Finding Ford

chapter twenty

"Your kiss, got me hoping you'll save me right now." -Beyoncé, Crazy In Love

WHEN FORD PULLS AWAY, WE END UP JUST LOOKING AT each other for a good couple of minutes. In that time, a blush slowly warms my cheeks until they're practically on fire, and I'm barely trying to keep my jaw from dropping to the floor. Ford doesn't look much different; a crimson red has coated the skin of his face, and his grey eyes are widened in shock.

And then his lips crook up into the smile I'm oh-so-obsessed with, and seeing as it's just as contagious as its always been, I find myself smiling lightly at first, until a light feeling just takes over my body and mind completely, and I'm left a beaming fool.

"Oops?" Ford breathes out.

I huff out a laugh, feeling like butterflies on steroids are fluttering around in my stomach. I shake my head at him. At that moment, I feel like I can never stop smiling again. "God, Wilson. I-"

I'm at a loss of words, so I just press my lips back to his. It's intoxicating. Kissing should feel weird- it always does at first- but not really with Ford. Especially not with the way I can tell he's repressing a smile and eventually just fails because he ends up pulling away just an inch to let out a laugh, and then we're sharing breaths, and I look right into Ford's eyes and God; it's like a whole different galaxy in them.

"You know," I whisper, "I have this weird obsession with your smile."

"You know," Ford laughs quietly, "There's a reason I called you. I didn't know the reason before, I just knew I had to. I'm so happy I did."

"I'm so happy I was stupid and tired enough to actually get into that car."

"I'm happy you stayed with me throughout everything."

"I'm happy you didn't run."

"I'm happy."

"Me too, Ford. Me too."

x

"Molly's getting out of the hospital today," I whisper to Jas as Mrs. Hines continues her lecture in front of the class, her nasally voice muted out by most of the class. My eyes flicker to Jas, who has an unusually stony look on her face, her demeanour quite stiff. Her brown eyes are fixed ahead, jaw stiff and breaths unusually shallow.

"Jas?" I elbow her slightly.

"What?" Her tone is bored.

"Molly is getting out of the hospital today," I repeat.

"I heard you the first time."

"Then why didn't you answer me?"

Jas shrugs.

I frown, setting back in my chair, feeling slightly hurt when Jas doesn't even bother to spare me a glance. I try to convince myself that she's just moody; Jas always has her bad days, and over the years, I've learnt to deal with them. I don't know why it really seems to get to me this time, though; maybe just considering the situation we're both in has me seeking for some sort of comfort and understanding, and where lately Jas had been a source of that, she's closed off and cold today.

I try again. "Are you going to come visit her?"

"I'm trying to listen to Mrs. Hanes," Jas snaps at me. Oh yeah, something's wrong with her.

I slump back in my seat and don't talk to her for the rest of class, which doesn't prove to be too hard of a problem. Jas doesn't say a word to me during Mrs. Hanes' lecture, and when it's finally over, she asks to go to the bathroom and doesn't come back. I feel a creeping, uneasy feeling in my stomach at her behaviour. I've never seen her act this way, and I've known Jas for a long time.