Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Luci’s highlighted hair, even when twisted into the mess on top of her head, makes the shocked look on her face light her up even more. She’s radiant, and I can’t help but study her - her face, her body, the way she’s dressed in plaid pajama bottoms and a t-shirt; she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. I can’t help the happy feeling and need that overcomes my heart when I see her.
I look around, trying to scope out the rest of the room from the doorway, seeing if her boyfriend is here. Here or not, I don’t let it stop me.
“What are you doing here?” She doesn’t hide her bewilderment well.
I’m panting from all the walking around in the cold, and she moves aside to let me enter. “You and I,” I swallow hard, catching my breath. “We’re meant to be together.”
“Jo-”
“I couldn’t last another second without being sure you knew that,” I turn and acknowledge the girl sitting on the couch for the first time, relieved it’s not a guy.
“Hi,” I run up and shake her hand. “You must be Ren. I’ve heard a lot of great things.”
Luci hasn’t said a word, and it takes me all that I have to turn back around and face her. It’s never good when she’s silent. I want the Luci that can’t shut up.
“I saw you after graduation,” I tell her, finally breaking the quietness.
Her arm crashes against the wall, holding her up.
“You cried through all of Freddy vs. Jason.”
Her mouth drops and her eyes widen. “I didn’t just forget about you and move on,” I tell her. “I went to that damn mall every fucking day that summer trying to see you!]
I’ve stunned her. She’s turned so pale that I think she may vomit, which brings me to a whole new level of low.
I make her vomit.
I don’t let her reaction stop me, though. She needs to know how sorry I am.
“I saw every damn scary or action-packed movie trying to find you. I was too terrified to call your house. I didn’t know what you told anyone. I didn’t know if I was going to be fired, or shit, arrested,” I pause.
“I couldn’t believe my luck when you walked into that theater. You sat in the very back, holding onto this sweatshirt for dear life,” I hold up my sweatshirt - the one she borrowed after her shirt got ruined.
“You cried the most sad, beautiful tears I have ever seen.” My eyes well up just remembering. “Then, when the movie ended, you just left it there on the seat,” I spit. “Like you were saying goodbye to me,” I swallow. “I died a new death.”
Her mouth closes and then opens, but nothing comes out.
“I came here tonight to give it back to you,” I hold it out to her. “It belongs to you. I belong to you.” I shove the clothing forward and she quietly takes it from me.
“You are not second best, and I’d love more than anything to prove that to you,” I swallow nervously. “Do you think you can get past the hurt so I can try?”
Her eyes meet mine, and in them I swear I see a ‘yes,’ but instead an, “I don’t know” escapes.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers.
I nod slowly as I back away and leave.
Chapter 3
-Luci-
I stand in the doorway, watching as Josh storms off. I only realize Ren is still here when I hear her loud sigh, and I follow the sound back to the couch, watching as she places her hand over her heart.
“Wow,” she whispers. “I think I just fell in love.”
Ugh! She’s no help!
I give her a look before running after him.
“Wait!” I call out of breath, but he doesn’t stop, and I pick up my pace. The cold early February air is biting against my skin.
He’s walking too quickly, and I don’t know if he doesn’t hear me, or is just too embarrassed to face me. My light jog soon turns into a run, and I eventually catch up to him.
“Wait!” I shout again, grabbing his arm as he spins around.
“What?” He shouts.
“I’m sorry.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry for,” his tone is piercing. “It’s my fault. You were right. We can never be friends.”
“Bu-”
“You got the student teaching position,” he interrupts. “It’s freshman math, so it’s not ideal, but, congrats,” he shrugs.
I close my mouth and nod silently.
“They’ll probably call you on Monday.”
“Okay,” I croak.
“You don’t have to take it if I’ve made things weird,” he sighs. “Or if there’s something better.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I’m going to take it.”
“If that’s what you want,” he runs his fingers through his hair before turning back around. “I suppose I’ll see you around then.”
“Wait!” I run after him again.
“I can take a hint, Luci,” he sighs. “You don’t have to say anything else. I understand I hurt you too much. I should’ve gone on my date.”