She's little

chapter 47

I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks as James clipped a pacifier clip to my jacket. It was a subtle action, but it felt undeniably infantilizing. I instinctively wanted to protest, to say that I didn't need it, but the words dies in my throat.

I wasn't exactly mad at the feeling of the pacifier clipped onto my jacket. In fact, there was a strange sense of comfort and security in knowing that it was there. It was a physical reminder of the care and attention being taken to keep me safe.

the drive was long and i spent most of the time on my phone, and a-lot more staring at the back of James head as he talked.

The long drive passed slowly as I busied myself with my phone, scrolling through social media and mindlessly playing games to pass the time. But my gaze found itself drawn to the back of James's head more and more often. I couldn't help but admire his features, the way his dark hair glistened under the passing streetlights. His voice as he occasionally spoke up in conversation was deep and soothing.

i have a major crush on my boyfriend

It seemed amusing to realize that among all the strange dynamics we had, I still found myself crushing on my own boyfriend. but it brought a small smile to my face.

I snapped out of my thoughts, my gaze shifting from the back of his head to his face as he spoke my name.
"Yes?" I replied, trying to nonchalantly hide my earlier distraction.

James's eyes flickered towards me through the rearview mirror, a hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "You were spacing out there for a moment," he teased, his voice full of amusement.

I felt a slight blush creep up my cheeks, realizing that I had been caught staring at him. I tried to shrug nonchalantly, attempting to cover up my growing fondness for him.
"Just lost in thought, that's all," I replied, turning my gaze away from his reflection in the mirror.

James chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the effect he had on me.
"Just thinking about how handsome I am?" he teased, playfully fishing for a compliment.

I rolled my eyes playfully at his attempt to fish for a compliment, but inside, my heart fluttered at his teasing.
"Right, your humongous ego needs even more stroking," I retorted sarcastically.

James feigned mock offense, clutching his chest dramatically.
"Hey, it's not my fault I'm devastatingly handsome," he said, his tone filled with playful arrogance.

"and we are finally here." he tells me pulling up the the massive field in-between the forest, where all of our friends had gathered

My heart skipped a beat as James announced our arrival, and my gaze shifted to the vast field spread out before us. I could see our friends' cars already parked, and a mix of excitement and nervousness welled up inside me.

The sight of our friends, their familiar faces and laughter floating through the air, only heightened my anticipation and anxiety. I longed to be out there with them, bantering and enjoying the weekend. But the car seat I was strapped into, the pacifier clip on my jacket – they were stark reminders of my current situation.
and letting the nerve get the best of me i reached my hand up and quietly pulled the clip off, stuffing it in my pocket and James was too busy parking to notice

As James finally parked the car and began getting out, I made sure to act as nonchalantly as possible. There was no way he would notice the clip missing, right?

I felt a shiver run down my spine as James reached towards me and undid the straps of my car seat. The feeling of helplessness washed over me once more, but before I could dwell on it too much he lifted me up and set me down gently onto the soft grass.

"white shoes? really Dianna?" he said looking down at my feet with sympathy

My heart skipped a beat as James looked at my white shoes with sympathy. I knew they were an impractical choice, and I had secretly hoped he wouldn't notice.
"I know, I know," I said, sighing in resignation. "I should've worn something more practical. But they're cute, aren't they?" I said, trying to justify my choice.

James chuckled at my attempt to defend my cute shoes.
"They are cute," he agreed, "but you're going to be walking a lot this weekend. Those poor white shoes aren't going to survive."

"you don't know me if you think i only brought one pare of shoes" i say rolling my eyes.

James laughed even louder at my statement, clearly amused by my stubbornness.
"Of course you wouldn't just bring one pair," he said, shaking his head in mock exasperation.

I puffed up my chest in an exaggeratedly prideful manner, striking a dramatic pose.
"You know me, always over-prepared and overly fabulous."

James rolled his eyes playfully, shaking his head at my theatrics.
"Humble as ever, I see," he teased, his tone filled with affection.
"your one to talk." i say, following him round the car to the back,

As we walked around the car, James chuckled at my comment, knowing all too well that I had him there.
"Touche," he said, grinning at me. "But I'm still the humble one out of the two of us."

I shot a playful glare at James as he swooped in and picked up all three bags before I could even reach for one. He flashed me a smug grin, clearly enjoying the fact that he had thwarted my attempt at being independent.
"Don't even bother," he said, his voice dripping with mock superiority. "I've got these. You just worry about keeping yourself out of trouble."

"DIANNA!" i hear lizzie yell from behind me, both her and Jenna running towards me

Lizzie was the first to reach me, enveloping me in a tight hug that nearly knocked me off my feet. Jenna was close behind, joining in on the embrace, and within seconds I found myself squished between the two of them, their laughter and excitement contagious.

"Jenna i said give the two a few minutes." i hear teddy say as him and Derik both walk towards us

"and i said no." Jenna playfully retorted back, and i watched as he scooped her up and spun her round, making her shriek with laughter, while derik carefully wrapped his arms around around lizzie, resting his chin on her head

Teddy's effortless display of strength as he spun Jenna around was met with playful protests from her. Meanwhile, Derik's gentle affection towards Lizzie was heart-warming to witness, his chin resting affectionately on her head.

over in the distance i saw the rest of our friends setting up tents and began heading over to them.