Nearly Lost

Chapter 10

"Just be happy"

(Listen for better reading experience!): Without Me - Halsey

"What we know about James is that he's a literature and poem kinda guy. So he's also a hopeless romantic and gentleman." I tell Sage as we head to the mall.

"So what kind of clothes would a hopeless romantic such as James, want his ideal date to wear?" Sage says, getting out the car and moving to the entrance.

"Nothing slutty, that's for sure. Maybe something that gives off the vibe 'Art Girl'?" I tell her, scanning the shops as we go. 

We go through different shops and I try on different outfits. I'm supposed to be James' date because Sage already has a 'thing' with Damien, and Zoe's busy with Olivia. After hours of trying on different clothes and constructive criticism, we finally settle for a cutout ripped denim dungarees and a white crop top with a smiley face on it. We also found the last pair of Adidas superstar rainbow shoes, thanks to Sage's keen eye. After the stressful shopping we went to Sage's place to review the plan.

"We know where James will be, and we have the outfit, but how am I supposed to get his attention?" I say as Sage starts to do my make up.

"Just go with your gut and you'll survive." she says briskly, applying mascara on my lashes.

"This is great and all, but how does this help me find the truth about my father's death?" I blurt out and I watch as her body tenses up.

After what seems like eternity, Sage finally says, coldly "We find Jay, we find your father's murderer."

"How do you know he was murdered?" I say sharply. Sage glares at me and I see her jaw twitch.

Great, you've pissed her off now Kira. Get ready to die.

"Isn't obvious? His death was a very suspicious one, so he was clearly murdered. You want us to find the murderer right?"

I nod my head slowly.

"Good, now lets focus on finding Jay, then we'll be able to uncover the truth behind you're father's death, alright?" Sage says in her calm voice, but her eyes tell me I need to shut the fuck up and stop asking questions.

I mentally sigh and decide not to push it.

"Okay".

***

I step into the Cafe and try to act as natural as possible. I spot James at one of the tables close to the window, drinking a latte. I could tell what he was drinking without being close to him, because according to the bathroom gossip, he never drinks any thing other than lattes.

I walk up to him, a smile plastered on my face.

"Is that a latte your having?" I say with forced curiosity that I hoped sounded convincing. He smiles and I mentally high five myself.

"Yes it is, why do you ask?"

"I just used that as an excuse to talk to you. I saw you across the room and you caught my attention" I say with a smile and he chuckles.

Sweet, he's falling for it.

"Come sit down, I want to know more about you. You look familiar."

I take the seat in front of him. "I actually go to the same school as you. My name's-"

I stop dead in my tracks as my eyes spot a figure that looked way too familiar, pass the window.

"Jay?!" I yell and everyone, including James stares at me in confusion. I turn to James, realizing how crazy I sounded.

"I am so sorry. There's someone I need to see real quick." I tell him briskly and run out the Cafe without hearing his reply.

"Jay! Jay!" I yell at the top of my lungs as I rush out of the Cafe, trying desperately to find the all too familiar figure.

I was too late, he was gone before I could even follow him. I nearly broke down there and then, but I remembered where I was, and what I was supposed to do, and walked up to the Cafe dejectedly.

"What happened there?" James says, genuinely concerned. I sighed, trying to keep my emotions on lock down.

"I just-" I felt the tears coming and this time I couldn't stop them. 

James, as the sweet heart he was, scooped me up in a big hug.

"Hey, it's okay. Let's go over to my place, wrap you up, and eat some ice cream, then you can tell me what's bugging you. Does that sound okay?"

It was such a wonderful offer, I couldn't refuse. But then I remembered Bree.

"Do you think your girlfriend will be okay with this?"

He laughs sweetly and I can't help but enjoy the sound.

"She doesn't control me, and besides I'm only trying to comfort you, not sleep with you."

I don't say anything, but smile as we leave the Cafe together, and get in his car.

"Care to tell me what's going on, now?" he says as he hands me a blanket and cup of ice cream. I bite my lip, trying to decide whether I should tell him the truth or not.

I finally decided to tell him the truth.

"I-I thought I saw my friend, he's been missing for some time now. I must have imagined it because the second I got out, he wasn't there. Like he vanished into thin air, because there was no way he could have walked or ran that fast."

James stays quite, lost in thought.

"What was his name again?" he finally says and I reply "Jay, Jay Adams".

I see a fall in his expression and I immediately begin to panic.

"Do you know what happened to him?".

I see him bite down on his bottom lip, an indication that he was debating if it was smart to tell me the truth or not.

"No idea, sorry."

Great, he's hiding something. I guess desperate times call for desperate measures.

I plaster a fake smile on my face and say "It's okay. I heard your writing a book, 'Life and Money'."

He smiles brightly at the change of subject.

"Yes I am, it will be published later this month actually. Are you a book lover too?".

I nod my head, praying silently I looked more mesmerized than creepy.

His smile grows.

"It's quite hard to find people like you, uh..."

"Kira" I finish the sentence for him and he nods his head.

"That's a wonderful name, for a wonderful person."

"Are you flirting with me?" I tease and he chuckles.

"Maybe"

We stare at each other for a while, and I seize the opportunity to seduce him. Dropping the ice cream on a nearby table, I slowly bring my face closer to his, trying not to piss him off. He doesn't move away, watching me intently, as if trying to understand my motives. I take that as my cue to bring my lips close to his, enjoying every second of it. I could tell he was too, with the way his hands found comfort in my waist. He kisses me back, and a slow smile forms on my lips. 

I'm going to figure out your secrets James, I'm going to find out what makes you tick.

***

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Have a lovely day!

Love Vanessa 💖