Page 44 of Redeeming Heart

“I know what you mean. We get a chance to do something we actually love.”

My gaze followed her movements when she came up the stairs and came to stand in front of me.

“How come you are out here with me and not inside celebrating? There are people in there that are dying to meet you.” Her question made me smile as she has no idea how much I was enjoying spending every minute I got with her.

“Maybe because I enjoy being in your presence even if it is clear that you dislike me for no reason.” She cracked a laugh and shook her head slightly at me as if I was losing my mind.

“Has Jonah been talking to you?” I couldn’t lie to her—not when she was giving me a knowing look like she already knew the answer.

“Yeah, he mentioned the first couple of times that you aren’t really fond of me.”

She almost seemed amazed by the truth and at the same time horrified.

“He sometimes misunderstands my intentions.” She noted.

I was aware of Sasha not being very fond of me back in the day because she barely spoke or looked at me, but it felt a bit disappointing when Jonah mentioned it, but I didn’t let it get to me as she was always judged by everyone.

She never looked like the kind of girl who cared about dating and boys, and she still seemed like the kind who don’t.

“You are just a complex person when it comes to expressing your emotions.”

I don’t know if I was guessing right but that’s what I’ve learned so far.

“Something like that and it does have smudge to do with how stubborn I am when it comes to my independence.”

“I don’t doubt it,”

Her smile was something between delightful and surprised that I have taken notice.

She is not the kind who will ask for help because she would rather figure it out on her own.

“I know what people said about me back in school,” Her acknowledgment came out of nowhere.

“People called me names and made bets behind my back thinking I didn’t know because I chose my sport over high school flings/romances.” It is evident in her eyes she was a bit hurt by the rumors.

“Losing my mom made me reach for the only part I knew best and to control, and that was myself.” I let her talk even when I wondered if she was aware she was sharing deep and emotional things with me.

I just figured she needed some time to vent.

“I closed off to the world because I was trying to find a way to fill the cracks in my broken heart. Today, was absolutely the first time in so many years I felt like myself out there.”

“No care in the world of people’s judgment. It was just me and my love for the game.” She has always been judged because she followed a different path from what path others followed.

“I believe all of them were jealous that you were a star player and they couldn’t be part of it.”

She shrugged.

“To me, there is more to life than chasing down a crush who might not even like you back and then cry your eyes out wanting to take your life because you believe nobody wants you.”

Our eyes met when she turned her head to look at me.

I weirdly understood what she meant and it was hard for her to make people understand that she wants more out of life than to settle down forever before having a taste of life.

I could gaze forever into her eyes and will still be unable to figure her out. She does have a complex personality, but it wasn’t to taunt people. She was unsure if the world would accept her and her beliefs.

“Here you are!” Clarissa’s voice came from behind me interrupting the moment of silence.

I didn’t remove my eyes from hers and she noticed as she shot me a small smile before casting her gaze on Clarissa.

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