Chapter Thirty-Nine: Targeted for Love:

Jason and I ended spending the rest of the day together. He was so nice to me. I didn’t think I had seen him around before.

“Say, Jason,” I said.

“Yeah?” he asked.

“Where did you come from originally?” I asked. “If you don’t mind me asking.” I didn’t know why I asked that. Jason just put up his hands.

“Atlanta,” he said. I raised an eyebrow.

“That far?” I asked.

“I’m just here for the summer,” he said.

“I see,” I said, nodding. “There’s isn’t much to see here. It’s not New Orleans, you know?”

“I know,” Jason said. “But who said I wanted to go to New Orleans.” I gave him an odd look.

“Why would you want to come here?” I asked.

“Does there have to be a reason?” Jason asked.

“Uh…” I said. He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. My face burned red.

“What did you do that for?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I just thought you were really cute.” I couldn’t think of a response as my face turned redder.

I didn’t want to leave his side. Jason held my hand as we walked down to the arcade. (His idea, really. We didn’t really plan much after lunch.) He was kind and funny. I envied him for knowing more about the country than I did.

“You know something,” I said out of the blue. “I do want to go to Japan after all.” Jason turned his head.

“I heard it’s a really nice country,” he said. “One of the safest in the world.”

“Is that right?” I asked.

“Uh-huh,” he said. “Plus, they have so many interesting things there too.” I could just hear him talk all day. The best part of this date was there was no Miranda in sight. I couldn’t hear her talking or walking up behind me. For once, I could truly relax.

“Why do you keep looking over your shoulder like that?” Jason asked. I whipped my head around.

“Hm? Oh, it’s just an old habit,” I lied. “It’s a long and boring story.” He blinked at me for a bit. Oh no. Everything was going so well. Why did I have to say that?

“Is that right?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I mumbled. Too late to turn back now.

“Hum,” was all Jason said. We didn’t talk about this ever again. I was able to breath out as we kept walking. That was close. Don’t bring her up again. I made myself smile as I tried to think about something else. Good thing that lights and sounds of the arcade would be such a big help for that. The crowd of people would also be helpful too.

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“See you later!” Jason shouted at the end of pathway to my house. I smiled and waved at him.

“Bye!” I shouted. I couldn’t remember the last time I had that much fun. Jason had to show me how to play some of the games.

“You never played a video game before?” he asked. I shook my head.

“Just some computer games,” I admitted.

“Oh,” he said. I frowned.

“Is… that bad?” I asked. Jason laughed off my question.

“Not really,” he said. “Here, I will help you.”

“O… Okay,” I mumbled. It didn’t take me too long to get the hang of those classic video games. The shooting games were the best for me. Jason and I stayed at the arcade until closing time. After that, we just walked around town until it got dark.

I walked up to Victoria Manor. Maybe things could turn around for me. I had ever had a boyfriend before. I mean, there was Joe. But we barely talked to each other anymore. Plus, Addie kept warning me about him. She would probably approve of Jason once she met him.

My happy mood came to a screeching halt when I got closer to the house. Miranda stood at the door, frowning at me. My heart sank when she turned her eyes on me.

“Enjoy your little date?” she asked. My jaw dropped.

“Wait… How did you know?” I asked. Miranda snorted.

“You didn’t think I wouldn’t find out?” she asked. “I am part of you, remember?” I slowly backed away. I started shaking my head.

“No,” I said. “No. No.” Miranda glared at me.

“You betrayed me,” she hissed.

“I didn’t!” I said.

“Liar!” my former friend screamed. For once, the fear started to subside with rage. I clenched my fists at my sides.

“Why do you even care who I date?!” I asked. “You don’t own me!”

“Yes, I do!” she said.

“No!” I yelled. “I am done with the way you treat me! I’m tired of living in fear of you! I just want to live a normal life! I’m done with this! I am done with you!” Miranda growled at me but I wouldn’t let her get to me.

“You will regret this,” she hissed.

“Go ahead,” I said. “You can’t scare me anymore.” Miranda vanished into thin air. Soon, I would regret my act of bravado.