I'm Here

Chapter Five: A boyfriend

Jess and I are meeting up at my mom's house in an hour and I have absolutely nothing to give her. If it's any trouble I can say I made the cake. Nah she knows I can't bake.

I walk into the house and quickly take of my shoes when I hear a stampede coming at me yelling, "Mon doux bébé, regarde combien tu as grandi" did I mention my mom is a French immigrant, yeah well, we did not grow up rich, we lived off of peanut butter on bread and dirty water.

Jess being the little shit she is," Where's mama's gift Steph" grinning at me. Mama looks in my hands and I immediately feel horrible, the woman who raised me, she always bought me birthday gifts, even if she didn't have enough money to buy supper, she would buy me the doll I wanted.

So, me being the biggest pushover idiot in the world I burst out saying, "I've got a boyfriend". Mama instantly starts jumping and down in joy rambling on and on about baby clothes. Jess looks pissed, please don't "So when can we meet this boyfriend" I hate my sister. Mama agrees with Jess begging to meet him, "Um, the relationship is a little too early on for the parents phase." I death glare at Jess "Don't you think Jess." I spit out through my teeth. "Not for us." she smirks. Mama hugs me while rambling and all I can think of Is sticking a knife down Jess throat, I take both my hands and show her the bird, before mama drags me off to play Rummikub.

"Can I please meet him?" My mom begging is like a cat begging for treats, the complete opposite of cute, she is viscous and will get what she wants with or without violence. I don't know what to do. "Why don't you bring him over Sunday afternoon?" Jess so rudely interrupts. Mama starts getting excited again, "yes! do that please!" Like I said I'm an idiot, "Okay, but I'll have to ask him first." Jess looks stunned and mama is ecstatic, and I just made a huge mess.

My mom has always been obsessed with the thought of me and Jess having a family and feeling the joy of being a mother, to me I could care less, like I said love isn't real

Thursday

I have thirty minutes to get ready for the date, and I just got home, I run to my room and start to rip my closet apart.

Did James ever say what to wear? Screw it I'm going casual. I settled in with a tank top, a cardigan and some jeans.

I decided to put my hair in a messy bun and with a couple minutes left I plop off the couch and take a deep breath, seconds later there's a knock. Here we go

I open the door to find James in a T- shirt with a brown leather jacket, and some jeans and boots. "You ready?" I snap out of my trance and look up to see his stupid smirk. "Yep, Let's go boss." James grabs my hand before I can leave, "are you not going to lock your door?" he asks concerned. "Right, sorry." I lock my door and James leads me to a Black 2023 Chevrolet Silverado Pickup truck. He opens the door for me and helps me in, then he rushes around to the driver's side. "Where are we going?" I ask "Antarctica" He sarcastically replies with a devious smirk.

I'm woken up by someone shaking my shoulder, I open my eyes to find James, "We're here sleeping beauty" I look around to see we're in the countryside next to a lake and the sun is going down soon. What is he planning? James and I hop out and he goes to the bed of the truck to grab blankets and pillows, along with a bag of snacks. He lays down one blanket in front of the truck towards the lake, and places a couple of pillows and throws the bag of snacks down and looks back towards me, "are you coming princess?" The nick name surprises me, and I can feel my face beating red as I walk towards him and sit beside him, he looks towards me with a look I can't place. Then he looks back towards the lake and says, "I wasn't jogging." I let out a breathy laugh, " you think." He snickers at my reply, then he looks bad into my eyes, he looks almost desperate like he's scared. James takes my hand and lays back on the blanket looking up at the sky, I follow still looking at him. He then says, promise me you won't leave?" His voice cracks hearing him like this makes me worried, what could be so bad that someone could leave him?

"I'm an addict" he says looking bad towards me with his eyes cold and distanced. Is James an addict? I have so many questions, but I've been on the other side of the situation enough to know questions are not what he needs right now. "I've seen worse" my lips curl as I turn towards him on my side. He looks almost startled at my answer, did he really think I would run?

James Pov

Why isn't she running? If she knew better, she would. I look her in the eyes with admiration and turn to my side towards her, our faces closer than ever before. My mind races with thoughts, I want to keep her safe, and that isn't with me, but her eyes make my heart melt. My eyes flicker from her eyes toward her lips she notices and leans in, I connect our lips softly. She melts into the kiss and wraps her fingers in my hair and my mine on her waist, the kiss is soft and short but it's enough for my heart to leap out of my chest. I open my eyes to find her smiling, she wraps her arms around my chest, and I lay on my back again. The stars are starting to come out, I have an idea.

Steph Pov

We kissed, it wasn't much of one, but I know it was the best kiss of my life. I felt my stomach do summersaults and my heart was racing, and his hair was soft with my fingers curled in it. James removes my arms from his chest and stands up, Confused I look up thinking I did something wrong. He runs to the truck and shortly after I hear some music pouring out of the radio, he walks up to me and sticks out his hand "may I have this dance my lady?" he says in a goofy voice. "Why of course, my hero" I say, mocking his voice. We walk over to the side with the wind slightly blowing against us. The song Like Real People Do by Hozier is playing as I wrap my arms around his neck, and his around my waist. Kissing him must have given me some confidence because usually by now I'd be a blushing mess. He puts his forehead against mine as we sway to the music, he starts to sing along with the song, I am amazed by his voice, it's raspy but perfect and if I could listen to him all day long.