Chapter 1
When Jaden walked into his apartment, he saw a pair of angry eyes glare at him. He knew exactly who's they were and he didn't want to face them. He knew that he would have to though.
"You're up late," he noticed.
"Well I wonder why Jaden," Alexis replied sarcastically. Jaden noticed that she was wearing a beautiful black dress that had a jean jacket over it. Then it hit him, he was supposed to have taken her out to dinner that night. It was the day Alexis had graduated college and more importantly, their fifth anniversary.
"Alexis I'm sorry," Jaden said putting down his latest tournament trophy. How could he have forgotten such an important day?
"For what; you missed my graduation and you left me here waiting for you to come home for dinner. Jaden my family offered to take me out today and you know what I said? I said 'I would love to but Jaden is taking me out,'" she spat.
"Well I think you answered your own question," Jaden muttered.
"I know. Jaden how could you have missed such an important day for me? You said that the tournament would be over just in time for my graduation. You said that you would take me out to celebrate our anniversary. Where were you," the pain in Alexis's voice fell into her words like a river.
"Well once the tournament ended Zane said he would take me out for winning. I guess we lost track of the time," Jaden answered, ashamed of his actions.
Alexis, who already looked infuriated, almost exploded. "That's where you were! You were out getting drunk! You left me here so you could get drunk, I can't believe you," Alexis snapped.
"Alexis I'm really sorry," Jaden apologized. Too bad that wouldn't be enough though.
"You know, this isn't the first time you've done this. Jaden every time I have something important, you always miss it. And for what? You miss it because of some tournament or you're with someone else. You spend more time with your friends and your deck than me. And I'm your girlfriend," Alexis continued, ignoring Jaden's apology.
Jaden stood in front of Alexis with a blank stare. What could he even say to make this better? He had messed up big time. In the big scheme of things though, he couldn't say anything to make it better.
Alexis picked up Jaden's trophy. The top of it was glass and the bottom was made of wood. "I am so tired of being second to your career. It's not like it matters to you though."
"But Alexis you do matter. I do care," Jaden pleaded.
"Give me an instance when you put me first. Tell me Jaden, when do you not think about yourself and what's going on in the realm of Jaden," she challenged him.
Jaden fell silent. She had a point; he couldn't rise to the task and she knew it.
"Alexis if you just give me another chance-," Alexis cut Jaden off.
"No one said that there would be another chance Jaden, just forget it. Forget second chances nothing you can do will change my mind," Alexis said, her voice crumbling. When Jaden looked brought himself to look into her eyes, he saw thin tears rolling off her face.
"But-," Jaden couldn't bring himself to finish that sentence. Nor was he able to because Alexis had walked out with Jaden's trophy in hand.
Then it all blurred and he woke up. It had all been a dream. No it wasn't a dream it was a memory. It was the memory from the previous year when Alexis had left him. It was only one of the many dreams he had with her in it. Every dream ended the same with-if not begin. In every dream her face would show up. Each time her face would have this unbearable sadness to it. That was his last memory of the two of them being together or communicating for that matter. She had already packed her belongings before he had come home that fateful night.
Getting up out of his bed, Jaden walked to the couch and sat down. How could you have done that Jaden? Why didn't you do something to stop her, why didn't you try to get her back, Jaden asked himself. I know why you didn't do it; you were too much of a coward. You just couldn't handle it. Well look at you now Jaden, nothing is better than before. It's been a year and you still haven't gotten anywhere. You haven't even gotten over her, but it's not like you tried to. All you do is duel and mope around. Jaden forced himself to stop beating himself up. He grabbed his cell phone and went through his contacts. Halfway through the list he stopped. There in front of him Alexis's name showed through. Pressing the green button, the information opened up.
Jaden looked at the screen for a while, not looking away. Thoughts swirled inside of him and all he could do was listen to the voice of reason. It's not like she would pick up Jaden. Surely you know that you missed your chance. It's too late to come crawling back to her now. She probably moved on by now. On the other hand though she could still miss you the way you miss her. She may be in the same situation. All you need to do is call her. All you need to do is talk to her. Jaden closed his eyes and pressed the call button.
Instantly, it went to Alexis's voice mail. What were the odds she would even be up right now? It was three in the morning. Barely anybody was still at work at this time in the morning.
Hi everybody, you have reached me, Alexis. Sorry that I couldn't take your call but if you could leave your name and number, I am sure to call back. Thanks! The recording ended followed by the "leave your message at the beep" BEEP.
"Hey it's me, Jaden. I know this is unexpected but if you could call me back then I would really appreciate it. My number is 234-7895. Bye," Jaden said then hung up. Call back? What are the odds that she'll call back? Honestly Jaden that was a really stupid thing to say, Jaden thought. Jaden closed his eyes and hoped that she would get the message. But in the midst of his hoping, he fell asleep.