Note: The lines or words in italics are actually flashbacks. It's just Selena remembering the words or scenes from the past.

Selena's POV;

Today was our long awaited day where we decided to hang out. It was so much fun because it had been such a long time since I went out someplace to hangout. Ever since my high school, life was never the same for me anymore. Mom got fired and we had to shift to a smaller cramped apartment. We had difficulty paying our dues and bills since mom was having trouble finding a job for three months. It was a very tough time. Both in home and in school as well....

We had taken quite a lot of rides including the roller coaster, the free fall, the haunted house. The last one was my favourite, Nash literally screamed which was kind of funny. When things are going this much good, you actually start to live in the moment and forget all about what happened in the past. It's been quite a long time since I last had any flashback of any sort.

"Hey, matchmaker."

Cyrus whispered into my ear while we were all sitting, because we took a break from the rides to eat something.

"Is that supposed to be my nickname?"

I whispered back, raising a brow

"Yes so is it time for us to leave them alone? Leo said we two should go first and then he will join us later on. This way Nash and Riley will have to talk to each other." He said

"Yeah, sure. Let's go."

I grinned and replied. After that we made an excuse to go order our food.

Instead of going to the food stall, we took a detour and went to the shooting games area.

"These games are rigged. Are you sure you want to play?"

He asked in a bored tone

"You're just saying that because you don't know how to aim properly."

I replied, paying the shopkeeper money in return for which he hands me a gun

I was in focus, aiming perfectly at the target. Slow and steady. I can do this. I was about to pull the trigger when Cyrus whispered,

"Are you sure you're aiming right?"

I flinched which made me become out of focus and I shot away from the mark.

"Cyrus!"

I scowled and he chuckled and grinned

"Do not distract me."

I added, again positioning myself in focus and aiming at the target. Luckily I had three tries. I can still win a prize. I pulled the trigger and the shot hit straight at the mark. The buzzer started beeping and lights started flickering.

"Congratulations. You have won. You can now choose any gift from these items."

The shopkeeper gave a half-smile and spoke in monotone

I took in the sight of all the items. There was jewellery, stuff toys and other bunch of stuff. My eyes landed on a pack of paint brushes. There were only ten inside. Aren't they less in terms of the price I paid? Or maybe they're enough? I don't know. I have never bought brushes before. But I knew that this is what I was going to choose. Because the other day when I went shopping with Cyrus, he couldn't buy the fan or the round brushes. Luckily, this pack of brushes had both.

"I'll take that, please."

I pointed at the pack as the guy grabs it and hands it to me.

"Brushes? Is that what you're going to get?"

Cyrus asked pointing at it, his brows drew together

"They're for you."

I handed out the pack to him

"For me? Why?"

He inquired, his eyes narrowed

"I don't know. As a thank you for....everything, I guess."

I shrugged

"Thanks. I feel like I should get you something in return as well. So what do you want?"

He asked

"Nothing. You don't have to do that."

I smiled

"Yes, I do. Now this can go on forever so just straightforward tell me, what do you want?"

He insisted

"Well..."

I glanced around, observing all the different stalls around me. They all had such nice things but nothing really attracted to me that much. That's when my eyes fell on a cute dolphin plush toy hanging on one of the shooting games stall.

"You want that?"

Cyrus observed my reaction and said

"Well if it's not too much trouble."

I replied

"Don't be so modest. Now come on."

He said as we went towards the stall. He had paid the money and was now aiming at the target.

"Let me tell you this before, I am a terrible shooter. But I'll still try my best to win that."

He said, triggering the gun. He missed the mark.

"Shit."

I heard him mutter under his breath

"You still have two more tries. Don't worry. Just focus."

I tried to cheer him up

He again tried to focus and shoot, but he again misses

"Okay this is my last shot. I hope I don't miss."

"Don't worry, you can do this."

I motivate him, but it seems it didn't have any affect because this time Cyrus ended up hitting the guy. I tried to hold my laughter in as Cyrus apologised to the guy.

"Sorry, I couldn't win it for you."

He said to me

"Ah it's fine."

I assured him

"So if there is anything else you want which does not involve shooting, I can get it for you."

He added

"Do you really have to? I've told you so many times, it's fine."

I said softly

"...well...it's more like I want to get you something even if you hadn't given me that. Because I kind of wanted you to have something to remember me by....or something like that.."

He looked down, he was turning crimson. My face flushed. What's with this? Why is he so cute?

"...okay then. How about this? You pay for my game and I'll win it. It'll be a gift from you to me to remember you by." I suggested

"Okay. That does sound nice. You sure?" He replied

"Yup."

After a few minutes, I hit the target perfectly and won the dolphin. It really was so fluffy and cute!

"Thanks Cyrus!"

I beamed with joy and smiled

At that moment, my phone rang. I look to see two missed calls from Riley.

"Oh! I totally forgot about them."

"Me too."

Cyrus also takes out his phone and sure enough he has got messages and calls from Nash and Leo

I call back Riley. She sounds so happy. She asked me where we were. We decided that we will just hangout our separate ways. Leo said he has to go visit his father. So he went home. Riley told me she was now going out with Nash and they both want to hangout together for a while. She said she would tell me everything tonight when we get home. I am so happy for her! I knew she was meant to be with Nash! After my phone call with Riley ended, I glance to see Cyrus also finishing up talking to Leo on the phone.

"Guess it's just you and me now."

I said, smiling

"To be honest, I was hoping to have some alone time with you."

He replied. Now that sentence could easily turn into a huge misunderstanding. Did he mean that as friends or was he saying something suggestive? Because of this I didn't know what to reply. But it's exactly because of this, I wanted to know what he really meant.

"Why?" I inquired. My eyes bored into him, observing his reaction

He took a sharp breath, gazed directly into my eyes and said,

"Well...there was something I wanted to tell you..."

I lifted my eyebrow in curiosity

"Selena, I like you. A lot. So would you like to go out with me?" He confessed

My eyes went round, did he just say what I think he did? I am so happy! I can't believe he just said that! I'm not dreaming, am I? I was elated when I heard those words come out of his mouth but after a few seconds all my excitement went away. My expression dulled and fear crossed my face. Flashbacks started moving in front of my eyes, as the words from the past started echoing in my ears.

"You're nothing but a slut!"

"You're a whore. How could you do that to him?"

"Just who do you think you are? you bitch!"

"I heard she did that the other day."

"I knew she was like this!"

"Don't move or try to resist..."

I squeezed my eyes shut, my eyes swam with tears. I didn't want to cry at this very moment. Why are all these things rushing back to me? Especially at this moment! I didn't want to remember all of this.

"Selena. Hello? Earth to Selena. You there?"

Cyrus called out to me

I gulped, slowly opened my eyes. I couldn't look at him so my eyes were fixated on the ground.

"....I....uh...."

I took a quick glance to see his face and he in return studied my expression, waiting for an answer

"Umm...Cyrus...I'm so sorry..."

I spoke in a low voice, I could feel my voice cracking. This isn't what I wanted to tell him. This is not right. But why do the things from the past keep haunting me? I should be over by that by now! I'm so sorry, Cyrus. I really like you. I do. But at this moment, I cant seem to bring out the words. I can't disappoint you.

I look up to survey his reaction. He pressed his lips together, as he blinked and his face went blank. And then his eyes narrowed and flickered with hurt. I bit my lower lip while saying,

"Sorry, I think I'll head back now."

I turn to go back when suddenly he grabs my arm near my hand and says,

"Wait."

I know he meant no ill-intentions behind it but it was so sudden that I got scared and I jerked and said with my voice raised,

"Let me go!"

It was on pure reflex that I raised my voice and said that. My lips were trembling, my hands were shaking as I remember the events of that time. My heart beat was faster than ever and I could feel the thumping. My breathing became heavier.

"Let me go!"

"Oh come on, play nice dear. It'll all be over soon."

Cyrus lets go of my arm gently, his expression becomes unreadable, his eyes flickered over me, he looks down and says in a low soft tone,

"..Sorry.."

I gulped...I'm the one who should be sorry. I don't mean to hurt him. Tears filled my eyes. Why am I still not over it?

"No, I am sorry. I....need to go."

I said, taking a quick glance at him and then running away. Why am I like this? I hate this. I thought I was strong. Looks like I'm still a coward.

How did you guys like this chapter? If you enjoyed reading it then please vote, comment and share!💗