Don't Let Me Go

12

"Yes of course! The living room is down the hall to the right. If your mom needs to speak to me, you know where to find me,"

Iris nodded.

She headed into the living room sinking into one of the plush couches as she called her mom.

After a quick conversation, she was given a 9:30 curfew and a go-ahead for dinner.

Apparently, Jonathan and his mom were over meeting with her dad. Thankfully Iris wasn't home.

"Okay, I'm all set," Iris said walking back into the kitchen.

James And his mom seemed to be in the middle of a deep conversation, "Oh I'm sorry. I can come back," Iris said.

"No, no. It's fine," James said, "I was telling mom about Olivia,"

Iris nodded.

"You know about Olivia?" His mom asked.

Iris nodded, "As of today. Yes,"

Miranda nodded, "Watch out for each other. Do you hear? That girl is bad news and I don't want either of you messed up in whatever she's got going on. Pass your classes, get into good colleges, and go. Leave her and her immature self alone,"

Iris nodded in agreement and so did James.

James and Iris had each other's back's no matter what. If anything, Olivia should watch who she's coming for.

She was about to meet a pair who very capable of not only defending themselves but each other.

No secrets, no lies. Just honesty. And that was something Olivia didn't have. Just like the past had proven.

Dinner gave Iris an insight into a version of James she didn't see often.

He was careless and laid back. He cracked jokes and she could tell how much he loved his mom. How much she loved his family.

Iris hoped someone would love her like that one day.

Iris loved her family. There was no doubt about it but love was different in relationships.

"So. What time is curfew?" James asked.

"9:30,"

"Okay. So you have to go in like ten minutes but I want to show you something first," he said.

Iris nodded as he took her hand leading her upstairs.

Iris learned that James had a pretty big family. Four older siblings. Two sisters and two brothers. He was the youngest. His sisters were married. One of his brothers was in college and the other was only a year older than him and was in the army.

They all lived about half an hour to forty-five minutes away.

He said that she had to meet them one day.

James opened up a door at the end of the hallway and Iris grinned. This must've been his room. Football posters, a beautiful green color... it looked like it belonged in one of those contemporary home magazines.

"Whoa, this is really nice," she said

James grinned, "Thanks. I think I have a pretty promising future in interior design,"

Iris laughed, "Hey if football doesn't work out it would be a good idea,"

James grinned placing a blanket in her hand, "Come on,"

Iris wrapped it around her as he opened the balcony doors.

The sun had just set beneath the horizon line so there was still a faint hint of yellow-orange decorating the sky.

It was breathtaking.

"This is amazing," she breathed.

"You said you've been having some...what do you call it? Artist block? So I figured this might give you some inspiration," he said, "You know, the colors and stuff,"

Iris turned to him smiling, "You know most people just tell me that artists block is just a phase and I'll get back into it eventually. No ones really helped me find the inspiration I need,"

James shrugged, "I do what I can,"

Iris smiled taking his hand, "Thank you,"

"Anytime," he replied kissing her cheek.

Iris turned back to the view taking a mental picture of the view. She knew that by the time she got to painting, the image in her head would change but that's what made all her paintings so special.

Iris shivered as the wind blew, "Okay, let's go back inside, yeah?"

James nodded chuckling.

She noticed a familiar picture on his desk of them over the summer at the beach.

It was her favorite picture of them and she had the same one on her dresser.

"Nice picture," she said nodding at it.

James laughed, "It's my favorite one of us,"

"Mine too," she agreed.

Soon, Iris thanked Miranda for having her and was on her way home. Miranda said she was welcome at any time.

"I like her," Miranda said once James shut the front door after Iris peeled out of the driveway.

"Me too," James said.

"So, she's Jonathan's ex huh?" Miranda asked.

James nodded, "Don't ask me how on earth that happened," he said laughing.

Miranda smiled, "No. It's okay. Sometimes the things we need the most come when we least expect it,"

James nodded folding his arms, "Don't I know it,"

Miranda studied him closely, "What?" he asked.

"You love her don't you?"

"I think it's too early to say that," James said.

Miranda laughed, "And why do you think that?"

"Because we make six months in December. You can't decide you love someone after such a short amount of time,"

"Well, do you? Love her, I mean,"

James nodded, "So much. I love her, but I don't want to say that to her and scare her off,"

"You can only scare someone off who didn't want to be there in the first place," Miranda said.

James nodded, "You think I should tell her?"

"You know better than anyone that you can't stand around waiting for something to happen. If you love her, tell her,"

"You think she'll feel the same way about me?" he asked

Miranda nodded. She knew love when she saw it and those two had something rare, "I do," she said causing James to smile.

Hey guys!

Yay, yay! Iris and James are on their way to something good. I'm excited. I've been working on some other chapters and this song "Bitter" by Fletcher & Trevor Daniel is giving me some serious inspiration but I'm trying to make it fit, you know? Haha, so look out for that!

Anywho, what'd you think of James' mom? Think she seems cool?

I hope you enjoyed reading guys! Remember to hit that like button if you loved what you read. See you soon!

~Beautiful1242