Book 2: Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The year has gone by quickly, and I couldn't have been happier. My life was getting a fresh start after that horrible last day in Sunbury. It wasn't my happiest of moments, but that was life. Not everything was going to be peaches and cream. I went in too excited, thinking everything was going as planned. Sadly, Cyrus couldn't keep true to his words, and Jenna was a sneaky bitch. Her desire to fix things was merely a ploy to get what she wanted.

However, we're over that. I wasn't going to waste my time dwelling over my past. No matter how much I missed Cyrus. His sweet face and adoring compliments to me. The way he always would go out of his way to surprise me. Those were things that I truly missed. Unfortunately, they were all faded memories that would never see the light of day again.

It sucked because my heart yearned for him. The slightest thought of him made my body crave his touch. The effect he had on me without us talking was maddening. How was I supposed to get over him if he consumed my thoughts? Don't even get me started on the other guy.

Disparity aside, I was excited to start my new journey. Things were heading in the right direction for my friends and me.

Particularly Twila. She stopped pining for Sienna after all this time. I'm unsure what happened when she left the beach house that day. Though it was clear, they patched things up. However, that wasn't the issue, as she sparked an interest in someone new.

"Do you think she'll say yes?" She asked me over our FaceTime call.

She was talking about asking out Kira. I introduced Kira to the girls, and they hit it off well. We've spent a lot of time together and formed a strong friendship. On the outside of that, Twila and Kira grew close. They've even seen each other apart from the group. Thus, in turn, Twila debated on asking her out on a date. Seeing how Kira looked at her told me she would gladly accept it.

"Of course, she will; Kira loves your company," I tried to give her confidence, but it didn't go over as planned.

Twila groaned, frustrated with my answer. "I don't want her to *love* my company. I want her to love me..."

"Ok, why are you making such a big deal?" I was dying to ask.

She looked at me, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Why are you so worried if she'll say yes? You and I both know that Kira will say yes."

There was no doubt in my mind that Twila liked her, but it was unlike her to be nervous. They hang out so much and talk all the time. How did she not see what I was seeing? If she asks her, she'll get the answer that she's losing her mind over. She needed to buck up and get out there! They would be so cute together. Plus, Kira wouldn't hide their relationship. She'd want to show her off and love her the way Twila deserved.

That wasn't enough for her, though. Her whole relationship with Sienna sort of made her afraid. Afraid she would never be enough for anyone, she would date again. It was heartbreaking because she offered so much more than she realized. Just because it didn't work out with Sienna doesn't mean it won't work with Kira.

Sighing, she rolled her eyes in disbelief. "It's never going to work," she continued to complain.

Now I was the one frustrated. "Twila, just ask her!" I yelled.

"But what if-"

"No! No buts or what-ifs, ok? You ask her, and I'm telling you, it'll make her day. You're not going to get anywhere sitting here self-loathing."

Maybe I went a little too far, but I couldn't stand her doubting herself like this. Especially when it came to asking someone on a date, that someone being Kira, would be ecstatic to go anywhere with Twila. This headspace she was in was not the Twila I knew. The one I knew was confident but chill confident. That person went out and got what she wanted without fearing rejection. Twy had something special about her, and she was sitting on it made me angry. I guess because she was my best friend since day one back at Sunbury, and for life, I wouldn't stand for this.

She looked at me, surprised to hear my answer, but she seemed pleased by my words. "So I should just go for it?" She still sounded unsure.

I nod, smiling brightly at her. "Yes! And do it as soon as you see her, please?"

That got a laugh from her as she finally agreed. "Ok...I think I'll go for it."

Clapping excitedly, we continued to talk as she discussed her plans for their date. Kira was going to be excited; I couldn't remember the last time she's been on a date with anybody. Maybe she went on one when I was away for those eight weeks, but she hadn't said anything. Regardless, her business is hers, and Kira could tell me whenever she wanted. I'm sure she'll be excited about going out with Twila. With how much time they spend together, how could she not?

Speaking of which, later that day, Kira and I were in the bakery; we were opening up and clearing out some boxes. We still haven't come up with a name yet, which is ok. We weren't opening up any time soon. The building we rented out was lovely and was outside of Sunbury to bring in more customers. Not only that, but we would still be able to get our customers from Greendale. I pray it worked out for us because we've put a lot of work into this for a year. It just couldn't fail!

Behind the counter, we were wiping down the surfaces and chit-chatting about absolutely nothing. I hadn't told Kira about Twila's plans because that was for Twila to share. However, it was hard keeping it a secret. Having Kira standing there made me think about how things could completely change our whole friend dynamics. They'll be happily in love while Bradyn and I desperately wait for someone to sweep us off our feet. It was so unfair sometimes.

Nevertheless, I was ready to take cutesy pictures of them because I was cheesy.

"Tell me more about this Jay guy," she's been waiting to hear about him in detail for a while.

I rolled my eyes, not interested in talking about him. "Do I have to?" The dread in my voice was intense. I haven't spoken about Jay in so long. Where do I even begin?

Kira looked at me with pleading eyes. "Come on; I heard all about Cyrus. Now I want the tea on your side piece." She winked at me.

Laughing, I started to sweep the floor around us, not keen on this subject. "He wasn't a side piece, FYI."

She scoffed. "You were seeing him on the side, which makes him the *side piece*," I loved how she just dubbed Jay that title. "It doesn't change that I don't know anything about him, and it's been a year."

Alas, that part was genuine. I spewed and talked all about Cyrus but never anything about Jay. I'm not sure why that was. I've met less than stellar results with both of them, yet all I could talk about was Cyrus. It's not like Jay was an afterthought because he was on my mind every waking moment, how he was, where he was if he'll ever come back. I even thought about what he was doing now—wondering if he had met someone new and forgotten about me.

My mind started racing even more about him when he sent me those flowers for my birthday. Who told him when it was because we never discussed those things, and how did he find my address? That alone told me he was thinking about me as much as I was about him. So then, why couldn't I talk about him? My mind wandered to him, but it was like my heart wholly shut off whenever Jay's brought his name up. Why?

Sighing, I leaned against the broom, thinking about all my memories with him. "What is there to say?" I ask, trying to think of what to tell her.

"For starters, what attracted you to him?" She would ask that question.

I smiled to myself because my reasons were so subpar. "I'm not sure it came out of nowhere," I say. "He was completely different from Cyrus. Edgier, and you never knew what Jay you were getting."

"What do you mean?"

"He was very emotionally unstable given the things he's been through. However, he was also charming that only Cyrus and I got to see." I thought fondly back on the memories. "And don't even get me started on how big of a flirt he is."

We both laughed as I continued to sweep the floor. Talking about him now made me realize how much I truly missed him. The way he left made me so angry but sad. Especially since he told me, he loved me. At least he thought he did. The thing is, I would have understood him leaving if he had communicated with me. There were things he needed to work on, and then there was the decision that didn't come to fruition as we thought. So many factors with such little time, yet he still made a point to spend an entire day with me. It's little things like that that tugged at my heartstrings.

Nevertheless, I couldn't get caught up in that again. He still left, and I was very heartbroken over it.

"Of course, he left with a measly note shattering my every being," I remark with disappointment.

Kira laughed while rolling her eyes at me. "Are you holding on to that still? What happens when he comes back?"

I shrugged, not having ever thought about it. "Then I'll have some choice words for him. But until then, I'm holding that grudge."

"It's obvious he meant a lot to you. I say let it go. He had his reasons still." She tried reasoning with me, but I wasn't convinced.

"Correct. Like I have my reasons for holding a grudge." There was no letting this go for me as I wanted to drop the conversation altogether. "Is the dustpan in the back?"

She nodded. "Right next to the storage closet."

As I headed to the back, I heard the bell to the door ring. We weren't open yet, so it was strange someone would stop by. Not thinking much of it, I headed to the storage closet to grab the dustpan, which wasn't there. Frustrated, my eyes scanned to see if I could spot it anywhere else. That's when Kira started to shout my name frantically.

"Autumn, you need to get out here now!" She yelled, almost sounding panicked.

She did this a lot for nothing, so I didn't take her too seriously. "I'm searching for the dustpan! Which was not by the storage closet, by the way!" I yelled back.

"Autumn, I'm serious. Please come here quickly!" She seemed serious, which confused me.

She would be running back here if it were any danger. Someone walked through the door that got her yelling like a maniac must have been someone important. Lucky for them, I found the dustpan and returned to the store's front. My heart was racing, trying to figure out who could show up here. Then again, I was amused because Kira loved playing pranks on me. Instantly, I figured this was one of her silly games, but sadly, that was not the case.

"Kira, I'm going to be so mad at you if this is one of your silly pranks," I say, rounding the corner. "Now, what is it that has you screaming like a ma-"

Without notice, I dropped the dustpan in my hand and stared as if I had just seen a ghost. This was not happening right now. How is this even possible? He was not standing in my soon-to-be bakery staring directly into my eyes. That smirk he held on his face warmed my heart in ways unimaginable. However, the hurt I felt rushed back inside of me the same way I felt a year ago. The universe hates me.

Walking a little closer, he never dropped his gaze from me, almost as if he's been waiting forever to say these two simple words to me.

"Hey, gorgeous."

***

I had this chapter sitting there and couldn't wait...welcome to book 2!!!