"I don't know Taylor. Mary Ellen told me that James Marloe boy was bad news. I don't know if I want you going out alone with him and his friends." My mother said, her tone cautious and skeptical. By now, I was kneeling on the ground in front of her, my hands clasped together in front of me, an exaggerated pout on my face.
"Please?" I begged, hoping I could crack her. When it came to me, my mother was as protective and stubborn as a hawk. I knew that she wouldn't give in without partially getting her way. "What if I bring Madison along? That way I'll have someone you know with me?" I asked in attempt to compromise. I watched my mother's face carefully as the idea settled in her head, holding my breath for the promising three letter reply.
"Fine." She replied. "But I need to know exactly where you're going and when. Both you and Madison's cell phones need to be on. I'll talk to your father about it at dinner." I leaped up from my previous position on the kitchen floor and practically tackled my mom, jupming up and down with happiness.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" I cried, my words running together as I pressed my mom's small frame up against my chest. "I promise I'll be really careful." My mother just rolled her eyes, a whisper of a smile on her face. She mumbled something about me being more trouble than I was worth as I skipped away up the stairs to call Mads.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I woke up early the next day to get ready for school, eager to impress James. The girl staring back at me in the mirror didn't look like me, didn't feel like me, but if this was what it took to have James think I was the one for him, then I would do it gladly. How desperately I wanted him to see me and hold me in his arms, to call me his. Mads had said I was crazy when I had talked to her the night before, but she didn't seem too upset when I asked her to come along with me on Friday. After I had mentioned that his friends were coming along she had accepted the plan without a complaint. I had shot off a text to James, asking if she could come, and he had been fine with it. "The more the merrier," he had said.
"Hello gorgeous." were the words I met with when I stepped off the bus. I could feel my cheeks turning pink as I matched voice to name, James standing in front of me.
"You didn't have to wait for me." I said softly, staring at the ground, not being able to meet his piercing green eyes. It was then I felt his warm hands on my chin, lifting my face to meet his.
"I know. But I wanted to." He grinned at me, his gaze overpowering. "Don't wear all this makeup. It hides how beautiful you really are." My eyelashes fluttered nervously, my legs feeling like jelly beneath me. I let out an okay, the response strangled. I couldn't help but feel flustered , bashful almost around him. He had a large commanding sort of air about him, that made me feel anxious, but also protected. As long as he was around, it felt as though nothing could touch me.
All throughout the day, he was a perfect gentleman. Walking me to my classes, actually listening to what I had to say. Sitting with me and my friends for a bit at lunch before he went to his usual table. My friends were constantly nudging me and winking at me in the halls, in a bit of playful revelry. Girls stood in awe, mouths left open as James and I walked by. I was untouchabe.
