"Home sweet home." I say to myself as I open the door to my new apartment.
I place the last box on the floor by the couch. I put my hands on my hips and then sigh to myself before hearing a knock on my door. I spin around and there is a man around 6ft with brown hair and hazel eyes standing before me.
"I'm sorry, didn't mean to intrude or anything. I just wanted to say hi. I'm Jack." Jack says.
"It's okay. I'm Holly." I say.
"Holly. That's a beautiful name." Jack says.
"Thank you. My mom named me after her sister who died in car accident." I say.
"I'm so sorry." Jack says.
"Please, don't be. The last thing I want is to be crying. I came here for a fresh start after everything that I went through." I say as I wipe a tear from the corner of my eye.
"Would you like to come to my apartment for coffee? Tomorrow perhaps?" Jack asks.
"Sure. Actually. Whilst you're here, could you help me put my bed together?" I ask.
"Sure, would it be okay if my daughter sits in here whilst I help you? She's only 5 and I don't want to leave her alone." Jack explains.
"Of course. Can I introduce myself?"I ask cautiously.
"Absolutely. Her name is Bella and she will love you." Jack says as he walks out the door to go and get Bella.
Jack returns with the most adorable 5 year old I have seen. he puts her down and I crouch down to her level. She goes shy, but I smile.
"Hi Bella. My name's Holly." I say.
"Are you my daddy's girlfriend?" Bella asks.
"No. Your daddy is my friend though." I say.
"Oh. Can I watch cartoons?" Bella asks.
"Of course. Do you like spongebob?" I ask.
Bella nods as she climbs onto my couch. She sits with her stuffed animal and giggles.
"So, you gonna show me to your room?" Jack asks.
I blush and start laughing. I lead the way and when we are standing at the door, we are staring at a pile of bed pieces.
"So, where do we start?" Jack asks.
"The slacks." I say.
After 2 hours of trying, we finally put the bed together. I fall back on it, sighing from exhaustion. Jack falls back onto the bed with me and I turn onto my side to say thank you, but things take different turn. Jack kisses me.
"I'm so sorry." Jack says as the two of us sit up.
"It's fine. Thanks for helping me with my bed." I say as I
stand up and walk to my bedroom door.
"Holly. I'm sorry if I abused your trust or something." Jack says.
"To be truthful Jack, I have only known you for a few hours, but I know we are going to be good friends. If it goes further than friends then that's fine. It's just, after everything, I'm not ready for a relationship. Not yet anyway." I say before walking out.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Jack asks.
"I might tell you tomorrow. Thank you for the invite for coffee." I say.
We turn around and notice Bella is sleeping. I smile and Jack carefully picks her up. I open my front door for hime and then he leaves. A tear escapes my eye, but I quickly wipe it away. I notice Bella left her stuffed animal on my couch. I pick it up and take it to Jack's apartment. Before I get to his door, I bump into him.
"I was just bringing Bella's stuffed animal over." I say as I step back.
Jack doesn't say anything, instead he looks at me. He kisses me and pushes me up against the wall. I breathe heavily after we break the kiss.
"I know this is crazy, but I think you're the one." Jack says as he cups my face.
"What about Bella's mom?" I ask.
"She left me when Bella was 3 weeks old." Jack says.
"Jack. I want to feel some security in my life after what happened." I say
"And I can give that security." Jack says.
"I have barley known you for three hours." I say.
"Okay. Let's take things slow. I don't want to pressure you." Jack says.
"Thank you, but for now, just friends." I say.
I hand Jack the stuffed animal and then walk back to my apartment. I close my door and then lay on my couch. I start watching friends and it's the one where Rachel gives birth to Emma. I'm almost asleep, when my phone loudly rings. I answer it. Mom.
"Hey mom." I say as I put it on speaker so I can make a drink.
"Hey sweet. How's your new apartment?" My mom asks.
"It's all good." I say.
"Have you made any friends?" My mom asks.
"Sort of. There's this guy. He knocked on my door, introduced himself and then he helped me out my bed together. He has a 5 year old daughter called Bella." I say as I smile.
"You're blushing. Do you like him?" My mom asks.
"Maybe." I say as my face goes as red as a tomato.
"Look, holly. If you want a boyfriend, then find one. As long as you feel comfortable, then I'm happy." My mom says.
"Thanks mom. You and dad should come and stay." I say.
"Okay. I'll have to get time off work though. W're really busy at the moment and four people quit, so I'm having to work over time." My mom says.
"That's completely understandable. I'm gonna go job hunting tomorrow." I say.
"What do you want to do?" My mom asks.
"Well, I saw an ad in the book store. I know it's not great, but it's a start. I wanna save up for a new guitar." I say.
"I'll send you the money for it." My mom says.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I want to be independent." I say.
"Are you sure?" My mom asks.
"Yes. I gotta go, but tell dad and all the others that I love and miss them." I say.
"Of course darling. I love you." My mom says.
"I love you too mom." I say.
YOU ARE READING
Love Is All I Need
Teen FictionHolly moves from Chicago, Illinois to Manhattan, New York. She moved after going through a terrible ordeal. She's starting fresh, but she isn't stable on her own. Will she be able to find the stability she needs or will she crumble under the pressur...
