Helllllllllo. New chapter obviously. Uhm well i think this chapter was pretty good. I liked it at least. Hopefully you will twoo. Uhm tell me what you think.
I woke up again to find Kim not in her bed. She didn't even bother to leave a not this time. I didn't really mind. I decided this was the perfect opportunity to go for a run. I got dressed and headed for the beach. I figured a good run would also help me clear my mind.
I didn't think about Grant once. Instead I thought about Jacob. I thought about the other day to be exact. Talking to him…just being around him made me so happy. I had to smile just from imagining his face. What was my problem?
Sure Jacob was a nice guy and all but come on. I had no interest in a summer romance.
"Soleil?" someone shouted.
I stopped and turned towards the voice. I saw Jacob come running towards me. I smiled.
"Hey," I said.
"Hey what are you doing out here?" he asked.
"Running, isn't it obvious," I said smiling.
"So you're a runner?" he asked.
"Yeah. It's fun," I said.
"Can I join you?" he asked.
"Uhm sure," I answered.
We didn't talk while we ran. That was fine with me though. I preferred listening to music or silence while I ran. I glanced at him and he looked a little bored. I stopped.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
He stopped, turned around, and cam back.
"Why would you think that?" he asked.
"You don't look like you're having fun. You don't have to run with me if you don't want to. Really," I said.
"No I wanna run with you it's just that…well you're kinda slow," he said.
My jaw dropped. I was insulted. I was a pretty fast runner.
"Excuse me?" I asked.
"Well you run a little slow for my liking," he said.
I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms.
"Whatever," I muttered.
"I'm sorry," he said sadly.
I could not be mad at this boy.
"It's fine, but I think I'm done with running for the day," I said leaving the beach.
He followed behind me and I was happy he did.
We went to his house. Paul was lying on his couch.
"Hi," I said quietly waving.
I didn't really like Paul to much, but I should still be polite.
"Already bringin her home huh Jake," he said laughing.
I frowned.
Jacob growled. Yes growled.
"Paul go home," he said angrily.
"No I'd rather stay here, just don't be too loud kay," he said still laughing.
I snorted and rolled my eyes. This guy thought he was a real comedian.
"Where's Rachel?" Jacob asked.
"Not here," Paul answered.
"Jacob we could always leave," I suggested.
"It's my house," he said annoyed.
A girl came in. I assumed she was Rachel.
"Hey Rach," Paul said.
She smiled at him. Then she noticed me.
"Oh hello. I'm Rachel," she said holding out her hand.
"Soleil," I said shaking it.
"Oh oh it's nice to meet you," she said smiling.
"You too," I said politely.
"I've heard so much about you," she said glancing at Jacob.
"Hopefully good things," I said smiling.
"Oh of course," she said.
"What are you two up to?" she asked.
"We came here to hang out but that's bothering us," Jacob said pointing to Paul and glaring at him.
"Hey Paul let's go do something," she said.
He immediately stood up and grabbed her hand. They smiled at each other and walked out of the house. Wow.
"That was kind of odd," I said sitting on the couch.
"You kinda get used to it," he said plopping down next to me.
We talked just like last time. He asked me more about my life back home though. Whenever people asked those things I was never really able to answer. It'd always been to hard for me. But talking to him about anything was natural.
Rachel came back after a few hours. Thankfully Paul wasn't with her. She came and sat down on the couch with us.
"I'm sorry if Paul was bothering you two," she said.
"Oh it's okay," I said.
"Not it's not," Jacob said.
"It's fine really," I said ignoring him.
"So what have you two been up to?" she asked.
"Nothing," Jacob answered. He'd grabbed the remote and was now channel surfing.
"Just hung out and talked," I answered.
From what Jacob had told me Rachel was his older sister. Why was he being so rude? I noticed a ring on her finger.
"Are you engaged?" I asked.
"Yes," she said smiling.
"Congratulations. When's the wedding?" I asked.
"February," she said beaming.
She looked so happy. Why was everyone so happy? Was I the only miserable one left.
"You're so lucky," I said.
"Why's she lucky? She's stuck marrying Paul," Jacob said.
"You don't understand," I said rolling my eyes.
"You have no idea," he muttered.
I ignored him and turned my attention back to Rachel. We started talking about the wedding.
"You must be so excited," I said.
"Extremely," she said excited.
At that moment I was so jealous of her. And not jealous because she was getting married. Jealous because she was so fucking happy. All I wanted was to be happy. To stop hurting inside. I wanted this pain to go away. I gripped my necklace. After we finished walking I asked Jacob to walk me back.
"You really like that necklace huh?" he asked.
"Uh yeah," I said grabbing onto it.
"It kinda seems like you mess with it when you're uncomfortable or when someone mentions it," he said.
He was right. He barely knew me but he sorta understood my most important possession. The only thing I valued more than my life.
"You're right," I said.
"Mind me asking why?"
"I don't know. It's just that it's really important to me. It was a gift. It helps me feel closer to the person who gave it to me. It kinda gives me a little strength," I explained embarrassed.
"Who gave it to you?" he asked.
I took a deep breath. I wasn't ready to talk about it yet.
"My best friend back home," I answered.
He didn't ask anything more. He could tell it was still a touchy subject for me.
When I got back the first thing I did was go to my bed and get the picture. I closed my eyes and hugged it close. I kept my breaths slow trying to remember the good times with him.
I took the necklace off and opened the locket. I looked at the picture inside of it and started speaking to it.
"Hey Grant. I haven't talked to you in a long time. I just wanted to tell you I've been doing a lot better. But I'm still sad. I'm still hurt. Why'd you have to go. Things would be so much easier if you were still here with me. But anyway I met a guy. He's really good looking and really cool. I like him. A lot. When I'm with him I'm actually happy. He helps me forget the pain. That's good right? Well I miss you and love you."
I closed the locket then kissed it. I laid back on the pillow and closed my eyes falling asleep.