Awkward

Chapter 26

“I want to get to my house in one piece, Ash.” I chuckled, she pulled away and grinned at me widely

“I know, I’m sorry!” she exclaimed “I’m just so excited to see you!” she said as she pulled me into a hug again “I missed you so much!”

“I missed you too.” I said softly as I hugged her even tighter 

“What? No one missed me?” I heard a voice behind us, I turned around and laughed at Jase’s expression. Ashleyy laughed loudly as she ran over to him and hugged him tightly also, I heard him laugh at something she had said, so I just shook my head lightly as I made my way towards my front door, I opened it and glanced around seeing that the living room was empty, but I heard voices in the kitchen.

“Mom?” I said “Dad?” The voices stopped and I saw my parents poke their heads out from the kitchen door, they gasped as they ran over towards me and hugged me tightly also

“I’m really starting to reconsider this whole college thing.” my dad said once we had pulled away, I chuckled

“Dad!” I whined and he chuckled as he hugged me again 

“You both must be starving!” my mom exclaimed once Jase and Ashley had made their way inside “Dinner is almost ready, and you can all tell us how it’s going in college!” she added as the five of us made out way towards the kitchen, I froze when I saw Chase’s parents. This was so awkward. I greeted Ashley and Jase’s parents first and then I made my way towards them, they greeted me with warm smiles and his mom hugged me, I was shocked, but I returned the hug. Once we pulled away, I glanced at Ashley who just shrugged as I made my way towards him

“His flight is delayed.” she told me “He’ll be here soon.” 

*****

“Dinner’s ready!” My mom exclaimed from the kitchen, I was about to go help them bring the stuff over, but the doorbell rang “Ava, honey? Can you get the door?!”

“Yeah!” I said as I made my way towards it, I grabbed the handle and opened it, I nearly stumbled backwards at the sight of the person in front of me. There he was, the guy who’s heart I broke 4 months ago. The guy who gave me my first kiss, took me on my first date. The first guy I’d ever fallen in love with. “C-Chase!” I breathed, his expression was unreadable. His gaze was flooded with emotions I couldn’t decipher. 

“Hi.” he whispered, barely audible “H-How’ve you been?” he stuttered as he scratched the back of his neck 

“Great.” I chirped. Why were we so awkward?! “You?”

“Fine.” he added with a nervous chuckle “Are uh… my parents here?” he asked and I nodded as I stepped aside since he was still standing at the door, I pointed towards the kitchen 

“Everyone’s in the kitchen.” I answered and he nodded as he started making his way towards the kitchen, I followed behind him and he stopped at the entrance 

“After you.” he said, I nodded softly as I entered, with him trailing behind me 

“Chase!” Jase exclaimed loudly as he tackled him to the ground, they both laughed loudly as they played around, the parents stared at them with amused smiles on their faces. It really was endearing. I joined Ashley’s side and sighed nervously.

“Are you okay?” she whispered as she gripped my arm “Really.” she added seriously

“I think so.” I whispered as I looked back at the boys who were now standing up, still laughing. Chase saw Ashley and immediately made his way towards her and hugged her tightly, picking her up and spinning her around. I felt like someone had punched me in the gut, I knew what they had was nowhere hear romantic. But it still stung that we probably would never be like that again.