My Second Chance

Chapter 3

Opening the locked drawer to my nightstand, I pull out the framed picture of Elijah and I from four years ago. And with my trembling hand, I reach for the nine millimeter that’s been locked away with it. But as I reach for the deadly weapon, my mind seems to stop in time at that exact moment. And the memories start coming...

**FLASHBACK**

I've just left Starbucks after purchasing my vanilla latte and blueberry muffins in hand when I receive a new text message from my best friend. *Ding*

FROM: BFFjenny(: S! I’ve got your package from Elijah! It’s F-ING massive! Can I open it pretty please? With cherry on top!

Smirking at my phone, I shake my head because I could actually picture her doing just that even if I told her not to. I text her to wait for ten more minutes because I was stopping by the store to get our regular dose of ‘girls-night-in’ which consisted of tubs of ice cream, crisps and chocolate. My favorite! *Ding*

 From: JennyBoo(;

         Boo! You’re no fun :P Alryt then, I can wait. I’ll order pizza. See you in a bit! xo

I’m now rushing myself out of the local supermarket and into the car with two bags full of nothing but junk food. Zooming past a few cars here and there, I slow down and mentally give myself a pat on the back because it’s only been a few months since Elijah taught me how to drive stick. I feel so giddy knowing that in a few moments I’ll be unwrapping the package he sent for me. He couldn’t be here today because of his hectic work schedule as a music producer and all. Thank God for Skype! Note-to-self: call E asap.

I start the walk up to the front door and open up to find an empty living room. I hear some mumbling in Jennifer’s bedroom, but I walk into the kitchen to place the bags of junk on the dining table first. Two boxes of pizza are laying open on the island. Two? We usually only get one box. I open it up to see there’s a medium sized Hawaiian style, stuffed crust pizza and a small sized vegetable lovers pizza. The weird thing about it is that Jennifer never orders Hawaiian style – that’s Elijah’s thing. I shake the hopes that try to cloud my head. He can’t be here, he’s too busy.

“Jenny! I’m here!” I yell to let her know because knowing my best friend, she keeps one of those metal baseball bats beside her just in case. Wouldn't want her using it on me anytime soon.

Laughing at myself, I’m interrupted when I feel two slender arms squeeze me from behind into a hug. “Happy birthday S!” She turns me around to give me a peck on both cheeks, making me smile and hugging her in return.

“Thanks boo! My day would mean nothing without you!” Giving her a peck on her right cheek.

“Well? Are you excited about the package my big brother sent you?! I know I am! You’re going to love it no doubt! He already told me what’s inside!” She gives me a wink - making me smile from cheek to cheek in result.

“Um yeah I am! Now tell me how massive it is!” I stretch my arms to demonstrate the different sizes. “Is it massive like we can still carry it or massive, huge, gigantic…”

She raises her hand to stop me from continuing and only smirks, “Well, I think you should decide that on your own how massive it is, yeah?”

She playfully wiggles her eyebrows, which only make me even curious. “Oh come on Jen…give me a hint!” I ask her with both my arms crossed.

“You’ll see, love.” That’s all I hear when I feel two masculine arms surround me by my waist and holding me back. A soft kiss is placed on my shoulder, before I hear a deep and very familiar voice whisper into my ear.

 “Happy birthday darling…” My eyes are glossed over in a second. I turn around, holding nothing back and leaping into the arms of the only man who will ever hold my heart.

My hands immediately surround the back of his neck and I tip-toe to reach his height as he holds me close. “Eli!” Tugging onto his black hoodie and inhaling his Old Spice Cologne sharing a small kiss. Only to be interrupted by the bright flash of a digital camera.

Damn it Jennifer!

**END OF FLASHBACK**