Delicate Hearts

Chapter 23: Fighting for Love

Copyright 2014 © Rosesareforever

Delicate Hearts

Chapter 23

'Fighting for Love'

Weeks passed by, Jasmine’s feeling of loss and deception ebbing away ever so slowly. Lucas and Jasmine had gotten to the point where they could be civil around each other, but they were nowhere close to solving the massive amount of issues spiraling between them. Jasmine still felt betrayed after Lucas carelessly kissed another women when they hit a bumpy road on their path to a healthy relationship. The pain was too raw and too deep to be overcome with just a few words of regret and a declaration of love. Jasmine needed more, more time, more proof Lucas truly loved her. She needed actions, not statements.

After all the secrets she discovered in the past few months, Jasmine hoped life would finally give her a break, but she seemed to be out of luck yet again. Her mind desperately needed rest, but she couldn’t stop the wheels from endlessly spinning inside of her head, looking for answers she would probably never find. There was only one thing left for Jasmine to do: leave the past behind and move forward with her life, forgetting about the pain and secrets. If only it was that easy to just live in the here and now. Jasmine didn’t know how to move on, how to accept the past and leave it be.

“Honey? Could you come to the kitchen for a moment?” Gabriella called out. A small smile crossed Jasmine’s lips. Gabriella and she had grown a lot closer over the past weeks. It almost felt like Jasmine had a part of her grandma back. The way Gabriella obviously cared for her, it reminded Jasmine of a time she wasn’t all alone, a time where someone took care of her instead of letting her fend for herself.

Jasmine knew it was her who’d held Gabriella back, who’d pushed her away every time she’d come an inch closer. She’d been so afraid to love again, she’d kept Gabriella at arm’s length and constantly reminded her she didn’t want to bond. That had changed. Jasmine did want to bond, she needed to bond with her new family and friends. She’d finally fully accepted her grandma was never coming back.

It was still hard to open herself up to people, but it seemed to become easier and easier the more people she let into her life. One day, hopefully in the near future, all of this would seem like an ancient memory, something she could barely remember.

“It’s time you start applying for colleges before it’s too late, sweetheart. Frank and I selected a few colleges nearby that could be interesting,” Gabriella explained as Jasmine walked into the kitchen and pulled a chair back. “I know you haven’t decided what you want to study yet, but there’s still time. First we need to figure out which college you want to get into.”

Jasmine smiled as she watched Gabriella browse through a few college brochures. A few days ago they’d decided together that Jasmine would stay in California for as long as she wanted and start the hunt to find the right college. She knew Gabriella wouldn’t stop her if she decided to quit school, but her godmother secretly prayed Jasmine would go for a college degree. Jasmine also knew how important education was to Gabriella and Frank.

“I want to go to the same college as Lucas,” Jasmine suddenly stated. They still hadn’t properly made up, but she knew she couldn’t stay mad at him forever. In her heart she’d already forgiven him. It was her mind that kept her back, the logical part that needed confirmation he did truly love her before giving him a second chance.

“Oh,” Gabriella mumbled surprised. “Have you two finally made up?” Jasmine hadn’t told her godmother exactly what happened, but Gabriella knew Lucas and she had a serious fight. She’d even tried to talk to the both of them in the hope they’d resolve whatever was going on between them. Gabriella had obviously come to terms with the fact that her goddaughter had fallen in love with her son.