Page 17 of Only Forever

Jason’s gaze was steady as he looked at me, but he looked tired. I knew that he had only landed recently, but he had insisted on meeting as soon as possible. I couldn’t help feeling bad, even though it had been his decision to meet so quickly afterwards.

“It’s good to see you,” he finally said. “It’s been a long week.” He ran his hand through his hair, his expression turning anxious. “About what Marcus said—“

I interrupted him because I didn’t want to get into all of it. “It’s okay. I know you guys are close, and we all tell our best friend things.” I tried to laugh. “There are things that Chloe knows that need to be taken to the grave.”

Jason didn’t crack a smile at my attempt at levity. “It wasn’t his place to say anything. I asked him about it and he said he was just trying to help.”

Oh, so they had discussed me again. I tightened my hands on my lap, and tried to shake off the rising ire.

“It doesn’t matter,” I said. “All that stuff doesn’t matter.” I took a deep breath before continuing. “I think it’s best that we remain friends. It’s been nice catching up these past few weeks, but we’re graduating soon, and we both need to concentrate on the future.”

Jason’s expression darkened. “Daphne, what changed from before I left for California? I thought things were going well.” He looked upset, and I felt my heart lurch, but I told myself to remain strong. A momentary hurt would be better than dragging this thing out.

“Thingsweregoing well, but as friends. I just got caught up in the moment. It was nice to reminisce about when we were kids, and it was nice to spend time together, But that’s all it was for me. I don’t want anything more.”

I swallowed hard, feeling a lump in my throat. Why did this hurt so much more than I thought it would?

Jason’s lips thinned. “So we’re just friends now?”

I nodded, not trusting myself to say anything. I was afraid my voice would start quavering. I hadn’t expected the hurt on his face to affect me so much.

Jason didn’t say anything for a while, his eyes dark. His shoulders slumped and he sighed, finally speaking. “I want to try to convince you otherwise, but I guess I have to accept your decision. To say I’m disappointed is an understatement.”

I nodded my head, afraid I would cry if I said anything.

He crossed his arms against his chest. “I was going to ask you to prom. I guess that’s off the table now?”

My throat felt constricted and I was holding back tears. I told myself that I just had to get through this conversation, and then I would be fine. I didn’t want to waste money on an expensive dress for one night, anyway. It was just another example of the difference between Jason and I. Prom expenses would mean nothing to him, whereas I would definitely feel the financial dent a prom dress would make.

I waited until I trusted myself to speak before answering.

“I appreciate you asking, but I wasn’t planning on going to prom. It’s not something I’m really interested in.” The latter had been true previously, but now it felt like a lie.

“Okay, well, I guess we’re just friends now.” Jason’s mouth twisted on the wordfriends.

I nodded, wanting to get out of there as soon as possible. “Sorry, but I have to run now. I told my mom I would help her with some household things.”

I got up, feeling awkward while Jason continued to just sit there, watching me. “I’ll see you tomorrow at school.”

“Tomorrow at school,” Jason echoed quietly. “Okay.”

I didn’t care if I looked like I was running away. I got out of there as soon as possible, before the tears flowed down my face.

Chapter Seven

I dreaded Monday morning. I didn’t want to run into Jason at school. Chloe luckily had use of the family car that day, so she gave me a ride since my car was still getting fixed. It was therapeutic to tell her everything that had happened on the drive to school. She was appalled and sympathetic in all the right places. Although shedidquestion whether I really just wanted to be friends with Jason, but I assured her that was for the best.

Luckily, I didn’t see Jason at all during Monday, Or the next day. Or the one after that. Soon, my relief became confusion. Was he avoiding me? I told myself that if he was, it was a good thing.

I was soon distracted from the lack of Jason sightings that week by news of my college acceptances. I was happy to find out that I had been accepted into all the schools I had applied to, although I was still set on going to Darrenston College. My mom had urged me to consider all the schools, even the ones further away, but I told her that Darrenston had a really good English program, which I would be majoring in. Chloe had been accepted into Florida State, her dream school. I was excited for her but also sad that we would be so far apart. We promised each other we wouldn’t let the distance affect our friendship.

Friday couldn’t come soon enough, and I was happy when the last bell rang. Chloe had left early for a dentist appointment, and my car was still in the shop. I scanned the school parking left, hoping I would catch a glimpse of Tracy or Monica to give me a ride home, or else I would have to take the bus.

“Hi, Daphne.”

I was startled by how close the voice sounded to me, and I turned around quickly. I swallowed when I saw Jason standing in front of me. I teetered a bit as I backed away, because he was closer than I expected.

“Careful there,” he said, holding my arm steady. I didn’t mean to pull my arm away so fast, but I did it instinctively, almost feeling like his grip was burning into me. His eyes narrowed when I pulled away so suddenly.

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