This Life ? (J.C)

[-21-]

Her face fell—what a fucking lie. She closed the box, slanting her eyes at Julian, flashing him a playful scowl. "You mean, your ex girlfriend didn't like it so you're pawning it off to me as a gift... yeah, real classy." Joy snickered.

"No," Julian shook his head. "I got it for you." He smiled; his irises disappearing behind his lids with an ever growing smile. "I don't know, I saw it and just thought... if your birthday rolled around and we were all hanging out again... I don't know- I do that with everybody."

"Do what?"

"I see something that I think someone will like and I get it. I wait for birthdays and Christmases to come around so I can give it away."

Joy scoffed with a laugh. "Bullshit."

"No really, I have like... a whole stash of stuff I've bought for people just waiting for an event to roll around. I'm always prepared." He laughed bashfully, lacing his fingers together in his lap.

Joy dropped her gaze from Julian, staring at the box in her hands. He had thought of her—she was still on his mind during their time apart; when she wasn't sure of ever seeing him again. The thought of Jules actually believing that the two would reunite again caused her eyes to brim with tears. She had even crossed his mind while he was in a relationship.

"You don't like it." Julian stood from the bed, nearly tripping over his own feet; the tip of his left shoe snagging the heel of his right one. "Shit." He murmured.

"No, I... I love it." She sniffled, quickly blinking the tears away before they had a chance to fall.

"Why are you crying then?" He chuckled warmly, folding his arms over his chest. "It's cool if you don't like it- it was like... twenty bucks in US currency."

"This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me." Joy whispered.

Julian wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his chest with a deep laugh. "What a sad life." He joked. "If this is seriously the nicest thing anyone's ever done for you... you really gotta look into finding some new friends."

Joy relaxed in his embrace, feeling his chest rise and fall against the side of her face. She had always assumed Jules to be careless, but knowing that he had thought of her enough to buy her something... it showed that he cared after all.

She felt his hands move to the small of her waist; a sign that it was time to move away. She didn't want to—she liked being in his arms.

What the fuck am I doing?

Joy quickly pulled back, running her hands through her hair and clearing her throat. She was surprised to see Julian's eyes on her lips, looking as though he wanted to kiss her. It made her think of that night in the cab, when he had said that he could love her... forever.

Which was why she didn't pull back when his hands went to her face. He brought his lips to hers—her mouth moving with his as she placed her hand over his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath her palm.

Julian had kissed her many times since her return, but she always resisted. This time, she was giving into him.

"I think you made the right decision. But I also think Jules should've had a say in it."

Joy pulled back, their lips breaking apart with an audible smack. She tucked her hair behind her ears—her face flushing as she covered her burning cheeks with her hands.