The Past Between Us novel Chapter 22

|Present|

My lungs were screaming for air but I didn't stop.

My legs were starting to ache in protest but I kept running.

I was sprinting in the soccer field, college wasn't due to open till two more hours.

Running was one of my favorite past times. I loved how my mind would go completely blank as I ran, I loved the numbing sensation I was left with afterwards.

After a few more laps I finally stopped, taking a minute to breathe.

"You should try out for the track team."

I screamed. My hand flew to my chest in shock.

Jace's amused face stared down at me.

"You almost gave me a heart-attack!" I wheezed.

He chuckled. "I'm sorry you were just so preoccupied. I've been standing here watching you for the past ten minutes and you didn't notice me."

I blushed a little. "You were watching me? Why?"

He winked. "I like watching pretty girls run."

"Creep." I teased.

He just grinned.

"Were you following me or something? How did you know I'd be here?" I asked curiously.

He shrugged. "I went to your house because I wanted to talk to you but you weren't there so I figured you'd be here."

"What did you want to talk about?"

He flashed me with his dimples. "We still have some time till college opens. Let's go get some ice-cream."

~~

"This place hasn't changed a bit." I observed as we entered the old ice-cream parlor.

I used to come here all the time.

"I'll take two scoops of dark chocolate topped with sprinkles." I told the server with a grin.

"One scoop of vanilla please." Jace placed his order.

"Vanilla?" I questioned. "Out of all the choices you choose plain vanilla?"

He smiled and shrugged.

His eyes grew thoughtful for a moment.

"Such a complicated world." He murmured. "Honestly, there's something about simple things that gives me comfort."

He flicked my forehead playfully. "We make things complicated for ourselves. Our mind makes us believe that its untangling things but in reality it's just twisting everything up. Just listen to your heart, it makes things a lot simpler."

He paid for both of our ice-creams and we made our way to an empty booth in the corner.

He gave me a playful wink. "This is on me. I owe you for taking you to that illegal street race."

Someone turned on the jukebox and Linkin Park's 'Numb' started playing.

"Oh my God I love this song." I gushed excitedly. "Have you heard it-" I started but my words died in my throat when I realized what I'd done.

Jace looked at me solemnly.

My eyes widened and I could feel the color draining from my face.

"Jace I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-'' I stuttered. "I got carried away. I know you can't hear. That was insensitive. God, I'm sorry."

He kept looking at me seriously and I could feel the lump forming in my throat.

I was ready to apologize again but Jace suddenly burst out laughing.

I looked at him in bewilderment.

"I'm sorry but you should have seen your face." He chuckled.

His eyes softened. "I don't mind Scarlett, not at all. In fact I actually like it when people forget that I have impaired hearing and treat me like they treat everyone."

I let out the breath I'd been holding.

"Is it hard? Being different?" I asked quietly.

He smiled. "Everyone's different Scarlett. We think differently, we feel differently, we all see things differently. I'm okay with being different, there's nothing with being different. It means you stand out."