Thank you mandamichelle for the suggestion! And thank you to everyone who reviews my story!
After her promise was made, Skylar hesitantly returned to her apartment. Thoughts clowded her mind, doupt, hope, remembrance. For once since James had left, she had felt safe. The blonde was questionable though as to how James was planning on showing her that he was still himself.
Pushing the douptfull thoughts from her mind, Skylar plopped on to her leather couch, closing her eyes. Her cell phone began ringing, breaking the silence of the empty apartment. The blonde smiled as she read the caller i.d. Lily Mason. Flipping open her phone, Skylar beamed, "Hey, Lils". "Did you find James?" Skylar could almost see the curiousity filling Lily's green eyes. "Oh, I found him, alright. It's a long story." Silence covered the phone line before Lily squealed in delight, "Well you can tell me, when I get there!". Skylar rose an eyebrow to Lily's excitement, "What do you mean?".
Lily explained that her mother had allowed for her to purchase a one way plane ticket to L.A under the condition that she stay with Skylar at the Palmwoods. The blonde quickly agreed, considering she had been given a two bedroom apartment. Skylar was given notice that the following day, Lily would arrive at the Palmwoods to stay with her until she made her own departure.
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The Next Day
Skylar rose early in the morning to stock the fridge full of food. Having been alone since her arrival, Skylar was into the habbit of only buying enough food to provide for herself for one day. She entered the lobby, clad in short denim shorts and a flowy floral tank top, waving to Camille as she passed an calling for a cab. A tap on her shoulder made the small girl jump. She spun on her heels, coming face to face with gentle hazel eyes.
"Morning Sky, what are you doing up this early?" James asked, raising an eyebrow. Skylar took in a shaky breath, her heart racing by simply being near him. "Grocery shopping. A friend is coming down to stay with me." she smiled, James doing the same. "A friend?" he asked, Skylar slowly nodded, "Her name is Lily. I met her a little after, after you left." she looked to the ground, kicking a pebble.
As she looked up, Skylar was suprised to see the gentle smile playing on James' lips. "Can I meet her when she gets here?" his question suprised the blonde, causing her to raise a thin eyebrow. "I guess, if you want" she shrugged, giggling.
The familiar giggle sounded like gentle bells to James' ears. He smiled, glad to see the small smile on Skylar's lips. Even if she were sixteen- which James still found hard to believe- Skylar would always seem like a little girl to him. The California breeze blew a stray ringlet across Skylar's face. Hesitantly, James leaned down, his hand gentle crossing her pale face. He placed the ringlet back into it's place, smiling at the warmth coming from a single touch.
"Thanks" Skylar mumbled, a light blush painting her cheeks. The taxi pulled up, Skylar snapping back to reality. "I better get going. I'll see you later." Skylar smiled, making James' stomach flutter. He nodded a farewell to her before watching the small girl step into the cab.
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Skylar arrived home, quickly stocking the fridge with all she had aquired. She looked at herself once more in the mirror, smoothing down her hair before rushing to the lobby in await for Lily's arrival. She stepped into the lobby, her eyes lighting up.
"Hi Kendall!" Skylar beamed, walking towards the blonde. He smiled, wrapping an arm around Skylar's shoulders. "What has you smiling so brightly?" he asked, walking towards the group of chairs and love seats. "My friend is coming down from Iowa." Skylar shrugged, grinning. Kendall smiled at the short teen, "And her name is..?" he trailed off, raising an eyebrow. Skylar chuckled at his expression, earning a teasing glare from the singer. "Lily Mason."
"You talking about me?" Skylar turned to the voice, her smile widening. "Lily!" the blonde cried, running to hug her friend. The two released from the embrace, Skylar pulling back to look at Lily. Lily's straight, thin, brown hair hung lower on her shoulders than Skylar remembered. But the teen still had her child-like face and wide grin. "Come here, I want you to meet a friend of mine." Skylar grabbed Lily's hand, pulling the brunette towards Kendall.
"Kendall, this is Lily Mason. Lily, this is Kendall Knight." Skylar introduced the two, smiling. Taking a deep breath, Skylar took Lily's wrist. "I want you to meet someone special." Nodding in understanding, Kendall waved to the blonde and her friend before entering the pool area.
Slowly, Skylar led Lily to apartment 2J. The blonde took a shaky breath, knocking on the door. To her suprise, James answered. "James, I want you to meet someone. James, this is Lily Mason. Lily, James Diamond." Skylar watched cautiously as James hesitantly shook Lily's hand. "It's, nice to meet you." the brunette shakily smiled, looking to Skylar as if asking permission. For once, Skylar purposely smiled to James, nodding her head in the guessed approval.
Skylar couldn't help but notice that each time Lily would ask James something, he would turn to Skylar, searching for her gaze. After a few minutes of barely- awkward conversation, Skylar found it only just to break off the conversations.
"James," Skylar faintly smiled. His eyes lit up, hearing Skylar say his name while she wasn't screaming at him made his heart race. "I'll see you soon". A bright, dopey, grin formed on James' lips. "See you." he replied, smiling once again.
Lily rose an eyebrow at the nonchalant exchange of expressions. The brunette shook it off, though, beginning towards her temporary apartment. Skylar gently smiled to James once more before following Lily to their own apartment.
Arriving at apartment 2H, Lily spun on her heels to face her friend. "What was that back there?" the brunette questioned, placing her hands on her hips. Skylar raised an eyebrow at her friend, copying the brunette's gesture. "What is that supposed to imply?". Lily gigled, a smirk finding it's way on her lips as she began towards her bedroom. Not willing to give up so easily, Skylar followed the brunette. "What do you mean?" Skylar crossed her arms over her chest, raising an eyebrow.
Finally facing Skylar, Lily rolled her eyes. "Are you so blind that you didn't see the way he looks as you?". Skylar's eyes widened, her mouth dropping in shock. "W, what?" the blonde stuttered. Giggling, Lily shrugged and entered her room, shutting the door behind her.
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Lily's here! She's going to add a little fun to the mix...
I'm sooo sorry this wasn't a really good chapter. But let me warn you, the next few chapters (I think) will be the best!