The Past Between Us novel Chapter 18

|Present|

From: Megan Adams

To: Scarlett Hudson

Hey Scar,

Hope you're doing okay.

Tomorrow's my birthday and mom and Hunter are throwing this huge party for me (it's supposed to be a surprise but you know how sneaky I can be)

This is my first birthday in ten years without you and honestly I wish with all my heart that you were here with us.

But I guess I've finally started to accept that you're gone. I understand that things got too painful for you and that you needed to get away. A small part of me is glad that you left Scarlett because this place hurt you too much, there was nothing left for you here. I hope you're happy now.

Hunter has started to get back to his own self a little, at least he's talking to us now. You leaving really took a toll on him but I guess he's starting to accept it too.

Danielle, Hunter and Bruce are sitting across from me right now and they're all watching 'One Tree Hill' and laughing at something Mouth said.

It's been more than a year since you left and today for the first time I feel happy.

I feel hopeful.

~~~

I finished reading the email. I felt like my whole body was numb. I closed my laptop and sighed.

What happened to you Megan?

There was no getting rid of the heaviness in my chest.

There was a soft knock on the door. My eyebrows drew together in confusion. My father wasn't supposed to be home for another hour. I hesitantly got up from my bed and opened the door. My eyes popped open in surprise when I saw Jace standing outside my bedroom door.

"Jace? What are you doing here?" I asked in bewilderment.

His eyes focused on my lips to read them. He gave me a lopsided smile, flashing me with his dimples. I was momentarily awestruck by how good-looking he was.

"The housekeeper let me in." He responded with a shrug, not quite answering my question.

I stepped aside so he could enter the room.

He slowly looked around, taking in his surroundings. Finally his eyes settled on me.

"Your room's still the same." He murmured.

I smiled and nodded because I couldn't think of anything to say.

"So what were you doing?" He asked casually.

"Nothing just studying." I lied.

For some reason I didn't want to tell him about Megan's emails, they were just too personal.

He nodded distractedly.

"I want to take you somewhere." He said suddenly.

"Now?" I asked in surprise.

"Do you trust me, Bambi?" He asked seriously.

"Yes, I do." I said truthfully.

He smiled. "Then come on. Let's go."

~~~

I stepped out of Jace's car uncertainly. We were in a deserted part of town. From a distance I could make out a crowd of people gathered.

"What are we doing here?" I asked uneasily.

He gave me a comforting smile.

"Relax. You'll find out soon enough." He murmured as he pulled me along with him towards the group of people.

As we neared the area, I noticed how huge the crowd actually was.

Now I was more confused than ever.