(26): Lagoon Red

Those eyes! Those damn eyes. Where do I know them from? That green-grey color looks so damn familiar.

I can't stop thinking about it!

Ugh!

"Hi. I said I'm Jean" The lady with the very familiar eyes snaps me back to reality. She has the same exact ones as Theo and someone else who I just can't put my finger on.

I chuckle nervously "Oh, sorry I think I zoned out for a while there. I'm Chelsea. It's very nice to finally meet you"

"No worries" She smiles kindly.

She does kind of look like me, I'll admit. We have the same exact dirty blonde hair and something about our noses is similar too.

Nonetheless she is gorgeous. One of the most gorgeous women I have ever seen. Once again... she looks like someone I know and that someone is not me.

"Aunt Jean, is it okay if I stay here while Chelsea and Jacob go out" Chris sweetly asks looking up at the gorgeous woman.

We left the house after Lee arrived. She still remembered me and we had a short conversation. I did make sure that Chris bathed because apparently that's a thing. And now here we are... at the Forrest household.

"Why, off course you can Chris"

Chris looks up at me looking to ask the same question and I nod. I'm very sure he'd rather spend his time with Theo than Jake and I.

"It is okay, right?" I confirm with Jean.

She nods "Off course. Christian knows he's welcome here anytime. He's a daily visitor"

"Yeah I assume he must get bored being the only child" I chuckle, making light conversation.

"But not for long though" She smirks.

"I know. I only found out yesterday about it. Apparently they wanted to surprise me" I inform her.

She laughs "That's a very Josie thing to do"

Speaking of... why doesn't Josie like her? She is literally one of the sweetest women ever.

"Mama!" Comes the familiar little voice. He is in his father's arms reaching out to his mom and I'm guessing they come from the backyard. He looks so dirty causing me laugh.

"Hi angel" Jean coos taking her son into her own hands. "What were you and daddy doing out there?"

"He kept on eating the soil. Little animal" Monty informs his wife to which she shakes her head and laughs.

"Hey Monty" I greet.

"Hi older Chelsea" He greets back causing me to roll my eyes with a small smile because he keeps calling me that.

I eye Theo playing with Jean, completely disregarding my existence "You were right. When his mom is here he switches up on people"

"Yep. Just yesterday he was calling you mama and now he's acting like he doesn't even know you" Monty jokes agreeing with me "At least you know how it feels being betrayed by him"

"Unfortunately" I sigh dramatically.

Just then, the little betrayer looks directly at me and smiles widely. I can't help but smile back "Hi little guy"

"Ga-ga!" He excitedly cheers, saliva running down his chin.

At least now he knows I'm not his mama.

"Do you understand baby language?" Chris asks looking up at me and I shake my head "Me too"

Jean kisses him one more time before laying him on the floor and he immediately starts to crawl away energetically with Chris right behind him.

"You guys have the same exact eyes" I tell Jean.

"Yeah they're my moms" She smiles.

I just can't get over how familiar she looks though. Was she an actress at some point? I really doubt it. It's just... that face, those eyes. Everything! It's like I've seen it before.

"Jake will be down in a sec" Monty informs when he sees that I'm lost in my own world and not engaging in any conversation.

I clear my throat "Yeah..."

"So, Chelsea, how come I've never seen you around before?" Jean asks looking to stir the pot on the stove.

"Uhm I haven't visited in about three years"

"That's a long time" She breathes "Thats round about the same time that I came though so I can understand why we've never crossed roads"

"Babe. You know she's known Jake and I longer than you have?"

I snort "Mostly Jake. You used to be mean to me, Monty"

His wife slaps his head "Montgomery!"

"What? She was just a little child always with my brother" He excuses laughing "I didn't feel the need to speak to her"

"Are you the same age as Jake?" Jean asks and I nod "She was only six years older than you, idiot"

Oh... I'm guessing they're both 25. She looks my age though with how effortlessly beautiful she is.

"And I was in college with better things to do"

"So how'd you guys meet?" I decide to ask.

They both laugh and smile widely looking to reminisce, causing me coo at how freaking cute that is.

Jean then opens her mouth to speak "Actually. We met back in my old town. He was only visiting though. Long story short, it was supposed to be just a summer fling but there was just something about him"

Monty smirks smugly "I tend to have that effect on ladies"

She rolls her eyes "Anyways. I moved here with him, got married and had Theo and now here we are. Two ole' boring parents"

"She's boring. I'm not" Monty corrects causing his wife to hit his head again.

Sooo cute!

"I think you guys are far from boring" I laugh.

"You said the word 'boring' so I'm assuming you're speaking about Monty" Comes Jacob's teasing voice.

Jean sticks her tongue out at her husband "Who's boring now, loser?"

"Man, you're such a traitor" Monty mutters looking disappointed at his little brother. Who looks very cute by the way.

He is wearing a loose long-sleeve black T-shirt and some blue-washed jeans pairing them with a pair of black Converse shoes. His black hair is its usual neat mess. He smells really good too.

Swoon.

"Are you guys going on a date or something?"

I choke on my saliva at Jean's question "Uh no. Just two friends catching up"

"What she said" Jake says.

Jean just smirks humming "Well, you kids have fun then"

"I know that look" Jake notes "She doesn't believe us. Ask Monty, he'll tell you that we're just good friends"

"They're just good friends" Monty mimics causing his wife to be even more suspicious.

Jake sighs "Whatever. We're leaving"

Jake drags me with him as I hastily wave at the two parents "Bye Monty, bye Jean. It was very nice meeting you"

"Same. Come again soon" She shouts because we're already out the door.

"Ignore them" Jake says as he opens the car door for me and I enter "They think they're still teenagers"

I giggle "They're cute. I want to be like that with my future husband"

He enters on the driver's side and starts to drive away "Off course you do, Chels. Too bad you're too ugly to get a husband"

I scoff pushing his arm "Jerk"

"I'm just kidding, pretty girl" He laughs.

"Hey, Jean looks so familiar. Was she ever like an actress or on TV or something?"

He shrugs "I don't think so. We don't really know much about her past. She doesn't like to talk about it"

"Really?" I ask curiously.

"Maybe Monty does but he doesn't tell me"

This must be the 'shade' that Josie was talking about. Weird.

I decide not to dwell too much on the topic at hand "So where are you taking me? I wonder if I still remember this place clearly."

"Well I'm starving so we should probably get some food first" He says, his eyes focused on the road "Remember that place by the beach?"

I feel like I haven't been at one in forever.

My eyes shine "Uh. Lagoon Red? I loved that little diner!"

"Yep. We're going there"

I can't help but grin "I've missed their fries and burgers so much. I haven't tasted anything like them ever since"

"I'm glad you're excited" He chuckles glancing at me "I know they say girls love food but I didn't know they loved it this much"

"Best believe that food is a girls bestie"

"I though diamonds were" He mutters.

I snort "Not mine. Food is"

"So let's say it was birthday, you would want me to buy you food and not like a diamond necklace?" He asks curiously.

I shrug "I'd like both"

"Choose one, man" He urges.

"Okay... I'll admit, a diamond necklace would be really cool" I say "I could always buy my own food"

He laughs "Noted"

"You do still remember when my birthday is, right?" I ask skeptically.

He nods rolling his eyes "Duh. It was the same birthday as nana's"

Nana Forrest!

"Yeah! Where is she?" I ask in remembrance.

She used to be their legal guardian because their parents weren't around. But only now do I notice that she wasn't around the house the whole time. Its nothing too weird though.

Around the period that I stopped visiting, she was already in an old age home because Monty was old enough to look after himself and his younger brother.

"She passed away" He murmurs.

Oh my gosh!

"Jacob" I gasp sadly, a hand over my mouth "I didn't know. Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry"

He smiles tightly as his hands tighten on the steering wheel and I can see that this hurts him "It's okay. It was after the summer that you visited for the last time"

"Dad never told me" I murmur "Jake. I wish I was there for you. She was such a kind old lady"

"It's okay, Chels" He says "It just sucks that she never got to meet Theo or Jean. She has always wanted a grandson and a daughter-in-law"

I frown sadly "Sorry"

"Let's stop speaking about it now" He says "I'm okay, really"

"Okay" I murmur trying to think of something to lighten the mood .

"You're thinking of something to make me feel better, aren't you?" He asks glancing at me amused. How did he know?!

I nod sheepishly "Kind of"

"Don't worry, your presence is more than enough"

"Good" I grin.

***

"Jacob! I'm wearing freaking jeans" I protest to the boy who wants to go further into the water. My jeans are really rolled up as high as they can.

"Come on, don't be a pussy" He says a few feet in front of me. His jeans aren't as tight as mine so they go higher, plus he's taller.

I cross my arms "No! Come back here"

After our very long lunch at Lagoon Red, which was so freaking delicious by the way, we just walked around and spent some time in the stores nearby. We took so many pictures. Now it's almost five pm and we've decided to take a dip in the salty water.

"Okay fine" He grumbles as he walks his way back to where I'm standing. I grin when he's next to me "Happy now?"

"You know, you could've told me to bring my swim-suite" I tell him playing with the water.

"I didn't think we'd do this" He defends "Things are always spontaneous with you"

I grin "Yeah. That's how it always was"

"No shit. Summer's with you were always the best, Chels" He admits with a small smile.

"I know. It really sucked after I stopped coming" I mutter sadly, looking at the sun setting.

"Why did you?"

I shrug "Dad stopped calling and asking me to so I assumed he didn't want me to come anymore. Plus, Josie got a little too much for me"

"Oh... sorry" He mutters.

"But now I'm here" I grin making the mood lighter as I look at him.

He grins back "You are"

"I'm with my best friend!" I shout dramatically into the beach.

I expect him to laugh but I see a frown on his face when I look at him "Chels..."

"What wrong?" I ask softly.

He sighs, fiddling with his hands before looking at me "You know I love you, right?"

What?

"Yeah. I also love you" I reply slowly, unsure of where this conversation is going.

"No. I mean I love you. Like I'm in love with you, Chelsea" He says shakingly "I have been since I was freaking ten"

My lips go dry and my heart beats faster.

This is not happening.

"What are you talking about?" I breathe shocked, my body shaking slightly.

"Don't act like you don't know"

"I thought it was just a silly crush. I also had one on you. I didn't know you were like, in love with me, Jacob" I admit after finding my voice.

He sighs "Well I am"

"Jake... why are only telling me now?"

"I was going to tell you, Chelsea, I really was but you never came. There's so much I wanted to say to you that summer. So much I was ready to say but I never got the chance"

I shake my head, not knowing what to say "It's not that summer anymore"

"So, what?" He asks desperately.

"I just..." I stutter "Maybe things would've been different it was. I think they would've been because I really did feel something for you back then. Maybe I would've had a happier reaction"

It's true.

"So you're not happy?"

"I don't know what you want me to say"

"What do you mean? I'm just asking whether you're happy or not"

I sigh "I don't know how to feel"

"So the feeling is not mutual?"

"Jacob. I haven't seen you in freaking three years and now you drop this bomb on me after no signs whatsoever. I'm the one who kissed you, right? You didn't kiss me first. Maybe if you did, I would've had a clue but I'm literally blind-sided by this"

He sighs, his face tense "It's fine, Chels. I just wanted to get it off my chest. You probably have multiple other guys in love with you"

"Jake" I frown.

"I wasn't, like, expecting anything. We can still be friends. That's actually what I want" He says but I can tell that he doesn't mean it.

"Are you sure?" I murmur.

He nods tightly "Yep. No problem"

"I'm leaving tomorrow and I don't want to leave with things weird between us. This has been one of the best weekends of my life with you. I want you to know that"

"This has been one of the best weekends for me too" He says looking away from me.

This is hurting me.

I force him into a hug and luckily he hugs me back and also kisses my forehead in the process "Thank you for telling me, Jake."

"Okay" He murmurs against my hair.

"Can we go now? My feet are kind of freezing" I admit causing him to laugh. Only God knows how much I appreciate that little laugh.

"Let's go" He pulls away and I follow him.

Oh my gosh. Did that really just happen?

I can't help but think how different things would've been if he told me this three years ago. Everything's changed since then... including my feelings for him. Whatever they were.

It sucks.

***

Did you guys like Jacob? 🤗

He'll be gone for a while but I promise this is not the last you'll hear from him.

Did you also like all the new characters?

Theo? Jean? Monty? Chris? Josie? Dad Lewis?

Who was your favv?

Comment and click on the star.

xoxoxoxo. ❤️