Free Awakened by C. N. Watkins Page B

first to initiate contact. I
was hoping it was just because he was too busy, but a small part of
me had a bad feeling he was ignoring me on purpose, maybe he had already moved on . I hadn't heard back from my dad and no sight of Nicole
anywhere.
    Finally Friday was upon us. I went to
class and as soon as I got home at the end of the day, I went
upstairs to lay my head down. Soon after, I heard Kennedy unlock
the front door and walk into the house laughing with Ayden. Ever
since they’d become an official item, I only saw them together. I
was a little jealous, considering my current love interest was 190
miles away from me at the moment. Kennedy opened my door and
plopped down on my bed.
    "Where's Ayden, I thought I heard him
come inside with you?" I sat up, waiting to hear what our plans
were for tonight.
    "He's in the bathroom. Are you doing
anything tonight? Ayden is throwing a party at his house, and I
want you to come." I could tell by her voice that she was very
hopeful. I went back and forth in my head, but I couldn't come up
with a reasonable excuse as to why I couldn't go. I had nothing
better to do. Stefan hadn't thought to call or text me all week so
I guess it was time to let him go.
    "Sure, sounds fun! What
time?"
    "Awesome! It starts at 9, but we have
to go over there and help get everything ready. Do you mind helping
me? You can catch a ride with me."
    "Sure, I just need to get ready and
then we can go."
    Kennedy walked out of my room, closing
the door behind her. I rolled over, trying to find it in me to get
in a good mood for tonight. Suddenly my phone vibrated.
     
    *Hello beautiful.
Sorry
    I haven't contacted you
before.
    I have been so busy. What
are?
    your plans for
tonight?*
     
    My heart dropped. He hadn't contacted
me in a week and now he wants to talk?
     
    *Hi. It’s okay, I’ve been
busy.
    Nothing
really.*
     
    I hit send and tossed my
phone on the bed. I turned on my radio and started getting ready. I
was about to show him! I could get any guy I wanted, I did not need
to settle for him.
But settle was the last thing I was doing with him.
    What was it about me that he craved?
Why had he chosen me over anyone else he could have? Oh well,
history is history. It was time to start a new night.
    I took extra care in getting myself
ready. Making sure my hair was curled and my makeup made me look
irresistible. I decided on a pair of skinny jeans and a black tank
top that had a little lacing around the top and bottom. I paired
them with some silver, rhinestone sandals knowing I would be on my
feet all night.
    I grabbed my phone; I had 7
missed calls from Stefan and 3 text messages. Why was he doing
this? I quickly scanned through the text messages, not paying too
much attention. Was everything okay, why wasn't I answering; he was
getting worried. Whatever . If he wanted me, he would
have to chase me. No way was I going to fold in the palm of his
hand. I typed back a quick response.
     
    *Going to Ayden's party
tonight.
    Ttyl. (:*
     
    I planned on having a good night, and
he sure in the hell wasn't going to stop me. I was smiling as I
went downstairs; Kennedy and Ayden were sitting on the couch,
cuddling and kissing. As I walked into the room, Kennedy sprung up
and held me at arm’s length, examining me.
    "Shit, Jennifer, you look good! You're
going to be getting some guys tonight!" She looked back at Ayden,
waiting for him to agree.
    "Uh, I thought you and my cousin were
a thing....ya know? He really likes you." Ayden stood, heading for
the door.
    "We’re nothing, Ayden. I am not
looking for some control freak."
    Ayden stopped in his tracks and looked
back at me, sighing. "Just give him a chance, Jennifer. He's a good
guy."
    Pssh, give him a
chance? Blowing up my cell phone with text
messages after a week of nothing, cannot be a good sign. It was a
red flag, and I was going to listen to that.
    I climbed into Kennedy’s car as she
got into the driver’s seat and started the car. Ayden got into his
car;