BIG-J

18

As I looked up, my eyes met James' gaze. There was a sense of understanding and empathy in his eyes, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I clung to him even tighter, seeking solace in his presence. We remained in that embrace for a while, finding comfort in each other's company.

Eventually, I let go of his grip and stood before him, feeling a sense of trust and safety. I knew he wouldn't judge me for my vulnerability, but instead, he would listen. As I sat down, he sat beside me and quietly said, "Start talking."

With his encouraging words, I began to pour my heart out, sharing my frustrations, fears, and confusion. Tears flowed freely as I released the pent-up emotions that had burdened me. Unbeknownst to me, as I ranted with tear-filled eyes, exhaustion overcame me, and I subconsciously drifted off to sleep on James' lap.

James' POV:

As I gazed at Anushka, her sleeping form resting on my lap, I let out a heavy sigh. Relationships can be so complicated and full of challenges, I thought to myself. It pained me to see her struggling, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of empathy for her.

Taking out a cigarette, I lit it and inhaled, the smoke swirling around me. With Anushka peacefully asleep, I was cautious not to let the sun's rays disturb her, so I positioned my hand to block the light from reaching her face. I wanted her to rest undisturbed, to find solace even in the midst of turmoil.

We sat there together in silence, enveloped by a rare moment of tranquillity. The passing time seemed to melt away as we remained in that peaceful space, the only sound breaking the stillness being the soft crackling of the cigarette. I contemplated the complexities of our lives, the twists and turns that had brought us to this moment.

Anushka's POV:

As I gradually woke from my slumber, rubbing my eyes, I was greeted by the sight of James, still sitting calmly in his position. With a smirk on his face, he sighed, "Ah, you're finally awake." His teasing comment made me roll my eyes, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth between us. I playfully hit him in response, a smile forming on both our lips.

Suddenly, a mischievous idea seemed to ignite in James' mind. He looked at me with a mischievous grin and proposed, "Wanna ditch school?" Confused, I immediately replied, "No..." But James persisted, saying, "Bruh, you're coming. No option." Surprisingly, I found myself feeling a hint of excitement, and without giving it much thought, I decided to follow him.

We arrived at an alley path near the school gates, where James instructed me to jump, suggesting that we could leave without getting caught. Shocked, I looked at him and protested, "No way! Are you mad? I'm not breaking my legs by jumping." He let out a sigh and replied, "Jump before we get caught. That'll be even worse." Just as I was about to argue further, a security guard started running towards us, and my mind froze at the moment.

Without hesitation, James swiftly lifted me and pushed me to the other side, effortlessly leaping himself. I stumbled and fell, shooting him a playful glare. "You bitch," I said, unable to hide the amusement in my voice. He smirked in response, saying, "Well, this wouldn't have happened if you had done it when I first told you to."

With no time to waste, James urged me to run with him. The security guards were still in pursuit, but he reached out and held my hand, providing a sense of security and connection. Hand in hand, we sprinted, laughter filling the air. It was an adrenaline-fueled excitement I had never experienced before. James led us into an alleyway, where he pressed me against the wall, covering my mouth with his hand, and drawing us close together.

At first, I was confused by his actions, but then I realized it was to ensure that the security guards wouldn't notice us and continue their pursuit. Our bodies pressed against each other, the closeness sparking a new kind of thrill. I noticed the guards pass by, completely unaware of our presence, and we shared a moment of relief.

As we continued our adventure through the alleyway, James led me to a peculiar spot near some boxes and dumpsters. Confusion clouded my face as I questioned our purpose there. "Uhh, what are we doing here?" I asked, my voice filled with curiosity.

James glanced at me, placing a finger to his lips, signalling for silence. With a mischievous glimmer in his eyes, he rummaged through the trash, and to my astonishment, the cutest kittens emerged from the discarded items. They surrounded him, and he fell to the ground, engulfed in playfulness and affection, hugging and playing with the adorable creatures. Witnessing this sight, my heart fluttered, realizing that beneath his tough exterior, he possessed a sweet and caring nature.

Enchanted by his interaction with the kittens, I barely noticed one of them licking my leg. James looked at me, a hint of amusement in his eyes, and teased, "Don't like cats?" Snapping back to reality, I looked down at the furry visitor, unable to resist its charm. Without hesitation, I joined in the playfulness, interacting with the kittens. I playfully retorted, "You wish," in response to his comment.

Our impromptu excursion continued, and James took me to various places, including a candy store I had never been to before. To my delight, they sold frozen chocolate strawberries, and I savoured their delectable taste. It felt like a date, albeit an unconventional one. Together, we indulged in these simple pleasures, experiencing moments of joy and forgetting about the complexities of the world around us.