4. WAS IT DESTINY?

"Rory! Rory? Get up, he's here!" said Paris dragging me to the entrance

I was shaking. I couldn't believe this was happening. Leaving wasn't an option. Was this really happening? How did Jess – the one who wasn't sure about his future – become a writer this fast? It's been only one year since I last saw him. Had he changed so much?

I looked at Jamie and Paris who were right next to me, they looked pretty happy together. Did Paris know about this? Had she planned it? I doubt it, Paris may be an extremist, but this was way beyond her skills.

We all walked toward the main doors of the bookstore. There were about 200 people who crowded around. Through the windows, there were more fans lining up with books to be signed.

Suddenly the doors opened. There he was - wearing black jeans with a cut off dress shirt and a long-sleeved, fitted shirt inside it. His hair was jelled up nicely too. This was the same old Jess, but there was something different about him. As he walked through those doors, he smiled at the crowd of people cheering for him. He wasn't the arrogant, egotistical fellow who got into fights with everyone in school. He was a matured, intelligent, young man. Anger flourished me as I watched Jess walk. Why did he leave me? I remembered all the pain I went through each day without him. And then one fine day, he tells me he loves me and then gets in his car and leaves. For a year, I had kept my hopes up, "He'll come back" I thought to myself. But no, he didn't.

It took about 10 minutes till Jess got to the round table. I couldn't leave right then because the doors had closed and plus, it would call for attention. Attention that I obviously didn't want. I had to hide behind someone so that he couldn't see me. When Jess reached the table, everyone applauded.

"Thank you everybody for coming here. I appreciate everyone's support. When I first decided to write this book, I never thought so many people would respond so positively. The only reason I wrote this story, was to ease the pain of losing my first love."

Everyone stood quietly listening to him as he talked more about his book. A book about us, I thought to myself. Us. It seemed like he hadn't lost hope yet. Tears formed in my eyes. Everything began to get blurry. I quickly wiped my tears, only to find Paris looking at me, completely shocked.

"I swear Rory, if I had known, I would've never brought you here. I am so sorry." Paris said sympathetically. I nodded my head. I guess, this was meant to be. I felt like running away from all of this. I wanted my Mommy.

The book signing session lasted about an hour. Jess looked quite happy with what he was doing. He seemed settled down. Finally it was over, and Jess left the book store. After crouching behind Paris for an hour, I got up, my back aching of pain.

"Soooo..." I said to Paris, "Wasn't that a surprise? I'm as shocked as you are."

"I'm really sorry Rory. I mean how could a num-skulling hard as rock jerk, learn how to write a friggin' book. Geez, times like these, I feel so angry I wish I could – "

"Remember what your counselor said Paris," Jamie said sternly, eyeing Paris.

"Let's just get out of here, I can't bear it here anymore." I said.

As soon as we got out of the bookstore we browsed around a little bit. Paris bought some shoes and some clothes. I bought some purses and shoes with the money Grandma gave me.

Finally, with all the rush in Newport Mall, we managed to get to the parking lot safely. We used Jamie's car instead of renting our own. Jamie had a silver BMW 645 model 2005. It was a very smooth car.

One step out of the exit doors, I felt calmness. My nose sucked in the fresh, cool air that surrounded me. I forgot all my troubles and became relaxed again. But that feeling didn't last too long.

"Think I didn't see you Rory?" said a very familiar voice behind me.

I turned around. Against the wall, reading what appeared to be a book by Stephen King named "Bag of Bones", was - Jess. All my calmness had escaped from me. I was feeling shaky. I didn't know what to say. So I just began to walk away. I felt like crying. I felt like screaming my head off at Jess. But I knew that was not the way to do things.

Suddenly, an arm grabbed my hand and I felt like I was being kidnapped.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME JESS?" I yelled.

"We need to talk Rory. Please, I swear, I'm different now. Trust me. Please just five minutes, just talk with me."

"Lay off jerk!" snapped Paris.

"What is it now Jess? What's your master plan this time? You want us to get married?"

"Rory. Trust me. I'm not that kind of guy anymore."

"Trust?" I laughed sarcastically. "You want me to trust you? Trust you after what you've done to me?"

"Just, please Rory. I'm just asking for five minutes, and after that, it's your choice if you want to see me or talk to me ever again." Jess said quietly.