Chapter 13

The next day I made plans to stop and see Casey and to go by Jagger’s place. I needed to tell Casey what happened and I knew she would have excellent advice per usual.

When I pulled up to her house I saw beautiful flowers all over the yard. Her mom had such a green thumb. They had installed an archway in front of the doorway. Flowers tumbled down the sides in pinks, purples and whites. It was absolutely beautiful.

I rang the doorbell, but before it even finished ringing, Casey yanked open the door and ushered me in. We went right to her room and she closed the door.

“Ok James. Spill it. What happened with Jagger. Did she make you mad? Did you guys argue? Your text was so vague and I’ve been driving myself crazy trying to figure out what you were going to tell me,” she said, running through scenarios she had made up in her mind.

“Case. No it was nothing like that. We aren’t upset with one another. It’s quite the opposite actually,” I said shyly tugging at my zippered pockets.

Casey looked puzzled. “So, then what James?”

“We umm, we kissed last night,” I shared hiding my face in my shirt.

“What!!! You and Jagger? Who kissed who first?” she asked.

“It was kind of mutual. She got really close and told me to stop her if I didn’t want her to kiss me, but Casey I did. I wanted it so badly. I don’t know if it’s because my heart is so broken or if I really have feelings for Jagger, but regardless it can’t happen again,” I said.

“Bull crap it can’t. You should explore your feelings James. If you care for her, you need to tell her before she leaves. She is literally a three hour drive from us. Don’t let distance be what stops you from pursuing this,” she said, cupping my face.

“Case, that’s not my worry. I, uh, we, well, I mean, Keegan saw us kissing. He was coming to tell me he missed me and he saw us. He is so upset. He doesn’t want to see me or talk to me,” I said, holding back tears.

“James, I do understand why he is upset, but also he had two weeks to show up at your house and he didn’t. Jagger did. She has been there for you and she was last night too. Keegan has had years to toy with your heart. He lost his chance. Let Jagger know how you feel and let Keegan go off to college and suffer this loss. You did nothing wrong. You guys aren’t dating so who is he to tell you who you can and can’t kiss? Kind of some bull shit if you ask me,” Casey quipped.

I knew she was right, but it didn’t make my heart hurt any less. I missed him so much, but I also really liked Jagger. Maybe it was time I moved on and found a new love interest. Jagger could be that person. I didn’t even know where her heart was and if she felt something more for me. Casey encouraged me to go to her house and find out.

We had pizza for lunch and then I headed out to see if I could salvage one of my relationships. Jagger’s house was a further drive than Casey’s. She didn’t live in our school district. It took me about 15 minutes to get to her house.

When I arrived and she answered the door, I could see pain in her eyes. She motioned for me to come in but didn’t really speak. I followed her into her bedroom and she shut the door.