innocence // jai brooks

chapter 9

"I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT," I hear a deep Australian accent yell from behind me. I quickly turn around to see Jai standing on his chair, holding roses. What on earth is he doing? I glance around the room to see peoples' reactions around me. Some are confused, but most are annoyed at the interruption from their lunch.

The cafeteria becomes silent as Jai yells loudly for people to keep it down. "As you all know, I stupidly said something yesterday, which I deeply regret. Look, Ariana and I didn't sleep together! I lied! Why did I lie, you might wonder. Because she, being a decent and reasonable person, turned me down, and myself, being an asshole didn't want to be shut down like that," My jaw drops as I hear snickers erupt from multiple people around the room. "It's true! She turned me down and I was mad about it. Don't harass Ariana, okay. Harass me, I'm the one in fault. I'm an idiot, because I lost the one person who saw something in me. Ariana," Jai turns to me and continues with a face full of what seems to be sympathy. "I am deeply sorry for what I have done to you. You have to understand that this is all new to me. I've never felt this way about anyone before. I can honestly say I've never cared about anyone the way I seem to care about you. I can't stop thinking about you. I would regret everyday if I didn't just give it another go. Would you please do me the honor of accompanying me in our re-do first date tomorrow night?" Jai steps down from his chair and walks toward me. He holds out the roses in front of him and says, "I'm crazy about you and I don't care who knows it,"

I take the roses and smile slightly at him. "You have one more chance," I tell him as people 'aw'. I'm not sure if I'm making the right descision, but I think it's a risk I'm willing to take.

Jai's face lights up with surprise and I smile at the sight of that. "You won't regret it," he says in a whisper as the cafeteria begins to get loud again. I hope I won't, I think to myself as Jai walks away.

"Are you really going to go out with him tomorrow?" Casey asks, careful not to offend me. The looks on my best friends faces are telling me that they don't agree with my descision, but they can't tell me what to do. They're going to have to trust me on this one.

"I'm just going to go and see if he's actually going to make an effort," I look down at my lunch tray, which holds a now cold piece of pizza. I pick up the pizza and lift it to my mouth to take a bite. I cringe at the coldness and set it back down.

"We just don't want to see you get hurt by him... again," Josie explains to me and gives me an understanding smile.

"Who would have ever thought all this would be happening to me? I'm the plain and boring out of all of us," I laugh to myself at the thought of that.

"That's not true," Erin argues. "You have something none of us have, hope. Ariana, you are the most inspiring, optimistic person I know. And it's about time people started noticing that,"

I can't help but let a huge grin take over my face. "I've never thought of myself as anything more than 'Josie's friend,' and it means so much to hear that from you Erin, thank you," I give her a warm side hug. "Also, nothing against you, Jos. You're obviously insanely gorgeous and so fun to be around, I just felt like I was almost living in your shadow," I add.

"I completely understand. It's your turn to be noticed and appreciated for the amazing person you are," Josie tells me and I can't help but tear up as I realize how amazing my friends truly are.