Hold Me Close: A Jemi Story

Chapter 1

"Let me hook you up with his brother," Selena said, sipping her diet Coke through a small straw. She looked at me, reading my dull expression. "He's a great guy, I met him here," Sel held her arms out in the little cafe, "But we just never hit it off. I think he would be perfect for you." 

I took a bite of my jelly-filled donut and wiped off my mouth with a white napkin. I tried to shrug off Selena's eager stare. "I don't know, Sel." 

She rolled her eyes, ignoring my attitude. "Well luckily for you, I do know. You guys will see how much you have in common, and fall in love. You'll thank me at the wedding." She winked playfully at me. 

"Very funny," I smiled. "But I don't think I'm looking for a relationship right now anyway. I'm happy alone."

Selena frowned. "Oh really?" 

"Yes really." I declared, sinking my teeth into the powdered donut, letting the jelly ooze into my mouth.

"Don't try to kid me, Demi. I've known you for a million years, you need this right now." Selena's eyes locked on mine. She shot me a little pleading smile. 

"Okay, I'll think about it." I sighed. 

Selena grinned. "That's the spirit!" 

I finished my donut while Selena slurped down her drink. We drove home, singing along to the radio. Selena was my best friend, ever since we met at age five. I referred to her as my sister, because we were just always that close. After her mom passed, we have been inseperable ever since. I was there for her, and she was there for me.

"It's nice to be home," Selena said, tossing her purse and keys on the kitchen counter.

"Hey, don't make a mess already. I cleaned all day yesterday." I frowned. "Don't be a bad roomate." 

Sel stuck her tongue out at me. "Relax, I always help you clean." 

"In what world?!" I laughed. 

I slipped off my heels and made my way to the couch. Selena placed herself in the leather recliner and turned on the t.v. She instantly started flipping through the channels way too fast to even get a glimpse of what she was looking at.

Gary strolled over and jumped up beside me. He nudged his head into my leg and purred softly. "Hi cutie," I smiled at him. 

"You and your cat obsession." Sel shook her head. "I told you that you needed a boyfriend." 

"The only man I need in my life is Gary," I let him curl up in a ball on my lap. "I remember when he was just a little kitten." 

Selena laughed. "Yeah, and now he's a 300 pound pain the ass." 

I laughed, running my hand over Gary's soft fur. "There's just more of him to love." 

There was something about cats that made me feel comfortable. I loved animals, but cats were my favourite. Cats couldn't cheat on you, or flirt with other girls. They couldn't walk out of your life because you weren't good enough, or because you weren't 'her'. Cats were lovers, and that is all I needed at this point in my life.