I Choose You by Kemi Adejumo (classic novels for teens txt) 📗

“Ok bestie. Get well soon so that we can have the vacation that we have been planning for “ I smiled at her and nodded my head.

“Alright guys,let’s go!! ” Jake screamed out of excitement as we all headed to the door.

When we got on the ship, Jake and Luke   Immediately took off their clothes leaving them in only shorts and they jumped into the water. The girls took off their clothes leaving them in their sexy swim wear. They all looked sexy and I won’t lie, my friends are my biggest hype. If I am not very beautiful and rich, at least I have friends that are.  

The ship staff prepared a table full of red wine and snacks. I sat down by the table, put a chocolate coated strawberry in my mouth and watched the girls jump in the water at the same time. They were having fun and I was tempted to join them but my head still felt woozy. I shouldn’t have drank or slept at the balcony. Surprisingly, there was cold last night which is really weird because it is summer.

“Want to join the fun?” Christian said as he sat beside me. He also didn’t remove his clothes.

“I want to but I feel terrible “ I said and he gave me a toothy grin.

“I already told you to never drink” he chuckled

“Then why did you make me drink last night?”  I frowned

“Because we are on vacation” he said and I rolled my eyes.

“Why are you not joining them?” I asked and he smiled at me .

“Because I don’t want to leave you all alone”

“C’mon Christian, I am fine. You should be  having fun with your fiancé right now “

“But I planned this vacation with you not her” he said and I stared at him shocked. He shouldn’t be saying stuffs like this.

“You know when you talk  like that, you make me feel like I am so important to you than just a friend “ i said while matching his eyes.

“That’s because you are” he replied and my heart accelerated

“Christian…” I tried to counter him but he cut me off.

“No Jess, it seems you don’t realize how much you mean to me.” He took my palms into his “If we were both dying and there is one cure left, I will give it to you. That is how much you mean to me. You are the most important and if I can’t live with you in my life, I’d rather not live at all”  he continued and my eyes glazed with tears. “You mean everything to me Jess. And yea you are more than just a friend. You are my ….” Before he could say that word that hurts me the most and makes everything else he said feel like a lie, I cut him off.

“What about Evelyn?”

“What?”

“What about Evelyn? If you, me and her were sick and you have the last cure left, who would you give it to? “ I asked boldly. I just  wanted some answers and maybe…. Closure.  

I can tell that he was shocked by my question.  I can see the mixed feelings and the fact that it’s been ten seconds and he still hasn’t answered. I wanted him to say something, I needed anything. But I knew better. Of course, how will you ask a man to pick his friend over his lover.

“Jess I ….” Before he could say anything, a voice interrupted.

“Babe”  it was Evelyn “Are you not joining ?“  she asked.

“Uhm” he could not reply and I know that I put him in a very weird position so I did what was best in the situation…. I started laughing.

“Hahaha, Gosh look at your face Chris. I was only joking. I’d never put you in that situation. Come on, you looked confused for a minute. “ I watched the confusion in his eyes disappear and was replaced with relief. “You should join the others. I can’t have fun yet but I want you guys to have fun “

“Are you sure you will be fine by yourself?”

“Yes, I will just watch you guys. Go” I smiled a fake smile but was very cautious. Most of the time Christian can tell if I am pretending. He stared into my eyes for awhile trying to tell if I am okay with him leaving.

“Okay I will go but if you are feeling bored, just call me immediately. “ He looked at the table of snacks “Also don’t eat the açaí bowl , there is pineapple in it “ he explained to me like he is my Dad. He knows I am allergic. I nodded and gave him a sweet smile. He nodded back and went to join the others.

Immediately he left the table, the smile on my face vanished. I wish he answered my question. At least something to stop me from guessing and creating scenarios that I know could never happen. I watched them having all kinds of fun and laughing. I don’t want to ruin my friends happiness but I can tell that they are in a different period of life as me. They are all happy, getting everything they want and I can’t lie to myself that it’s the same for me. It’s the complete opposite.

“You were smiling when he was here and the second he left, you became sad” a voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked up and it’s the sailor. He is a good looking guy who seemed to be in his mid twenties. Looks too young for a sailor but not impossible.