Kidnap My Heart - Chapter Twelve

As Ivy and Crystal entered the diner everyone stared yet again except for all her friends. Lila was on the phone but casually ended the call before looking up at Ivy. Just as Sunny had done last night, Lila ran full speed at Ivy and engulfed her in a hug. Ivy laughed and Lila practically carried her to the rest of group. Ivy looked as the two couples were busy with each other's lovey dovey goodness. Chris was watching as they did so and rolled his eyes with a smile. "Hey you guys, look! Guess who I got!" Lila said with a big smile. Everyone turned to them and their eyes widened. Again, Ivy was trampled by them and before she knew it Nate carried her wedding style to the pool table. He placed her on the table and she punched him on the arm. "You're scaring my friend Nate." Ivy said while jumping off the table and walking towards Crystal. "Ives, I uh should wait in the car. It's an old friend's reunion, not for me to barge in on." Crystal said while Ivy pulled her hand toward the rest of the crowd. "Stop being a baby. They're gonna love you." Ivy said while rolling her eyes.

As they reached everyone else eyebrows raised in question. "This is Crystal Wakes. My closest friend from LA." Ivy said while Crystal blushed furiously. Sunny stood up from her position next to Avery and walked up to them. "Hi I'm Sunny. It's really great to meet you." She said with a big smile. Crystal smiled and they got into a conversation. Ivy watched as Avery sat in the corner drinking a beer while looking out the window. Ivy walked over to Chris, who was standing annoyed next to the couples. She grabbed him in for a hug and he looked down at her shocked. "Hey Ives." He said with a grin. He leaned down to kiss her cheek and she laughed sweetly. "Hey Chrissy. Looks like you're still the charmer. How are you?" she said smiling as he put his arm around her shoulders. "Great now that you're here." He said with an arrogant grin. Ivy rolled her eyes. "Please sweetheart. I eat guys like you for breakfast. Is that really all you got? What happened to blowing the socks off me with your smooth ways?" Ivy said happily. Chris laughed loudly and tried to catch his breath. "I think you're mistaking me for Mason." He said with a bigger smile. "Last I checked you used to do the same thing.

That's why I had to beat off at least three girls a day for your sake." Ivy said with a scoff. Chris rolled his eyes and thanks the world he had Ivy. She was the sister he always wanted. Too bad his sister was annoying and 21, which made her even worse. He turned himself to the girl who Ivy came in with. She was quite the looker. She didn't look like your average blonde. She had that look about her that she was innocent and vulnerable. Her smiles were what lit up her face and seemed to warm that dreary December day. "So tell me more about your Blondie." Chris said with some nervousness. Ivy untangled herself from him and smiled suspiciously. "Looks like Chrissy has a crush." She sing-songed. "Maybe I do, maybe I don't." he said mocked back. "She's a great girl Chris. Dare I say perfect for you. Judging on what your type was in high school I think she fits your standards. She picked me up after those breakups I've had in LA. They weren't fun, so she told me that I was perfect the way I was and I shouldn't let anyone change my mind. Too bad none of my ex's has ever said that." Ivy said gloomily.

Chris looked down at his close friend and pulled her into a hug again. "Guys are stupid and we make mistakes but those guys you've dated are incredibly ridiculous. They shouldn't have tried to change you. They should have just gotten to learn to love you for you. I know I have." Chris said lightly. Ivy looked up at him with a glitter in her eye. "You topped off your charmer lines." She said with a grin. Chris grinned and flicked her on her arm.

Avery watched as Ivy and Chris talked. As he kissed her on the cheek Avery almost stood up. Her smiles as she talked to Chris widened with each word said and he couldn't keep his arm off her. She wasn't even his anymore so he knew he had no say in what she did. Avery wanted to feel annoyed but he couldn't. It was Chris. He was harmless when it came to dating and anything that involved love. He also knew Chris had different standards than most. He had met the blonde Ivy become close to and she smiled warmly at everything and even him. He could have sworn Ivy told this woman about their past and yet she was all smiles and warmth. Her brown eyes had the gleam in them that scared Avery a bit. She seemed dynamic and that was perfect for her. Truthfully, if time let them, Chris and Crystal were perfect for each other in Avery's mind. He knew that was jumping the gun since they hadn't even talked to each other but still entirely possible. He saw Chris pull Ivy at arm's length and shake her a bit to knock some sense into her. Ivy smiled wearily and they continued with their conversation. "So Avery tell me about you." Crystal said looking over Avery. Avery turned his body away from Chris and Ivy and looked at the blonde intently.

He picked up his beer and shot back a couple sips before answering. "What's there to say? I'm from here and moved to Boston 10 years ago but come back here occasionally. My girlfriend of a month is a bratty bitch who wants me to propose already but little does she know I lost interest in her 2 days into the relationship. I'm an easygoing guy and I love dogs." He said with a menacing smile. Crystal raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Looks like you need more excitement in your life." She said with a grin. "How about you? It doesn't look like you get any excitement in your life." Avery said while leaning closer to the table. "My life revolves around exciting things. I have to keep up with big red over there. I'm from New York City so I guess I like busy places. Now I live in LA with Ivy and I'm her secretary. It's actually a tough job so I like it. My boyfriend just dumped me because he decided I was too determined for him. Turns out he was sleeping with one of the other secretaries.

His loss my gain since I get to be independent but yet I still want that fairytale romance all women want at some point. I guess I should learn how to stop telling people my hopes and dreams since it'll turn out the way it did with my ex." Crystal admitted thoughtfully. Avery gazed at the woman gently. What was up with guys hurting the good women? They were ruining the image of all men. "I think that it's nice when you tell people what you want in your life. It shows that you're already aiming for what you've always wanted. Don't give a shit about what people think. It should always be about what you want to happen and what you think is right for your life." Avery spoke softly. Crystal was shocked. This guy was good. He knew what to say and when to say it. He had that feeling around him that made you feel so relaxed even if you hadn't known him that well. Crystal knew this was why Ivy loved him before.

When she told her tale, he looked at her intently and seemed to understand what she was talking about. It was like she had known him forever. "Thanks Avery. You're a great guy." Crystal said with a sincere smile. Avery was stunned by her reaction. She smiled at him and said he was a great guy. He didn't think it was possible for a girl to say that to him so naturally. Especially if they knew how he treated his ex-girlfriend. "Thanks blondie." He said with a smirk, expecting her to explode from her new nickname. Crystal laughed warmly and replied, "I like that. No one calls me that and I am nothing near being a dumb blonde if that's what you're thinking." Avery rolled his eyes and they continued with their conversations.

Ivy sat with her friends and spent the day learning more about how everyone lived now. Mason was fulfilling his dream as a painter and was becoming a new fresh new artist in the county. People loved his drawings and bought them rapidly which helped him. When his parents found out he wanted to be a painter, they were upset. They were both rich doctors of the area and wished their son followed but he was too passionate with his drawings. They didn't know he would have been a top painter and when they found out, they showed all the dismay they had. Now that he was about to marry Julia, they were extremely happy. Julia had turned out to be a doctor in the hospital where his parents had worked in. Their romance was off to a great start as both families agreed to it. Nate had become a teacher at Riverton High which shocked Ivy the most.

Nate hadn't always been on top of his grades and now he was a Biology teacher. Sheer luck? Looked like it. Evelyn and him had been dating since their 3rd year of college and had been going strong. Ivy thought that after Mason and Julia got married, Nate would have proposed to Evelyn. Nate, being a good friend, didn't want to steal away their thunder. Evelyn had also become a teacher but for Junior high instead. Lila had become a journalist for the local paper. Ivy thought it was significant, thinking that Lila hated English class all her life. Her boyfriend was a businessman who traveled to different places. Their relationship must have been very strong to think that they were okay with being apart. Lila knew he wouldn't do anything to hurt her so it was great for her. Sunny had become a nurse. She was good at lightening up her patient's day. It was easy since they were all kids. Ivy was happy that they all turned out successful and happy.

She remembered how they used to tell each other about what they wanted to be. Ivy had always answered that she didn't know and she never did until her parents got a divorce. It was the right choice and turned out it was what she was good at. Ivy was happy once again to be around them and reminisce those times they had when they were younger. Ivy looked as Crystal and Avery got into a deep conversation. She hoped they weren't talking of their past and knew Crystal wouldn't bring it up. They smiled at each other and laughed happily as if they were old friends. Ivy smiled and felt a hand rub her back softly. She looked up and saw Mason smiling down at her flirtatiously. "I really miss you being around here Ives." He said dramatically. Ivy grabbed him for a hug and caught him off guard. "I missed you too Mason! I'm so happy you and Julia are getting married. I better be invited." Ivy smirked. Mason pulled away from her and pulled a stray hair away from her face. "Ivy, would we tell you about the wedding if you weren't invited? Really?" Mason smiled knowingly. Ivy looked toward Julia who was dancing around with Nate as Evelyn watched smiling. "You never know.

I haven't seen you guys in 10 years and I didn't even tell you guys I was leaving. Are you mad I didn't tell you I was leaving?" Ivy questioned nervously. Mason's face darkened and he looked her straight in the eye. "Yeah I was but I got over it. We all talked about it when you left and we decided that you were chasing for your dream life. It was only after 2 weeks that we found out your parents divorced. Plus we knew you had problems with Avery and then your parents so we decided you did the best move you could think of." Mason said with a shrug. Ivy couldn't help but cry. She had become such a baby today. It wasn't normal for her to be such an emotional wreck. What he said was true. She wanted that life she dreamed about. She didn't let anything stop her and she didn't realize that she hurt the ones she loved. Mason pulled her into a hug while shushing her softly and she gave a watery laugh and said, "Don't worry Mason. I promise to tell you all where I am from now on."

Crystal turned to view everyone and noticed Ivy crying softly into the guy who she thought was Mason. Ivy was close to these boys just as she had said. They were a close knit group and she could see why Ivy had held these people close to her heart. "Hey Avery, tell me more about Chris." Crystal said turning towards Avery, who was still sitting across from her. Avery smiled at the flushed woman in front of him. "Looks like you have a crush and you don't even know him." Avery smirked while looking towards Chris. He looked back at the woman who viewed at him with wide eyes and a blushing face. "I uh well... I don't know." Crystal stuttered uncomfortably. Avery chuckled and leaned in closer to whisper softly to her. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone about this little crush. When you guys are going out and happier than ever, I'm pretty sure I'd have to tell." Avery whispered with a wink. Crystal buried her face into her open hands and groaned. "I just want you to tell me about him, not play matchmaker." Crystal said still blushing.

Avery threw her a knowing look. "Sweetheart, you're practically drooling at the thought of dating him. It's not obvious but I'm good at knowing these things." He smiled smugly. Crystal gaped at the almost complete stranger. "Wow. You're good." Crystal sighed tiredly. "To answer that question earlier, he's a great guy. I've known him since he moved next door to me in 3rd grade. It was nice since I finally had a friend my age in my neighborhood. I remember when we used to play a sport he would be beyond best and even if ticked everyone off, no one could mess with him. He is pretty smart which makes people even more envious but it's just that he's an over achiever. It's really good to have someone like him around because he knows how to relax you." Avery smiled lightly. Crystal thought on that declaration. This Chris guy was interesting. He intrigued her more than other guys did and she loved how it felt to be thinking of a guy nonstop yet again. He seemed really different from the superficial jerks she dated before and she knew it was a good sign.

She was sick of those kinds of guys anyway. "Thanks Avery. You think I have a chance?" she asked grinning "Well I think he prefers brunettes but you'll do." He said shrugging. They both laughed loudly and brought themselves back to reality. "It feels like I'm a teenager. I remember telling my best guy friend back home about all my crushes and flings. He always told me about what guys want and I decided all guys are different and I shouldn't think they're all the same. Turns out they practically are." She admitted. Their conversation deepened and it felt as if it took forever. She knew she wouldn't have minded if it did.

"I think you should talk to her for a bit." Ivy said as Chris walked next to her. He rolled his eyes at her and smiled. "Look Ives I can do this. I'm a big boy remember? 28 years old and I can do this. No need to mommy me anymore. Plus she seems really interested in her talk with Avery so why should I be rude and butt in?" Chris said exasperated . Now it was Ivy's turn to roll her eyes and she laughed. "Well if you don't want to talk to her now you'll get other chances." Ivy said with a big smile. Chris looked at her with a gleam in his eyes and took her word for it.