"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." –Semisonic, Closing Time

Chapter 20:

21 days, 7 hours and 35 minutes.

All I did was lie on my bed, stare at ceiling and pity myself together with a pint of milk and cookies ice cream, the same flavour Chris got for me when we went to that damn 'friendly date'.

I screwed my eyes shut. How can I forget about him, if everything seems to remind me of the guy who consistently breaks my heart?

"Fuck you, Chris." I said to myself, before feeding myself a spoonful of ice cream.

"I hate you. I hate everything about you." I screamed "I hate that I can't even hate you."

I lazily stood up to fetch myself another pint of ice cream only to realize that I'm out of stock. I exasperatedly sigh before I reached for my phone and decided to dial Steph's number.

"Hey, Steph!" I said as soon as she answered, "Do you think you may buy me another pint of ice cream."

"But, Clary you—," she started, I already know what is coming, she's gonna give me that lecture about moving on, living my life and forgetting about him, trust me I heard enough. It's easier said than done.

"Please," I cut her off before she can even start with her oration.

I heard her sigh on the other line, "Fine, but this will be the last time, okay?"

"Thanks." I told her, hanging up before she can even change her mind.

I swear Ben and Jerry's should've gave me a discount cars for all the ice cream I bought three weeks straight.

I went back to bed immediately, craving the comfort of the duvet that's been with me since my heart's been shredded to pieces.

Just as I was about to get myself comfortable, a knock on my door interrupted my oh-so wonderful moment.

Well, that was fast for Steph to get me my ice cream; nevertheless, I eagerly stood up and made my way to the door, the thought of my ice cream excites my whole being.

"Steph, I really appreciate all of—," I said as I opened the door but I immediately cut myself off when it's isn't Steph who is standing at the other side.

"Why is your voice like that?" Kevin asked "Have you been smoking crack?"

I scowled at him, my voice may be hoarse because of the endless ice cream binge.

"You look like you've been ran by a freight train," Sarah said, scrunching her nose

This twin really knows how to make their broken hearted cousin better.

Sarah didn't wait for my invitation, instead she walked pass me with her twin brother in tow. She took her time analysing my hotel room.

"And, hell did a hurricane paid you a visit?" she added, making me roll my eyes.

I pouted at her, sitting on my bed again "If you didn't bring ice cream, just leave me alone."

"It's funny that you thought that I'm gonna bring you ice cream and those mushy movies to help you pity yourself," Sarah said "That's cute."

"Now, get you sweet ass on the shower." She demanded

"Ugh, why?" I demanded

"Do it before I shower you by myself." She said again, making me send a helpless look to Kevin but today I guess he's in his sister's side.

I stayed frozen at my seat, Sarah gave Kevin a look and the next thing I knew is that he is now carrying me towards the bathroom.

"Okay, fine." I finally said

I got out of the bathroom wearing the outfit Sarah chose for me a while ago. I stared at my reflection and fro once in those three weeks I think I look decent.

"Look the caveman turned into a princess." Kevin said in an amused tone.

"Here, it'll help your throat." Sarah said giving me a candy, she's a big fan of Chinese herbal medications and by the wrapper I'll say that she bought this from her few trips to China town.

"Now that I did what you want, can I go back to bed now?" I asked them

"Not so fast, honey." Sarah said "Why do you think we are here?"

I shrugged, "I dunno, to annoy the shit out of me?"

"That's one reason." Kevin admitted

"But no," Sarah said "It's because we're taking you out."

I pointed at myself, "Do you think I'm at the state of going out?"

"Clary, you need to continue with your life," Sarah said, "I gave you enough time, I would've gone here a week ago y'know."

"Fine," I told her, "as long as you'll get me ice cream."

Sarah beamed at me, "Deal."

They both dragged me to Kevin's car before I can even complain.

I tried hard not to look at the sceneries outside, to avoid my thought to drift to Chris coz at the moment the whole city of San Francisco reminds me of him.

Kevin started driving in a more crowded place, only for me to realise that these people are in line and before me stood a football stadium.

I eyed the stadium as we got of the car until I averted my gaze at Kevin, "If you wanted me to get over him, you shouldn't have brought me in a stadium, especially in a game."

"But we used to do this together before," he defended "like the old times."

I sighed as I fall in line behind an overly excited Kevin, I then turned to Sarah.

"And I thought you didn't enjoy this." I implied

She shrugged, "No, but I'm here for you."

Even how hard she tried to be discreet, I still noticed the mischievous glint in her eyes, leaving me to wonder about what Sarah has in mind today.

After a long wait, we are finally situated at the bleachers.

"So who are playing?" I asked Kevin who is sitting beside me, as Sarah bought some snacks for us.

He just smiled at me.

"Oh c'mon Kevs, you wouldn't buy tickets if you don't know who are playing." I told him

"This is San Francisco, Clary." He said "Of course, the 49ers are playing."

"Against who?" I asked

"New York Giants," he simply stated, while I nearly fell from my seat upon hearing Chris' team

"Are you okay?" he asked

I glared at him, "You do know that it's his team?"

Kevin's eyes widened and raised his hand in mock surrender, "Clary, I swear I didn't. I thought it was New York Jets." He defended "Plus, I didn't buy the tickets, Sarah did."

Right on cue, Sarah arrived with our foods; I waited for her to sit down before I confronted her.

"Did you know, it's Chris' team who's playing today?" I asked

She wants to say no, yet her eyes say otherwise. "I don't want to see you in pain anymore," she sighs "I don't want you to be the way you are in those three weeks."

I don't get it, if I see Chris today it's gonna be more painful.

Though when the game was about to start, players from both team started to go out to the field.

Chris is the first one to emerge; I feel the longing to be with him again, a pinch of happiness went throughout my body.

I caught a great view of his face as they showed a close up of each player in the Jumbotron, he was still the handsome guy but he looks like he haven't been sleeping for days.

Sarah and Kevin simultaneously checked on me to see how I am doing.

"Let's just enjoy the game, yeah?" I told them and we all looked back to the field.

Its past halftime and the 49ers are leading; even someone clueless about football could say that Chris' performance is well—shitty. The ball keeps slipping from his hand, his passes aren't that good and it's pretty obvious that his head isn't in the game.

One more shitty performance and I swear I'm gonna lose it. As if I jinxed it, he was supposed to run the ball but hell it 'slipped' again. That's it, I groaned in frustration before I stood up.

"Where are you going?" Kevin immediately asked holding me by my shirt so I can't go any further.

"I'm gonna teach him how to play." I simply stated, preparing to stand up.

"But Clary you don't know how to play." Sarah told me

"Yes, but I do know that he is supposed to hand the ball to his teammates not to the opponent." I said, before I make my way down to the bleachers, in attempt to go near the field.

I ran to where their benches at as they were in the midst of a timeout. I found Chris cradling his head in frustration.

"Chris!" I called for his attention.

Upon the recognition of my voice, he started looking for me, his eyes widening in surprise as he spotted me.

"What the hell are you doing?" I yelled, "You're supposed to be making the team win not the other way around, idiot. Now focus and play like a pro."

Timeout was over before he can even question my presence. I went back to my seat, satisfied by the effect of my pep talk.

"Guess all he need is inspiration." Sarah smirked as I smiled to myself.

I watched Chris running with the ball and scoring a touchdown afterwards. That's more like it.

When the last quarter came the Giants are already leading, everything falls perfectly into pieces and they won with a score of 27-30, overall it was a good game.

I stood up in my seat watching the team celebrate their victory down the field, I was about to head out of the stadium but Kevin's hands are faster than me.

"Where do you think you're going?" he asked

"Home," I said "He's already happy; I don't want to ruin it."

"Look Clary, you're not going to ruin it, you're gonna make him happier." Kevin said "Plus you already showed yourself, he'll be disappointed if you don't stop by to congratulate."

I looked at Sarah; she's also urging me to do the same. "Clary, I sacrificed half of my rent for this," she said "Now go get your man."

With one last smile, I made my way down to the field again as fast as I could without the wind blowing my skirt up.

I reached the gate of the fence, but there's a guy guarding it. Huh, as if that's gonna stop me.

"Hey, can I please pass?" I asked him, making him look at me funny. "Please, I just need to talk to Chris."

He rolled his eyes, "Oh, you're one of those die-hard fan," he said "Sorry to burst your happy bubble but this isn't the movies, so no."

Uh, excuse me! "Please, it's really important."

"I heard that a million of times before," he chuckled.

After minutes, he's still not budging and I'm slowly losing my chance.

"Give up, little girl." He laughed

Okay, that's it, time to do this the Clarissa Humphrey way. "Hey, what's that for?" I asked, pointing at literally nothing but he fell for it and looked at the direction I'm pointing at.

I wasted no time, I hoisted myself up in the barrier and swing my feet to the other side. I gracefully landed on my foot and removed the crease at the back of my skirt.

"You sneaky girl." The guy bellowed as I make a run for it.

I made a beeline at Chris' direction, the guy hot on my heels. Did I tell you that I'm a lousy runner? No, then now you know.

"Chris!" I called, making him look at my direction.

His face broke into a smile when he saw me, but when he saw who's chasing me he was uncontrollably laughing. I crashed at his opened arms as I reached him.

"Damn, that was exhausting." I said "How can you run like that the whole game?"

"Well, Clary for starters we have strong body instead of a small figure." he laughs, making me realized just how much I missed him.

I tried to look like as if he offended me before I started hitting him repeatedly on the chest, which I doubt will hurt him since he was still in his gear minus the helmet.

"You can't just act that way after you left me three weeks ago," I told him "I hate you."

He sighed before he calmed me down, "Clary, I—"

"Little girl, you can't be here, I'll escort you—," the guy said cutting Chris off

Chris groaned in frustration and snapped his head to the guy, "Dude just leave her be," he said "I'm not gonna gain this confidence again so please don't kill the mood."

The guy cowered back taking a few steps away from us.

He looked down and sighed before making eye contact again, "I'm stupid, I'm a coward, I'm such a jerk" he started making me nod in agreement, "I know I don't deserve you, but I am selfish and I love you."

"The hardest thing I've ever did is walk away while I know deep inside that I love you," he continued "So after that night at the reunion, I went out with Sandy, I figured it'll stir up rumours and Dilton will find a way to make it all right, I already got in a flight so I can make it in time, and I'm right, in a matter of hours he already set up a date, I was gonna see you again and set things right."

"But for the record, I was a pussy again." He chuckled, "I tried to act like I didn't care but it made me miss you more. I realized that it was stupid so I tried to make it up to you on the date."

"You're so stupid." I said, burying my head on his chest.

"Then after the premiere, everything was a mess and I decided to make another stupid choice."

"Because you are a big baby chicken," I laughed at him making him scowl but he joined me in laughing anyway.

"I missed you though, so so much." He said, shaking his head at his cheesiness making me laugh.

"I always thought that you can't be fixed by the one who broke you." He whispered lowly

"I would tell you to think again," I said "but it's obvious that you don't think at all."

He gave me an offended look.

"It's fine if you slap me, I probably deserve it." He said "I also don't mind you slapping me on the lips with your lips."

I widened my eyes on him, "Oh really?"

"Yeah, think of it as a congratulatory gift for my win and to you for being the best motivator." He smirked

I shrugged, "Oh well."

With that, I grabbed a fistful of his shirt and lowered him down to me, as soon as my lips touched his, my body went haywire, Chris put an arm on my waist to support me and avoid me from falling to the ground. Our longing for each other is clearly expressed on the kiss.

We only realized that we gathered the attention of the whole stadium when we broke apart and saw our kiss on replay on the Jumbotron, making me bury my face on his chest.

"Do you think that's enough publicity?" I laughed

He shook his head and pulled me close for a second kiss.

Author's Note:

Last chapter for this story, I'm gonna miss writing about Chris and Clary. I hope you liked this cliché story, till the next.

Love lots, Nina☆