ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴡᴏ: ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ

                                    

                                          
To your surprise, you hadn't been pushed out of your group of friends. Most of them had been friends with Kelly longer than they had been with you so you had expected them to choose her over you. They stopped inviting her whenever they did something.
                          
Everyone agreed that she went too far, plus they noticed they had so much more fun when she wasn't around. There was no one to be a bitch to make herself look good.
                          
It took 2 weeks before you agreed to go out with them again, still too humiliated to look anyone in the eyes. 
                          
Ransom had tried to get you out of your apartment but failed every time. He swore to himself that if he ever saw that Trey guy again, he'd break his nose for making you cry.
                          
They invited you every time, telling you to take your time. Whenever you were ready, they'd be there waiting for you.
                          
Two weeks after the incident, Emma called you to tell you they were going to the fair. There's always one around this time of the year and they decided to all go. You had politely declined her invitation, again.
                          
"Don't worry about it. We all get it. We miss you though. We'll be meeting in front of the fair at 6:30 tomorrow night, if you change your mind. We can't wait to see you again. Especially Ransom. He's been a pain in the ass since you stopped showing up."
                          
You chuckled. "Isn't he always a pain in the ass?"
                          
"Believe it or not, it got worse." 
                          
''I'll do my best.'' You promised her.
                          
Then you went on to talk about her relationship with Jax. From the moment they met they were inseparable and you thought it was adorable. 
                          
When you got home the next day after work, you started thinking about going to meet them. Today's Friday, so if anything happens you'll be able to hide in your apartment until Monday. Emma said that everyone wants to see you, and Kelly is smart enough not to show up, especially not with Trey.
                          
You traded your work clothes for a pair of blue jeans, a white t-shirt and your leather jacket. It was finally cool enough outside for you to wear it. As you put on your shoes, you checked the clock on the wall to see that it was 6:10 pm. You have 20 minutes to get there and meet them at the front, otherwise you'll never be able to find them in the crowd. 
                          
You had decided to call a taxi instead of driving there, parking would most definitely be a bitch and you didn't feel like parking 10 streets away and having to walk for close to an hour just to get there. 
                          
The closer you got to the fair, the more anxious you felt. You took several deep breaths as the driver pulled up to the curb. You paid him and got out. The moment the door was closed, he was back on the road. Looks like you can't change your mind now. 
                          
Just like Emma had said, they were all waiting at the front at exactly 6:30. You loved having punctual friends. 
                          
You walked up to them quietly.
                          
''Ransom, you could at least wait until we're inside before you start bitching.'' Emma rolled her eyes. 
                          
You smiled, nothing seemed to have changed. 
                          
They all had your backs to you, hunched up over a small map of the fair to maximize their time there and try to do as many things as possible. 
                          
''I think the best way to start would be here.'' She pointed at the map. ''Which would be right over there.'' She turned around to point to the actual fair. 
                          
Emma's eyes widened when she saw you, a big grin on her face. You waved shyly at her. She pulled away from the group and quickly came to hug you, almost knocking the wind out of you.