden to the wedding?" i asked, setting down my fork. "i want him to be there, you know? you've known him forever."
"of course you can! invite all of your little la friends, i'd love to have them celebrate this day with us." my mom smiled.
