Jimmy
'What's this feeling weighing on my chest' I thought before I opened my eyes to see a naked Betty sleeping cozily on my chest
"Betty" I said with a smile before she started moving before she got up and rubbed her eyes
"James?" she said shocked before she got off the bed. I was gonna say something but I was a bit too busy staring at her naked body
"Oh no. Did I stay over? Oh shit I can't believe I fell asleep" she said hurrying to put on her clothes but only managing to get her underwear on
"I can I mean you were pretty tired after" I said before we heard a knock on the door
"Jimmy are you awake?" My mom asked
"Great it's your mom" Betty whispered
"Just keep quiet" I whispered
"Jimmy?" Mom called again
"Yeah mom. Just getting ready to go shower" I lied
"Oh I was just wondering if you and Betty would come by the shop today. I could really use the help" she said
"Um yeah we'd love to" I said
"How are you so sure she's not busy?" Mom asked
"I'm not. I'll ask her when I see her" I said
"Okay. Hurry up and get ready. Your breakfast is getting cold and is that Betty's bike out on the lawn" mom said
"Yeah mom she left it when she came by yesterday. She wanted me to do some upgrades on it" I said before she said went back down stairs before I let out a sigh thankful we locked the door last night
"Thank god she's gone" Betty said as she started picking up her clothes and getting dressed
"So you coming?" I asked as she put on her pants
"Sure" she answered putting on her blouse
"So where you going now?" I asked
"Home"
"Yeah I guess your mom might be worried" I said as she fixed her hair in my mirror
"Doubt it" she scoffed
"Cool I'll come pick you up later?" I asked
"Please don't. I'll just drop myself off on a Uber or something" she said
"Okay. So I'll meet you for lunch" I said
"Yeah. We can set some ground rules for our little relationship" she said
"What about your bike?" I asked
"It's fine I'll come for it after school" she said before she went to the window and started opening the blinds
"Hey hey hold up. What are you doing?" I asked
"Going down the fire escape"
"No. You can't go there" I said
"Why not?" She asked
"Sophie's house is across the street" I said
"And?" She asked
"What if she looks out her window and sees you climbing out my window. Do you want to explain to Sophie why you're sneaking out my house at five
thirty (5:30) in the morning" I said
"Fine so how am I gonna get out" she said before I lead her to my closet
"Okay so what you have some secret escape hatch" she asked as I smirked and put in the password allowing the rug to move apart revealing a tube which left her speechless
"Yes in fact I do" I said before she slid down the tube.
I let out a sigh of relief as I wrapped the towel around me
(Trudy)
After going down stairs I saw my husband looking for something
"Good morning honey" I said
"Trudy have you seen my business phone I've tried calling it but I didn't get an answer?" He asked looking in and under the fridge
"Um. No I think you might have left it when you went by the office yesterday" I said before he closed the fridge and picked up his briefcase
"I made you breakfast by the way" I said
"Sorry I've got to run. I'm in a rush. I'm expecting an important business call so if you hear the phone ring. Don't answer it. Just call me" He said before kissing my cheek
"It's okay. What time do you get off work?" I asked
"I'm not sure why?"
"I was actually thinking we could go out for a date. Just the two of us. We could go out for dinner. We haven't done that in awhile" I said
"Sorry but I have a business meeting" he said before I sighed
"Of course" I sighed
"What's wrong?" He asked
"It's just you've been gone for a whole month and normally I'd be used to this but this night I tried to kiss you but you refused to even touch me when you returned. You just laid down and slept" I said a bit angry
"Trudy of course I slept. What do you expect me to do. I'm tired. All month it's been board meetings and conferences. So excuse me for wanting to get a little rest when I get home" he said
"You want to talk about tired. I'm the one who's tired. I'm tired of waiting here wondering what you're doing when you go on your little trips" I said
"What I'm doing? I do what I always do. Work! From the moment I walk out that door to the second I want in I'm working" he said
"Don't you try that bull shit with me Hugh. I don't buy it" I said
"Trudy-"
"Is that dad?"
"Aren't going to work?" Jimmy asked seemingly coming down the stairs
"Yeah. I'll see you tonight Jimbo" he said before he left
"So how much did you hear?" I asked
"Not much?" He lied
"So everything" I sighed
"Yeah. I never noticed you had those feeling mom" he said
"Jimmy. Every housewife has those fears from time to time. What I need is something to keep me busy"
"Then maybe you should discuss it with the other moms. Maybe they can help clear some of your worries" he said
"Yeah. I guess I should. I'll see you and Betty today" I asked
"Yeah. I asked her awhile ago" he said before he picked up a piece of toast
"I'll be heading out early. I really wanna talk with someone today" he said heading back up stairs
"Okay see you" I yelled
"Hugh Cornelius Taylor, what are you hiding" I said
(Sophie)
Stupid Taylor. He actually yelled at me. For who? Betty? That bitch. He must be out of his damned mind. You know what I don't care what he does with that bimbo. It's just his problem when he finds her in bed with another man. I wonder how his prideful little heart would handle that.
"Sophie darling are you okay?" My mom asked
"Huh? Yeah mom I'm fine. Why you ask?" I asked
"Because you've been brushing that side of your hair for thirty minutes" my mom said
"Oh" I said dropping the brush
"You seem a bit distracted Darling. Is everything okay" mom asked
"Yeah mom I'm fine" I said
"Are you sure. Is it between you and Libby. You didn't seem to be getting along yesterday" mom said
"We're fine we just had a little argument" I said before she got a text
"Oh well. I'm sure you two will work it out. I should be heading to work" she said
"Um actually would you mind giving me a lift? I could really use one today" I asked
"Isn't Nicholas coming to pick you up today?" She asked
"No. We kinda in the middle of a fight" I said
"I'm sorry to hear that but I can't stop. I have to head straight to work now. I have something super important that needs by attention" she said
"Alright" I said putting up a false smile
"Maybe you can have Jimmy drive you. I mean you're going to the same place. Honestly darling I still can't fathom why you don't just get a car" she said before she left
Because until now I didn't need one. Jimmy huh? I'm not really on the best of terms with him either.
I haven't talked to neither him nor Libby since yesterday mean while Nick has been blowing up my phone ever since I got home.
In fact he's calling me right now and like all the other times I let it go to voicemail
{Sophie it's me. I know you said you wanted space but I just can't. Let's meet up and talk this out. I know you're there and I've literally called a hundred times. Can we please just talk}
"Talk this out" I said rolling my eyes as I take up my bag and go down stairs.
Mister Taylor was walking angrily to his car before he stopped. He looked towards my house and his scowl brighten into a smile as he waved then got in his car before he drove off. About twenty five minutes later Jimmy came out so I went out to him
"Hey Taylor" I said
"Vortex" he said
"Can I ask a favor?" I asked
"Sure" he said cautiously
"Can you give me a ride to school?" I asked
"No problem" he said before he opened the door allowing me to get in.
We drove in awkward silence until I decided to open my mouth
"Um about yesterday" I said
"What about it?"
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just jumped to conclusions like that and I might have slighty overreacted" I apologized
"Slighty?" he said sarcastically before I glared at him
"It's okay." He smiled
"So we cool now?" I asked
"Yeah. I wasn't really all that angry at you anyway. I was just upset about Betty"he said before I felt something turn in my stomach
"What happened with her?" I asked
"A lot" he said
"So I guess she won't be hanging around much" I smiled
'Why am I smiling?' I thought
"I'm not so sure" he said
"So mind telling me the real reason her underwear was in your hovercar" I asked curious
"We went to the beach and spontaneously decided to play in the water. She didn't want to go back in wet underwear so she took them off." He said
"So you sneak a peek?" I asked fearing an answer
"No" he lied but noticed I was staring disbelievingly at him
"Well maybe I got a glimpse" he said cutely hiding a blush which made me blush looking at his face
"Honestly I don't get why you were so upset about that anyway" he said looking back on the road
"I wasn't." I lied before he gave a disbelieving "huh uh"
"Fine. I was a little upset because I thought you slept with her."
"Would that really be a bad thing I mean we aren't exactly together or anything"
"Um I know it's just.....you know"
"Know what?" He asked
"The two of us never"
"Never what" he asked with a smug look
"You're gonna make me say it aren't you" I said but he just smiled
"We never had...sex. So the thought of you two doing it made me feel like you just didn't want to with me" I said looking at him
He turned towards me and started directly in my eyes
"I wanted to. I've always wanted to. I just wanted it to be special" he said
"And it would have been if it was with you" I said before we went silent just staring into each other's eyes the distance between us once again closing but before we could actually kiss a car honked at us causing Jimmy to look on the road just in time to turn the wheel
"Crap" I said as we just barely dodged the car
"You okay?" Jimmy asked
"Yeah" I said
"Good. I think I should probably pay attention to the road" he said
"That's a good idea" I said as he continued driving
The rest of the ride was as it started in awkward silence but once we arrived he got out of the car and opened the door for me
"Thanks" I said stepping out of the car
"No problem" he said with a smile which brought one to my face too
"Um I have to get to class" I said
"Yeah I should to" he said
"Well see ya" I said before we both stepped off in the same direction remembering we had the same class
"I guess I'll be walking you to class" he said before I smiled and we walked.
(Jimmy)
We had just entered class and were semi-greeted by Mrs. Jones
"Glad you two could grace us with your presence" she said before the first bell rang
"Sorry. We almost met in a car accident"
"No excuses Mister Taylor. Just take a seat. You too Miss Vortex"
"Yes Mrs. Jones" we both said before going to our table
"Okay Class I hope you all enjoyed your little break yesterday. Because you won't be getting another one and today you are expected to finish today's as well as yesterday's work load. Which means you have homework which is due tomorrow and the day after that. Which I'm sure you all know means one today and the other tomorrow" she said as everyone in the class groaned.
"You've got to be kidding."
"Then what was the work we did yesterday?" some random student asked
"You think this is a joke. Okay you will also be getting a test during the last fifteen minutes. An hundred question multiple choice paper. Anyone that gets less than seventy right will have detention for a whole month" she said.
Everyone once again groaned before she started the class..
When the class was over everyone was upset except me. I was confident I got all of them in the first five minutes and Sophie looked like she was alright everyone else though except one other girl looked like they had taken the hardest test known to man
"Hey Sophie how do you feel you did?" I asked
"Meh. Probably got eighty. How about you?" She asked
"Pretty good I guess"
"Is that Taylor for I got all answers right?" She added only getting a smile as a reply
We talked until we reached her class where something unexpected happened
Libby walked up to us and said, "Jimmy can I have a talk with you? In private"
"Sure. See you after school Vortex" I said before Libby walked away and I followed.
You might ask what unexpected about that but it's the fact that she didn't even spare Sophie even a passing glance that caught my attention
"So what's up?"
"What's the deal with you and Betty?" She asked
Having been caught off guard I stuttered a bit
"W-w-w-what are talking about?"
"Nuh uh. Don't play dumb with me. I saw you and her together with some weird shady looking guy"
"Libby it's cool we just had a little mix up. We sorted everything out" I lied
"Fine don't tell me but you should know I've seen her with that guy before Jimmy so be careful alright" she said
I didn't want to lie to her but it wasn't my story to tell
"Hey is going on between you and Sophie" I said
"Why do you ask?"
"No reason you two just seem a little stand-offish. So everything okay?"
"Yeah we're just having a fight"
"What about?"
"The inevitable" she said
"Should I even ask what that means?" I asked but she only let out a grief filled sigh
"I'm going to class" she said walking away
(Libby)
After my talk with Jimmy we went to class but before I arrived at my classroom I saw Betty taking something from her locker so I walked up to her
"I need to talk to you?" I said
"Um sure. You're... Sophie's friend right. I think your name's..." she said
"Libby" I said
"Right Libby. So what can I help you with Libby?" Betty asked
"What's your deal?" I asked
"Excuse me"
"You once told Sophie you weren't interested in Jimmy. Now you're making out with him. What's the deal?"
"Look I did say that but you've got to understand, Sophie and Jimmy were like some child version of a rom com cooks come to life. It was as if they were some Disney true love couple"
"And?" I asked
"And I didn't want to get wrapped up with all that nonsense"
"So what changed?" I asked
"They broke up. I mean it's been four years and they haven't gotten together" She asked
"Yeah four years of avoiding each other now they can't do that. What do you think is gonna happen when they meet up. By the way I should warn you the first time they were alone together they kissed and the second time they did it again. After that he spent his time in detention with you. Now that he doesn't have detention what's keeping it from happening again"
"Sounds like I'll just have to keep them away" she answered
"Nice plan but didn't you hear Jimmy gave Sophie a ride to school today. I wondered what happened" I said before leaving for my class
Just before I left I heard her say
"As if I didn't know that"
I then walked into my class and saw Sophie I just rolled my eyes and took the seat furthest away from her
(Jimmy)
Classes had just ended and I was sprinting down the halls hoping to find Betty which fortunately I did
"Hey Betty" I called out to her getting her to stop
"Oh hey James" she said
"You ready to head to my mom's" I asked
"Sorry but I feel kinda sick. I'm heading home when you're finished you can come by and we have that conversation" she said
"Okay if you're sure"
"Oh yeah. I heard you drove to school with Sophie today" she said
'Shit!' I screamed in my head
"Listen Betty nothing happened she just wanted a drive to school"
"It's okay James you don't have to explain anything. I mean it's not like we're dating or anything. It's fine. We're just fun you can do whatever you want." She said before she left
I let out a sad sigh before going to mom's shop
"Hey sweetheart how was your day?" Mom asked
"Just prefect" I said sarcastically
"Where's Betty?" Mom asked
"She said she couldn't make it. She's sorry. You know the flus been going around lately" I said
"Oh that's a shame. I guess it's a good thing I got a new employee today then" mom said before calling a girl over
"This is Rebecca. She's the new cashier" mom said
"Nice to meet you Rebecca. I'm James Taylor. You can call Jimmy"
"Nice to meet you Jimmy" she said
"Same to you." I said
Rebecca was a young tall girl with fair skin and blonde curly hair. She had on a ripped jeans and a college sweatshirt from the local college and a pair of upper converse
"So you go to State U" I said
"Yeah I'm a freshman"
"So you have something in common then. Jimmy used to go too" mom said making Rebecca confused
"I thought you were a high school senior" she said
"Yeah. It's kinda a long story. But I attended when I was in middle school but I dropped out"
"So what you're some kind of genius" she laughed
"You're new here aren't ya" I asked
"Yeah just moved here to attend college. Haven't been off campus all month" she said
"Well that's enough getting to know each other. Time for work" mom said before we went to work.
The time passed and the afternoon rush came and went leaving everyone tired especially me who was laying my head on the counter. Everyone had went out on break so Rebecca and I were the only ones remaining in the store
"So I heard you were suppose to carry some girl named Betty. Is she your girlfriend or something?" She asked curious
"Not really. It's just complicated I guess"
"Complicated huh. I know a few things about complicated relationships" she said
"Mind sharing?" I asked
"Sure. My boyfriend is cheating on me with my sister. I found out a couple months ago, on my graduation day no less, but still haven't broken up with him" she said with a fake smile
"Well this morning I woke up with Betty. Let's just say we had a great night well I think we did. After that she snuck out the house. Then I gave my ex girlfriend a ride to school ,almost kissing her in the process. Luckily we didn't" I said
"Damn aren't you the rolling stone. So this ex of yours is she seeing someone else?" Rebecca asked
"She's in a relationship with a guy named Nick"
"I've heard that name before. I just can't remember where" she said
"Well he's pretty famous around town. Especially known by the ladies" I said
"Oh so he's a cheater" she said
"Well Sophie did say she saw him with another girl. And on top of that he's paranoid. I mean the guy doesn't even want us talking to each other for longer than we have too" I said
"I'm sure he's not that bad" she said
"He made Sophie stay away from me every since freshman year" I said
"Oh that's bad. So does he have a reason to be paranoid?" She asked and honestly I couldn't give an answer
"Okay enough about them back to you and Betty. So is it you who doesn't want a relationship"
"God no it's her. She says she's not ready for a relationship. That we should just be friends with benefits for now" I said
"But you don't want that" she said smiling
"No" I said
"Then maybe you should tell her that" she said
"You think she'd change her mind"
"Probably not but it never hurts to try. Plus what's the worse that could happen?"
"She could decide to never talk to me again"
"So you're just let her go if she does?"
"Of course not. I've been crushing on her for years. I can't just let her go when I know she likes me"
"Then what are you worried about?"
"You know what your right. Thanks for the advice Rebecca" I said
"No problem" she said before I left.
I drove straight to Betty's house.
I rang the doorbell until she opened the door
"Oh good James we can talk about the rules. First of all no one finds out about this which of course bans PDA. No one sees us. Second you only come when I agree it's fine and third there's only fun you're not allowed to catch feelings because it's all fun and games until someone falls in love. When or if that happens we end this." she said
"Sorry the last one is gonna be a problem because I've already fallen for you"
"No you haven't you don't know a thing about me. You just think you have because we had sex. Trust me when you get used to it. You'll see that you don't love me" she said
"That's why I'm gonna get to know you the real you and It doesn't matter what you say. I want you and I won't stop saying it until you agree to go out with me. For real. Until then I'll pay along with your game but trust me I'll make you mines Betty Ann Turner" I said.
"Fine do what you want but don't get your hopes up" she said but I could see a smile beginning to form on her lips before she closed the door
"Goodnight Betty" I said
"Good night Jimmy" she said
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