ELIZABETH.
"James…" I place two knocks on his door and turn the knob to enter, only to stop at the sight of the familiar position in front of me. With slightly widened eyes, I’m quick to turn my head away, "Oh God. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. I thought—"
"Who the fuck is that? Who is she?" The angry mutters halts my words and I let out a sigh with a hang of my head. This would have been a very awkward situation but when you’re used to your best friend fucking around and seeing a different girl with him every other week; it really doesn’t come as a shock.
"Calm down blondie. That’s my best friend you’re referring to." I hear James mutter and there’s shuffling of sheets and exchange of words before I hear James speak again. "Okay, you can turn back now Lizzie."
With a nod and a first tiny peek to make sure it’s safe, I finally turn around to the sight of an angry looking blonde on James' bed. She holds the big blanket to her chest, covering her exposed skin as she shoots daggers at me and I swallow down the urge to call her out for being so rude.
"Hey, good morning." James appears in front of me, taking my attention away from the girl and I glare at him as I gesture to my wristwatch, ignoring the fact that he’s once again chest naked. Then I lower my head to whisper, "What the hell do you think you’re doing? It’s almost eight. "
He puts on a pleading look as he speaks, "I know. I got caught up."
"Obviously." I take a side glance at the girl behind him who looks like she wants everything but for me to be here. Taking my gaze back to James, I say, "I’ll wait for you downstairs to finish whatever you have going on. "
"Thank you." He smiles widely and tries to take a step forward but I push my right hand between us, stopping him.
"And if you take too long, I’m dumping your ass. "
James chuckles and grabs the hand I used as a barrier. He lowers it and closes the distance between us, and my heart skips a beat when his face remains only inches away from mine before he snaps his head to the side and whispers into my ear, "Yes ma’am."
When he pulls back, there’s a tiny smile resting on his face and I give him the middle finger before I turn to walk out.
Just before I’m away from hearing distance, I hear the blonde say, "You fucking her too?"
"Mind your words, Hayley. She’s not to be talked to that way. "
I can’t help the stupid smile on my face as I finally make my way downstairs.
~
"When are we meeting again?" I turn my phone away at the sound of that tiny voice and James is standing feet away from me with the girl before him.
"I’m not sure that’s going to happen. Just for one night remember?"
"But we had fun, didn’t we? Who’s to say we can’t do it again? I don’t mind doing the hard positions for you this time." I shake my head, wishing I didn’t have to listen to this.
"No, Hayley."
"Fine. Have it your way."
There was silence as she backs away from him then she meets my eyes. Hers are cold and it’s as if I can feel her hatred for me in her gaze. Strange cause we don’t even know each other. Why would she hate me?
‘Maybe because you walked in on her having a nice time. ‘
"It isn’t my fault the door wasn’t locked though. " I mutter under my breath.
Blondie doesn’t remove her eyes from mine and I lift a brow when she turns back to James, grabs the front of his jacket, and presses her lips against his. I scoff as I watch him bury a hand in her hair and I wish I could look away but for some weird causes, I can’t take my eyes off them.
"Later handsome." she tells him and I watch as she finally leaves the room; not before giving me one of her looks of course.
"Oh, she knows how to play my game. " I hear James say and I move from the couch, taking my bag with me. Before I can take a step, James is before me with his ridiculously pretty smile. "Hey pretty. I made it right on time. No?"
"Shut up and let’s move. " I hiss, attempting to step to the side but James' firm yet so gentle grip on my wrist stops me. Damn him and his warm touches.
He whips me back then places his hands on my shoulders, "Is everything okay?"
Worry clouds his pretty features and his gorgeous brown eyes bores into mine as he waits for my response and I can feel my resolve start to dissolve.
I can’t even stay irritated at him for more than a second. It’s such stress having a pretty boy as your best friend.
Finally giving him a smile, I say, "I’m okay. Just frustrated we might be late. "
Much to my disliking, he removes his hands from my shoulders. "We won’t be…" He pauses. Then, "And hey. I’m sorry you had to walk in like that. "
"Wouldn’t be the first. "
"I’ll still keep apologizing every time." He smiles again and I can feel my heart melting. I am not exaggerating when I say James has the prettiest smile I’ve ever seen. It’s the way it seems just so genuine and his lips curve into a heart shape and don’t get me started on that cute little dimple that appears on the side of his chin. It’s just so… beautiful.
"You’re lucky I hate you a little less than others." I joke and he chuckles as he slides his arm over my shoulder to bring me to his side.
"I can imagine how miserable you’d be without me. "
"Shut it before I knock out your teeth. Your flings wouldn’t find it attractive trust me."
He laughs as he pulls me along to the door. "Everything is attractive with me babe."
"Always so cocky."
"You would be too if you had a face like mine. " I jab his side but I can’t stop myself from smiling.
We finally make it out and moments of silence pass between us before I say, "I don’t like her."
"Who?" he asks.
"The girl." I mutter and he stops before his car. He leans against it with his arms crossed and a tiny smirk on his face.
"Don’t start. " I caution and he lets out a chuckle before he enters.
I go through the other side and just as I fasten my seatbelt, I hear James say, "It’s a good thing I’m done with her then. "
It’s stupid but those words instantly make me feel good. For all of the wrong reasons.
ELIZABETH. “So you coming to the party later tonight?” I shut my locker and turn to James leaning against the next with a small smile on his face. “Where did you even come out from?” I giggle and he steps closer, leaving only a tiny space between our faces. “You know I’ll find you wherever you go darling. “ he winks before leaning backward and I ignore the tingles those annoyingly reassuring words make me feel. “You wouldn’t last a second without me. “ I reply to his earlier question with an intent to ignore his prior words and he smiles even wider as he moves to my side and throws his hand over my shoulder; a habit he’s quite fond of. “You’re gonna have a nice time. ““You say that every time then ditch me as soon as we get there. “ I hiss, slapping his hand off my shoulder and he pouts, rubbing the spot before he speaks, “That’s not true. I look after you all the time. ““You only come looking for me when you need help with a girl. “ I glare at him and he shakes his head. He sud
ELIZABETH. ~When Penelope said she was gonna take me to her friends, I didn’t expect my best friend to be sitting there with the purple-haired girl from earlier by his side. He’s the first I notice and he seems immersed in whatever she’s talking to him about. Even with a bright smile on his face and the same goes for her. So much for his attention always being on me even when he’s with other girls. ‘And why the hell would you believe those words?’ Right. “Hey, guys. This is Beth. Beth. Meet the group. “ All attention immediately turns to Penelope and me, and I wave awkwardly at the group. There are about four guys and five girls. Including James and purple hair. “I found her alone in the kitchen. “ She provides them with further information and it seems that caught James's attention as he turns to me. “Lizzie! There you are. I looked for you everywhere. “ You definitely didn’t look enough. “You know her?” A guy asks as Penelope pulls me to sit with her, just across from James.
ELIZABETH.“Oh sorry—“ There’s a deep chuckle in the dark then movements before the lights come on, revealing the tall shadow to be a tall handsome boy with alluring green eyes and dark hair. I don’t know him yet he feels weirdly familiar. “I didn’t mean to scare you. “ He smiles, revealing his perfect set of white teeth. “I saw you leave earlier and wanted to make sure you’re alright. ““Leave?” I repeat and he nods. “The game. I was there. “Realization finally dawns on me. “Oh sorry. I didn’t recognize you. “ I take two steps forward now and he takes three, leaving little decent space between us. “That’s okay. I was silent throughout the game so you wouldn’t have. “ he tells and I give a small smile. There’s a short silence between us as he seems to be thinking about his words. “I don’t bite. “ I don’t know why I said that but this boy seems to find it funny as he lets out a short laugh. The sound is lovely to the ears. “You’re funny too. Perfect. “ He murmurs as his eyes bore
ELIZABETH. What I wake up to is the loud shouts of my name from my mom. I let out a loud groan as I throw my covers shielding me away from the light and lean against my headboard then her call comes again, “Elizabeth! Are you not up yet? It’s getting late. ““I’m up. I’ll be down in a few. “ I scream back and there’s finally silence. I cover my mouth as a yawn slips through my lips and I do a stretch of my body with a few bones cracking before I begin to move out of bed. Walking out of my room, I take the path that leads me to her and as I take the last stair, Mom appears before me with a huge smile on her face. “Hey baby, “ She greets as she wraps her hands around my waist; the fact that I’m on a stair giving her easier access to it. When she pulls back, I lift a brow, “What’s with the morning affection?”She chuckles as she pulls her hands to her sides. “I’ve always been affectionate, haven’t I?”“Yes, but it feels different. You just called me baby and you rarely do that. “Sh
ELIZABETH. I was right. I, in fact, do not like whatever is happening right now. I watch as Gabriel places his hand over my mom’s and she doesn’t flinch at all. If anything; she seems completely used to it with that small smile that appears by the corner of her mouth.My mind tells me that I already know what they want to announce but my heart refuses to believe it. “We plan to get married. “Gabriel finally drops the bomb and I can’t hear anything else in the room over the loud beats of my heart. A heart that’s beating from astonishment, betrayal, and fear? Why am I feeling betrayed? I’ve got no idea. “What? Is that a joke?” I hear James's voice, drawing me back to the situation at hand and my gaze falls on my mom. She’s staring at me, anxiousness all over her face. She speaks next, “It’s true. Gabriel and I have been seeing each other for a while and we have good feelings towards each other. We want to take it to the next level but we want you kids to know first. “ She doesn’t
ELIZABETH.~WEDDING DAY~“You look really beautiful today. “ I tell Mom as I stand behind her and meet her eyes in the mirror. She’s truly looking so elegant in her blue wedding gown. Mom didn’t want it white for a reason she refused to let me know but she doesn’t look any less beautiful in this. She smiles. “Thanks, my love. You’re looking sweet yourself. “ She comments and I look down at the short flowy white gown I have on. It’s sleeveless which leaves my torso and shoulders on display. I smile and gently place my hands on her shoulders. I give the skin a soft squeeze as I ask her in a gentle tone, “Are you happy mother?”She drops her hand over mine and rubs it. “I am. Very happy, Elizabeth. “ And I know she means that. “And it makes me, even more, happier to know that. “ I say and she nods gently. She lets go of my hand and I remove my hands from her shoulders. “You’re comfortable yeah? No negative feelings?” She raises a brow and I’m quick to nod. “None. ““Good. I made sure
ELIZABETH. “Wow. This is looking huger than when I came. “ Mom says immediately we walk through the front door of our new home, each with our luggage in hand. “I helped pick this out. “ James whispers to me with a smile, obviously proud of what he’s done. “You won’t tell me what good job I’ve done?” He frowns when I don’t answer and I shake my head as I drag my luggage forward. The house is quite big. Bigger than our previous home and I can tell a considerable amount of money must have gone into this. “I’m sure you kids must be tired. You should retire to bed. “ Mom announces. She’s still in her after-party white feathery gown and she hasn’t stopped glowing; I guess that’s what being genuinely happy does to you. “Goodnight. “ I mutter before I start to drag my luggage up the stairs. “I’ll take this one. “ James appears out of nowhere, calling dibs on the right room and I look to my left before I return my gaze to him. “I got here first. “ “I said it first. “ “You can be so
ELIZABETH. “Hey. “ It’s James happy voice and I turn to him with a fake smile. “Hey. You have someone over?”He nods and walks into the kitchen with his hands behind him. “Yeah. I hope you have no problem with that?”I shouldn’t right? That doesn’t stop me from teasing him though. “I thought you’d want to get used to the house before you start bringing your flings in. “ I can’t tell if I really meant it as a tease.“Is that jealousy I hear?” He taunts me and I glare at him, earning a laugh. Then he says, “It’s just us for the day, and thought I could use myself a bit of fun. “ You don’t find staying around me for long fun then?“Right. “ I smile. “Her again. You must be having quite the fun with her. “ I nod my head towards the direction of the living room where I’m sure the girl is waiting for him and he turns in the same direction before meeting my eyes, “Better than I thought. ““You must really like her. “ I don’t know why I’m still talking. “You brought her to the wedding. Now