Chapter 2 – James
“DING-DONG!” the bell rang again. Snapping awake, I shouted “Whuzzat?” Realising that I had fallen asleep while trying to finish my homework, I raced down the stairs to replenish my sugar level in my body, so that I will have enough energy to last me through the day. Spiralling down the stairs, I crashed into my Mom, who was also in the kitchen. “Hurry up and go to the living room now, James is in there. Remember James Leven? I’ll be back with some drinks later.”
The name struck a bell in my mind. James Leven. My long time childhood crush. I met him at the age of seven, and since then I always had a major crush on him. He was of mixed parentage, with fair skin and inky black hair, making him a favourite of all the ladies. Though I liked him a lot, I never managed to muster up enough courage to talk to him. And now he was going to stay in my house! Heart thumping wildly, my hands felt clammy and my throat was dry. I didn’t know what to do. Okay, lets follow the instructions. Go to the living room, sit down there and don’t talk to anyone. Don’t look at anyone. Don’t listen to anyone. Just scroll away on your phone and pretend that nobody is in the room.
Taking a deep breath, I made my way into the room. I recognized James immediately. His eyes were emerald green, with the same hair and skin colour as I remembered. He had changed quite a lot though. His body was more muscular, his hair more shaggy and he had an almost mature look etched on his face. Most of his boyish features were gone, and in its place was a young man changing to face the world. Pasting a big fat smile on my face, I walked into the room, saying loudly “Hey James! Hi Angel!” Hoping that they would just say hi and let me go back to my room, I stood by the door, unsure of what to do. I observed Angel from a close range and it was obvious that she was interested in James. From the way she hung onto him, and from the way she looked at him, you could see that she wanted James for herself.
Sighing to myself, I wondered how I would stand a chance to win James while Angel is still hanging around. With a plain girl like me, I was nothing as compared to Angel. She was a full blonde, while I had light brown hair. She had large blue eyes, while I only had a pair of average chocolate brown eyes. She was a total Angel, just like her name, while I was just any normal girl out on the streets. If I stood beside her, no one will even notice me. Just as I guessed, James didn’t notice me at all. He was locked up in an animated conversation with Angel, and didn’t even look up to acknowledge my presence. Feeling slightly hurt, I slipped back into my room and decided to call Stephan. He was my bestest friend and I knew he would understand what I’m feeling right now. His grandfather, Grandpa Steve, was even closer to me than my own parents. He was the one who always trusted me and believed that whatever I did was right. He never ever questioned my actions, and listened to my opinions, always considering them.
Picking up my phone, I dialled Stephan’s number automatically. “Hey Elephant! Mind if I go over for a few minutes? Something important to discuss with you and Grandpa Steve.” I mumbled into the phone. ”Sure.” I heard him say suspiciously over the phone. Grabbing my purse, phone and keys, I shouted to my mom about going out for a while and sprinted all the way to Stephan’s. Reaching his house, I practically rammed down the door. “Hi Mrs Paolo!” I called just as I rushed up to Stephan’s room. Hearing her chuckle, I barely held in a laugh myself. Mrs Paolo, Stephan’s mother, was used to me running into her house like that. She made the most delicious pies, and always had some more food for me whenever I went over to their house. Funnily, she never complains about me ramming down her door every time I find the chance to. And that’s why I loved her. Running into Stephan’s room, I plopped myself down on the floor. Without needing to be invited to start, I launched into my story immediately, while Stephan and Grandpa Steve nodded understandingly.
After I was done with my story, I sat back and waited for their opinions on what I should do. “Hmmm, seems like you are really in love with that James this time. Though I’ve never met him before in my whole life, I’ll just assume that he is a nice guy. I seriously think you should ask him out on a date. Guys like it when girls ask first! It makes them look bold and cool.” Stephan suggested. Squirming, I pondered over his suggestion. Ask James out first? Will I look to desperate to have him? And what if he rejects me? How will I be able to look at him in the eye if he really rejects me? Shaking my head, I turned over and listened to Grandpa Steve’s opinion. “I think that you should bake him something to show your fondness, dear. Baking cookies, maybe? Since you made it yourself, he might treasure it more and it will also be a pleasant surprise for him! You can bake them in heart shapes with pink icing so that he will know how you feel! What do you think about that, dear?” Grandpa Steve suggested.
The thought struck me. What a great idea! Why didn’t I think of that before? Baking cookies to show James how I feel about him, without having the need to face a great big rejection! If he really doesn’t want the cookies or doesn’t get the hint, I can just eat the cookies up and that will save me from a lot of embarrassment! That’s why there’s something called: With age comes wisdom. Those who are the oldest are certainly the smartest!
Thanking Grandpa Steve and Stephan for their opinions profusely, I ran back to my house, smiling like a fool. James will certainly get the shock of his life when I start baking those cookies!
-A/N-
-Hi, so sorry for the long wait! Been busy nowadays and I finally managed to type out the second chapter. :DD thanks to dandelionchickenpuff for giving me the whole new idea for this book! Do remember to vote to give me some support :PP jkjk-
