AN: I dedicate this chapter to the song Kids In Love by Mayday Parade. I love them a lot, so if you know them I think you'll like this chappy. So enjoy! And don't forget to review! Thanks a bunch, readers! :D
Chapter 15
He places down his guitar back into the black case and looks back to me with a hopeful smile. I sigh, my eyes not being able to separate from his. He's waiting for an answer, so I attempt to put my emotions into words. I give him a smile as I begin to speak.
"It was beautiful, Chad. Simply beautiful," I say simply. He smiles at my effortless words and then lets a sigh escape, his eyes revealing he was deep in his thoughts.
"Ally, I just want you to know that…" he begins, his voice disappearing into the innocence of the night. I sigh, wondering what he's going to say.
"Yes?' I urge him on with impatient cloaking my words. He sighs once more and pulls something from his pocket. It shines in the light and he places it in my open palm.
"My locket," I whisper to myself, staring at the item I had left in a crowded parking lot. He nods with a saddened smile. I look at it for a moment, and then feel the bracelet in my locket press against my skin as if reminding me it's there.
"I found that today," he adds with a smirk. I look into his disappointed eyes and sigh. "Did you ever open it?" I look up at him from the locket with a shocked expression.
"Open? So it does open?" I ask him, with wonder in my question. He smiles full heartedly for a reason I cannot name. He looks relieved as if this response answers so many of questions. He nods.
"Yes, it does. So, you never saw the latch on the side?" he inquires with his smile still in place. I turn the locket over with my thumb and nod slightly.
"Well, I saw it today, but I couldn't manage to unlock it," I speak truthfully. He understands, and then extends his arm to offer to open it. I put the pendant into his hand and he turns the locket to its side and pulls apart the necklace. He hands the broken apart heart to me and I look inside, seeing a small, folded up piece of paper. I look at him, and then back to the necklace.
"What is this?" I wonder aloud. His smile grows larger.
"A note I wrote a while back," he explains. Curious, I pull out the ripped piece of paper and unfold it, seeing the sloppy handwriting of a younger Chad. And I begin to read it.
"Chad," I breathe, my hands not sturdy after finishing the handwritten letter. He smiles weakly at me, but my mind can barely process it due to the fact that I have just read the most beautiful letter.
"I…I never looked at it so, …you thought…" I stutter; my words not smooth as my mind is still reeling.
"I thought you never wanted to see me," Chad states with no expression as his eyes do not quite reach mine. His words shock me, as I could almost see through his skin and straight to his cracked heart. After all those years, I think to myself. After questioning his loyalty and friendship. The answer to it all was around my neck, I realize.
"Chad, I-" I begin, but my words and emotions are cut off by Chad's. He shakes his head as he pours his empty feelings into words.
"It's okay. It was a long time ago, Sonny," he says with a small, completely false smile. I begin to shake my head with my hands covering my silent lips. I bit my lip hard to block tears and unwanted confessions. Why did he choose to call me Sonny after all this?
His statement makes me question one more thing. His words make me ask myself if he still feels the way he did. It makes me wonder if he still loves me the way he used to. Those simple, terrifying words make me speculate if he feels the same way.
"Chad," I say, still pushing back the tears. This is no time for grief, I decide. This is a time for answers.
"Yes?" he answers, his eyes sparkling as he looks to me. A small, single tear breaks the barrier of my eyelid and slips down my cheek. Chad takes a sharp intake of air, noticing my tear. I swallow, removing my hands from cupping my mouth.
"Does the… song apply now?" I speak slowly, avoiding eye contact.
"Well, I mean…" he stumbles with his words, turning his head to not look at me either. I sigh with a slight smile.
"Because if it did, I'd have to tell you something," I tell him with a sincere expression, my heart beating inside my chest. My hair blows in the cold night wind as I wait for a response.
"Yes?" he states with enthusiasm and eyes full of hope. I smile weakly, not sure how any of this will work out.
"I should have called you," I say quickly, wishing he could just read my thoughts so I wouldn't have to admit anything. But he was just so worth it, I decide. His expression is confused, so I continue. I could tell that I would not learn anything from these mistakes.
"Chad," I lean in closer. "If you don't have time to get over me, then… don't." He looks at me with his jaw hanging an inch.
"So you're saying you-"
Our first kiss stole the breathe from our lips. My eyes shut instantly as his hands hold my cheeks. And at this moment, I feel so young and invincible. Our lips part for a moment, making me smile. But he pulls me back, my lips touching his for a second time. My mind begins to melt as we pull apart, causing me to stare into his ocean-like eyes. And we were just kids in love, I think to myself. Young love is such dumb love.
Call it what you want, I think to myself. It's enough for me.