Finally Soulmates

Part 9

Scott and Benny stepped back from their masterpiece, Tara. She stood up with complimentary make up and a messy side bun that seemed to fit her perfectly. She looked at James with a smile playing on her lightly glossed rose lips.

He looked on her with a new opinion, she was more beautiful than she let on and Benny and Scott unleashed that. Not that she wasn't beautiful before, James thought. He just never paid attention until now.

"Dude, I'm jealous of your girlfriend," Benny laughed.

"I am not his girlfriend!" Tara glared at Benny before grabbing a black hoodie and putting it on, "let's just go." She said to James before grabbing some black flats and trying to get them on while hopping down the stairs.

"Guys, don't argue with her," James stopped them before they could take away the hoodie. He followed after her and opened the door for her before she yelled at him.

"I can get the door myself, idiot," she exclaimed as she stabilized herself on the front door from putting on the shoes. "Hey, idiots! Get out of my house before my sister comes back!" She yelled up the stairs.

"Coming!" Scott sounded genuinely worried but Benny almost screamed back "I love you!"

"Benny! She doesn't care!" James answered for her. Tara smiled at him with gratitude.

They all left, Scott and Benny going back home and James taking the car from the two and driving Tara and himself to the fancy restaurant.

"Now, forgive me, but this is as fancy as it comes here and it doesn't require a reservation," James said.

"That's not fancy, that is just overpaying for a good dinner that people don't want everyone to come to," Tara answered.

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Kelson pulled up to the restaurant and walked around to the other side to open Lindsey's door. She stepped out and after collecting her purse, he shut the door for her and opened the restaurant door.

"This is a pasta restaurant," Lindsey said with shock.

"Is it not good enough for you?" Kelson asked, a little bit worried.

"No, it's- It's perfect," Lindsey smiled. Kelson let out a sigh of relief that he didn't know he was holding. They got in line behind a couple of people.

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James wanted to open the door for Tara, and there was no doubt that he tried, however she did snap at him and told him to leave her alone. Tara admired the effort he gave her, but she didn't like him being a gentleman and opening doors for her, she felt helpless. It was definitely something she despised feeling.

He walked up to the front door to the restaurant and opened the door. She walked up and grabbed the door from him, then let it shut.

"Why are you trying so hard?" Tara asked, "Haven't you gotten it through your thick head that I don't want help?" James was taken aback. "I mean, I've told you so rudely not to open the door for me and not to do anything for me and you don't give up. Don't you get it? I hate feeling like this. Helpless."

"I'm not trying to make you feel helpless, I get that you don't like it, but it's my instinct. Also, why would I give up on you. It's not quite The Taming of The Shrew but in a way, I'm teaching you courtesy. I grew up on that," James smiled sweetly.

"I hate how polite you are and I rude I am in return," Tara said.

"How about we let your feelings out at dinner?" James suggested.

"Yeah," Tara nodded vigorously. James grabbed the door and pulled it open for her. "Thank you," Tara smiled sadly.

"One step closer," James shrugged. As the two walked in, Tara scoffed.

"Spaghetti? Stereotypical," Tara frowned.

"Shut up, it's the only thing I could think of last minute that wasn't Belle's, we don't want that incident again." James nudged her side with his elbow, laughing a little bit.

"True," Tara shrugged. By now, the line had diminished to only two people, Tara and James.

"Table for two please," James requested with a smile. The woman smiled.

"Right this way," She led them to a corner table with candles on each side and a vase of roses in the middle, the silverware already set up. The two sat down, James pulling out the chair for Tara and pushing it back in once she sat down, then sitting down in his own chair.

"What may I get you?" Their waitress asked as she handed out menus. James flipped through quickly before asking Tara if she liked wine.

"Never tried it," she answered. James asked for recommendations instead.

"Chardonnay is one of my favorites," she answered, James nodded and went for that and some Bruschetta.

"Alright, spill the beans," James offered.

"I don't want to be here. My family is stressed about the marriage which will most likely ruin Christmas like it has every year, who knows why. I came because they called me for support. It's not that I don't love my family because I do, I really do, James. There's no possible way that I don't. It's just been hard since I lost my dad when I was only five and Tasha was one. Mom has been trying so hard to let us grow up. However, once I became seventeen, the pressure was on. I became the new mom and she was just waiting to get me out of the house but married. I couldn't stand it, I wanted to do what I wanted first. I was dedicated to getting my law degree and mom was dedicated to finding my soulmate. Before I left, we argued over when I will get married or whatever. I understand she cares about me, but I don't need anyone. I left for college and I didn't want to come back because I know I'm a disappointment to her and Tasha won't leave me alone. I just want to go back and never come here again because I'm done with all of this... This pressure." Tara almost cried.

James seemed to notice the tears in her eyes, so he stood up and walked over to her, grabbing his fabric napkin and wiping away the tears that just starting falling. "Calm down, okay?" He whispered.

"I'm sorry, I'm on PMS," She took the napkin and wiped away the tears.

"Good thing they put on the waterproof makeup," James joked half heartedly. Tara stopped crying and laughed a little bit. "You're not a disappointment."

"How would you know?" Tara asked, sitting up a little bit.

"I don't know what it's like to be a disappointment, I only know what it's like to fail. Did you know fail means First Attempt In Learning. You haven't failed because that's when most people give up, you have a strong will and want to pursue what you want instead of what your mother wants. You both need to talk this out, okay?" James assured her.

"She won't listen," Tara looked at her lap.

"Make her, you have a strong will," he repeated before heading to his seat.

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"So, uh, spaghetti?" Kelson started.

"I like it here," Lindsey said, looking around, "Of course, I've been here before, many times."

Great, Kelson face palmed. "So, what do you like?" Great going! Awkward dinner conversations, always the best.

"I enjoy singing," Lindsey smiled.

"Oh that's great! I'm in a band," Kelson said.

"Have you chosen what you want to order?" The waitress interrupted.