CJA + ALC

Chapter 10

CJ and I lay next to each other, my back to his chest, both of us breathing steadily. His hands wrapped around my waist, holding me closer to him, the blankets tangled around our legs. I turn to look at him, admiring how beautiful and peaceful he looks right now, his eyes are closed, but he's not asleep, the small smile on his face is a sign of that. I stare at his face, wanting to keep this moment in my mind forever.

"We haven't gone on a date yet," CJ says suddenly. "I mean, we can't count the IHOP incident, because I left you before it was over," He opens his eyes and looks back at me. I only nod in agreement. "Where would you like to go?"

"Nuh uh. That's not how this works," I respond. "You have to ask me properly."

"If you haven't noticed, we're not a proper couple," he points out.

"That doesn't mean anything. Just because we fucked before the first proper date doesn't mean you get a pass from being a gentleman."

He pouts at me and sits up, moving to straddle my hips. "Would you, Ansel Chester, my boyfriend for a grand total of a week, like to go out with me on a date?"

"Hmmm, I'll think about it," I smirk up at him, going to sit up.

"I'm not getting off until I get an answer," he growls before pushing me back onto the bed with a hand on my chest. I look up at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Okay then, I won't make you breakfast," I smile and lay back against the pillow, closing my eyes and pretending to go back to sleep.

"You're mean, using breakfast against me." He crosses his arms and pouts.

I chuckle and open my eyes to look at him. He stares down at me with a persistent pout on his face.

"Well if you want breakfast you'll have to let me up," I point out. "Or I guess you don't want home made waffles from my mothers own recipe."

"Well if you want to get up then you'll have to accept my offer."

I smile a little at how stubborn he was, an endearing quality that adds to this beautiful boy.

"I accept your offer," I say with a smile. "Now let me go make breakfast. I'm hungry." I demand.

A wide smile spreads across his face, his whole body showing his happiness, even though he knew I was going to say yes, he's my boyfriend, so why wouldn't I?

He clambers off my body and holds his hand out to me. I grab his outstretched hand and he pulls me out of the bed. Without letting me find my balance in the standing position, CJ pulls me out of the room, I stumble over my feet as he drags me through the house to the kitchen. I stand in the middle of the room, leaning against the island so that I can let my body adjust to the unexpected relocation.

"Now, down to the serious business. What kind of waffles were you planning on making?"

X-X-X-X-X-X

"Did you want to look at the tattoo parlor today?" CJ asks as we move from the kitchen to the living room, stomachs full of pancakes and orange juice. We sit on the sofa next to each other,

I think for a moment, I didn't want to spend CJ's only day off this week at a tattoo parlor, but if he wanted to go I would be fine with it.

"I was thinking about it. When were we going to go on that date I was promised?" I finally respond after a few minutes of thought on the subject.

"Probably at the end of the week, I need to have time to plan what we'll be doing and all." I nod in understanding and stand up from the sofa that we had sat down on. "What are you doing?" CJ looks up at me from his place in the sofa, his eyebrows scrunched together in confusion.

"'M just gonna take a shower, if we're going to the parlor I'd rather not smell awful." CJ gives an understanding nod before standing up next to me, stretching his arms over his head and giving a loud groan as one of his shoulders pops.

"I should take one too, in that case... I'll take mine after you, I have someone I need to call." His voice suddenly sounds sad and distracted.

"Are you okay?" I look over to him with a concerned glance. He just nods, looking down to the floor.

"I was going to call the hospital, see if my dad's still doing okay... I was thinking about going to see him. It wouldn't hurt I guess."

I offer him a small smile and rub his arm soothingly before pulling him into a tight hug. My head rests on his shoulder. "I'm so proud of you," I whisper, pressing a kiss to the side of his head.

"Go get in the shower, I'll go after you," he kisses the top of my head and ruffles my hair.

"I'm not six!" I exclaim as I reach up to fix my hair. He looks at me for a moment, he looks so tired, like just the thought of his dad puts a huge weight on his shoulders.

"You should leave your hair curly today," he reaches up again and runs his fingers through my hair. "Please?"

"Only because you asked so nicely," I smile up at him. I stand on my tip toes and press a kiss to his lips, taking him by surprise. "I'll consider it."

"I'll... Um. I'll leave my hair wavy and I'll wear my glasses instead of contacts," he offers.

"Hmmm," I consider. "Throw in an oversized sweater and I'll do it."

"Deal."