Alone

Chapter 14

- Christina's POV -

I woke up to a knock at my door. I glanced at Jordan, who was asleep next to me and then looked at the clock on the wall, 10:55am, way too early for me.

"What?" I asked harshly, opening the door.

"Mom wants you." Rachel said as she tried to get a look around me, probably trying to see if Jordan was in my room.

"I'll be down in a minute."

"Alright." She said as she turned and began to walk away but when she got half way down the hall she turned around, "Oh, happy birthday." She smiled.

"Thanks, Rach." I said, shutting the door.

I walked over to the bed and climbed on top of Jordan, who was still asleep. I began to leave a trail of kisses from his neck, down his bare chest and to his stomach but was stopped when he flipped me over.

"Good morning." I smiled.

"Good morning, birthday girl." He smiled as he left a soft kiss on my lips.

"As much as I would like to stay like this forever... my mom wants me down stairs."

"Awesome, let's go." He said, getting off the bed and extending his hand out, as I gave him a questioning look.

"You really wanna go down there? You know, after last night and everything."

"I'm gonna have to face your mom one day." He breathed out.

"Alright." I shrugged, "Oh, you're lucky today, she's a morning person and she just happens to love my birthday."

"Cool." He smiled as he followed me out the room and down the stairs.

"Morning, guys." I waved as I walked in the kitchen.

"Happy Birthday." They all said.

"Thanks." I giggled.

"So, Christina. We were thinking today for your birthday we could just go out and around Pittsburgh, like we used to. It's also a good opportunity to show your friend some of the city." My mom said.

I looked at Jordan, then back to my mom and shrugged, "Yeah, sounds fun."

"Ok. We'll leave at 12. Go get ready, hun."

****

"Where are we going now?" Mom asked as we got into the car.

"Well, I wanted to go shopping." Rachel said.

"I'm down for shopping." I said.

"Me too." Stephanie chimed in.

"The mall it is." My step dad said, laughing as Jordan and my step brother Casey groaned.

The car ride was filled with small talk, mainly between Jordan and the rest of my family. It surprised me that he was so comfortable with them, considering the events of the previous night's dinner.

"We're here." My step dad said, interrupting the various conversations in the car.

Us girls cheered as we got out the car and began to head into the mall with the boys close in tow. I have to admit, I love getting away from L.A. and heading back home. It's peaceful and quiet and I'm almost never bothered by anyone. Most of all I just miss my family.

"Rachel!" I said as my eyes lit up, "I just have to take you to Victoria's Secret."

"No you do not. She's 17, Christina." My mom said, immediately shutting down my idea.

"Don't worry, mom, Rachel is a little angel compared to me. You don't want to know what I was doing at 17." I winked as I grabbed Rachel's hand and led her away from everyone else. I felt kind of bad about leaving Jordan with the others but I quickly shrugged off the thought as I walked through the mall with Rachel by my side.

- Jordan's POV -

"I worry about that girl sometimes." Christina's mom said, shaking her head.

"I know the feeling." I said. She gave me a half smile before turning to her husband.

"Jim, why don't you take the kids to the arcade while I get to know Jordan a bit better." She smiled.

"Alright, honey. I'll see you soon." He said as he kissed her on the cheek and left.

"Now, first of all, I just want to apologise for my behaviour last night. It was wrong of me to judge you so quickly and I'm truly sorry for that." She said sincerely.

"It's completely fine. From first hand experience, I understand why you're so protective. She doesn't take heart break well."

"You were there for the whole 'Jorge saga'?" She asked.

"I came into the picture a bit later than others but there are some things that I witnessed, that I really wish I didn't."

"I agree with you there." She laughed.

"You've raised a wonderful daughter, ma'am. She's one of a kind."

"Yes she is and please, call me Shelly." She said as I nodded.

- Christina's POV -

"Rach, where do you want to go?" I asked.

"Wait, I thought we were going to Victoria's Secret?"

"Ha, you wish. I just used that as an excuse for them to not follow us."

"Why would you do that?"

"I want some alone time with my baby sister. Is that too much to ask?"

Rachel smiled to herself before looking up at me,"Let's have some fun."

"Well, that all depends on what you consider fun." I laughed.

- Jordan's POV -

"So, how long have you and Christina been dating?" Shelly asked as we continued walking aimlessly through the mall.

"Oh, we're not dating." I replied.

"You keep saying that, but are you sure? I know you were in her room last night and I know, considering it was Christina, you guys weren't just talking."

"Well, yeah but we're still not dating. We're dating but you know, not really. Does that make sense?"

"No. Would you care to elaborate?"

"I don't think she wants a relationship yet, after the whole thing with Jorge. What if we break up? She might end up becoming a mess again, I couldn't stand that on my conscience."

"If you love her, you'd risk it. As for her not wanting a relationship, you can figure that out for yourself. Think of things she has said to you, done for you. You may have overlooked these little things when they may have been signs, I know from experience that men can be oblivious."

"Thanks, Shelly. Christina's lucky to have mother like you." I smiled.

"And she's lucky to have a 'friend' like you." She winked.

As we continued walking, I tried to think back on any signs Christina had given me. My mind immediately went back to what she said the previous night when we were sitting out on the porch, "... at the end of the day it's what I want and I want to be with you." And again in the car when I asked if we were dating she said, "I don't know, you tell me." There were also plenty more times on tour. How could I have missed all advances? This whole time I thought she didn't want a relationship, she had been pushing for one.