Chapter Three

TWO MONTHS LATER

It was the second week of October, a Monday. I rode my bike to school since today I was just in a bike riding mood. However, once I arrived I spotted Justin at the entrance of the school building leaning back against the wall. I wanted to say 'hi', but at the same time I was too shy to speak to him. It was easy to talk to other guys, but not as easy to talk to him.

He looked around casually then when I was just about to walk past him he saw me and said my middle name "Hey Dawn."

So Kyle told him my middle name, huh? Brenda probably knew too. I stopped walking and watched as he walked towards me looking good as usual.

Once he was right in front of me all I said was "Hi."

He smiled and it made him just look even better. I liked his smile. I smiled back shyly then continued walking because I was starting to feel awkward just standing there staring at him.

He walked beside me "So since you're good at soccer I was wondering if you would like to kick the ball around with me after your classes are done for the day?"

I glanced at him then looked away "Did Kyle tell you about me knowing how to play soccer?"

He shook his head and adjusted his binder which he was carrying in his left hand to his right hand "Nah, I was there at the park when you kicked the ball better than Hector Cortez did."

I was surprised that I hadn't seen him which is why I probably didn't recognize him. I had no idea that he had witnessed that.

I blushed "Oh, um sure my last class ends at 1:00 p.m. where should I meet you?"

"Great my last class ends at the same time, I'll meet you at the back entrance of the building. "

"Okay, sounds good see ya at 1:00 p.m."

He grinned "Alright, see ya."

I walked off to the left and he walked to the right towards our next classes. Every day at lunch time, I always went out to eat because there was a favorite small restuarant a block away that was cheap enough that had my favorite food, chicken tenders with hot sauce. Some days I had Subway or a chicken salad so it depended on what I was in the mood for. So everyone at that restaurant knew me as a regular.

As I got to my second class I sat in my assigned seat and then started thinking why did Justin want to hang out? The past two months we only hung out with Kyle and Brenda, but now he wanted to hang out just the two of us? That was a first. Yesterday when Mom called me she told me that one of my cousins' was engaged and was getting married in two months so Mom wanted me to fly over for the wedding.

She also wanted me to bring Kyle, his girlfriend and her brother who she was hoping would be my boyfriend by then. Mom didn't want me to be single for the rest of my life. She was the kind of Mom who wanted me to date a guy after another guy until I found 'the one'. I mean I appreciated her concern, but I didn't want to be forced or rushed into a relationship when I still wasn't ready.

I've been single for two years and I'm doing great and I'm happy. I don't need a guy to continue to live my life, but whatever Justin was up to I had no idea. If he made a move I don't know what I would do though. Besides something Brenda said didn't make sense.

Two months ago, she had said that her brother could love a girl forever. So did that mean that he was still in love with his ex and always would be? I was confused and I hope that wasn't the case because in case we did date, if we did, I wouldn't want to be with him in case he was in love with another girl. I just don't know if I should ask him or ask Brenda, but then decided Brenda should be asked first.

By 1:00 p.m. I was on my way to the back entrance when a girl who was in her sophomore year blocked my path. I've noticed her watching me whenever I walked past her, but I had no idea why I guess I was going to find out now.

"I'm Cassidy, Justin's girlfriend."

"You mean his ex."

"No I wasn't aware that we broke up, so we're currently still dating and if you know what's best for you, you'll stay away from him."

I didn't believe her "Look, unless he tells me that you are his girlfriend I don't believe you."

I was about to walk past her when she backed up and blocked my path again.

"Fine, if you want proof take me to him and I'll show you."

I smirked "If you were his girlfriend wouldn't you know where he is?"

Suddenly Brenda showed up and she frowned when she saw Cassidy.

She joined me and faced Cassidy "Why don't you leave my friend alone Cassidy? Are you jealous because my brother is spending time with her? Because you don't have a right to be since you lost that right when you betrayed him so just back off or I'll make you."

Cassidy backed up a step almost losing her balance then she glared at me and walked away just like that.

When she was gone, Brenda asked me "What did she say to you?"

"She told me to leave her boyfriend alone."

Brenda laughed "She's still calling my brother her boyfriend? She's insane. Like he would give her a second chance."

"Are you sure about that?"

She arched her eyebrows in confusion "What do you mean?"

"You said Justin could love the girl he dates forever so does that mean that he still loves Cassidy? I can't date a guy who loves another girl."

Brenda sighed "Look, I don't know if he ever fell in love with Cassidy all I know is that he liked her. You could ask him about it though or if you want me to I can ask him for you. I just know you two are meant to be especially since you both have a lot in common. Besides he doesn't just become friends with a girl unless he's interested in getting to know you."

"I just don't want to get my heart broken again, Bren."

"Neither does my brother. You both need each other even if you don't realize it yet."

I adjusted my backpack straps on my shoulder "If you say so, speaking of your brother I'm meeting him right now so I'll see you later."

Brenda grinned "Just the two of you?"

I nodded "Yeah, weird right?"

"Not at all, text me after okay? I want to know what he says or if he makes a move, but not anything that's not my business okay?"

I laughed "No duh, sure I'll text you half of the details later."

"Sounds good, I'm going on a date with Kyle so I'll text you back soon after, have fun."

"You too, girl."

We parted ways and I walked out the back doors where Justin was still waiting for me.

I gave him an apologetic look "I'm sorry for being late."

He shook his head "It's no problem, I don't mind waiting for you."

Wow, why did he always know the right things to say to make me blush? We walked side by side towards the football field. He had his hands stuffed in his front jeans' pockets as was his usual position. Whenever I wore a hoodie I'd slip my hands into my hoodie pocket so it was sort of something we had in common.

Once we got to the field where the soccer ball was already waiting, we set our backpacks on the ground.

Then he kicked the ball to me and asked me "So did you only have one ex?"

"Two actually, one my sophomore year and one my senior year."

"What did the first one do to break your heart?"

Was he really curious? Or did he just want to know so that he wouldn't break my heart in the same way?

"He kept canceling our dates and he never wanted to spend time with me. It turns out he was only dating me because that way his Mom would leave him alone about his love life and girls from school would stop asking him out and flirting with him. So I was just his excuse as a girlfriend even though it was never a real relationship, we were strangers who just said we were dating but weren't actually dating if that even makes sense."

I kicked the ball to him and saw that he was shocked "What kind of a guy does that?"

"A jerk of a guy."

He laughed "Yup that sounds about right."

He kicked the ball to me then backed up five steps so I kicked the ball to him and backed up five steps too.

Then he asked "Are you ready to be in another relationship?"

He kicked the ball to me and I answered "I don't know, are you?"

I kicked the ball to him then he gave me a challenging look "I'm not sure if I am either, so are you ready to play some competitive soccer now?"

I crossed my arms "Ready as I'll ever be."

He kicked the ball a little bit forward then jogged towards it and came jogging in my direction. I jogged towards him and kept an eye on the ball and tried to kick it away from him. I actually managed to take it away from him and I was running towards his goal when he came out of nowhere and tried taking the ball away from me. Then I tripped on his leg and I think he tried catching me so we both ended up falling on the ground with me on top of him.

We were looking into each other's eyes and my cheeks felt like they were on fire. His eyes were questioning mine, but I think he took it as a 'yes' even though I didn't nod or anything. The next thing I knew his lips were on mine. I closed my eyes and kissed him back losing myself in his kiss.

I lost track of time and of our surroundings. Then his cellphone started ringing, interrupting us. I pulled away startled finally realizing what just happened. I can't believe I let him kiss me. What was wrong with me?

He closed his eyes and groaned in frustration saying "Dawn, I'm sorry let me just check who it is."

I stood up and said "I have to go."

I walked towards my backpack and he said "Wait, where are you going? Dawn, hold up."

His cellphone continued ringing until it stopped as I continued walking away from him. Then I turned back just to see what he was doing and I saw him jogging towards me so I panicked and started running.

He yelled "Dawn! Let's talk about this, please. What's wrong?"

I didn't even realize that I was crying until I felt something wet rolling down my cheek. The pain of a broken heart was just too fresh in my memory. I couldn't risk getting hurt again by a guy who was different from my exes. He made me feel things I never felt before and I guess I was just scared.

The feelings I felt for him were too overwhelming. I got to my car and got in as fast as I could. Then I took a couple of minutes to stop crying so that I could drive home. Ten minutes later, I was calm as I drove home, but at the same time I was hoping that Justin wouldn't hate me after this. It's only been two months, but I was already falling in love with him and there was nothing I could do to change that.