Chapter 2
Lover Girl
JJ smiled brightly, waiting for my response. I just shook my head and looked away. "I'll be fine JJ. I just need to find a way to earn some of my own money, that's all."
He placed his hand on my shoulder and held my chin. "You don't need to do this alone, Cleo. You know that." His shimmering brown eyes captivated me, as I was lost in their ever-present glow.
I closed my eyes and sighed. "Yes I do, JJ. Since ol' Fish Face killed my mom, I've had to do everything on my own." I turned away from him and untied my hair band, letting a swirl of chestnut waves flow around my slender neck. Rope burn scars from the countless attempts by local Catholics to have me hanged for witchcraft covered the tanned skin of my battered throat. I felt JJ's soft feathery hand run along the scars and my eyes snapped shut.
"Cleo, please, let me help you."
"I don't need your help, JJ. I'll be fine. Trust me."
He swung me around to face him and embraced me. I felt so safe in his arms, as I always did. " I DO trust you, Cleo." I looked up at him, his face bearing a worried, compassionate expression.
I smiled at him, and my eyes glittered in sync with his. "Then let me handle this myself."
Suddenly, Chickadee and Sensei Chan walked in and saw JJ holding me. My face went red with embarrassment.
"I see you two are enjoying yourselves," Chickadee said with a smirk. Sensei just stood there, face red and jaw agape.
I stepped out of JJ's embrace and blushed hard. "It's not what you think!"
"Oh? Then tell me, what was it?"
"We were just… um…."
"CLEO AND JJ SITTIN IN A TREE, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"
"Stop it, Chickadee! That's not funny!" My face was even redder, now from aggravation. My fists clenched and I looked away from them sternly.
Lord knows I love JJ, but I could never tell him… Could I?