The Lost One

Back to school

Monday came sooner than Jasmine would have liked. As she got her uniform on and packed her bag, she headed for the bus. It was an hour bus ride to school, so she had lots of time to think.

Jasmine was deep in thought and getting on her second bus at the central terminal when something happened.

That smell invaded her senses and she felt those butterflies that she hadn’t though about in months. She had almost forgotten about Sam, besides her sparingly occurring dreams about it. There he was sitting on the same bus.

Jasmine made her way past him, and he shot her one of his god like smiles. She felt weak in the knees but had to keep walking and eventually took a seat just past him on the other side of the bus. Jasmine continuously eyes him out of the corner of her eyes and thought to herself, why couldn’t it have been him. Why did Sam have to be the perfect guy, but not perfect enough for the fates to want them to be together. She knew in her mind that he was older and had all of the other girls his age all of him, so why would he want a girl like her. Feeling defeated , she lowered her head in shame and spent the rest of the bud ride on her phone listening to sad music.

As all the student piled off the bus, to walk down the street to school, she felt a pull on her backpack while she was stepping off. Jasmine almost tripped and fell but something stopped her.

“I’m so sorry, I was just trying to get your attention, not kill you” as Jasmine looked up, it was Sam. Her heart stoped instantly as she stared into his eyes, she was speechless. “I haven’t seen you, I was starting to worry. Is everything okay?” He asked her with nothing but sincerity in his voice. As Jasmine stumbled on her words, all she could muster out was “I’m fine.” The same thing she had been telling herself over and over since she had left Thomas. So utterly embarrassed, she turned around and started walking as quick as she could to get to school. Praying to whomever, that she didn’t embarrass herself completely. He must think I’m a complete i***t, she thought to herself. Hoping she would be able to get through the day without too many complications.

Her first day back was ruff to say the least, but she survived it and convinced herself that everyday would get better. Cooper carried on with Jasmine as if nothing had happened and as if Thomas didn’t exist. He never brought him up, or talked about it. He lived the lie that her mom wanted everyone to believe.

Jasmine felt so torn, but what was she to do. She had given him up, so she didn’t have a say anymore. It was the choice she had made so that Thomas could have a better life, at least that what she told herself to make herself feel better.

Life continued as it was, she woke up every day feeling regret but pushing herself to keep going. She was doing well in school and nobody was the wiser to what was really going on. It was like she was the perfect actress.

But underneath it all she felt like she was drowning in all the lies and couldn’t keep up the appearance with Cooper. She had to end it, even if that meant seeing Thomas less. She couldn’t keep the sham of a relationship going.

It was the day of the biggest hockey game of the season. This game would decide if their team placed first or second overall before the playoffs started. Still, Jasmine new she couldn’t put it off any longer. Being the coward she was, she waited until everyone had left for the hockey game, and went to go leave Coopers varsity jacket at his locker. Only she wasn’t alone, out of the corner of her eye she saw someone walk by. She dropped the jacket and turned quickly to bolt out of the locker but it was too late, she was spotted. “Hey girl, what are you doing?” The voice said. Jasmine instantly knew who is was. The deep sexy voice and the smell of after shave and fresh oak, it was Sam.

Sam looked down at Coopers locker, seeing the jacket on the ground and then back up at Jasmine. “It’s about time” he whispered under his breath.

“Are you okay Jasmine?” Sam said looking at her apologetically. It was all Jasmine could do to keep the tears swelling in her eyes from escaping, but she forced out “I’m fine.” The same thing she kept telling everyone, including herself.

Completely embarrassed, she turned and ran as fast as she could. Not once looking back.

Sam watched her run, and couldn’t help but think to himself what an ass Cooper was and why would such a beautiful sweet girl like Jasmine be with someone like him. Cooper really must have done a number on her, she is different.

At that moment Sam realized that Jasmine was simply a shell of her former self. She no long smiled that contagious smile she would shoot him when he would catch her staring at him. Her eyes no longer sparkled the beautiful shade of green. Cooper stole her sunshine and Sam was determined to return it to her.

As Jasmine ran out of the school feeling like a complete fool, but at the same time she felt relief rush over her like a wave. She was closing that chapter in her life, and saying goodbye to Cooper. She was so mixed with emotions but knew it was the right thing to do. She knew it would be hard because without being tied to Cooper, she wouldn’t be able to visit Thomas as often as she would like. But it was a sacrifice she had to make for his own sanity. She would no longer let Cooper control her life from this point forward.