The Five Laws ✓

11

"Can you slow down for a second?" I called out to James as he trudged down the staircase towards the first floor, ignoring me as his shoes collided with the concrete steps.

"James wait," I tried catching up with him, my arm reaching out to gently grab his shoulder. He spun to face me, causing me to almost run straight into him.

"What do you want, Mia?"

His eyes were red and I took a small step back, surprised. Had he been crying?

"I... what happened back there?"

My voice was softer than before, not wanting to push him anymore than Blake already had. He bit his lip and looked up at the bright lights hung above the small space.

"Nothing. I don't know."

I licked my lips, not knowing what to say or how to help him feel better, "Hey... please don't cry."

He shook his head, "I'm n-not... I'm not crying."

By the way his voice cracked, I knew he was about to, which caused me to shut my mouth and lean against the stair railing slightly. Why was he so upset about this?

"He's always been like that. Ever since my first day," His voice was low, shaking slightly as he started to speak, "And I just don't know how to get him to knock it off. It shouldn't be that big of a deal, but when it's an everyday thing I can't help but wonder what I ever did wrong."

I wanted to go back in time right then and there, shove Blake into that table myself, and make sure James knew he didn't do anything wrong. After a second, I finally decided to speak.

"He's just the type of person who hurts other people to feel better about himself, James."

He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, letting out a shaky breath before saying, "I feel pathetic."

I shook my head, grabbing his hands quickly, "No. Don't ever, ever, feel pathetic for showing your emotions. Okay? I mean it. Why would you want to do that? It's so annoying when guys pretend to not have emotions just to protect their ego,"

He sniffled, meeting my eyes as I spoke. I wanted to cry. The look on his face said he was upset, but it was nothing he'd never experienced before. Bullying was something I had went through when I was in elementary school, and it's something that had fortunately faded away after leaving school altogether. But here James was, living with being put down on a daily basis, and holding it in just so it wouldn't affect anyone else. I suddenly felt sick for even knowing who Blake was.

I was rambling as James studied me intently, "I promise, you don't ever want to be that guy. You're already a great guy as it is! Trust me, I wouldn't lie to you James. You're the nicest person I've met so far here and you're a nice person in general too! You lighten my mood the second I see you and that's kind of hard to do considering I'm usually a cinical person. Besides, you're-"

My words were cut off as he moved towards me swiftly, hand cupping my jaw as he pressed his lips against mine. His scent engulfed me, and a bit of his dark hair brushed against my forehead.

I was surprised. I felt myself tense up, but quickly I realized what was happening. His body was pressed against me slightly, and I could feel his hand still holding one of mine. I felt flustered, but I kissed him back.

His lips felt soft, and it seemed like the stairwell and everything else had disappeared in an instant. It was just James and I. Nothing else mattered. Nothing but his lips against mine.

He pulled away quickly, and he seemed to look paler than before as he bit his lip, taking a small step back.

"I'm sorry... I didn't-"

"It's okay." I finished, both of our voices barely above a whisper as I focused on the freckles that dotted his nose instead of his eyes which were on mine.

He cleared his throat, stepping away completely and slipping his hand out from mine before awkwardly looking towards the door at the bottom of the stairs.

"Thank you," He said gently. I looked up at him as he continued to speak.

"No one's ever told me anything like that before."

I nodded and watched as he moved to leave. I didn't know what to say, where to go, or what to do.

"Um... Is it alright if I call you later? Maybe we can, I don't know, get dinner if you want to. I mean, I want to obviously. I wouldn't have just done that if I didn't and, um—"

"That sounds fine. I'll see you." I cut his words short to spare him any further awkwardness.

He almost tripped over his feet trying to get out of there, and I could hear him groan lightly before the door opened and closed, leaving me on my own. I felt my heart speed up as I tried to collect my thoughts. I needed to tell Florence. I needed to tell Lauren. I had no clue what to do and the help I needed had to be strictly professional.

My head felt cloudy as I went back up the stairs, the realization of what happened suddenly hitting me.

Oh my god.

He kissed me.

He actually kissed me!

What and why were the two words bouncing back and forth in my brain as I walked into my office, eyes landing on Lauren who was typing quickly on her laptop.

"There you are, where have you been?" She spun her chair towards me as I sat down, looking eager to hear what I had to say.

Kissing james in the stairwell, my subconscious threw in before I had a chance to think of something to say. I struggled to hide my smile.

"Nowhere. I just had to talk to someone really quick." I said, trying to be nonchalant as I looked out the window, ignoring her stare.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded at her question, "Yep. I'm alright. I just... I'm glad I get off early today because I think being here is starting to suffocate me."

She laughed before nodding, "I get that feeling, like, twenty times a week, Mia. Don't worry about it. You'll feel better tomorrow."

I grinned at her, but I wasn't exactly paying too much attention to what she was saying.

In that moment, I knew a couple things. I knew I had to talk to Blake. It was the only way to get him to back off, especially after today. I just didn't know what I was going to say to him. I also knew that James had feelings for me. Maybe slight, and maybe barely there, but still there nonetheless.

My phone vibrated, and my heart dropped.

I felt myself calm down the second I read who it was from. I really needed to calm down.

New Message from: Soulmate

I have something I need to tell you, like, ASAP. Come home as soon as you get off, it's important.

I reread Florence's words a few times before locking my phone and sliding it into my pocket. I had known right then that the day was going to feel longer than usual.