Songs to Listen to while あなた read (available at projectplaylist.com ):
- Trading Yesterday: 愛 Song Requiem
- Placebo: Running up that Hill
- Radiohead: Like Spinning Plates (available only at youtube)
***************************************************
Kyle still struggled with his feelings for Amanda and Jessi. He remembered his past with Amanda and realized he had unfinished business with her. He does still 愛 her and who he used to be when he was with her (young, puppy, バタフライ, 蝶 filled love). In that moment of thought, he heard a blond's thumping of a heart. Am I hallucinating? Kyle thought. Then he saw blond hair at the corner of his eye. He reached the window and opened it.
With Kyle's permission, Amanda came through while Kyle was still undecided.
"Hi."
"Amanda..." He wasn't ready.
She made her way to Kyle until she was toe to toe with him. She braided her hands into his and beamed her remarkable eyes toward his. "How are you?"
Kyle paused. "Confused." He'd hoped the brute honesty would hint to her that he needed もっと見る time.
Amanda's lips tightened in determination. "I think we owe it to one another to give 'us' another chance. Don't you?"
Kyle stood silent, with his mouth open, but his brain wouldn't give him the courtesy to form words. He just stared down at his first love, eyebrows obtuse.
"Kyle?" Please say yes.
"Amanda...I..." She acted quickly and made the decision for both of them. Before Kyle could breathe another word, Amanda pressed her lips against his. He was immediately drawn in. He could still feel their past and longed for that normalcy again. They finally parted and the one word Amanda longed to hear was voiced: "Ok."
Amanda bore a wide smile that was always infectious to Kyle. But this was different. For he knew he would soon have to face Jessi. So all Kyle could offer back was a forced smirk to respond to Amanda's excitement. They kissed again which was a relief to Kyle, for he didn't want Amanda to notice his broken disposition.
I don't know. I wasn't ready. But maybe she's right. Maybe we do owe it to each other to try again. Maybe, in time, my aching confusion will go away.
*********************************
Jessi was making her way to Kyle's room pacing up and down the hallway. I can do this. I know I'm not Amanda but I th-
Jessi was rendered stone still. .....Amanda?
Jessi sensed her heartbeat - but it was quickened. In that moment her shred of hope sunk for she instantly knew what was happening. Kyle made his choice. It wasn't her. It was over. She didn't want to witness what she already knew, but she needed to see the proof in order to fathom her defeat and walk away. She urged on, trembling with each step as she reached Kyle's opened door - and witnessed her great fear. She tried to move, but forgot how to use her legs. As she broke piece によって piece, she feared she would remain forever paralyzed in her compromising position. Just then, dark mercy visited her, for her eyes began to burn, waking her from her hellish trance. She finally mustered up the strength to walk away slowly, wearing tears....
Amanda finally left Kyle - it had gotten immensely late. Kyle then knew his 次 task, and dreaded it from the pit of his being. He finally found the strength to walk and found Jessi in her room with her back facing him. She appeared to be 星, つ星 gazing through her window.
"I know it's late." Kyle began.
A startled Jessi whipped her head around and quickly jerked it back out of sight. Her eyes were bloodshot. She needed もっと見る time to recover. Kyle was immediately torn when he saw her.
"Jessi?" Kyle's voice was already cracking. He wasn't sure if he could do this.
Her face was fortunately dry - nothing but tear stains. "Um, hey." She finally turned to him and found his eyes. Let the facade begin.
But only the corner of her mouth would make an effort to pull up a smile then snap back down almost instantly to 登録する the rest of her mouth in a dark grimace.
Not good enough. Gotta try harder. He's not buying it.
Kyle was torn in half - the evidence was all over his face, but Jessi was too preoccupied with self protecting to notice. "Jessi, I'm sorry. I-"
"Don't worry Kyle - we just got ahead of ourselves. I understand. It was..." Jessi sighed... "stupid of me to ever think we could never have what あなた and Amanda have. I'll be fine." That fine wasn't strong enough.
"But..-" Kyle couldn't believe what he was hearing.
...try it again, stronger this time. Jessi thought to herself.
"I'm fine." Better. Jessi forced out a smirk and turned her back to hide her broken grimace. "I should get to my homework. Good night Kyle." Her lips quivered.
Go Kyle. I can't hold this in for long. Walk away. Please walk away.
Kyle didn't expect it to be so easy. It hurt him that she didn't put up a fight. He burrowed a final wide eyed gaze at Jessi, and left. He stared back at the closed door and flashed back to every キッス he'd had with her. Some part of him wondered if he and Jessi may have been able to have something incredible together. He didn't sleep much that night.
Morning came too soon. The night before, Kylanda had agreed to have a night out together the following evening - and it came all too soon.
I'm not ready.
Before Kyle could blink he felt as if he'd been transported to his 日付 with Amanda.
The blanket they sat on was comfortable - furry. The stars above were a great distraction, but his mind still wandered to the dull pain he felt in his chest. It helped to eat the チョコレート covered フルーツ Amanda prepared.
Stupid crickets, Kyle thought. They were too loud - Kyle wasn't enjoying himself and couldn't seem to successfully pretend that he was happy to be outside with his "ex" ex-girlfriend and the hungry bugs.
"You seem distant." Amanda inquired with a tilt of her head.
No. I don't know what to say yet. "Huh?" Good, that'll grant me 2 seconds. Try again.
"You haven't 発言しました もっと見る than two words all evening." Amanda tried to mask her frustration with concern - she wasn't successful.
"Sorry." It was sincere enough to slightly calm Amanda's frustration.
"You ok?" She was confident enough to rest her hand on his shoulder - supportive girlfriend, 'check'.
"To be honest," He worried he would hurt her によって telling the truth, but maybe she would be ok. "I'm worried about Jessi" Woops, better clarify. "- hurting her I mean." Kyle bluntly added.
Amanda's relief after the 'clarification' was painfully obvious. She sighed, then, wanting the Jessi parade to end, she'd hoped blunt アドバイス would help her case: "She'll get over it. Her...'feelings' または whatever it was that she felt for you, were pretty superficial. I mean just watching how....selfish and...trivial-"
Kyle then shot Amanda a 苦い gaze which cued her to stop mid-sentence. He couldn't stand to hear Amanda speak about Jessi like that any longer. Amanda could not have been もっと見る wrong. Kyle had watched Jessi grow substantially since he first met her and he knew she had reached a new maturity - she didn't deserve to be judged.
"You don't know anything about it, Amanda." His eyes met the ground as he chose his words carefully. "So...please just, stop." Kyle didn't want to hurt Amanda but he wouldn't tolerate another disparaging word 発言しました about Jessi.
"I-I'm sorry." Amanda's ハート, 心 sped in shock and embarrassment. Her plan backfired. "Schmuck" was branded on her forehead. She was supposed to be the perfect girlfriend - looks like that タイトル went out the window. Amanda mourned to herself.
One last effort "Did..." Just say it! Amanda coaxed herself "...do あなた 愛 'er?"
Caught off guard. No - it had to be that question. "Amanda...I...I honestly don't know." At least the safest answer was an honest one.
Awkward silence cradled them both as the night limped on.
********************************
Jessi cradled herself in ベッド as she let the tears burn down her face. She was alone now, why not? She thought. Just then, Lori overheard the whimpers as she travelled the hallway. When Jessi heard a knock on her door, she was angry for she had failed in her attempted discretion, but was partially relieved when it was Lori who walked in. Jessi reluctantly explained everything but also insisted that Lori not talk to Kyle about it, for Jessi wanted to deal with her emotions herself without Kyle's pity. After Lori was able to calm Jessi, she advised her to 移動する on, "get out there", and date.
"I 愛 Kyle." How could she even suggest anything like that so soon?? I mean, how dare she try to help me 移動する on when I'm clearly busy hanging to someone I don't have? Jessi realized in dark humorous thought.
"I know, sister, but it's time あなた found someone who will 愛 あなた back. あなた deserve that much don't you?" Lori's ハート, 心 went out to Jessi. She genuinely wanted to see her happy, and doubted that Jessi and Kyle could ever amount to anything beyond a friendship.
There's that dull pain again. He doesn't 愛 me. Jessi's eyes closed.
"Jessi?"
"I. I dunno if I'm...I don't think I'm ready yet." The wave of emotional pain was crippling at best. She doubted she was in any shape to 日付 anytime soon.
She couldn't imagine being with anyone but Kyle. But as the night rolled on, Lori continued to push Jessi. And によって the end, "Just...promise you'll think about it." Lori concluded.
"I'll think about it." Jessi copied. They sat in silence for a few moments."Thank-you, Lori." Jessi didn't feel better, but did find some peace after talking with Lori. I need to get some air." Jessi huffed out a last breath, forced a thankful smirk, and stood.
Lori smiled a sad smile, for she was able to empathize with what Jessi was going through - she too had been rejected によって the boy she loved not long ago.
"I won't be gone long." Jessi reported. As long as I don't jump off a cliff.
********************************
"Let's just...try and enjoy the evening. Ok?" Kyle suggested. It took もっと見る than a lot of effort to form a closed smile, but he did. Their eyes met, and they simultaneously leaned in to one another only to retrieve a frosty キッス - light & quick, their lips slipped apart. Something's different. He then began to wonder if he and Amanda could ever have what they used to have. Amanda forced a closed smile of her own but harbored doubts as well.
"I know we're not, the way we used to be - but I know we'll get there again." Amanda promised with a forced grin.
It was hard for Kyle imagine as he stared deep into her eyes with a sad expression. "It's late, we should go." Kyle suggested. It was only 9pm, but they had school.
Kyle was relieved that the evening was over as they neared their houses. Amanda insisted she wanted to walk Kyle to his window. He made his way to the inside and turned for a last goodbye.
"Well-" Kyle began.
"Um, can I stay a while? We could lay in your tub..." Amanda offered with a nervous smile. She'd hoped they could salvage their lukewarm evening.
Kyle found her eyes, painfully staring, thinking. "I...I have homework and I don't want your mom to worry about you." White lie.
"Sure." She managed to smile half a smile to escape Kyle's burn. "I understand." Lie. With one last kiss, warmer this time, and lingered, Amanda headed ホーム as Kyle watched for her to range out of sight. He shut his window, but felt uneasy at his relief for her departure. He was free to do what he longed to do all night - check on Jessi. He finally headed for her room, but found it empty.
Kyle went to Lori to investigate. She was still awake and appeared to be working on some music.
"Have あなた seen Jessi?"
Lori smiled in her wily way "She's gone for a walk lover boy."
Disappointed, Kyle, walked toward his room and Lori yelled a sarcastic "Good night to あなた too!" but Kyle was too ロスト in thought to notice. He settled in his tub and remained torn about the 最近 events. He harbored small resentment toward Amanda for not giving him もっと見る time. But he made his choice, so he knew he couldn't place the blame on her. Yet he wondered, if being with Amanda, was even what he even wanted anymore. He ached at the thought of it - another unsuccessful night of sleep awaited him, for his thoughts would keep him awake for hours to come.
Meanwhile, Jessi's quick walk turned into a city wide journey. She found herself taking a turn into a back alley and witnessed an attempted mugging. 5 large men began to attack a young man. Jessi ran toward the gang to rescue the young man but to her surprise, the stranger defended himself flawlessly. Jessi reached the scene in time to plant her fist into one of the assailants' faces and flipped him back flat onto the pavement.
"Are あなた ok?" Jessi huffed with gleaming eyes of concern.
"I had them. あなた didn't have to help me little lady. あなた coulda gotten hurt." The man bragged.
"Little lady?" Jessi smirked at his ignorance. "Trust me. I can take care of myself too." She tried to remain humble. "Those are some impressive moves あなた have." Jessi offered.
"Thanks. You're not so bad yourself - for a girl."
That did it. Jessi made a scoffing grimace, and began to walk away, for she was close to decking the potential victim she had just tried to save.
He regretted his words. "Wait. I'm Xander."
Jessi half smiled, refusing to let the blurb about her sex slide. "I'm Jessi. And you're welcome."
"For what??"
"Helping あなた out." Jessi projected from a widening distances as she continued to walk away.
"Wait. あなた wanna help me out? Have a cup of coffee with me." Jessi hesitated, but couldn't help but smile at the gutsy stranger. He was 6'2 to Jessi's calculations. It was dark, but she could tell the man took care of his body. His muscles were tracing under his short black leather zip up jacket. His form fitting dark denim jeans silhouetted his long slightly scrawny legs. She also recognized his shoes. She'd seen them in one of Lori's magazines weeks ago. Vintage Mens 70's ONITSUKA TIGER Sneakers 日本 10 Jessi thought. He was an overdue breath of fresh air.
****End of Chapter****
- Trading Yesterday: 愛 Song Requiem
- Placebo: Running up that Hill
- Radiohead: Like Spinning Plates (available only at youtube)
***************************************************
Kyle still struggled with his feelings for Amanda and Jessi. He remembered his past with Amanda and realized he had unfinished business with her. He does still 愛 her and who he used to be when he was with her (young, puppy, バタフライ, 蝶 filled love). In that moment of thought, he heard a blond's thumping of a heart. Am I hallucinating? Kyle thought. Then he saw blond hair at the corner of his eye. He reached the window and opened it.
With Kyle's permission, Amanda came through while Kyle was still undecided.
"Hi."
"Amanda..." He wasn't ready.
She made her way to Kyle until she was toe to toe with him. She braided her hands into his and beamed her remarkable eyes toward his. "How are you?"
Kyle paused. "Confused." He'd hoped the brute honesty would hint to her that he needed もっと見る time.
Amanda's lips tightened in determination. "I think we owe it to one another to give 'us' another chance. Don't you?"
Kyle stood silent, with his mouth open, but his brain wouldn't give him the courtesy to form words. He just stared down at his first love, eyebrows obtuse.
"Kyle?" Please say yes.
"Amanda...I..." She acted quickly and made the decision for both of them. Before Kyle could breathe another word, Amanda pressed her lips against his. He was immediately drawn in. He could still feel their past and longed for that normalcy again. They finally parted and the one word Amanda longed to hear was voiced: "Ok."
Amanda bore a wide smile that was always infectious to Kyle. But this was different. For he knew he would soon have to face Jessi. So all Kyle could offer back was a forced smirk to respond to Amanda's excitement. They kissed again which was a relief to Kyle, for he didn't want Amanda to notice his broken disposition.
I don't know. I wasn't ready. But maybe she's right. Maybe we do owe it to each other to try again. Maybe, in time, my aching confusion will go away.
*********************************
Jessi was making her way to Kyle's room pacing up and down the hallway. I can do this. I know I'm not Amanda but I th-
Jessi was rendered stone still. .....Amanda?
Jessi sensed her heartbeat - but it was quickened. In that moment her shred of hope sunk for she instantly knew what was happening. Kyle made his choice. It wasn't her. It was over. She didn't want to witness what she already knew, but she needed to see the proof in order to fathom her defeat and walk away. She urged on, trembling with each step as she reached Kyle's opened door - and witnessed her great fear. She tried to move, but forgot how to use her legs. As she broke piece によって piece, she feared she would remain forever paralyzed in her compromising position. Just then, dark mercy visited her, for her eyes began to burn, waking her from her hellish trance. She finally mustered up the strength to walk away slowly, wearing tears....
Amanda finally left Kyle - it had gotten immensely late. Kyle then knew his 次 task, and dreaded it from the pit of his being. He finally found the strength to walk and found Jessi in her room with her back facing him. She appeared to be 星, つ星 gazing through her window.
"I know it's late." Kyle began.
A startled Jessi whipped her head around and quickly jerked it back out of sight. Her eyes were bloodshot. She needed もっと見る time to recover. Kyle was immediately torn when he saw her.
"Jessi?" Kyle's voice was already cracking. He wasn't sure if he could do this.
Her face was fortunately dry - nothing but tear stains. "Um, hey." She finally turned to him and found his eyes. Let the facade begin.
But only the corner of her mouth would make an effort to pull up a smile then snap back down almost instantly to 登録する the rest of her mouth in a dark grimace.
Not good enough. Gotta try harder. He's not buying it.
Kyle was torn in half - the evidence was all over his face, but Jessi was too preoccupied with self protecting to notice. "Jessi, I'm sorry. I-"
"Don't worry Kyle - we just got ahead of ourselves. I understand. It was..." Jessi sighed... "stupid of me to ever think we could never have what あなた and Amanda have. I'll be fine." That fine wasn't strong enough.
"But..-" Kyle couldn't believe what he was hearing.
...try it again, stronger this time. Jessi thought to herself.
"I'm fine." Better. Jessi forced out a smirk and turned her back to hide her broken grimace. "I should get to my homework. Good night Kyle." Her lips quivered.
Go Kyle. I can't hold this in for long. Walk away. Please walk away.
Kyle didn't expect it to be so easy. It hurt him that she didn't put up a fight. He burrowed a final wide eyed gaze at Jessi, and left. He stared back at the closed door and flashed back to every キッス he'd had with her. Some part of him wondered if he and Jessi may have been able to have something incredible together. He didn't sleep much that night.
Morning came too soon. The night before, Kylanda had agreed to have a night out together the following evening - and it came all too soon.
I'm not ready.
Before Kyle could blink he felt as if he'd been transported to his 日付 with Amanda.
The blanket they sat on was comfortable - furry. The stars above were a great distraction, but his mind still wandered to the dull pain he felt in his chest. It helped to eat the チョコレート covered フルーツ Amanda prepared.
Stupid crickets, Kyle thought. They were too loud - Kyle wasn't enjoying himself and couldn't seem to successfully pretend that he was happy to be outside with his "ex" ex-girlfriend and the hungry bugs.
"You seem distant." Amanda inquired with a tilt of her head.
No. I don't know what to say yet. "Huh?" Good, that'll grant me 2 seconds. Try again.
"You haven't 発言しました もっと見る than two words all evening." Amanda tried to mask her frustration with concern - she wasn't successful.
"Sorry." It was sincere enough to slightly calm Amanda's frustration.
"You ok?" She was confident enough to rest her hand on his shoulder - supportive girlfriend, 'check'.
"To be honest," He worried he would hurt her によって telling the truth, but maybe she would be ok. "I'm worried about Jessi" Woops, better clarify. "- hurting her I mean." Kyle bluntly added.
Amanda's relief after the 'clarification' was painfully obvious. She sighed, then, wanting the Jessi parade to end, she'd hoped blunt アドバイス would help her case: "She'll get over it. Her...'feelings' または whatever it was that she felt for you, were pretty superficial. I mean just watching how....selfish and...trivial-"
Kyle then shot Amanda a 苦い gaze which cued her to stop mid-sentence. He couldn't stand to hear Amanda speak about Jessi like that any longer. Amanda could not have been もっと見る wrong. Kyle had watched Jessi grow substantially since he first met her and he knew she had reached a new maturity - she didn't deserve to be judged.
"You don't know anything about it, Amanda." His eyes met the ground as he chose his words carefully. "So...please just, stop." Kyle didn't want to hurt Amanda but he wouldn't tolerate another disparaging word 発言しました about Jessi.
"I-I'm sorry." Amanda's ハート, 心 sped in shock and embarrassment. Her plan backfired. "Schmuck" was branded on her forehead. She was supposed to be the perfect girlfriend - looks like that タイトル went out the window. Amanda mourned to herself.
One last effort "Did..." Just say it! Amanda coaxed herself "...do あなた 愛 'er?"
Caught off guard. No - it had to be that question. "Amanda...I...I honestly don't know." At least the safest answer was an honest one.
Awkward silence cradled them both as the night limped on.
********************************
Jessi cradled herself in ベッド as she let the tears burn down her face. She was alone now, why not? She thought. Just then, Lori overheard the whimpers as she travelled the hallway. When Jessi heard a knock on her door, she was angry for she had failed in her attempted discretion, but was partially relieved when it was Lori who walked in. Jessi reluctantly explained everything but also insisted that Lori not talk to Kyle about it, for Jessi wanted to deal with her emotions herself without Kyle's pity. After Lori was able to calm Jessi, she advised her to 移動する on, "get out there", and date.
"I 愛 Kyle." How could she even suggest anything like that so soon?? I mean, how dare she try to help me 移動する on when I'm clearly busy hanging to someone I don't have? Jessi realized in dark humorous thought.
"I know, sister, but it's time あなた found someone who will 愛 あなた back. あなた deserve that much don't you?" Lori's ハート, 心 went out to Jessi. She genuinely wanted to see her happy, and doubted that Jessi and Kyle could ever amount to anything beyond a friendship.
There's that dull pain again. He doesn't 愛 me. Jessi's eyes closed.
"Jessi?"
"I. I dunno if I'm...I don't think I'm ready yet." The wave of emotional pain was crippling at best. She doubted she was in any shape to 日付 anytime soon.
She couldn't imagine being with anyone but Kyle. But as the night rolled on, Lori continued to push Jessi. And によって the end, "Just...promise you'll think about it." Lori concluded.
"I'll think about it." Jessi copied. They sat in silence for a few moments."Thank-you, Lori." Jessi didn't feel better, but did find some peace after talking with Lori. I need to get some air." Jessi huffed out a last breath, forced a thankful smirk, and stood.
Lori smiled a sad smile, for she was able to empathize with what Jessi was going through - she too had been rejected によって the boy she loved not long ago.
"I won't be gone long." Jessi reported. As long as I don't jump off a cliff.
********************************
"Let's just...try and enjoy the evening. Ok?" Kyle suggested. It took もっと見る than a lot of effort to form a closed smile, but he did. Their eyes met, and they simultaneously leaned in to one another only to retrieve a frosty キッス - light & quick, their lips slipped apart. Something's different. He then began to wonder if he and Amanda could ever have what they used to have. Amanda forced a closed smile of her own but harbored doubts as well.
"I know we're not, the way we used to be - but I know we'll get there again." Amanda promised with a forced grin.
It was hard for Kyle imagine as he stared deep into her eyes with a sad expression. "It's late, we should go." Kyle suggested. It was only 9pm, but they had school.
Kyle was relieved that the evening was over as they neared their houses. Amanda insisted she wanted to walk Kyle to his window. He made his way to the inside and turned for a last goodbye.
"Well-" Kyle began.
"Um, can I stay a while? We could lay in your tub..." Amanda offered with a nervous smile. She'd hoped they could salvage their lukewarm evening.
Kyle found her eyes, painfully staring, thinking. "I...I have homework and I don't want your mom to worry about you." White lie.
"Sure." She managed to smile half a smile to escape Kyle's burn. "I understand." Lie. With one last kiss, warmer this time, and lingered, Amanda headed ホーム as Kyle watched for her to range out of sight. He shut his window, but felt uneasy at his relief for her departure. He was free to do what he longed to do all night - check on Jessi. He finally headed for her room, but found it empty.
Kyle went to Lori to investigate. She was still awake and appeared to be working on some music.
"Have あなた seen Jessi?"
Lori smiled in her wily way "She's gone for a walk lover boy."
Disappointed, Kyle, walked toward his room and Lori yelled a sarcastic "Good night to あなた too!" but Kyle was too ロスト in thought to notice. He settled in his tub and remained torn about the 最近 events. He harbored small resentment toward Amanda for not giving him もっと見る time. But he made his choice, so he knew he couldn't place the blame on her. Yet he wondered, if being with Amanda, was even what he even wanted anymore. He ached at the thought of it - another unsuccessful night of sleep awaited him, for his thoughts would keep him awake for hours to come.
Meanwhile, Jessi's quick walk turned into a city wide journey. She found herself taking a turn into a back alley and witnessed an attempted mugging. 5 large men began to attack a young man. Jessi ran toward the gang to rescue the young man but to her surprise, the stranger defended himself flawlessly. Jessi reached the scene in time to plant her fist into one of the assailants' faces and flipped him back flat onto the pavement.
"Are あなた ok?" Jessi huffed with gleaming eyes of concern.
"I had them. あなた didn't have to help me little lady. あなた coulda gotten hurt." The man bragged.
"Little lady?" Jessi smirked at his ignorance. "Trust me. I can take care of myself too." She tried to remain humble. "Those are some impressive moves あなた have." Jessi offered.
"Thanks. You're not so bad yourself - for a girl."
That did it. Jessi made a scoffing grimace, and began to walk away, for she was close to decking the potential victim she had just tried to save.
He regretted his words. "Wait. I'm Xander."
Jessi half smiled, refusing to let the blurb about her sex slide. "I'm Jessi. And you're welcome."
"For what??"
"Helping あなた out." Jessi projected from a widening distances as she continued to walk away.
"Wait. あなた wanna help me out? Have a cup of coffee with me." Jessi hesitated, but couldn't help but smile at the gutsy stranger. He was 6'2 to Jessi's calculations. It was dark, but she could tell the man took care of his body. His muscles were tracing under his short black leather zip up jacket. His form fitting dark denim jeans silhouetted his long slightly scrawny legs. She also recognized his shoes. She'd seen them in one of Lori's magazines weeks ago. Vintage Mens 70's ONITSUKA TIGER Sneakers 日本 10 Jessi thought. He was an overdue breath of fresh air.
****End of Chapter****