Free (Sequel to Through The Dark) Complete

Chapter 31

Julie walked in the door to Niall's house the morning of her birthday. It had been two days since her night out with Harry. She jumped when she saw Amanda leaning against the back of the couch, arms crossed, staring at her. "You scared me."

"Where were you? Are you just coming home now?" Amanda asked her.

Julie wrinkled her eyebrows. "Um, yes?" She took another step into the house. "How long have you been sitting there?"

"I heard the car in the driveway. I've been waiting for you to come in." Amanda narrowed her eyes. "Where were you?"

"You do realize that I live with you and Niall, but you're not actually my parents, right?" Julie shook her head and went to the fridge to grab a juice.

"Yes, I do, but you can still answer my question." Amanda said pushing herself off the couch and walking towards the kitchen. "I'm having trouble keeping up with your social life these days."

Julie laughed and took a drink. "Yeah? Doesn't seem all that busy to me."

"Well, two nights ago, you were out with Harry; then, last night you go out and don't come home until now. Niall was with Harry, so I know it wasn't with him." Amanda tried to put it together.

Julie laughed. "You so bored with Niall already, you have to have details of my single affairs?"

"Shut up, no, that's not what I meant." Amanda laughed. "Come on. What the fuck, JJ? You know I've been waiting for you and Harry to actually spend some time together. You know I feel you two love each other and are meant to be. I haven't seen you since then with work and your writing, and now apparently you staying out all night. Could you just pretend to be a normal best girlfriend and tell me everything?"

"You are making this into way more than it is." Julie gave up and sat down after grabbing some yogurt. "Harry and I had a good time. We went bowling, played in the arcade, sat at the beach, and gave each other hell the whole time. It was a good night. He asked if he could call me, and I told him yes. We came home shortly after the sun came up. It was light and fun, and I enjoyed it. Last night, Marcus asked to take me out for an early birthday dinner. He took me to a dinner theater. It was nice."

"You went with Marcus, and you're just coming home now? At 10 am?" Amanda asked wide eyed.

"Yes. But again, probably not what you're thinking. Marcus is nice. He's sweet and very relaxed. Almost too relaxed. We've gone out, what? More than a handful of times, and I've gotten one brief kiss. And that was last night saying Happy Birthday. I never thought I would say this. But he's rather boring."

Amanda couldn't help but laugh. When Julie gave her a look, she just shrugged. "Sorry, but I seem to recall you saying how it was what you needed not that long ago."

"It was nice. I mean it's still nice. But for fuck's sake, I can't even remember how many times we've gone out, and I mean, a little attempt at affection would have been nice. I mean, I'm ok taking things slow, but this is, yeah. Harry asked the other night if Marcus would be interested in him too, and I said no, I thought Marcus would be more interested in me, but I'm starting to wonder."

"JJ!" Amanda laughed harder.

"Well, come on, what mid twenty year old male do you know that wouldn't at least put their arm around you when you're out for the 5th or 6th time? Maybe, I should bring him around and see how he reacts to Niall. Maybe he will hit on him instead." Julie shrugged finishing her yogurt.

Niall groaned as he walked into the kitchen. "What the fuck? No! You keep your crazy new friends away from me."

"She's talking about Marcus, not Jaime, Niall, so I think you're safe." Amanda said as she turned back to JJ. "So, you spent the night anyway?"