A month had passed since my last encounter with Jared, and thank God that it did. I was done with him. I mean, truly done with him. How dare he forbid me from doing what I wanted? How could he? Where does he get the nerve to do that? How is that ethnically okay? It's not, and it never will be. 

This whole month passed by, relatively slow, mostly because I had spent many days being pissed off at that asshat, Jared. He even tried to call me a few times, but I ignored each call. I wasn't going to put myself in a situation where I get hurt; there are enough crazy people out in the world, and I don't need someone intentionally going out of their way to hurt me. No, I didn't deserve that. 

But besides this nonsense with Jared, everything else was going okay. I was doing good in school, I was able to hang out with Cleo and Anthony more, since I had dropped that stupid Jared off my friend list, and I was able to hang out with Lucas. Lucas was actually, pretty, amazing. We've gone out on five dates, two in Roccos and three at this pizza parlor called Menos Pizza Parlour -- or was it Doras Pizza Parlour? I couldn't remember. Either way, it's been fun and definitely not a dumb or stupid decision. 

God, where did he get the...the...the balls to go out and forbid me like that? I couldn't even understand it. And I couldn't stop thinking about it. Every time I remembered that night, I got so angry at him, all over again. 

Whatever, though. It is what it is. I just needed to move forward, without him in my life. This was the best thing for me to do. Life goes on..

Anyway, in the past month, I had gotten myself to pass my driver licenses test and buy a new car; and by new car, I mean used but it works -- relatively. Honestly, I didn't want people to feel forced to drive me around everywhere for the rest of my life or for me to have to take the bus everywhere I went. It was too annoying. So Anthony got me an amazing deal on an Audi SUV. It's not a BMW, but it wasn't the worst car in the world. It was a starter car, for now, and an Audi's not a bad car to start with, right?

It was 4:00PM when I finished my classes today and decided to go home. I initially had plans with Anthony to stay in the library and study for an upcoming test, but I wasn't up for it. Mostly because today was a Friday, which I was truly siked for: it was date night. Lucas and I had planned to go to Roccos tonight since they were having  a taco night special. Carbs are a true gift from God -- and I will stand by that statement to the day I die. 

Lucas and I decided to take it slow; well, to the honest, Lucas was the one who suggested taking it slow. Instead of hanging out every chance we had, he believed we should have scheduled dates until we got to know each other better. His recommendation was to have at least one date each week, but only a maximum of two dates per week. Honestly, I wasn't even sure if we were girlfriend and boyfriend; that's how slow it's been going. We haven't really talked about it, yet.

As I drove my car down the street, I passed a bakery. I quickly stopped the car and decided to get Cleo and me a cake. More carbs means more happiness? No, just kidding -- kind of. But I did want some sweets, so I went and bought us a chocolate cake. After my purchase, I headed back to my car, turned on my playlist and continued to drive home. One of the best things about having a car is being able to blast my music without anyone's judgement or criticism; afterall, I had a particular taste in music.

I drove up our tan colored driveway to find the lights inside the house turned on. That's weird. Cleo wasn't suppose to be home until later tonight. Did someone break into our house? No, there's no way. Who would want to rob us? This isn't even one of the nicer homes in the city.

I cautiously walked out of my car and to the front door. Quietly, I unlocked the door while I held onto the cake box in my other hand. Worst case scenario: I could throw the cake on the burglar to misdirect them, punch them out cold, and then call the cops. Although, that would be a waste of the cake.

I opened the door to find an all too familiar figure sitting on the couch. So great, it wasn't a burglar. Instead, it was Jared. I would have preferred a burglar. The movement I opened the door, Jared turned his attention from the television onto me.

Jared was, once again, wearing a flannel shirt with his brown curly haired plopped perfectly on his stupid head. Damn that kid. Did Jared truly not own any other clothes except for flannels and sweaters? 

"Hey," Jared said, faintly.

Ignoring him, I placed the box of cake on the dining room table and walked down the hall into my room. I slammed my door, louder than I had intended. I didn't even have the energy to talk to him.

Moments later, I heard a knock at my door. I chose to ignore that as well. I wasn't going to waste my time worrying about him or talking to someone who didn't understand me. But, not much to my surprise, Jared chose to ignore me ignoring him. Instead, he continued to knock, nonstop. It reached the same level of annoyance that I felt when he rang the door bell persistently.

"What?!" I screamed, as I sat down on my bed. 

"Can I talk to you?" Jared pleaded. 

"We have nothing to talk about." I blurted, bluntly. We really didn't. 

"I want to apologize," Jared admitted. Maybe he did, but I didn't want to hear it. I don't need someone in my life putting me down. 

"Please," Jared begged. He sounded so helpless... Damn him. I gave in.

"Fine," I walked up to the door and flung it open. Looking at Jared fiercely, I waited for his apology. 

"I'm sorry," Jared began.

"For?" I sneered.

"For advising you not to go out with Lucas." He hadn't advised me, he forbid me. "But in my defense," he added, "you were making a stupid decision."

I could feel my face burning with rage. Once again, Jared managed to piss me off.  

"That's your idea of an apology?!" I screamed, walking passed Jared and heading into the kitchen. I couldn't look at him. I needed more room to move because I didn't know what I was going to do if Jared continued to infuriate me.

"I'm sorry! I just hate that kid so much. I don't understand what you see in him!" He yelled. 

"It doesn't matter what I see in him! What matters is your ability to respect the decisions I make for myself." I defended.

"It was a bad decision," he argued.

"Yeah, maybe." I uttered. "Maybe all the decisions I make are bad. But they are my decisions. You have NO right to restrict me or try to control me or change me."

"But you don't know the damage that kid has done. The people he's hurt."

"Who are you to judge?" I snapped. "Weren't you the one who told me you had a reputation before? I didn't judge you when you told me that, so what gives you the right to judge Lucas?"

Jared was quiet, clearly contemplating what I had just said. But I was right, what gave him the right to judge Lucas? None of us are perfect. Some of us make more mistakes than others, but if someone is trying to change, what gives us the right to degrade them?

"Look, Jared. I don't know. And I don't care. You need to respect me enough to make my own decisions."

"But-" He started.

"No, Jared. Either you respect me or you get out of my life." I stated, coldly. I was surprised at the ultimatum I presented Jared. Never, in a million years, would I have the guts to defend myself in such a manner. That's exactly what I didn't do when I was with Zeke or with any other boyfriends and guy friends I had, for that matter. But I was done being a pushover. I needed to take control of my life. 

Although, in all honesty, part of me didn't want him to chose the second option. Even though we hadn't talked in a month, him choosing that option would make the disillusion of our friendship official. Moments felt like hours as I waited for his decision.

"Okay," he started. "Okay, I respect you, Val, and I'm sorry." He answered, calmly. 

"Thank you," I said. I tried to let go of the worry and angry I was feeling with a big sigh. Jared opened his arms up, gesturing me to come in for a hug. I looked at him with an annoyed gaze. So, instead of waiting for me to hug him, he walked up to me and hugged me. He wrapped his arms around my back and held me tight.

His scent hit me like a wave, wintergreen and cologne; an amazing combination on him. Damn him. As he held me there, in the middle of my kitchen, I felt the angry float away -- almost like a balloon floating away into the sky when you lose it. I returned the hug by wrapping my hands around his back and placing my head on his chest.

"I'm really sorry," Jared whispered as he placed a kiss on my head.

"It's okay," I affirmed. Breaking away from the hug, I added, "but don't you ever do that again." I firmly pointed my finger at him to make him understand the seriousness of my tone.

"Aye, aye, captain." Jared added, bringing his hand to his forehead in a salutive fashion. 

"So... can I have some of that cake now?" Jared asked, joyfully. "I've been thinking about it since you dropped it on the table."

"No," I chuckled. It was nice to have him be his goofy self again; it was one of his best features. He very clearly chose to ignore my answer as he took a plate and knife from the kitchen, cut himself a big slice, and placed it on his plate. 

"Do you not own anything other than flannel shirts?" I questioned as I studied him.

"Hey! I look good in this, bro," Jared said as he chewed on the cake piece in his mouth.

"You look better in a suit," I pointed out with an eye roll. This was true; he looked stunning in a suit. 

"Well, I don't disagree with that," he raised his eyebrows and pointed his fork towards me. 

"Okay, but in all seriousness, you have to go soon. I'm going out tonight." Jared quickly nodded and tried to rush through his slice, but in reality, he was just making a bigger mess on his plate. 

"Where are you going?" He asked as he took his last bite of his cake slice.

"I'm going out with Lucas to Roccos tonight around 8:00PM." I said. I had been standing in front of the dining table this entire time, not sure whether I should sit or continue standing.

"Oh, that Mexican restaurant on Harold Lane?"

"That's the one," I answered. Jared took his plate and placed it in the kitchen sink.

"Hmm. Great, see you there." Jared answered. He let out a burp as he quickly rushed to get his jacket off the couch.

"What?!" I bellowed.

"What, chicka? I needed a reason to get out, and now you gave me one." He smirked.

"You can't come on my date. You're not going to be a third wheel." 

"Who says I would be third-wheeling? I have some game, you know." He declared.

"Jared!" I yelled out. But instead of being offended by my yell, Jared was evidently giddy and cheerful, like one of those mischevious kids who liked to cause trouble. Jared disregarded me as he walked out the front door in haste.  He quickly turned back around and added, 

"May I recommend that black dress you wore the night we went to Benos. You looked breathtaking in it," he winked as he closed the front door and left.

Jared is such an annoying pain in my ass, but...I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world. 
_________________________________________

Are you guys happy Jared and Val are friends again?

Did you think they would have stayed away from each other for long?😂

Do you think it's weird that Lucas only wants to have one date a week?

Y'ALL READY FOR THAT DOUBLE DATE? LOL it's gonna be something😂

Lastly, do you think Val was in the right to defend herself the way she did?

Vote if you liked this chapter😋😋