♡
December 26, 1992
After she finished packing, Ava took a much-needed nap on her bed. Tucked under the duvet, she tried to find a comfortable position. The loud ringing by her bed jolted her awake. Thinking nothing of it, she reached behind her to answer it.
"Hello?" her voice laced with tiredness.
"B-Baby?" said a familiar voice.
Immediately, she sat up on her bed and spoke again not expecting it to be him.
"Jordan?"
"Yeah it's me" he confirmed.
"How have you been sweetheart?" he added his voice small.
"Been good. How have you been?" she replied.
"G-Great" he answered.
"I-I miss you" he said his voice wobbly.
Ava noticed this. Her eyebrows furrowed as she trying to figure out what to say next.
"I miss you too".
"It's not the same without you here" he said his voice soft.
"Jordan, I am coming back" she reminded.
"I know but when?" he questioned his voice cracking.
"I don't know exactly when" she lied trying to sound convincing.
"I wish you were here" he muttered.
"I'll be there. Jordan are you ok? You sound worried" she asked softly.
"Yes I am. I just miss you. Need to feel you". There was longing in his voice.
She shuddered when he said this.
"I love you" she told him as a tear streamed down her cheek.
Ava didn't know why, but she felt like he needed to hear this. And she felt like she needed to tell him.
"I love you more" he responded sounding needy.
"I have to go now. Take care sweetheart".
Before she could say anything else, he hung up.
'That's weird' she thought as she placed the phone back in its place.
'What's going on with Jordan?'
♡
The following week ;
Her flight was 2 days before new years. Her godparents took her to breakfast before taking her to the airport. They cried and hugged her tight assuring her that she was welcome to come back any time. She thanked them and cried along. Knowing that the doors were always open for her. The flight back to Boston was bittersweet.
Boston MA; 1992
♡
Her stepfather picked her up at the airport. It was about midday when her plane landed. Ava was very jetlagged from flying and fell asleep on the way back home. Her mother greeted her at the front door, took her bags and allowed her to go to her room to rest.
Ava slept for a couple of hours and woke up before 9 pm. The aroma of sweet bread and coffee lingered in the air. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she got up from the bed and opened the door. She walked downstairs to see her parents sitting at the dining table.
"Hey sweetie, did you sleep well?" her mother said as she stood up to pour Ava coffee.
"Yeah, a little" Ava responded her voice still laced with sleep.
"How was your time with your godparents?" her mother added placing her coffee in front of her.
"It was nice. I missed them so much".
"Did you want to stay over there?" her stepfather interrupted.
"It would've been nice to. But I did miss Boston" she answered.
"You know if there is ever a time or a situation where you want to move back. You can" he responded in a genuine tone.
"We just want you to be happy" her mother added.
"But I am happy. Moving here, was better than I ever expected it to be" Ava admitted.
"You're so mature, Ava. You've been nothing but understanding with us. We're so proud of you" Wilbert said and she smiled.
"So sweetie, do you have any plans for new years eve?" Her mother asked with a grin.
"A party with friends" Ava answered.
"Oh! How fun! Is Jordan going?" Ana responded.
"Yes but he doesn't know that I am".
♡
December 31, 1992; New Years Eve
Ava finished getting ready for the party. None of the other guys knew that she was back from LA, besides Joey. Her heart hammered in her chest knowing that she'd see Jordan again. She was both skittish at the thought of being in his arms again. Holding him and making sure that he's alright.
Her nimble fingers tied the gold ribbon across the gift that she had bought for Joey. It was also his birthday of course. She smiled hoping that he'd love it. Applying the finishing touches to her makeup. She looked at herself in the mirror content with the results. She wore a casual yet stylish outfit. High waisted blue jeans and black long sleeve with silver heart shaped buttons. Her hair left untouched but fresh loose curls reached the small of her back. She also wore short black boots and accessorized with small silver hoops. Joey was going to pick her up in a bit so that they can head over to Donnie's.
♡
He arrived within about 45 minutes and pulled Ava in for a hug.
"So glad you made it" he spoke as he pulled away.
"Thanks, Joey" she responded and smiled.
"Oh! , I got you this" she added while getting the wrapped object from her bag.
"Aw, you remembered," he said as he grinned and took it from her.
"Of course I did. I hope you like it" she replied.
He tore open the gift and his eyes beamed with excitement when he realized that it was a classic record.
"Frank Sinatra! How did you know?".
"I remember you talked to me about how much you loved his music and whatnot" she recalled and smiled brightly.
"This is so sweet! Thank you so much. But you didn't have to" Joey spoke.
"Don't start with that. Just enjoy your gift. I picked it out with love" she said as she ruffled his curly hair.
♡
The party was already packed and it was barely 9 pm. 3 more hours until midnight.
"Aren't we early?" She pointed out as she looked at the watch on her wrist.
" Yeah, a couple of hours early" Joey agreed as he bit his bottom lip.
"Jordan can't see me" she recalled.
"That is true. But you know what- , let me see if he's actually here" Joey said as he got out of the car and left her for a moment.
Danny just happened to walk by and he asked him of Jordan's whereabouts.
"Hey Danny, have you seen J?".
"Nah man, I don't think he's here yet" Danny answered and shrugged.
"Are you sure?" Joey added.
"Yes man I'm sure" Danny responded.
Joey took his word for it and walked back to Ava.
"Coast is clear. Jordan is not here" he informed.
"I don't know Joey. I'm scared he might see me. What if the rest of the guys tell him I'm here. It would ruin the surprise " she spoke and shrugged.
"Oh yeah huh" he agreed.
"Wanna do what we did for his birthday?" he suggested and she nodded.
"I could go for some ice cream actually" she said and chuckled.
"I was thinking of getting hot chocolate. We could sit down at the coffee shop and have a chat. And get here before midnight" he suggested.
"Even better idea" she agreed and smiled.
Joey thought nothing of it and decided to not notify anybody of his whereabouts.
♡
Coffee shop;
It was 10:30 pm when they arrived at the shop. Few people were there including an elderly couple and a mother with her child. Joey politely suggested that she'd select a table and went to order for them.
Ava was left sitting on the quiet booth next to the medium-sized window. The small upside down dome-shaped lamp hanging above her head provided comfortable lighting. She looked out the window, enjoying the sight of the lonesome streets. She looked down at the beautiful gem on her left forefinger. Getting immense butterflies when she remembered how it got onto her hand.
Her thoughts interrupted when Joey came back with their drinks. His eyes widened when he saw what she was toying with.
" Woah, that's a pretty ring" he complimented as he sat down in front of her.
" Thank you" she responded and smiled shyly.
" D-Did J give that to you?" He asked.
She nodded.
"Oh my gosh wow, that's really something " he replied and winked.
"I guess he loves me" she spoke in a modest tone and shrugged.
"You guess??" He repeated and shook his head.
" Ava he loves you like a fool".
"I hope so" she admitted still feeling somewhat insecure of herself.
Something in the back of her mind, wouldn't leave her alone.
♡
11 pm rolled around and they were just about done having a lovely conversation. Joey suggested that they'd leave in order to make it on time for the countdown.
On the way back, they joked around and talked about a lot of stuff. Joey made her genuinely laugh and smile. She was truly thankful to have met him as soon as she moved to Boston.
♡
About 40 minutes later, they got back to the party. It was still quite packed and it seemed as if about half of the crowd was intoxicated. They were immediately greeted by Danny and Donnie.
"No way! Ava, you're here" Donnie cheered and pulled her in for a hug.
"Yeah hi Donnie" she responded and smiled.
"It's nice to see you. We thought you were in California for the holidays" Danny added as he too hugged her.
"Yeah, well I'm here now" she responded as she pulled away.
"Does Jordan know you're here?" Donnie asked and she shook her head.
"It's a surprise so can you guys please not tell him?" she asked politely.
"Of course not, we won't spoil the surprise" Donnie assured and smiled at her.
Jon approached them and grinned when he saw Ava.
"Hey, you! , I didn't know you would be here" he greeted pulling her in for a hug.
"It's a surprise for Jordan. So can you stall him, there are about 10 minutes till midnight" Joey said while looking at the watch he wore on his wrist.
"Aww" echoed around the each of the guys as they realized what they wanted to plan.
"First kiss all over again" Jon said she blushed and nodded.
"Okay, I'll see if I can find him. I saw him when he came but lost him" Jon said.
"Ava, you can stay somewhere in the back and we'll let you know when he's here" Donnie said to her and she nodded.
♡
Midnight was nearing as everybody was piling into the middle of the room. Many were pouring drinks and others already had drinks. Getting ready for the countdown. Even with the loud music, Ava could hear her heart hammering in her chest. Joey was currently standing by her side hyping her up. He knew how much she missed Jordan.
It begins.
'10!'
'9!'
Ava felt a nudge on her side. It was Joey trying to get her attention. He had spotted Jordan emerge from nowhere, with somebody clinging onto his arm. He assumed that it was a person trying to maneuver their way around. Without thinking, he pointed out Jordan to her and her eyes beamed with joy. Joey didn't have to tell her anything and slowly made her way towards him.
"8!"
"7!"
"6!"
"5!"
"4!"
"3!"
"2!"
She stopped dead in her tracks.
"1!"
"Happy New Year!!"
Ava hoped that her eyes were deceiving her. What she was seeing could not be real. A girl had her arms wrapped around Jordan's neck with their lips locked. His hands were firmly planted on her waist, pulling her impossibly close to his body. The girl wove her hands into his hair as he kissed her silly. Playfully nipping her and then kissing her deeply again. She giggled into the kiss making him smile. They appeared to be drunk off each other. Without a care in the world of what or who could be watching them.
But she was still giving it the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, he pulled away enough for her to recognize his face. It was definitely him. The ground beneath her collapsed. The air didn't seem to reach her lungs enough to breathe. Shock coursed through her whole body. It was a sinking feeling, one that she could not explain. Ava felt like an intruder as if she wasn't meant to be there. As if she needed to give them their privacy. A storm of tears threatened to spill out of her eyes. They had become brick red from anger flashing inside them. Ava analyzed the way he held her face with such tenderness. She noticed her reactions to his touch.
Her bottom lip quivered she bit it hard to stifle the sob that was bound to escape. But she could tear away, it was like she wanted to stay a little longer to brand this in her mind. In to her heart. Make it hurt enough to hate him if that was possible. Because that was by means, the only way she was going to get over this.
Standing there dumbfounded, she could feel somebody tugging her arm. It was Joey.
"C' mon" he spoke gently pulling her away from this heartwrenching scene.
Ava snapped back to reality, reacting quick and tore off the promise ring on her finger. She placed it in his hand and booked it.
Donnie and Danny watched in horror as she tried to move passed everybody. Tears streaming down her cheeks. Not caring if she was making a scene or not, Ava pushed through the crowd of people.
In her state of panic, she couldn't think. Her legs felt heavy trying to carry their weight. Finding her escape. Adrenaline coursing through her veins, with the motive of getting out of there and fast. She felt nauseated and her mind was hazy. It was as if every step she took, the front door seemed to be moving farther and farther away.
Some of the guests saw everything, the guys all saw how it went down. The guys shook their heads, feeling bad for what just happened. They worried about Ava and where she was heading because she did find her escape.
As for Jordan, he did see her. He froze in place seeing the hurt he had induced.
Don't hate me please haha :(