Page 10 of Make It Without You

“I think we take it day by day. And if this turns into something more, then we’ll have to go slow because you’d be my first boyfriend. That kind of freaks me out.” I blurt completely nervous.

“Why does it freak you out?”

“Because you turn me into a blubbering mess. And I don’t want to ruin what we have right now. Somehow, I know that this has the potential to be more. I’m doing it again.” I hide my face against his chest.

James’s chuckle vibrates through me and his arm on my back pulls me closer to him. “I don’t mind.”

When the credits end and the screen fades to black, James and I spend the rest of the night dancing in the home theater while Kam and Liam stay passed out in the theater chairs. My heart rate is back to normal speed as my mind processes all that happened.

I’m no longer a loner.

James

If I were a character inGlee, I’d probably wake up singing with a smile on my face as I jump and skip around while getting ready. I’m not inGlee. But I do wake up with a huge ass smile on my face. And I also don’t sing. Which is a good thing because I can’t carry a tune to save my life.

I have no words for last night. When school started, I didn’t think I’d end up with a sort of girlfriend less than a week into school. My feelings for Emily aren’t forced. It’s like my being friends with Liam. It’s natural. Of course, I don’t have any romantic feelings for Liam. Liam is more like my brother and I don’t have sibling-like feelings towards Emily.

Okay. Back to my feelings about Emily. She’s not like any of the other girls that I grew up with. I know it’s a cliche reason, but it’s true. Emily is different. She’s a good kind of quiet. Almost too quiet.

But in the short amount of time that we’ve spent around each other, I’m learning that when she opens up she’s a rambler, a chatterbox, and a library of never-ending information. I noticed she carries her violin around almost everywhere and always has a book with her. They’re kind of like her safety blanket. I’ve tracked that her knee bounces when she’s nervous and excited.

This is what I’ve observed and what I’ve come to like about her.

“Hi, honey,” my mom greets, breaking me from my Emily internal thoughts. The sound of my mom’s coffee cup being placed on the table is a sign she’s giving me her full attention.

“Morning, Mom.” I reply, kissing her on the top of her head.

Three. Two. One.

“So Emily,” she says by way of starting a conversation. “She seems like a sweetheart.”

I look over to my dad who hides a smile behind his coffee mug. So much for the bro code.

“Uh yeah. She’s pretty cool.” What else do I say? That I’m kind of, sort of, possibly obsessed with her? It’s gotta be puppy love. It’ll fade soon.

I sit down at the table with my breakfast which is way too quiet for a Saturday morning. Both of my parents are looking at each other and then me with little smiles on their faces.

“What?” I ask.

“Are you hanging out with Emily today?”

“Maybe. Why?” They’re acting weird. “You know what, I am going to hang out with Emily. You’re both creeping me out.”

My parents high-five each other from across the table.

“I’m finishing my food in my room. You can plan the wedding when I’m out of earshot.” I joke.

But the look on my mom’s face confirms that she’s not joking.

“Mom!”

“What?! I won’t plan anything until you’re six months into your relationship. But I will tell you now, James Michael, that I do not want to be a grandmother so soon,” she gives me that mother look that makes my brothers and I cower before she softens her gaze. “Although, I’m positive that you and Emily will have beautiful babies.”

My face flames and I cover my ears with my hands. “Mom! Dad stop her!”

“You know how your Mom gets James. Best let her get it out of her system,” the rustling of the newspaper being reopened is a good sign. “But I was wondering. Do you want a big or small wedding?”

I rush out of the kitchen with flaming cheeks all the while my parents are cackling at the table.

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