Soulmates || Joakim Noah {Slow updates}

Chapter 4.

The next morning I woke up with a smile on my face. I was the happiest I've been in years. Today, my parents weren't at home. Dad was working like always, and Mom was shopping and spending the day with Cécilia. I made myself a bowl of different fruits and ate slowly. I still can't believe what happened last night. Jo and I are best friends again, and hopefully this time it will last forever. My emotions still were everywhere. I spent all morning ordering things for my new room.

Sometime later, the doorbell ringing scared me. I wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door and there he is. Jo. How could anyone be this cute in the morning? Until this moment I thought, probably no one.

"Hey Annie." Jo said with the sweetest voice ever.

"Hey Jo, please, come in. Do you want something to eat or drink?" I said trying to not look at him too much.

"What, no hug or kiss?" Jo said pouting. I laughed and hugged him sweetly. He hugged me back really hard.

"Okay Jo, I know you have been going to the gym, don't need to demonstrate it like this." I said jokingly. He laughed and sat on the couch.

"I don't want to seem rude, but what are you doing here?" I said sitting beside him.

"Do you want me to leave? I know you don't. Don't need to answer." He said looking at me and chuckling. He needs to stop doing this. He's too cute for his own good. "I'm here because I want to show you the city. You have only been to the airport and the supermarket. I've been here for awhile, so you can trust me, we won't get lost." He explained.

"Okay, seems like a good plan. Let me grab my purse and phone real quick." I grabbed everything I needed rushed out the door, closing it softly behind me.

"Let's go Jo. I trust you." I said jokingly. He looked at me and grabbed my hand like it was the most precious thing in the world. I blushed and we started walking. The day came to an end real quick and we sat in some park.

"I love this city Jo. It's beautiful. Thank you for being an amazing guide." I said smiling really hard. Today really felt like old times.

"You're welcome Annie. You know, I always come here when I need to think or something like that." He said, gazing up at the sky. The sun was setting and it was a beautiful view.

"I can understand why. This park is beautiful. Thank you for showing it to me. I love it." I remarked softly, looking into his eyes.

"Yeah. I'll miss these moments of peace and everything. In a month or so I will be an NBA player." He said.

"Aren't you excited Jo? It's your dream. I still remember those conversations when we were kids and you were saying that you wanted to be an NBA player." I looked at his face and I knew what was happening. "Oh my God, Jo, you're scared. Don't be. You will show everyone how amazing you are. I promise. I can feel it. Come here." I pulled his head on my lap and caressed his hair, wanting to calm him.

"I'm scared because I don't want to disappoint my family or you." He said.

"You would never disappoint me Joakim. I'm serious." I told him seriously after a moment.

"I already have. When I left France without telling you." Jo said.

"Well, true, but like you said yesterday, that's in the past. Let's think about the present and the future. And I see a very bright future for you. You will be a beast in the court, like always." He chuckled. "The Bulls are lucky to have you. And I'm not telling this to calm you down, I mean it. Every word." I gave him a kiss on the forehead.

"I want you to be at my first game, with my family. I really need you to come." He said while glancing up at me.

"I don't have a ticket Jo. I didn't know we would be friends again..." I said disappointed.

"I would give you all tickets, you don't need to worry. I have everything in mind." He got up and offered me his hand to help me up. We started walking to my home with our hands intertwined. I haven't laughed this much since I was in France with him. The walk home was short and once we arrived, we both stepped up on the porch. "Thank you again for this day and the tickets, Jo. You're amazing." I said blushing. "Stop thanking me Annie. It's okay. Who needs to be thanking someone is me. Thank

you for being my best friend again, thank you for saying those things on the park. I really needed it. Thank you for all the amazing years by your side. You won't leave my side ever again, I promise. Thank you Annie." I didn't realize that during his speech he'd gotten much closer to me. Our faces were so close together, as his voice trailed off. His eyes went from my eyes to my lips, almost as if silently asking me if it was okay. I nodded, stomach quivering as he leaned in...