Belonging to the Streets

James' Hoodie

"BIRDIE, YOU LITTLE SH-"

"Birdie, are you ok?"

I opened my eyes, expecting Mom to be in front of me, but there was no one there. Only James to my left.

"Y-yeah..."

"Ok...Come with me"

He takes my hand and leads me up to his bathroom on the second floor. He tells me to sit on the toilet as he fetches a washcloth and a couple band-aids. He took off the napkin, wet the washcloth with hot water, and put it on my cut. I winced, the hot water made the cut feel worse. After cleaning up the blood, he quickly put the band-aids on my leg.

"There"

"...Thanks"

"Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yes, I'm sure..."

"Birdie, I care about you, so please, tell me if something's wrong"

We just met. How can he care for me? Heck, why does he care for me? I'm a worthless little piece of shit. I'll never amount to anything. So, why? No, wait, I know. He wants my heart to break in the most painful way. I shouldn't let him get too close.

"...My parents will be home soon"

Oh no...

"I-I should go"

"What? Why?"

"I only came so you could better heal me. I have no intention of staying any longer"

I turn to exit the bathroom. But he grabs my wrist.

"Birdie, wait"

"...What?"

"Please stay. I want you to..."

For some stupid reason, I released all the tension in my body. I turned to him. I fit my head under his chin and hugged him. I know I said I shouldn't let him get too close, but his warm embrace makes me melt. I've never felt anything like this.

"I'll stay"

"Thank you"

"Now, can you help me wash?"

I pulled away and looked up at him. I never realized how tall he is. The tip of my head barely reaches his bottom lip.

His eyes were filled with confusion. I guess he thought I wanted him to wash me. Oops...

"I meant, can you get me some fresh clothes and a towel? I'm able to wash myself"

"Oh, right, of course"

I watched him leave the bathroom. I walked to the shower and started the water. It's been so long since I last showered. I really need this.

I put a hand to my cheek and realized I was incredibly hot. I looked at myself in the mirror, and saw a girl, blushing, staring right back at me. I'm blushing? Why?

"I'm back"

The door opening and James' voice made me jump out of my skin. I see he's holding some shorts and a hoodie in his hands. They look awfully big.

"I brought some of my clothes. I'm not sure they'll fit though"

"It's fine"

I took the clothes from his hands and placed them near the mat on the ground. He also had a towel draped over his elbow. I grabbed it and placed it on one of the hooks by the shower. I felt the water and it was just the right temperature.

"I'm all set, you can go now"

"Oh, uh, right"

I turned to look at him and saw his cheeks were a tint of red. He immediately rushed out the door. I giggled to myself. I don't know why I was afraid of James. He's the best person in the world.