Bella
He used to say, my freckles were like sprinkles of sunshine and I shouldn't be self-conscious about them. So I wasn't. I took everything he told me to my heart. He was my biggest supporter. My best friend.
Elijah.
My mom used to laugh at us and call us twins. We did everything together. We have practically been adjoined by hips since kindergarten.
He was my first crush and my first kiss.
We were happy. I thought we would grow up together. Not once did I think he wouldn't be by my side anymore. But I was wrong. I lost him and it was my fault.
And now I've lost Aaron too. I thought I could make things right with someone else, but he never gave me a chance. It was my fault for going overboard, and he made me realize that he was not the right person for me. I needed to start over with someone else. Someone completely different from Elijah and Aaron.
"Is this seat taken?"
I lost my train of thought as someone started to speak next to me.
"No, it's fine. You can take the chair," I said distractedly.
"Well...I meant, can I sit at your table with you?"
I looked at him for the first time. He was tall and nicely built. He had dark hair, tanned skin and dark brown eyes. He looked at me, smiling. Waiting for my answer.
"Oh yeah...sure," I said.
"Great! I'm Damien. This is my 2nd year here. Are you a freshman?" he asked.
"Yes. I'm Bella," I said.
We sat there and talked for hours. He was so easy to talk to. It wasn't long before we became good friends. I felt lucky. Just when I needed someone to talk to, there he was.
I went home feeling happy and refreshed. I looked at my phone as I got a new message. It was from Jane.
Hey girlie, are you busy? She asked.
Nope, what's up? I typed.
I was wondering if you want to go shopping? She said.
Not if Aaron is coming, I replied.
He is not. I'm sorry about the party. I promise I won't do it again. Forgive me? she texted.
I smiled at my phone. I couldn't stay mad at Jane. She was nice to me even when I was a crazy stalker girl to Aaron. She was on my side. I told her yes and got ready to go shopping. It has been a while since I did anything for myself. It was time to change that.
I met up with her after a few minutes.
"So you decided to give up on Aaron completely?" Jane asked.
"Yes. I realized what I was feeling wasn't love. It was an obsession. I'm better than that, so I'll just forget about him and start over," I said.
"You realize this is making him want you even more now, don't you?" Jane smirked.
I sighed. That wasn't my goal. I didn't back off so he would fall to my feet. I thought he meant it when he said he wanted nothing to do with me. How did he change so fast?
"He mentioned something about a guy from your past. He said you told him he reminded you of him. What's that about?" Jane asked.
Darn my big mouth.
"It's nothing. It doesn't matter anymore," I said.
Jane smiled. "I'm here whenever you are ready to talk about it. No pressure," she said.
"BELLA! Hi!"
We were interrupted as I heard someone screaming my name.
I turned around and grinned as I saw Damien frantically waving his hand at me.
"Who is that?" Jane whispered.
"A friend," I whispered back.
He ran up to us and paused for breath. "Hey, I saw your red hair in the distance and knew it was you," he said.
"You mean to tell me there are no other redheads in this town?" Jane narrowed her eyes.
Damien laughed. "Hi, I'm Damien," he introduced himself to Jane.
"This is my friend Jane. Damien and I met at school," I told Jane.
"I see," Jane smirked.
He is cute, Jane mouthed.
I suppose he is, I thought. I wasn't even thinking of him that way. We just met!
All three of us decided to stay together and continue our shopping adventure. Damien was so easy to get along with that we became instant friends. I like him, I thought.
Everything was going great until I made the wrong decision to go back to Jane's apartment because that's when I had to see him again.
Aaron Morris.