Learning To Deal

Learning To Deal Part 2

When I woke up again it was around one in the afternoon and Billy was still out. I very carefully untangled myself from his grasp as to not wake him. I carefully shift my weight off the mattress and tiptoe out of the room, closing the door quietly behind me.

I turn around and, "Hey there Kiddo. Long night?" Ben whispers. I jump out of my skin from being so startled. I walk to the kitchen with Ben behind me, "You could say that. I hear it was longer for you though." He leans against the counter while I wash off some fruit to munch on. Ben nods, "Yeah, those personal appointments take forever." He drags out the word 'forever'.

I debate whether or not to tell him I know. It can't hurt now. I turn around and lean on the sink the same why my brother is, "Ben, I know it wasn't a 'personal appointment'", I put the air quotes around the two words the best of my ability with food occupying my hands. "I found out yesterday before he left." Ben looks at me bewildered, "Crap. He's totally going to think I told you!" I scarf down the rest of the grapes, "No no, he thought that." I remain innocent with my big doe eyes, "I may or may not have… kind of… read your texts." I glanced at my now raging brother. He doesn't say anything but I know he's about to. I leave the kitchen quickly.

He's right on my tail, "Jane?! You can't just throw caution to the wind and go through my phone like that!" He's now whisper yelling at me. I give him my best apology smile before slipping in my room just before he got me. I lean my back against the door thankful for the rule Ben and I made a long time ago about entering our rooms. I look over to my bed and am surprised to see Billy is still asleep.

I smile and look at his cute face. When he's deep asleep, it's like I'm still looking at the little third grader I met so long ago. I go to my bed and sit facing his sleeping form. He's on his back now so I easily put my right arm over his abdomen so I can rest my head for a moment on his chest. He stirs as soon as my ear reaches his chest and I quickly look up. He's looking down at my face with sleep still in his eyes.

"Good morning beautiful." He said in his thick, sleep voice. Even though that greeting whenever he woke up wasn't uncommon I still felt heat rise to my cheeks and those darn butterflies in my stomach. I giggle that very embarrassing giggle, "Good," I glance at my clock forgetting the time. "Afternoon, handsome." I loved the feeling of being able to be like this with Billy. It feels natural and right. He wraps his arms around me in a bear hug and I can't say I mind.

I break the hug knowing we can't be in here all day. Well, we could but that would lead us somewhere I know I'm not ready to go. Remembering Ben I know I can't go out there either… "Hey, do you want to go for a walk?" I ask, it was the first thing to come to my mind. He sat up a little not even having to think about it, "I would love to walk anywhere with you." I lean forward and put my lips on his quickly. I blush madly, "You're too sweet to me, yano that?" He shrugged, "I like to think my charm will get me some wildly rich lady someday." Oh Billy. I smack his arm much like when he told me he told Nick to "not touch my boobs". I roll my eyes and he just laughs.

He wraps me in his arms once more, "I'm just kidding Janey. Besides I have you and that's plenty. I mean unless some wildly rich lady can persuade me otherwise." I shake my head and smirk. "You're simply too much, Nutter." I get up. "Now if you don't mind I'm going to get dressed. In the mean time maybe some 'wildly rich lady' will come and sweep you off your feet." You know, we were having a very nice moment and now I find I'm jealous of this fake, unnecessary joke. I go to my walk-in closet and shut the doors behind me. I go for some comfy yoga pants and a t-shirt. I look down at my floor and see a familiar sweatshirt. I pick it up and bring it to my nose remembering the heartbreak from the last time I had it. I put it on as well.

I go back to my room to find Billy standing in front of my full length mirror in his new leather jacket. He turns to me, "Janey… This is perfect." He was getting emotional over this and I could tell. When he turns back around I come up behind him and wrap my arms around his torso. I speak quietly, "I wanted to do something for you and I know how much the original one meant. I'm so happy you love it." He intertwined his fingers in mine, "Thank you. Trust me, this jacket means way more than the other one ever did."