Ever Since That Night

Chapter 6

James' POV

She's beautiful, just like Karen.
No, wait, she looks almost exactly like Karen... though I doubt her personality is just like Karen's.
I'm probably sounding like such a girl now, aren't I?
"I apologize, if James isn't as good looking as Kingsley," my mother announced.
Oh please, mother, 'I'm way more handsome than Kingsley', I thought.
After a long, thinking pause, at least she was able to get one slightly good thing out of her damn mouth. "But he's the next best thing. Amanda, this is James. James, this is Amanda. She's the girl I've been telling you about."
I rolled my eyes. "Mum, you only told me about her a few minutes ago." A few dangerously silent and awkward minutes ago...
"Hello, Amanda." I bent down and kissed her hand softly. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I apologize if I'm not up to your physical standards," I confidently confessed, letting out a small chuckle from under my breath.
I saw her blush a little, which... I had to admit, was adorable.
She looked at me with her bold and beautiful eyes that could melt you in an instant and replied, "oh no, you're far more handsome than how your mum described you."
I didn't know whether I should've been flattered or curious about how I was described by my own mother.
"Well, would you like to go to the dining room for a moment, Amanda? Maybe we could have a small chat?" I offered as she nodded slowly before we walked into the dining room. "So, where are you from?"
"I grew up in New York, but my father's British, and... my mom's half British, half Italian."
"Oh, wow. Italian and British. Hmm.. It makes sense as to why you're so beautiful." We both shared a laugh at the sound of my supposedly funny joke. "C'mon, now tell me a little more about yourself."
"So far, my life doesn't seem as interesting as yours, but very well. I'm 19, I work at a marketing company... Uhm, I speak English and Italian fluently, though I can talk in both British and American accents. I am an only child and..." She held the 'd' for a long time. "My boyfriend just broke up with me. Now, tell me about yourself, Mr. Parker."
"What's there to say about myself? Well, I'm 19, my girlfriend broke up with me a few days ago, I'm a senior in high school - very embarrassing, I know - I've been held back a few grades - and I'm slightly British but mostly American. I also have a half brother, but you already knew that."
Smirking, I added, "and I'm in a band with Megan and Daniel."
"I just want-" She was cut off by Daniel's loud voice.
"James and Amanda, kindly come to the dining room, please, food's ready."
"We'd better go." I said as all she did was nod in response.
When we got to the dining room, everyone was seated, impatiently waiting for us.
"Come now, slow people... and sit." Kingsley said rudely.
I rolled my eyes and pulled out the chair next to me for Amanda.
It was extremely quiet during dinner, until mum awkwardly broke the ice. "So, Amanda, did James here ask you out already?"
I nearly choked on my food when she mentioned this. "Mother, that is incredibly inappropriate, but answering your question, no I haven't. In case you've forgotten I've just gotten out of a serious relationship."
She shook her head in disappointment. "You just what?! Anyway, at least Kingsley here has a girlfriend."
Oh right. I had completely forgotten that my mum didn't know about Karen and I yet.
I couldn't help but laugh really hard at the remark about Kingsley, though, but then my huge fit of laughter had to end when Meg slapped the back of my head.
"What's so funny? His girlfriend's a model!" My mum, once again, argued.
"Please never joke about those things, mum. And it sounded ridiculous, coming from you. No offense." I said as an honest opinion.
Apparently my mum took this as an insult, not hearing the last two words of my sentence. "I would never joke about such a thing."
"Actually, mum... I just broke up with my now ex-girlfriend." Kingsley announced guiltly.
"Wait... Why? I still haven't met the young lady. At least tell me her name."
He cleared his throat before he began to talk, slightly stuttering, "her name's Amanda."
So mum's been wrong about not meeting her. She actually met the young lady, she just didn't know it. "How peculiar, Amanda here's also a mod-- No way! Kingsley, tell me I'm wrong." She looked straight at him with her old, weary eyes.
Not so surprisingly, he looked away, and instead, stared at the old, wooden floorboards beneath him.
"And here I am, setting up your brother with your ex. I'm such a lame excuse for a mother."
"Yes, you really are a lame excuse for a mother. And he's my half brother, not my brother," I corrected.
"Not now, James," mum said sternly. "I deeply apologize, Kingsley and Amanda. I never knew, I'm so sorry."
"It's okay, Valerie." Amanda forgave my mother, using her first name sheepishly.
Wait... Since when were they on first-name terms?
"Uhm... Mum, I think I have to get back to my apartment now. Thank you for dinner guys, but I have to head home." Kingsley immediately stood up as if he were in a rush, and pulled out his hand for me so I could shake it. "Until next time, half brother."
"Until next time." I responded, shaking his hand. "Let me walk you out."
When we reached the door, he paused and asked, "James, about this girl you just got out of a serious relationship with." Long, awkward silence. Again. I could be the king of that by now. "Do you love her? Like... truly love her?"
"Of course," I honestly responded. "I would do anything for her."
"Then go after her."
"I don't think she loves me anymore."
"But you do. Just follow what your heart tells you."
"Alright. I'll take note of that. Thanks for the advice. Bye, Kingsley."
"Bye, James."
Then he left.
I slowly walked back to my room, depicting upon if I should follow Kingsley's advice and call Karen.
When I eventually decided to call Karen, the phone rang for awhile, and right when I was about to give up, she answered.
"Karen! I'm so glad you answered!" I nearly yelled, trying to sound happy, cheerful, and joyful.
"Oh, shut up James! You are such an asshole! How could you do such a thing to my best friend?!" It was probably Lea.
"What do you mean?"
"Why didn't you even try to get her back?!"
"Because I thought she didn't want me back."
"Of course she wants you back! Her parents forced her to break up with you, remember? There was nothing she could do about it!"
Wait... Her parents... Forced her? So all this time, I thought she didn't want me anymore, but really...
Suddenly, I heard Karen's angelic voice in the background. "Is that my phone?! Grace, please hang up!"
Wait, it was Grace speaking? Not Lea? I'd always thought Grace was just Lea's follower, and not really much of a friend to Karen.
She always seemed slutty and bitchy, but it turns out I was wrong.
After waiting for thirty seconds more, I then heard Grace's angelic voice once again on the phone, and she said, "sorry, James. I've got to get going now. Please don't let Karen know I talked to you about this? Thanks!"
Then the line went dead.
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A/N:
Oh right! We forgot to previously mention that the challenge is cancelled! Sorry :(