She's the little

chapter 37

"he said that already?" Lizzy says licking the rim of her hot chocolate.

"i mean you cant be that surprised though? you guys have been in a relationship for like almost 3 months now. it's basically to be expected." jenny piped up from across the table.

"yea i guess." i shrug staring at the floating marshmallow that bounced along the edges of my mug  thinking back to this a few hours ago.

I can't help but think about him saying that to me earlier. I feel butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it, and my face flushes slightly. I take a sip of my cocoa, trying to hide my smile.

"yea feeing out the back door like batman while he slept was a-bit much dee." Lizzy says, half joking.

"but wait wait wait, we not even in a proper relationship. we've only kissed once, and haven't done it since." i argue trying to come up with more reasons for this to be a bad thing.
even though i felt the same...

"and i dont know what you mean by 'like batman' i am batman."

Lizzy giggles and playfully rolls her eyes at my response, "You can't even deny that you like him, so just admit it already." She says with a sly smile.

My friends' laughter fills the almost empty coffee place we found, and I blush harder, feeling a mix of embarrassment and happiness. "But guys, it's not as simple as that," I say, trying to defend myself. "we've only kissed once...What if he's got like weirdly shaped butt cheeks? that could be a deal breaker..."

My friends can't help but burst into another fit of laughter at my last comment, and I can't help but crack a small smile myself. I cover my face with my hands, feeling both embarrassed and amused by my own words. "Stop! You're making it sound so ridiculous!" I playfully swat at Jenny's arm, unable to hide my grin.
"I mean...I think I would have noticed if he had some weird butt cheeks by now," I can't help but start to giggle too at my own ideas. Maybe it was just the nerves of it all, but I couldn't stop giggling like an idiot.

"And besides, even if he does have weird butt cheeks, it's still no reason to not feel the same way, right?" Jenny asks, trying to be serious, but failing as she starts laughing again.

its not that i don't feel the sane way.
i just don't want him to know i feel the same way.

"uhm why are my butt cheeks being talked about?" i hear James say from further down the cafe and suddenly, both Derik and teddy appear behind him as they walk inside.

I freeze in place, wide-eyed.
James stands there with a confused look on his face, I feel the heat rising to my cheeks as lizzie and jenny try to stifle their giggles.

James walks over to the table, looking confused and slightly amused. "So...I've been hearing some interesting things about my butt?" he jokes, arching an eyebrow.

i cup my face in my hands as my embarrassment takes over and i hear the three boys sit down next to their perspective littles.
James takes a seat next to me and wraps an arm around my shoulders, clearly enjoying the spectacle. All of my friends are still laughing, trying to hide their faces behind their mugs.

"you know i appreciate you texted me that you left but you could have just woken me up and i would have brought you here." James tells me quietly as the boys settle next to the girls.
James talks to me in a low voice, sounding amused by the situation. I can feel my face burning with embarrassment and try my best to act casual, but I can't stop the smile that tugs on the corners of my lips. "Sorry," I murmur back, still feeling a bit red in the face.

James chuckles softly and pulls me closer, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead. He's enjoying seeing me like this, even though I'm embarrassed out of my mind. But I can't help but feel a warm sense of happiness at it, even as my face burns.

It's clear that our friends are still watching us, still laughing and enjoying the situation. I try to keep my composure as best as I can but I can't help but lean into James, seeking comfort in his affection.

should i have said it back when i got the chance?
I sit there in James' arms, surrounded by our friends, I can't help but think about the words James said to me earlier. "I love you." it echoes in my mind, and I realize that I've never said it either, at-least not in a romantic way.
It feels thrilling and nerve-wracking at the same time, and I feel a mix of emotions stirring inside me.

i think james noticed me get lost in my own mind because as i zoned out and played with my neck i felt his hand rub my back in an attention seeking way.
James' touch brings me back to reality, and I realize that he must have noticed my momentary space out. I can feel his reassuring presence next to me, and I lean into him even more. I let his hand rub my back softly, soothing away my thoughts.