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JAMES. "James…" I take a step forward as I remove my hand from the switch. "Mom. What are you doing?" She holds a hand over her chest as if she’s trying to calm her heart as she turns her flash from my face. She turns it off and tucks the phone into the pocket of her Jean before she looks back at me. "Hey. I didn’t know you were around. Thought you went out." She smiles as she rolls the sleeves of her sweater and paces forward. I avert my gaze from her to the space behind, wondering what she could have been doing with the lights off. There’s nothing in this room. "Why are you in here? Were you searching for something?" "Yes. I mean no. What could I possibly be searching for?" Her laugh is awkward when it echoes around us and when I lift my brow in silent questioning, she continues, the words jumbled together and not sounding sure of them herself. "I was… um, I was making sure." She closes her eyes and sighs. One hand holds her hip as she rubs the other across her forehead. When sh
JAMES. My blood is boiling and my breathing is harsh as I wait for Janet to speak while she keeps hitting the hand I have wrapped around her throat, struggling to loosen my grip. "James… wait… please." She coughs and when I see her eyes redder than before, and lashes almost fluttering against her cheeks; I let go. I remove my hand and take several steps away from her, my chest rising and falling rapidly as I watch her fight to catch her breath. Her head hangs in the air with her hands on her opened thighs as she coughs violently while I keep my distance. After long torturous minutes of waiting, she raises her head with one hand crossed over her chest and I can see the fear in her eyes when they meet mine. I can feel it in her stance and she stares at me like she doesn’t recognize the boy who stands before her—Good. I don’t recognize myself these days anymore either. "What’s wrong with you?" Her voice is small, edged with gentleness rolled in reluctance, and when she blinks once more
ELIZABETH.—SEVEN MONTHS LATER.It’s been nine months since I left San Francisco and exactly seven months since James was here.I thought that day was the last time I’d hear from him, but he had other plans. Since he left, he texted me every single day. He keeps me in a loop with everything that happens in his life; how his every day goes, what new things happen, and all other unnecessary stuff I never asked to know about. It’s like I’m his diary and he doesn’t care I don’t reply to his messages, he keeps sending those texts anyway, and at first, I found myself annoyed by them—I was once close to actually blocking him—but there was a small part of me that enjoyed that. There’s a part of me that loves knowing everything that goes on with James, even when I don’t want him close. That part of me looks forward to those texts of his, to what he’d say and what he’d complain about. I’ve tried to not let myself feel that way, but there was no stopping me. I’ve grown too used to them that I fi
JAMES. I’m here. In Los Angeles. The University of California. I got in. When I told my parents about what I wanted to do, my mother, of course, had lots to say about it, but I wasn’t ready to listen. I didn’t listen and when she realized there was nothing she could do to stop me; she let me go. I got here two days ago. After settling in, I began my search for Elizabeth. I didn’t want to text her to let her know about it. I wanted to surprise her, plus the ninety percent chance that she wouldn’t reply to my text, so I just roamed around the entire campus looking for her. It’s bigger than it looks, so it took quite a time, but I finally found her. Yesterday, I saw her entering the dorms. Then I lost her so I went room by room asking. Thankfully, I didn’t have to ask much before I got hers. Out of all the ways I thought I’d finally meet Elizabeth and see her again, this definitely didn’t come as a possibility. I didn’t think—not even for a second—that she’d be standing before me n
ELIZABETH. "Girl. Are you okay?" Miley asks as she walks to her side of the room and I turn on my bed to her. "Yeah, I’m good. Why are you asking?" "I don’t know." She chuckles as she drops the towel in her hair on her bed. "You’ve just been a bit weird since I came back. Just making sure everything is good?" "Everything is fine," I assure her as I watch her rip her pants down her legs, leaving only her thong. Miley doesn’t mind showing skin, but I still turn away every time and give her the privacy she doesn’t really ask for. "I’m just thinking about stuff." "Does it have to do with that hot guy you were speaking to yesterday?" More like the pretty one that was in here today. "Stop asking about Jared, Mile," I respond with a groan and I hear her laugh. There’s the sound of ruffling of clothes and her voice sounds like she’s struggling when she speaks. "I’m just… making sure." The room is left in silence as Miley continues with her stuff while I curl up on my bed, James easily in
JAMES. Elizabeth’s eyes are wide as she stares at me but I can tell I’m not hurting her because she makes no move to remove my hand from her chin and my patience starts to wear thin as she just gapes at me, so close but refuses to give me what I want. My other hand moves to her waist and a groan leaves her lips when I force my hips against hers. Something dark flashes in those pretty hazel eyes, but it’s gone before I can tell what and my mouth is opening again. "Tell me, Elizabeth." My voice isn’t harsh like the first few times. It’s now small and soft, even pathetic to my ears. I should be ashamed about how often I’m pathetic before her, but I’m long past that level with Elizabeth. She’s broken me. Completely. And we’re both just here, staring at my pieces, and there’s nothing else to hide from her. She sees everything. She knows everything. "James." She doesn’t call my name like she wants to drive a knife through my chest like the last time she did. And her eyes aren’t so angry.
ELIZABETH. I try to hurry to my feet as James drags up his pants, but I’m not quick enough and the door opens. Miley walks in with a groan as she shuts the door behind her and I just freeze, my lips parted. "Elizabeth?" she calls again, her eyes landing on me before they shift to James. She just stands there, staring between the two of us, and I scurry off the floor, aimlessly pulling at the end of my shirt. "Hey. You’re back." I chuckle nervously with heated cheeks as I try not to look at the boy next to me. Miley gasps, her eyes on James. "It was you!" She accuses as she starts to move closer. "You were the one… I saw you. That day, you were here asking of her." She glances at me and back at him. "You were…" She suddenly stops and pushes her head back as she looks between us. "Wait, were you two…?" I clear my throat and look away, but I hear James laugh. "Jesus! You mean I walked in on you two?" "James was just leaving!" I interrupt her, saving us from the embarrassment James ap
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 dagger