You Make The Pain Fade Away

Chapter Thirty-One

***John's POV***

Everything was going perfect. She might've scared me in some of the rides. I was really nervous about this date, since anything can go wrong. Last night, I kept wondering if she honestly liked me. She's rich, beautiful, and to be with a guy like me? I'm just a country boy that doesn't deserve a girl like her. How will I ever impress her?

Actually, I'm not enough.

I shouldn't be tormenting myself with all these negative thoughts. All that matters right now is that she is smiling, and I'm with her.

I had just purchased her ice cream that she was clearly enjoying. I watched her eat it. She was happy.

I'll make sure she feels alive from now on. I want to be the reason why. I don't want anyone taking my place, because I feel like the luckiest guy ever. She's amazing. I can't imagine myself with anyone else, but her.

"John?" she said abruptly. My eyes focused on her gray ones. "What are you going to do when your mother leaves?"

Her question struck me off guard. Everything rushed back into my mind. All the problems back at home, my dad, and the need of a place to stay and work. All my emotions were on display and I knew she was seeing right through me.

I plastered a fake smile, trying to block my inner feelings. It was too late, though. She had seen it.

"I'll figure it out. Don't worry," I said bluntly.

I have a plan, but I'm not sure if it's going to work out. A man yesterday had come to the house to speak to my mother and father about the price of the house and store. I eavesdropped from the basement since they were talking in the kitchen. The man is interested in buying both the house and store. He will come back in a week on Saturday in the morning with the money. So, I pretty much have a week to figure things out.

Before I left to pick up Ashley today, my mother was already packing up the stuff.  It's crazy how she really wants to move away from here.

She shook her head. "Let me help you."

I glared at her. Hell no. I don't want her to help me. She stared at me with a question mark on her face.

"No," I said firmly. "Why don't we discuss this later?"

I gave her a half-heartily smile, my hands anonymously wrapping around her waist. It calmed me down. Her hands pressed softly against my chest. She smiled as I felt that weird feelings all over my body. Her skin was cold and immediately, my gentlemen instinct kicked in. My thoughts were going crazy, though.

I certainly will not accept her help. That pissed me off that she thinks I actually need help. What am I, a child again? For Christ sake, I've been the grown up in the house for the past ten years of my fucking shitty life. But she doesn't know that and I guess we're definitely going to have to discuss about this later.

"Are ya cold?" I furrowed my brows. She shrugged.

"Not-," she began. I had already stepped away and pulled off my jean jacket. I wrapped it around her shoulders as she shyly gazed at the floor.

"You didn't have to," she said, finally meeting my eyes. I rolled mine.

She looked really adorable in my jacket, it fit her big. I was glad too, since it was long enough to cover her butt. I been having a hard time not to look at it and it makes me angry when I see another guy gawking at it.

"C'mon, we still got lots to do here," I said, looping her arm with mine as we strolled through a crowd.

And I knew... I knew that this was right.