Free (Sequel to Through The Dark) Complete

Chapter 52

Julie walked into Niall and Amanda's house about a week after she came back from San Francisco.  It was time to settle back in, and actually see her room for more than a couple of hours to pack and leave.  She was enjoying her time with Harry, but she had to eventually get back to her routine.  That meant spending some time at home.  Plus, Panda had called and basically begged her to come back home because she missed her.  She was too precious sometimes pretending to miss her even when Julie was convinced that she was getting in the way.  Amanda had decided that today would be the day to go try on bridesmaid dresses.  Amanda was insistent on JJ having the perfect dress.  Even though JJ had equally insisted that it didn't matter ̶ it only mattered that Amanda had the perfect dress.

"Panda!"  Julie called out when she walked into the house.  She took her suitcase towards the laundry room.  She had washed everything at Harry's, but she'd stayed so long that it was all dirty again.

"JJ!"  Amanda said hurrying towards her and throwing her arms around JJ, making her drop the suitcase handle she was pulling.

"Hey, Panda."  Julie said laughing and automatically hugging Amanda back.

"I've missed you so much.  Please tell me you're staying home tonight."  She didn't let JJ go for a few minutes.

"Um, probably, I dunno."  Julie laughed again.  "But, um, do you think you can let me go?  Just so I can put some laundry in?"

"No."  Amanda said still holding her tightly.  "You haven't been around much at all.  You cannot leave me."

"Panda."  Julie shook her head and then smiled at Amanda when she stepped back.

"Sorry.  But you've disappeared on me.  You can't do that."  Amanda said leaning against the dryer as Julie started putting her clothes in the washer.

"Sorry.  But you wouldn't leave Niall when he's in the same city either, so don't even pout."  Julie said shaking her head.

"Yeah, but you're not me.  And you're not like that.  You're not clingy."  Amanda laughed.

"Oh?  I'm not?"  Julie said starting the wash machine and then walking with Amanda to the kitchen.  "So, are we doing this dress thing, or what?"  She opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water.

"No, you're not clingy, you like your alone time, but you haven't left Harry in weeks."  Amanda said sitting at the counter pouting.  "And yes, we are doing the dress thing, but first we're going to talk.  Or, you're going to talk, and I'm going to listen."  She laughed when Julie raised her eyebrows at her.

"Why?  What do I possibly have to talk to you about?"  Julie asked before taking a drink of her water.  "And I did leave Harry.  For almost a week.  I went to San Francisco Sunday and didn't come home until Thursday night."

"Yes, but you weren't HERE."  Amanda whined.  "And see, I didn't even know you came home Thursday night. I thought you were coming home Friday night."

"Well, I'm sorry I didn't tell you."  Julie laughed.  "To be fair though, I didn't tell Harry either.  I didn't tell anyone.  It was a last-minute decision when a couple girls decided to leave Thursday because Friday's speaker cancelled.  Jaime and Marcus stayed until Friday."  She felt her face start to get red as she thought about what happened when she arrived at Harry's Thursday night.  Shit.  She had to find a way to get away from Amanda's intense stare or she was going to be questioned about why she was blushing.  But it was too late.

"Wait!?  Why are you turning six shades of red?"  Amanda asked.  She couldn't think of why JJ would be blushing so deeply.  "What happened?"

"Oh, we don't have to talk about that."  Julie said thinking hard about how she could change the subject.  "I'm glad you called though. I think it was time for me to get out for a while.  Have some different company."  Julie said.  "Um, do you want something to eat?"  She asked turning to the fridge.