Fallen Forever

Chapter 2

Why should I go on a date with him? Jade thought, feeling conflicted. Sure, she had been chuffed when Jayden gave her his number, but something about it didn’t sit right with her. I hope this isn’t what I’m thinking… Her mind wandered back to Jack—her best friend. What would he think of her being with Jayden?

Jayden, with his frat-boy good looks, perfectly styled blonde hair, and athletic, muscular build, definitely had a certain allure. Jade couldn’t deny she was drawn to his appearance. He was the kind of guy that made heads turn, and she felt that attraction. But her heart kept tugging her back to Jack.

As she sat at the dinner table with Jayden, her heart was pounding in her chest. Dig, dig, dig, it went, almost in rhythm with her anxiety. Then, her phone beeped. It was Jack calling. Her heart skipped. She quickly silenced the phone, not wanting Jayden to notice.

"Jack, who’s that?" Jayden asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jade hesitated. "Uhmm... never mind."

Jayden leaned in, locking eyes with her. "You are by miles the most stunning person in the class," he said, his voice low and almost seductive.

"Thank you," Jade said, blushing.

"I’ve been thinking about you all day," Jayden admitted. "My mate over there," he gestured to his slightly tipsy friend across the restaurant, "told me I didn’t have a chance in hell of getting you to go out with me, but here we are. I feel like the happiest guy in the world right now."

"Really?" Jade replied, surprised by his openness.

"Yeah," Jayden said, smiling. "From the first day I saw you, your face has been stuck in my head."

Jade looked down at her hands, feeling a mix of emotions. "What was your first impression of me?"

Jayden chuckled softly. "That you were kind, maybe a little... rude?" he teased. "But I couldn’t stop thinking about you. You’re calm, even when you don’t think you are."

Jade laughed awkwardly. "Maybe… not exactly calm."

"You can definitely change me," Jayden said, grinning. "I mean, with you, we could make a good couple, don’t you think? I’ve been imagining it."

Jade raised an eyebrow, unsure of how to respond. "I don’t know..."

Jayden leaned in closer. "Let’s take things slow, though. How about after dinner, we go to my place for a bit? I’ll drive you home later. Promise."

Jade hesitated. "Not tonight, Jayden. Maybe next time."

Jayden sighed, though he seemed to accept it. "Okay."

After dinner, Jayden offered to drive her home, but as they neared his apartment, he pulled into the parking lot instead.

"Jayden, what are you doing?" Jade asked, her voice shaky.

"Just thought we could hang for a while. No rush," Jayden said, giving her a smile.

Once inside, Jade felt a sudden tension as Jayden approached her, his hands brushing her hair away from her neck, sending shivers down her spine. "You don’t want this?" he asked softly, his voice dropping an octave.

Jade’s breath quickened as Jayden’s fingers slid under the hem of her dress. She bit her lip, caught between her emotions and the rush of the moment.

"Jayden, stop…" she whispered, though her voice lacked conviction.

"You say that, but your body’s telling me something different," Jayden whispered, his fingers grazing her skin.

Jade’s mind was racing. What am I doing? Her thoughts kept drifting back to Jack. She knew she still had feelings for him, but here she was, caught in this moment with Jayden. She didn’t want this to go further.

"Please, Jayden," she finally managed, pulling away from him. "I can’t do this."

Jayden stopped, his expression softening. "I love you, Jade," he said, his voice sincere. "I just want to be with you. I thought you felt the same."

Jade shook her head, feeling tears well up in her eyes. "I need time, Jayden. This isn’t right… not now."

Jayden’s face fell, though he tried to mask it with a smile. "Jack, right?"

Jade didn’t know how to respond. She cared about Jayden, but it wasn’t the same. Jack had been there for her through everything, and no matter what, her heart always pulled her back to him.

Jayden sighed, stepping back. "I’ll take you home now."

As they drove in silence, Jade’s mind raced. What if I made the wrong choice? What if Jack never feels the same way about me? The confusion gnawed at her, but one thing was clear—no matter how attractive or kind Jayden was, her heart wasn’t ready to let go of Jack.