Homeless

3.

Jade's feelings had begun unknowingly changing since that day. She noticed every little thing he did, thinking about it at night in her own bed. When they would talk, she found herself remembering every little conversation they had. She listened to her heartbeat like crazy when he would barely even skin her knee, or touch even her elbow. Even when they weren't talking, she would glance at his shaggy dark brown hair, his cute smile, his eyes that always seemed to reveal how he was feeling.

She realized then: she liked him. A lot.

Not knowing when it happened, she thought about if he felt the same way. He had to... every day they hung out. She was his only friend, they were basically best friends. Even though it had only been a few months, they were together every day, which had to form some connection. 

It was risky, but she wanted to make a move. Something she had never, ever done before.

All-day she had been so nervous, trying to work up the nerve to tell him how she felt. Even when he talked to her it was short and quick answers. There was obviously no getting over this crush.

Finally, after school, when they usually met by her locker, she excitedly troded over. "Hey, ready to go?" he asked.

She hummed, putting things in her locker. Her plan was simple: she figured she liked him so much because of the good person he was. So if he proved himself, then she would force herself to fess up. There were no hard feelings if a nice boy rejected you, right? "Coden, when was the last time you've donated blood?" she asked, watching his expression immediately get confused.

"Um... maybe last week. Why?"

Strike one. "No reason. Hey, how's Brandon coming along with his addiction? I'm sure it's really hard helping an alcoholic."

"Oh, it's actually going quite well. He usually comes and goes as he pleases, but he's actually been sober for 52 days. I'm proud of him, is there a reason for asking, Jade?"

Strike two, she bit her lip. "Oh, no reason really... Coden, would you say you're nice?" she asked, cringing.

"I wouldn't say that... maybe caring."

With strike three officially in action, Jade slammed her locker and shoved Coden against it, grabbing his tan animal hide coat by the collar and quickly pressing her lips against his.

He seemed as stunned as she felt, holding her wrists where she harshly gripped onto him. "Well uh..." he stuttered, looking into her eyes. "I was gonna ask you out sometime... but I think this is way better." he breathed as his smile formed.

"Really? You were!" she beamed, letting him go.

He nodded, before holding her back. "Yeah, I really like you, Jade." he said before biting his lip."Can I kiss you?"

She immediately nodded, making them both smile with overwhelming happiness.

So over the next few days, they had quickly adapted to their new relationship, loving every second of it. She loved the way his hand instinctively held hers in the hall, how she would say a minor detail and he'd remember it a week later.

They couldn't go on many dates, of course, Coden had work and about twenty people to feed, but every once in a while she would take him to her house, or see a movie.

It was especially awkward, however, when they had brought little Cassie with them to see the newest Disney movie, seeing she had never actually seen one, only to look over at the two and find them making out in their seats.

That was a quiet walk home.

But Cassie was more excited than anything, finally finding out that they were a couple. In fact, when they announced it to the house, everyone beamed with joy. They celebrated all night with music and beers as if it was some sort of miracle.