"Friends"

"Friends" Chapter 11

**A week later**

JIMMY'S POV

As Val and I walked from the funeral, I held her hand tight.

We had stayed in Fulton with her parents, I mean Mom, and Val planned a small funeral just for some close friends and family. Gosh, I'm still getting used to the fact that he's gone.

It was really sad.

Valerie has been so strong this entire time for her Mom and it amazed me how she did that. She was my angel dressed in armor. If my dad had just died, I would be a mess for a long time after.

We both decided to walk home alone. It was actually a beautiful day.

She took off her heels and pulled her styled hair back into a bun. I held her heels for her and we walked down the sidewalk of her neighborhood.

"That was really, truly beautiful, Val... You did a great job."

"Thank you... I really don't know how to act right now. I mean, I've tried to keep myself together for my mom's sake but at the same time, there's nothing to keep together. This sounds really cold hearted of me, but I feel fine." She rubbed the side of her head and we crossed the street. "I think the reason that is, is because when I sat in the hospital room with him, I told him everything I needed to... He left knowing everything I wanted to him to know and it, somewhat, fills the hole in my heart... Not all the way, but just enough."

I saw a park appear ahead of us and I pointed. "Come on, let's sit down for a bit."

I pulled her into the entrance of the park and we found a bench resting underneath a tree.

I sat down and she sat close to me.

I breathed in the fresh air and just looked around. I felt her head rest on my shoulder and I looked down at her.

"You're amazing... You realize that?" She looked up to me and gave me a small smile.

"Well, I wont argue with you there, Fallon. I don't know how I threw all this together in just a week..."

"I wasn't only talking about that... Everything you do is just amazing. I look at you and I cant help but impatiently wait for the next thing you're going to do... You are always so positive and gosh... Every time you smile, I can't even explain it... It's just... wow." I ran my fingers through my hair and bit my tongue. I felt her eyes linger on me.

I wasn't really the type of guy to give speeches like that, but with her, I just want to tell her all the right things. I want to compliment her as much as I can, and I just want her to realize how perfect she is in my eyes.

"That's one of the many reasons I love comedy... It makes people smile. And when every time I make you smile, I just feel on top of the world. You're so beautiful." I reached down to her face and just caressed her cheek. "Jeez, I'm in love with you..."

What was happening to me?

I never talk this way, I never act this way.

I've been in love before, I think... and it was nothing like this. I have never felt like this in my entire life... It was weird and strange and unfamiliar territory that for some reason, I was completely comfortable in. As long as I was here with her, I was happy.

"Come on my mushy Irish man, let's go home." She pulled me off the bench and we began to walk home.

When we finally arrived at her house and there was no one home.

"Hmm. That's strange. Let me call my mom." Valerie went into the kitchen and I heard her talking on the phone.

I walked over to some shelves by their TV in the living room and looked at all of their family pictures.