�Better Than Best� Chapter 14: Pain

Walking back to the rooms was painful. I remembered how much I had wanted Matt. I couldn�t believe that now that I was so happy, something so right could come back into my life. I couldn�t let Dan and the others know how I felt. I hid my pain and my regret.

Dan unlocked our door while we said goodnight to the others. I sat on the bed tracing Dan�s promise ring with my pinkie. He sat sown next to me and lifted my head up.

Unknown to me, tears were falling down my cheeks. His thumb brushed them away. He kissed my forehead.

�Baby, what�s going on? I hate it when you�re like this,� Dan looked into my eyes searching for answers.

�I just, I can�t believe that a simple telephone call could change my whole perspective,� I broke down and told him the whole story. Everything from the first time I saw Matt, to the last day I saw Matt, until I finished with the phone call. �And I just can�t believe that I still have as many feelings for him now as I did then.�

Dan pulled me toward him. By that time I was sobbing. He let me cry into his chest until I didn�t need to be held any longer. Not one word was spoken between us. Neither of us had enough guts to say what we were really thinking. His face said it all. He was hurt and angry. Without saying goodbye, he turned and left the room.

I took his ring off my finger and threw it at the door. Through my sobs, I screamed, �Fine! I�m trying, ya know? I�m just trying to find out what I really want in life! You can�t be mad just cause an old crush calls me up out of nowhere! I�m young! I don�t know what I want! Give me time!�

I dug out my cell phone and looked at the call list. I pushed call to the first number on the received list. It rang only once.

�Hello?� Matt answered.

�Matt? It�s Jenna,� I replied.

�I knew you�d call,� he said happily.

�Matt, first I just want to say that I know you only called because I�m in a band and am famous. Secondly, I know you never had feelings for me back in high school. And finally, I still feel for you what I felt all those years ago.�

Matt took in a breath. �Wow. Can I at least get to know you?�

I hesitated for a moment. �Yes. That�s what I want.�

�If you�re sure,� he replied.

We continued the conversation for another hour and a half. He was so easy to talk to and we clicked instantly. Dan still hadn�t returned, but I brushed it off. He�s angry with me, he doesn�t want to do something he�ll regret.

�Jenna, it was great to finally get to know you. Keep in touch, k?� Matt said.

�Okay, I will. Come see us perform next time we�re in Vegas,� I replied.

�Sure thing,� Matt paused. �Even if you don�t believe me, I did want to talk to you back then. I wanted to go over and rescue you from all the horrible people you hung out with.�

�I believe you,� I said. �Goodnight Matt.�

�Sweet dreams, Jenna.�

I hung up the phone and laid back on the bed. Memories of high school flashed through my head. I was drifting off to sleep when someone started pounding on the door. I got up and opened it. Trevor was red faced and breathing hard.

�Jenna� I�ve got to tell you something,� he panted.

�Trev? Are you okay?� I asked.

�I am but Dan�s not,� he replied.

�Oh my gosh, what happened to Dan? Is he hurt? Is he gonna be okay?� I was screaming at Trevor.

�Dan was in a horrible car crash. He�s in the hospital in serious condition,� Trevor watched as I fell to the floor.

He helped me up. I was sobbing again. �Trev, it�s all my fault. He was mad at me and didn�t want to be around me so he left.�

�Jenna, it�s not your fault. Dan was hit by a drunk driver. It�s not your fault,� Trevor tried to make my tears dry.

�He wouldn�t have even been out on the road if he wasn�t mad at me. It was my fault, Trev. Don�t you understand?� I was screaming and sobbing.

Trevor led me to the SUV. Ashley and Jacob were already there. As soon as we got in, Jacob sped away. Ashley and Trevor held me while I cried.

�Jake, you�re going too fast. Slow down, please?� I pleaded with him, tears still streaming down my face.

Jake slowed down and got us to the hospital safely. Mike and Mike met us in the lobby and led us up to Dan�s room. I cautiously walked in, not knowing if he even wanted to see me.

�Dan?� I asked. His arm was in a cast and his face was cut up and bruised. His leg was up in a sling and his foot was badly broken. It looked so bad.

�Jenna?� he answered. �I�m so sorry I left like that. I love you, I didn�t want you to see me like this.� Tears formed in his eyes.

I went over to him and held his face tenderly. �Dan, don�t cry. It�s not your fault. It�s mine. I shouldn�t have dwelled on the past. You�re the only one that I love more than anything. Dan, don�t leave me. Please�� my voice faded as I started sobbing again.

�I love you. I love you. I love you,� Dan cried openly.

I couldn�t say anything else. I cried and cried until the nurse came in and made me leave. I kissed Dan�s lips and promised I�d be back as soon as possible.

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