The Mom Next Door

31-Whatever You Want

*jens pov*

The last time I saw Leah, things were a little off. I don't know how, but something just didn't feel right. That was like a week ago, and we haven't really talked since then, other than texting here and there.

But I've been busy with school anyways, so I don't really have time to dwell on how things were left off between Leah and I.

I've been looking at housing in France lately. Like dorm buildings or apartments off campus there. It's not like anything's official yet, I haven't even signed up for it. I'm just keeping my options open.

I really do think it would be an awesome opportunity though. In reality, I would've sent in my application the day I learned that I could study abroad in France. The only thing that's holding me back is Leah and Sof.

I know it's kind of sad to say, but they're all I have right now. I mean, my dad left, me and my mom don't talk, for now at least. So other than Sage, who I barely see. Sofia and Leah are the closest people to me right now. I can't just pick up and leave.

That would hurt them so much. And it would hurt me too. I'd have to live with the fact that I left them all alone.

Like I've said before, me and Leah are kind of eachothers stress relievers. We come to eachother at the end of the day and just talk...among other things as well...But what I'm trying to say is that it always comes down to me and her.

Recently I've started to realize all of this, and it's kind of starting to take a toll on me. I'm developing these feelings for Leah where it's like she makes me feel like her romantic partner, but she's also like a comforting mother figure that I don't have right now.

And that's not always a bad thing since I'm literally just saying that I feel loved and comforted. It's just that my mind is starting to forget that me and Leah basically aren't allowed to have feelings for eachother. I'm still only 20 and I have school and other things to focus on right now. Same with Leah, her job is very stressful, let alone having a daughter and a cocky ex husband.

We both would just be too much for eachother if we actually formed a relationship like that.

-

I pull into Leah's drive way since I finally have a day with no classes, I decided to surprise her. I walk inside and smile once I see Leah at the counter in the kitchen. I shut the door behind me and she turns. I can't help but notice it looks like she's been crying a little.

"Jennifer what're you doing here?" She smiles a little. "I decided to stop by since I have nothing going on today." I shrug and walk over to her. "Is that okay?" I ask and give her a light kiss. "Of course." She nods.

"You okay?" I tilt my head and caress her cheek, wiping away a tear. "Yeah. I'm fine." She says and softly takes my hand away from her face. I raise one brow and look at her, waiting for her to tell the truth.

"It's just- Angelo." She shrugs, making it not a big deal. "What'd he do?" I ask. "He came by to pick up Sofia and we had this whole conversation that just made me kind of upset." She shrugs.

"Conversation about what?" I ask. "Him and his girlfriend broke up." She says. "So?" I ask. She looks at me and hesitates to speak up. "What-?" I ask.

"He wants to get back together.." She says and I furrow my brows. "So you're crying about it?? If anything you should be laughing in his face at how stupid he is." I say and her eyes get teary again.

I tilt my head trying to understand why this is so emotional for her. "Leah stop crying." I tell her, which doesn't help.

"I can't. I don't even know why I'm upset. It just made me start to think about Sofia and how I do wish things could've worked out between me and Angelo for the sake of our daughter." She says.

"Well it's not your fault Leah. Sometimes people just don't work out. You had your experience with Angelo, and it wasn't meant to be. He's lost right now and he has no one else to go to. That means you keep your head up and don't fall into what he's saying. It didn't work out, and look at you doing completely fine with Sofia." I say, trying to make her realize that she's an amazing mother who sure as hell doesn't need Angelo in the picture.

"I know, I know. I guess this is something that happens with all single mothers." She shrugs. I stay quiet for a second, until I start to think about how out of place I am in this situation.

"Look I don't think I'm the right person to talk to about this stuff." I say. "What do you mean?" She asks and wipes her tears.

"I don't know. It's just- I'm just Sofia's babysitter, and I'm really in no place to give you advice on your marriage." I shrug.

"You're not just Sofia's babysitter..." She shakes her head. "Ok. I'm Sofia's babysitter, and I've been fucking you for almost a year now." I shrug since she's acting like we have a deeper relationship even though she's the one who's avoiding that.

"Well you would think if we've been fucking for a year, then I could talk to you about anything I need advice on." She says a little hurt. "Ok Leah well it's different when it makes me uncomfortable." I shrug.

"I'm sorry I'm making you uncomfortable-. You asked what was wrong and I told you." She shrugs bluntly.

"Ok let's just not talk about it anymore." I say quickly and she cuts her eyes at me. "Don't give me that look." I shake my head. "What look?" She asks with attitude. "This conversation is obviously going nowhere. Can we please just stop?" I say and she sighs.

It gets quiet and I just look around as an awkward silence fills the room.

"I'm thinking of leaving.." I break the silence. "And going where?" She asks without making eye contact. "France." I say and look at her. "That's cool. For how long?" She asks, probably thinking that I mean for a short vacation or something.

"A year. Maybe longer." I shrug and she looks at me. "A year?" She asks. "Yeah." I nod. Now I'm the one avoiding eye contact.

"Well- why?" She asks. "To study abroad." I say. "That's a big deal Jennifer. Why haven't you told me sooner?" She asks. "I wasn't really thinking about it." I shrug.

"And you are now?" She raises one brow. "Yep. I think it could be a good opportunity." I say.

I know I'm being cocky about it right now, just to push Leah's buttons since we're both kind of annoyed with eachother at the moment. But I know I'll regret acting like this later.

She stays quiet and I look at her. "What do you think about that?" I ask, wanting her opinion.

"I think it's an amazing opportunity." She says. "Really?" I ask and she nods. "I think it could help, especially with learning the language. And the experience would be cool overall." I say and she just nods her head emotionless.

It's kind of odd that she's not saying much about this whole thing. I expected her to be iffy about it since a year is a long time.

"Soooo..?" I say. "So what?" She asks. "That's it? That's all you're gonna say?" I ask, wanting more input. "Jennifer, do whatever you want. Don't look my way to hold you back." She shrugs and opens the fridge, pulling out a bottle of wine.