Picking Up The Pieces

part two: the feelings are there

Ch. 11

chapter 11 [ a few years later ]

Chelsea was in her dorm room as she gets ready to go to a school event on campus. It's her first time here as a freshman in NYC. It was the spring semester and she was thrilled for a spring break after passing her classes. It meant something to her knowing she would spend time with Phoebe.

Since high school, Chelsea hasn't changed. She remained the same as she was. Still embracing her natural hair, skin, and more confidence in her own body too. Her clothing wardrobe even upgraded too; going from a shy librarian to a confident school girl. At times she does dress in her comfy clothing but still, the fashion is there.

Also, she hasn't talked with Asher after that night. When Asher graduated, he moved across the country to Washington and has lived there since then. The two never really spoke to each other anymore, he moved on and so did Chelsea herself.

Now in her first year in college, Chelsea has stepped out of her comfort zone, some way had made a few friends, and also had taken a new job at a local coffee shop. So far, she enjoys it there at Tasty Cofee, her managers and co-workers helped her shaped to be the person that she is today.

Chelsea pulls her deodorant out from the drawer while Phoebe was blasting When I think of you by Janet Jackson.  She quickly placed her on a blue cropped shirt and with a jean skirt and white converse. Her hair was down to her shoulders, highlighting the beauty of her face.

A knock on a door echoed through and Phoebe turns down her music, getting out of the bed to see who it was. The knock continued to heighten even louder and Phoebe grunts responding to the repeated knocking.

Theo's voice muffled through the door. "Come on, Phoebe. Open the damn door.'' A tingling feeling sparked through Chelsea's spine to the sound of Theo's voice. It was the first time she heard his voice in a long time.

Theo and Chelsea haven't been around with each other often since school. Theo moved on but kept his head down. He has often been around with some friends, including Diana. At times, it seemed they were dating but other times it seemed that they were just friends which confused Chelsea.

Even though Theo hasn't talked to Chelsea, it didn't mean he never thought about her. Chelsea was living in Theo's mind at all times. He often thought about what she's doing, if she's happy, who is she's dating, and what she was wearing.

Deep down the feelings are there.

Theo's feelings remain the same to Chelsea as Chelsea's feelings remain the same to Theo.

Phoebe unlocked the door and then, just before he could open it, She locked it again. He stooped down and frowned. "Phoebe! Open the f*****g door!'' She turned around and opened it.

''What do you want?'' She said, fully exhausted by seeing her brother's face. Her jet-black hair was tied into a slick ponytail with a baby blue scrunchie. Phoebe folds her arms feeling agitated that Theo interrupted her.

''Keys, my motorcycle keys, you rode last night remember?'' He said, folding his arms then leans against the door. Chelsea slowly looked over where Theo was and could help herself but to stare at his biceps and his tattoos. She noticed that he added more tattoos in his forearm, a dove next to the famous compass tattoo he had in high school, roman numeral number eighteen, and a lion's eyes.

She also noticed that his hair got longer. His curls are tucked behind his ear with a string of his black hair was in front of his face.

It was all random but that didn't bother Chelsea at all she was intrigued.

''Right, here,'' Phoebe said taking the keys out of her pocket and giving them to Theo.

Theo grabs the keys and dangles them right in front of Phoebe's face. ''These are mine, not yours, and next time ask, understood?''

''Yeah, whatever. Weirdo,'' Phoebe replies and turns back the music.

The way his eyes stared at Chelsea like he was soaking her up, seeing me for the first time, made her a bit aroused. She looked at him then looked away going back to her desk and pretended not to care to see him.

Theo's heart was beating wildly in his chest. He wanted nothing more than for Chelsea to get mushy with her. He wanted Chelsea, for himself.