Finding Criss

Chapter 6

"Ok, what about this?" I ask , holding up a white lace dress.

"No" James says, sitting on my bed.

I dig through my closet. "James, since you know me so well, why don't you pick it out?" I whine. Finding the perfect dress was tiring.

"Ok" he said simply, replacing himself in my position. He rummaged.

"This one" he smiled proudly. He held up a black strapless dress with white lace bordering the just-above-the-knee hem. "Ooooh, yes. Good choice. But I need my white cardigan." I said as I got up off the bed.

I changed in my bathroom and did my makeup (nothing dark, mascara and some simple eyeliner), then came out to let James see the finished result. He didn't say anything.

"Well, what do you think?" I asked, twirling. He got up and walked over to me. I stopped moving. He walked behind me and whispered in my ear. "No cardigan" he said, as he gently pulled it off of me. " See, you have nice shoulders. If you get cold, I will give you my coat."

"Hehe, thanks, uh, James." I stuttered. " What, did I make you nervous?" he asked, concern lacing his words.

"Um, no. I'm fine. Can we go?" I said quickly. I frantically tied my hair into a loose bun, slipped into some booties, and was out the door and into James's car.

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Eh, Rome . Just the thought made me nervous. I see Ash and Mikey waiting with Ron in the parking lot. I got out weakly, and opened the door for Mia, who was dressed in a pair if blue jeans and a green flannel shirt. Such effort. James was wearing a coat with a white tee underneath. Ash was wearing a lavender dress with cut outs at the collar. Mikey, well Mikey put about as much effort into looks as Mia did. I gave James a look and he nodded. He knew I was nervous. I walked past Ron, not sparing him a glance. I could feel his stare burning on my back as I approached Ash. Behind me, I could hear James catching up slowly with Ron.

"She's a real babe" I heard Ron whisper. "Just look at her"

"Shut up. Don't touch her.Don't even think about her, got that? If you make her uncomfortable in any way, you won't be able to stand by the end if the night." James grumbled. He jogged up to me, quickly replacing his scowl with a smile.

I stood up on my tip toes and whispered ,"Thank you". I hugged him and retreated to Mia, who was happily typing away on her phone.

Inside the restaurant, I meekly sat next to Ron, across from James, who was giving my date quite the death stare. I looked over to see his face very pale. Well, I wouldn't have to worry about him tonight. I suppose he will make his way to end up chatting with Mia.

When our food arrived everyone dug in. Except for me. Just watching them eat was stomach twirling.

"Criss dear, eat up! You never waste food like this." Ash called, completely forgetting my feelings of this place. I looked glumly at my food, moving it around with my fork. Ash was staring at me intently . I forked a piece of chicken and slowly raised it to my mouth. I looked at it, inspecting it, and put it in my mouth. Ok, it wasn't that bad. A couple prices of broccoli and pasta should sit well. Yum! This wasn't so bad.

That is, until I ate about four or five much larger bites of chicken. I could feel the sour taste in my throat. Oh no. I sat there quietly, trying not to look at anyone. I felt like my stomach was doing cartwheels over, and over. I started to cough, and that's when I decided it was time to leave. "I'm sorry," was all I said as I left the table abruptly, giving James a worried look. I made a dash for the front door, trying to keep it all in. I ran to behind the building, so know one could see me, and let it go.

Disgusting. I really hate Rome. After I was done spewing my dinner, I sat down on a bench. I should have just said no to coming. Why am I such a chicken?

"Criss," I heard the familiar voice call, "hey, it's alright."

James sat down next to me and patted my back. "Hey, look, are you ok?" he asked. I had my head down, on the verge if tears. I don't know why, but puking just makes you want to cry.

I sniffled. I raised my head and faced him, but never looked at him. I'm happy he brought napkins. Carefully, he wiped my mouth and neck dry, then pulled me into a tight hug. We just stayed there like that. I started a little puddle on his shirt, but it didn't matter. "No, I'm not ok. I don't feel good." I whispered. "Do you want to go home?" James asked. I nodded my head against his shirt. "Ok" was all he said as he got up and have me his hand. I was a little shaky, but it was alright. I got up slowly and walked with him back inside. I didn't look at anyone except for James. Ash was asking me all sorts of things, but I didn't awnser and waited for James to finish giving Mia directions on going home with Ron. He got up and said his good byes, then walked me out of the restaurant. The car drive was silent on the way to my place, but it was a comfortable silence. The kind where you know someone well enough that you don't have to ask them what's wrong or what they are thinking about, because you already know. The kind that shouldn't be bothered with words.

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I opened the door and walked in. My legs felt like jello, and the rest of my body was exhausted. I was surprised I could move with out falling and sleeping. "Why don't you take a shower, Criss. Clean up and then we can watch a movie or something."

I shook my head and plodded down to the bathroom.

James was right, the shower was a good idea. Warm water always makes me feel better, but I was still feeling sick to my stomach. I put on a grey hoodie and black gym shorts. I barely had strength for that, much less the shower. I slipped a hair tie between my fingers, and walked out. My hair was wet and cold on my face and neck, but I didn't want to put it up, so that was James's job. I slowly made my way to the couch and sat down, and James came soon after with a glass of sprite and crackers.

"Thank you" I mumbled and exchanged the hair tie for the drink and food. James walked around to the back of the couch stood stood there. I look at him wearily.

"Well, don't just sit there, turn around. You want me to put your hair up, right?"

I nodded and turned my head. His fingers were quick and gentle as he secured my hair into a loose bun, then he walked around and sat next to me.

I sipped my drink and took a bite of cracker. He stretched his arm out, inviting me to sit closer. I snuggled into his side, and his arm folded around my shoulder. He turned on the tv and put on a Christmas movie.

After about 20 or so minutes into the show, I felt a bit better and requested to talk.

"Ok, How was your date?"

"Really, I would think you knew how I felt" I said sourly.

"I ment your date, as in Ron"

"Oh, he was ok, but I have seen him before. He doesn't live up to the standard I have."

"Standard?" he asked, seemingly interested.

"Yes standard. Any self respecting girl should have one."

"Oh, how did you come to your standards? What are they?" he asked jokingly.

"Well, a guy should be able to do this : respect me and my boundaries, he should be willing to come and help me when I need it, if he loved me, then he would never stop telling me, he should be caring, helpful, funny, not a pushover,smart, give warm hugs,and it would help if he was cute." I said.

"Oh, sounds an awful lot like me." he chuckled.

"That's because it is. You are my standard." I blushed. He didn't have to know this, I don't why I was telling him.

"Oh, what a privilege. So if you found a guy as perfect as me, you would date him?"

"Well, maybe. But I most likely wouldn't."

"Why not?"

"Well, I don't know!"

"Hmmm, I see. They just couldn't live up to the magnificence of James." he chuckled. We stayed silent, and soon, my eyes felt heavy. I closed them, comfortable in my position, and drifted off. Before I could completely go into sleep, I felt soft lips kiss the top of my head, and whispered "You're my standard too". And then, I was off.