I WOKE UP the next morning feeling better than I had in months, maybe even years. I sat up in bed and stretched my arms, a smile on my face. As soon as my eyes fluttered open my little fantasy died. I sucked in a deep breath as I observed my surroundings. This most certainly was not my bedroom. Memories of last night came flooding into my head and although I wanted to spend the rest of my morning celebrating that James and I made up, I was too fixated with more pressing matters like how the hell I was supposed to get out of here.
I glanced beside me but James wasn't in bed. I felt my heartbeat accelerating out of panic. James was nowhere to be found but I couldn't waste my time looking for him when I had to get back to my bedroom. I contemplated taking the stairs and walking to my house, but I would definitely get caught and that wouldn't end well. The only other option I had was...
I gulped as I looked at the window. It was my only chance of making it home without getting caught. Carefully, I walked over to James' window and I opened it. I hoisted myself up, sticking one leg out and then the other. Trying to recall how I got out last night, I stretched my left leg to my windowsill before bringing my right leg over. Luckily I didn't fall to my doom and I managed to land safely. Just as I was about to step inside my room, there was a knock on my door.
"Are you still in bed?" Alex said from the other side. "You're gonna be late for school." As if in slow motion, the doorknob began to turn. I scrambled to get the rest of me inside, but it was no use. Alex barged inside just as I fell in. He looked at me with wide eyes, but a mischievous grin soon took over his face. "Looks like someone was busy last night," he said with a giggle.
I rushed to my feet and I looked at him solemnly. "Please don't tell anyone."
"You know my price," he said before walking out. Great. I had to take him to Holden's family's diner. Just great.
~*~
Since I was running late due to the unexpected outcomes of last night, I didn't have much time to get ready. The only difference from my attire last night was that I swapped my shorts for a pair of jeans. Aside from that, I looked like I had just woken up. I snatched a granola bar from the kitchen and I was on my way out when I bumped into Brenton.
"I thought you left already," he said in an attempt to make conversation. "I'm waiting for Mike. He's not really punctual."
I gave him a dry look. "Fascinating."
"Dani," he said before I could leave. "I'm so sorry."
"So I've heard."
"I had a talk with Niko," Brenton said, prompting me to raise my eyebrows in anticipation. "He told me off." I refrained from smiling at that. Niko was the best. "What I did was wrong and out of line and you didn't deserve any of that. I'm sorry, Dan."
I was about to bitch at him for being the worst twin ever, but then I realized that James and I made up last night. If he were still avoiding me, then it would have been a problem, but things were all cleared up between us now. If James could forgive me then I supposed I could forgive Brenton too.
"I'm still mad at you," I informed him. "But apology accepted."
"Thank God." Brenton pulled me in for a bone crushing hug. "I hate it when we fight. It feels weird."
"Let go of me."
"No more fights, okay?"
"Then maybe keep your mouth shut next time and don't get Mom involved."
He smiled sheepishly. "That was a dick move, wasn't it?"
"Major dick move."
"I'm sorry."
"I know."
"So..." Brenton raised his eyebrows suggestively. "Are you two, you know..."
"If you want me to forgive you then shut up right now."
He chuckled. "I'll see you later."
I smiled at him. "Bye, Brent."
When I went outside I saw James leaning against my car. He had his earbuds in and he didn't notice me. Taking this to my advantage, I snuck up behind him and I yanked the earbuds out of his ears. He turned around and swung his fist, narrowly missing my face. "Good morning to you too," I squeaked.
He rolled his eyes. "Don't sneak up on me."
I pouted at him. "No good morning kiss?"
"Not after you snuck out of my house this morning," he scoffed.
"In my defence, I would've been burned alive if I were caught."
"Get in the car, drama queen," he teased. I glared at James, but when he smiled at me I couldn't help but grin back. Seeing this new side of him was definitely something I could get used to.
~*~
"I have to say your driving skills are getting better."
I beamed at James. "You think so?"
He nodded. "Yeah, you haven't hit any vehicles in almost a month."
"Feel free to leave." I parked my car in an empty spot.
He turned to face me. "Speaking of leaving, I won't need these car rides anymore."
"Why not?"
His lips curved up revealing a toothy grin. "I fixed my bike."
"What? No way! That's amazing!" Of the worst acting I've ever done, this scene definitely topped the list.
He cocked an eyebrow. "You don't seem too excited."
I folded my arms across my chest and slumped in my seat. "That's because I'm not."
"Hey." James cupped my cheek and turned my head to face him. "If it makes you feel better you can ride on my motorcycle if you want."
"Something about driving to my death doesn't sound too exciting."
"You're impossible," he said with an eye roll.
"Impossibly irresistible you must mean," I countered.
He smirked at me. "That's debatable."
"Shut up and kiss me before I kick you out."
"You don't have to tell me twice." I dug my fingers into James' hair and pulled his face down towards mine. As our lips connected he snuck his hands under my shirt, earning a gasp from me. He took this to his advantage and let his tongue enter my mouth. Before things could progress further, I inevitably messed it up. As James kissed my neck, I closed my eyes and threw my head back. Upon moving my body, my elbow collided with the car horn. The sound blared making us jump so high, James hit his head against the ceiling. He groaned, clearly unamused with the situation. "Nice going, klutz."
My already flushed cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. "Oops?"
~*~
Amber's eyes widened when she saw James and me walking towards her. With Amber being, well...Amber, she let out a squeal when she noticed our interlacing hands. I rolled my eyes as we reached her.
"James, this is my best friend, Amber."
"It's so good to finally meet you!" Amber threw her arms around James, who froze in place.
"Leave the poor boy alone."
"Sorry! I'm just so excited to meet the boy Dani's been obsessed with!" she exclaimed.
"Obsessed, you say?" I didn't miss the smirk tugging at his lips as he spoke.
Amber grinned at us. "If only you knew the half of what Dani told me about you."
Now there was a full-blown simper on his face. "Please do tell me more."
"Okay, that's enough," I intervened, not wanting any more embarrassment after the incident in the parking lot.
"Don't be such a buzzkill," Amber scoffed.
James gave my hand a squeeze as he smirked down at me. "Yeah, Dani, don't be such a buzzkill."
"I can't tell who I hate more between the both of you."
He chuckled. "I beg to differ considering how obsessed with me you are."
~*~
"Hey everyone, I'm Mr. Donovan," a man at the front of the classroom said. "Mrs. Frazer has been hit with the flu so I will be your teacher until she gets better."
"Thank God," I muttered under my breath. James kicked my chair from behind, clearly disapproving of my ill will.
"Mrs. Frazer has asked that I give you time to work on your projects, so the rest of the period is yours."
I turned around, a wide grin on my face. "Hello, partner."
James rolled his eyes. "We better get work done this period."
"Have we decided on a disease yet?"
He looked at me like I was an idiot. "Seriously?"
"What? It was a fair question!"
"We decided on the bubonic plague, remember?"
"We did?"
"Well, at least I did."
I threw my eraser at him. "Okay, smart ass, let's get started then."
He took a stack of papers out of his binder and placed it on his desk. "As you may recall I already have the research done. All we have to do now is format a brochure, type the report, and create our presentation."
I nodded. "Perfect. You tackle the report, I'll do the brochure, and then we can regroup for the presentation."
"Are you capable to create a brochure on your own?" He paused. "Do you even know what a brochure is?"
"Of course, idiot."
James chuckled and I felt my face heating up. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Don't look at me like that."
He raised his eyebrows. "Like what?"
"Like...that."
His lips formed into the smirk he seemed to be displaying a lot lately. "Am I making someone nervous?"
"Shut up."
"No denial?"
"I said shut up."
"Only on one request."
"What do you want, James?"
"A kiss."
"Right now?"
"Duh."
"Someone's demanding."
"And someone better pay up or she's working alone."
"You're infuriating." I leaned forward and gave him a peck on the lips.
"That's it? I want a full refund."
"No can do. All sales are final."
He shrugged. "I guess you can always make it up to me."
"And how would we go about that?" I inquired.
He twirled a lock of my hair with his fingers. "I'm sure you can think of a way."
"Let's get to work, shall we?"
He chuckled. "Is someone getting nervous again?"
"James!"
He continued laughing. "Fine, but don't mess up on the brochure."
"Someone's back to being a crabby ass," I grumbled, earning an eye roll from him.
~*~
The rest of the morning continued as blissfully as it began. I counted down every second in my psychology class until it was lunch and I could see James again. When the bell finally rang, I basically sprinted out of my classroom to go see him. He wasn't at my locker and I was far too hungry to wait, so I went to the cafeteria to buy food. I bought pirogies and, of course, a carton of chocolate milk. I then went to my usual table and sat down as I waited for my company to make an appearance.
"Hey," Amber said as she sat down across from me.
Using my fork I dipped a pirogi in sour cream before taking a bite. "Boo, it's just you."
"Sorry we can't all have doting boyfriends waiting for us." When I raised my eyebrows, she let out a gasp. "You don't know your status, do you?"
"Not entirely, no."
"Heads up, hottie coming this way."
"I see someone had no problem not waiting for me." James slipped in the seat beside me.
A grin appeared on my face. "Hey."
He mimicked my grin with a smile of his own. "How's your day been?"
"Better now that you're here," James replied with a kiss, earning a squeal from Amber, making us pull apart instantly. I scowled at her. "Do you mind?"
"Sorry, it's just so exciting!"
James threw his arm over my shoulder. "Don't be so negative, grumpy."
I finished the remnants of my chocolate milk, saddened the carton was now empty. "Be a doll and fetch me more milk."
He cocked an eyebrow. "So I'm your slave now?"
"I prefer domestic assistant."
He rolled his eyes but surprisingly obliged and went to get me another carton of chocolate milk. As soon as James was out of earshot, Amber spoke. "So what does he think you are?"
"I thought we were officially together, but I guess not." I paused. "How do I bring this up without being too forward?"
"Just ask him," she suggested.
I shook my head rapidly. "No way! I can't do that!"
"Can't do what, piggy?"
"James!" I blubbered. "You're back,"
He dangled the carton in front of my face. "I was just getting the milk from the line, not from the cow itself."
I shot him a grateful smile. "Thanks."
"What were you two discussing so secretively?"
"Nothing," Amber and I said in sync, prompting James to raise his eyebrow.
"Definitely not suspicious."
"Dani wants to know your relationship status," Amber blurted without thinking.
I gawked at her before looking at James who was already staring at me. Thankfully I was saved when someone cleared their throat, though when I saw who it was I felt suddenly less thankful. "Hey, guys." The smile on his face was unbelievably forced, but so was mine at the sight of him.
"Brent," I said in as much of a calm tone as I could. "What are you doing here?" When I felt James tense up beside me I placed my hand on his thigh in an attempt to calm him.
"I just wanted to say hi." He paused. "Hi."
I eyed him weirdly. "Please go."
He let out a sigh. "Look, I just wanted to say I'm sorry and I support whatever the hell's going on between you two."
"Speaking of whatever the hell's going on between you two..." Amber's voice trailed off when I scowled at her.
"Sorry about the fight," Brenton said through gritted teeth.
"For the record I would've won," James said.
I elbowed his side. "Don't provoke my brother."
"I felt your apology lacked sincerity and basic pizzazzâ ow!" James glared at me before looking back at Brenton. "I accept your apology, and I suppose I'm sorry too."
"Cool." Brenton looked at me before mouthing, We're even now.
"Why aren't you with your meathead friends?" I asked.
"I'm not speaking to that jackass," he spat, referring to Holden.
"Did you, um, want to join us?" I was praying he'd say no, but at the same time, I did appreciate Brenton choosing me over his best friend since infancy.
"Not really no. I'm taking your car tonight, bye sis." With that, he turned around and left.
"That went well," James mused.
I smacked his arm. "Would it kill you to be nice?"
"That was the nicest you'll ever see me."
"You're impossible," I huffed.
He shrugged. "Yet you're still here." He raised his eyebrows as he recalled our prior conversation. "I wonder what Amber meant by her question earlier." I glanced ahead to stare daggers at Amber, but she was nowhere in sight. That sneaky supposed best friend of mine must have left with Brenton before I could get mad at her for her big mouth.
"If you'll excuse me I have to go to the ladiesâ"
"Sit your ass back down and answer my question."
I refused to make eye contact with him. "What are we?"
"Well I'm a human being, and you're a little piggy."
I let out an aggravated groan. "I meant relationship-wise."
"Two adolescents smitten with each other?"
"James," I whined.
He raised his hands in defence. "I don't know what you want me to say."
"Am I your girlfriend?" I said without beating around the bush.
"Oh." His eyebrows furrowed, making me regret asking him so bluntly. "I don't know how I feel about that."
"Sorry for asking," I mumbled, feeling like the world's biggest idiot.
He took hold of my hand and looked at me. "I like you a lot, but I don't know if I'm ready for that kind of commitment yet." He rolled his eyes when he saw the look on my face. "Don't look at me like that, I'm a monogamous man."
Phew. "So we aren't official?"
"In due time, piggy. Now drink your chocolate milk before I take it."
Perhaps I was overthinking it but I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.