Chapter 2

"I mean, I should've known better right?" I asked Shanae as we hopped from my car. 

"Yea...definitely " She drawled uninterested with her eyes glued to her phone, causing me to roll mine. 

For the past ten minutes since I picked her up, I've been yapping away about the whole incident last night. I knew she was just answering me for the sake of answering, since everyone who knew me knew that I needed to talk a lot to let something go. 

I really felt stupid. Of course Colton only saw me as a friend. I was stupid to think otherwise. 

Well now I know where we stand and I won't make that mistake again. I knew it would be hard to let go of my feelings, but oddly I didn't want to. Stupid, stupid Paris.

Maybe, just maybe, because of my drunkenness last night, he didn't take my confession seriously. Maybe there's still a chance for us if I just try again soon. But not until I get a grip on it. 

"Are you even listening to me? " I asked once we were inside the Senior Citizens Home.

She still had her eyes stuck to her phone but nodded anyway. "Yea totally" 

"I'm getting a dragon next week" I stated calmly. 

"Yea definitely " She said, and that's when I grabbed her phone. "Hey give it back" She whined as she finally looked at me. 

"You're not even listening to me. " I pointed out a matter-of-factly. 

"Uh, I totally was, Paris. " She tried to convince me, but I knew better. "Okay fine I wasn't but don't be bitter about it"

I decided not to answer her, so I simply signed the log-in book and headed to the lounge room like I always do. 

In order for us to graduate, we had to do thirty hours of community service. Shanae and I got stuck with these old fellows since we waited until the last minute to sign up. We were bummed at first, but then I got so attached to these beautiful souls that I felt like coming back even when my time was up. 

Yes there was a slight smell that you get used to after a while and it's awfully quiet, but once you get to know them, you never want to leave. 

I was immediately met with low mutters of my name in greetings as I entered the lounge room. Shanae didn't usually stick around me. She preferred going to the bedrooms to help or feed her new-old friends individually. 

I settled down eventually as I sat in front of Abra. She had early stage dementia, but she was really nice to talk to. 

"Hey Abra. How are you today? " I asked gently, gaining her attention from her knitting. 

She regarded me in confusion which I expected, so my smile never faltered. 

"I'm sorry dear, I'm not sure if I remember you" She said gently as her eyes studied my face. 

"I'm Paris. I volunteer here weekly" I told her and her eyes lit up. 

"Oh Paris that's such a lovely name. You know, it sort of reminded me of an adventure in Paris I had when I was much younger. Would you like to hear about it? " She asked with sparkling eyes. 

I simply beamed at her. "I'd love to hear about it" I nodded, even though I hear it every week when I reintroduce myself. 

I didn't mind though. It warmed my heart to see how happy she looked when she told me about how she was rescued from what could've been a detrimental accident by a French man, after which they fell into deep love. 

It was absolutely beautiful. 

My phone vibrated in my hand, signalling the arrival of a message. I quickly glanced at my phone, not wanting to seem rude by texting while Abra was talking. I saw that it was a message from Colton, but I decided to wait until later to check it. 

"Then he proposed after just two weeks of knowing me. I knew it was crazy, but I also knew he was the one" She let out a hearty laugh that made me smile even wider. 

"I spent most of my life in France after our engagement and marriage, and I don't regret it one bit. You see Paris, sometimes the decision that seems the stupidest is actually the best decision of your life. I knew mine was" She ended with a happy sigh. 

This was why I liked listening to her story. At the end, she always said something different, something inspirational, wise and sweet. I smiled at her as my mind went to only one person. I wished I could make another stupid decision and end up like Abra, but not all situations are the same. 

"Can you say something in French? " I asked, suddenly noticing that I've never asked before. 

She gave me a small smile before putting on a thinking face. She seemed to have found the perfect thing, since her face immediately lit up. 

" Cependant et où que vous trouviez l'amour, c'est juste tant que vous savez que c'est authentique" She said, completely stunning me even though I had no clue what she said. So I asked. 

"What does that mean? "

"However or wherever you find love, it's right as long as you know it's genuine " She said, making my heart sink. 

That one hit home. Like it was directly made for me. 

I glanced at my phone again seeing his name sitting there. If only. 

"That was a love story Abra. I'll see you next week?"

"Of course sweetheart. You have a great day now" She beamed cheerfully. 

"You too. " I threw back before I ventured to the porch attached to the lounge room. 

For some odd reason, I felt nervous about opening the message. I didn't even understand why, since we texted literally everyday. I blamed it on the rush of feelings from my talk with Abra. 

With a deep breath, I opened the message. It was short, but what he sent made my heart race. 

*Hey wanna hang out later? *

I had a huge smile on my face as I texted back a quick 'yea'. It annoyed me slightly just how giddy I felt. We hung out all the time so it wasn't anything new. Before last night, if he had sent me this text, I would've been totally cool even though I had feelings for him. I wasn't sure what changed last night. Maybe it was the fact that I admitted it out loud for the very first time. 

But it's not like it made a difference. 

I didn't like it though. So I decided to get back to normal as soon as possible. Knowing Colton, he would pick up on the change immediately. And the last thing I needed was a rejection and constant awkwardness. I have to get a grip on it. 

So, I calmed my nerves, slowed my racing heart then called my best friend. He picked up at the first ring, and his sweet voice boomed through the line making my senses heighten. I quickly toned it down however, since this call was to help me get a grip. 

"Hey what's up? Miss me already?" He asked once he answered. 

"I did not! I just wanted to ask what we are doing later" I chuckled at his cockiness.

"Two words. Dough-nuts"

"That's one word you dweep! " I laughed. "How do you have a higher GPA than me? " 

"I steal your knowledge when you're asleep" He whispered in what sounded like an attempted evil voice. I laughed extra hard at this. 

"Alright Einstein see yah later"

"Bye" 

I couldn't help but smile. What was I so worried about? 

We were always cool, and we always will be. That's why he's my best friend.