Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

Chapter 100 We Balance Each Other Out

Jason's hands were on fire, and his grip was anything but gentle.

My heart did a little flip.

"Chill with me for a bit," Jason said, his voice all deep and serious.

I nodded, and he let go. I slid into the passenger seat.

Both windows were down, and the breeze was kinda chilly; no booze smell or anything.

Jason just sat there, leaning back, puffing on a cigarette, looking like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

The only thing moving in the car was the smoke, swirling around in the moonlight.

"You dropped Lacey off, right?" I finally broke the silence. "Yeah."

I thought for a sec and then said, "You know, Lacey's pretty cool. She's hot, smart, straight-up, and sweet. Even though her family's kinda messed up, you can tell she got a good upbringing; probably 'cause her dad's a teacher. You two are both awesome and single, so maybe..."

"Enough!" Jason cut me off, his voice sharp.

He was usually so chill, but his shout made me jump.

He must've realized he freaked me out 'cause he softened his tone, "You just know when it's right. The best person isn't always the right one for you."

I figured he was thinking about his first love, the one he never got over. Dude's got some deep feelings.

I whispered, "Sorry."

He gave a helpless smile. "I should be the one saying sorry. Didn't mean to snap at you. Don't sweat it."

I said, "It's cool."

A gust of wind blew in, and I shivered, rubbing my arms.

Jason noticed and rolled up my window.

He casually turned on the music, and "Happen To Meet" started playing.

"As winter said goodbye, I woke in a moment lost in time..."

The soft music filled the car, and we just sat there, listening.

The first time I heard this song was in a movie theater, and I bawled my eyes out.

"The saddest part of love is meeting at the wrong time, and missing the right one.."

Jason's voice was tinged with sadness as he spoke along with the song.

I felt a pang in my chest and tried to cheer him up. "Let the past be the past. Move on and start fresh. She'd want you to be happy."

Jason turned to look at me, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Really?" His smile was kinda goofy and innocent.

I nodded seriously. "Yeah."

"Actually, the rarest thing in this world is not meeting but reuniting." He said this while staring at me, his gaze intense.

space of the car, it

"Emily, actually..."

off by

I saw

felt a

the music and

car, I could hear

wife go

smile in his eyes,

We're just

of the car and headed

bedroom lights were off, but I knew Ethan

suddenly yanked me into

you in the middle of the night, are you sleepwalking?" His tone was playful, but there was a hint

heard a car and didn't see Jason

ringing on the nightstand. I thought you sleepwalked into

rolled my eyes, even though he couldn't see

I'm you? I'm not

and ruffled my hair, hugging me tight before I could

one, I'm not. We balance

place lately. Found a good one a few days ago. If it works out, I'll

don't have room

get a girlfriend, it'd be awkward bringing her here. You'd have to get a hotel room." Jason smiled lightly. "Mainly, I don't want to see you two flaunting your love in front of me every day." Two days later, Jason moved

three-bedroom apartment downtown,

Blue

now shoulder-length. If it were before,

and said curiously, "You've never let your hair grow this

her head and whispered, "I want to grow it out. As my best friend, what do

and said, "I'm excited to see it. You're gorgeous,

starts with someone coming

tomboy suddenly trying on dresses, or a short-haired girl wanting to grow her

time, Bella had truly fallen for

didn't let him drink. I

and he just smiled and gave in. "Alright, I'll listen to you." One of his buddies

guys

words. Bella nudged me

best thing ever. Back then, I never imagined I'd one day wish I'd never

a waiter to have a quick word. When I got back, Connie was

at our table got real tense. I casually grabbed some fruit to

up, making my heart skip a beat. I grabbed his hand. "What's

cheeky grin. "Just hitting

of

left, I noticed Jason sitting quietly on the

straight up, "Jason, do

in his glass. "Her remains were taken back to

never saw her

there any chance she might still be alive?" I

stunned, then

happened, her family was blindsided. Her body was in the funeral home for a week before they took her. How could she still be alive?" Her body was in the funeral

wasn't alive, that text message

and Ethan came back. I wrapped up

walked over

'Youth Sings Loudly' competition. I might

problem, dreams are important. If you make it big, just don't forget about Blue Ocean Bar. Come back and do a couple