Jewel: The Beginning

CHAPTER 8: The Decision

I just stared at him, amazed at what he told me. He really felt like I was the one for him. He asked me what I decided, and I told him I don’t know. But then he explained everything and asked it again…but it was way more intense this time. He wanted to know if I wanted him to leave my life or if I wanted him to continue on this journey with me. Why couldn’t he just wait a little longer? I was still trying to fully figure this out myself. One thing was for sure, “Brayden, you are not going to be leaving my life.”

He relaxed some; I didn’t realize that he was at all tense. “But,” I started, but somehow couldn’t continue. The logic he used yesterday was something I could not deny. It was, in reality, the best thing. But continuing this; not knowing anything about him—that wasn’t logical. Irie could only give me so much; asking him to tell was going to be the hard thing. Should I say yes for him coming and then learn more, or know it all before? It was hard to decide.

“Jewel?” He asks. I pull my hand back with a frustrated, “Ahh!” I also started tearing up, not sure why that was happening too; but it was probably just the frustration. I was glad nobody else was around; we’d get funny looks about now. He asks, “Jewel?” again. I knew he was waiting for me to continue, but I bet he was frustrated with me cutting myself off. I couldn’t decide between the two options. Then I realized a third option. It might be best. Learn some now, and then learn more along the way. Well, better now than never for starting. I wipe my eyes and take a deep breath.

“Brayden,” I begin, “it’s not fair to me to start all of this, to decide fully, without knowing more about you. In fact, I don’t know a thing about you.” He considered this for a moment. Why he needed to consider this was beyond me. It made totally sense, my proposition. Why start a journey with someone you don’t know anything about?

“Come,” he said, starting to lie down, “it’ll be more comfortable if you lie down.” He has an arm out, making a pillow for me. I lay down. “Well,” he starts as I get settled, “My family lives out east, and we’ve lived there since I was about 10 and a half.” I’m settled by this point, continuing with his story, “That’s when my dad disappeared. He worked in our government, trying to help push along what your parents were doing. But he had a business trip when my mom, kid sister, and I were moving over there. He called us before heading to his meeting. And that’s the last we’ve heard of him. We suspect he was killed by Carey’s men, too, but we never found any proof.

“So, I’ve kinda been wanting to do what you’ve been trying to do…revenge for them taking my father away from me. But I guess another reason why I wanted to do well in school was, well, besides pleasing my mom, was so I could do well against Carey. But I have never found passion in my work. I just want to know and do well enough against him.”

He finished speaking. Well, I thought that should be enough for now. He explained why he wants to help out. It’s not just for helping me in my revenge, but also for his family. “Thank you, Brayden,” I said, “that helps me clear my mind some.”

“Jewel,” he says, “so, what do you say?” He started getting up, so I got up to help him. I had my arms wrapped around my legs, looking at him. Well, since he gave me what I needed to know, and I didn’t feel like there was anything really going on, I say, “Brayden, let’s do this. We both have our reasons, and I think we need each other’s help with it.” He comes to me, and we hug. I decided to lie down again; it was relaxing. He lies down next to me again, cushioning my head again with his arm. That’s when I started drifting off to sleep, at ease with my decision, this leap of faith that I made. And this was the moment, the beginning point of me being fully committing to him.