His Guilty Pleasure

Chapter Twenty Eight

I watch John cook up a simple meal but it smells great. He talks the entire time but I'm mesmerized by the movement.
"Ready to eat?" He asks, placing a big plate on front of me. It's filled with pasta and jerk chicken. I inhale deeply, taking a bite.
"Mm oh my god. This is so good." I moan. He chuckles and I blush bright red.
"I'm glad you like it. I do have to study so you can eat and watch tv. It'll take thirty minutes or more."
"Thats fine, I'll keep it down."
He walks out the living room and I go back to eating. I turned my phone off, I've been gone for some hours and I'm sure mom is looking for me. Good, that'll teach her to not push me away. Joe deserted me and that'll teach him too, if he even knows I'm gone. That'll teach everyone that I do matter.

I wake up to someone shaking my arm. I turn over, trying to get comfortable.
"Danielle?"
"Hmm?"
"You can take my bed, I'll take the couch."
I sit up and John smiles at me. I let him guide me to his bedroom that feels like Antarctica.
"Can you keep me warm?" I whine.
"You have a boyfriend..Remember?"
"Boyfriend? Jones isn't my boyfriend. Please?"
"Uh..fine. I'll keep my hands to myself."
I dont know what has gotten into me but I dont want to be alone. Everyone feels like they can just leave me hanging. I've had enough. I wrap my arm around his waist, his breathing uneven.
I'm exhausted and can barely make out the words he's saying.
Would Joe accept this?

•••••••••••••

The sun shines bright and happy. I stand up, stretching my arms out. I yawn taking in my surroundings; I should be home. John is gone and I don't bother to read his folded note.
I slip on my shoes and head out the door. I can't really remember how I got here. I'm not driving so I'll have to use clues. We passed a McDonald's and a Burger King. Shit, where is it?
I turn my phone on and there's so many messages. I don't bother to read them or listen. Instantly, it starts ringing again.
"Is this Danielle?" A male voice questions.
"The one and only."
"I'm with the San Francisco police department. Your mother has been looking for you. Where are you ma'am?"
Oh my God. She called the cops?!
"I'm not missing! I'm on..Carter Street. Could I get a ride or something?"
"Stay still. We're on the way ma'am."
How great, I've gotten myself in deeper trouble.