The silence was the worst thing. Nobody spoke to Isabella all day. She heard whispers everywhere she went, but the silence was deafening. First period the Monday following the ordeal that was JJ meeting her friends, a note had been passed to her calling her a slut. Second period, she was deemed a whore. She heard a rumor at lunch that she and JJ had done in on the teacher's desk in the classroom the girls had met in. The silence of her phone was unsettling, and reassuring all at once. It would go off in spurts with texts from numbers she didn't even know bombarding her with insults. She tried to forget about it, ignore it. She prayed it would pass, but it was only getting worse. Even band practice was hard to get through.
She silently thanked god for the bell signaling another weekend, a temporary escape. JJ had asked her to join him at the ice rink Saturday. She was looking forward to it. She didn't particularly want to try to skate again. The first time had been so embarrassing, but she could watch him. It had always been so mesmerizing watching figure skating, but seeing it in person. It was surreal. She couldn't believe she got to watch his practices.
A few girls passed her in the hall, whispering and giggling under their hands. Isabella felt herself tense. This wasn't right. She tried to brush it off and bring her thoughts back to the weekend she and JJ had planned. A movie tonight! Her heart swelled at the thought. She just had to get her parents to agree. He'd texted her last period. She tried to think what she'd tell them. She knew she couldn't tell them the truth. They'd freak out. Maybe she'd tell them it was a date? Could it be considered a date? He didn't say it was a date, but maybe she could still fib a little? A new friend? But both of those would probably result in her parents wanting to meet him and she just knew they wouldn't let her go out with "the boy from the posters." She could say she was meeting with friends. Leave it vague. Yeah, that sounded good.
She opened her locker only to have condoms pour out onto the floor. Her cheeks burned as the full halls filled with laughs, whispers, and lewd comments. This wasn't fair. She could hear the coughs. "Slut." "Whore." She willed herself to be strong. Put them in her backpack and take them to the school nurse. They'd be of more use there than in the trash. She focused on her task, blocking everything else out. She needed to put something over the vent in the locker. That way they couldn't do these petty little pranks anymore.
With the task finished, Isabella made her way, head held high, to the nurse's office. She stumbled over her words as she put them in the bin the nurse had given her. She tried to find the words to tell her it was a silly, harmless prank. That she was okay and no, she really didn't need anyone to call her parents. Please, no, nobody needed to know. It was all in fun. She was okay. It was even funny. She hated how easily the lies slipped from her tongue, but she couldn't handle what would happen if she told. She knew this was nothing to what it could be. She wished she could blend into the crowd and just disappear.
Finally she'd broken away and ready for home. She sat on the bus, her legs pulled up in the seat, hugging her knees to her chest as she listened to music on her phone. She didn't want to talk to anyone or be talked to for that matter. She stared out the window imagining her life being a movie. This was the part where the girl that was neither popular nor unpopular had suddenly become an outcast that was the talk of the school. How did she want her movie to go? She imagined herself joining forces with other kids who were ostracized at school and going on to speak about how bullying as not cool. It would end with her pulling all the girls together for some much needed positivity. The image of all the girls in school becoming friends and spreading more positivity made her smile, melting away all the humiliation from the day.
As the bus neared her stop, she gathered her things ready to get home. The crisp October air was a sharp reminder that winter was soon approaching. She hated the snow and ice and impossible temperatures. Almost sixteen years and she still wasn't used to it. Walking home from the bus stop was miserable during those freezing months. She buried her hands in her pocket and stared at her feet as she walked, humming to the music pumping through her earbuds. She was looking forward to getting to wear all the cute winter clothes. Perhaps she could talk her parents into letting her donate her warmer clothes and get some new winter clothes for the season.
Isabella reached her home, flinging the door open. She was surprised to find her mother walking out of the kitchen on the phone. Isabella froze. Her parents were never home this early. Did they suspect something? She had only stayed out late while grounded last Friday and had made his home narrowly. Did they know that she had been out? Her heart raced. She took a few deep breaths and plastered a sweet smile on her face, waiting silently until her mother ended the call. She hugged her mother tight before pulling back out of the hung.
"How was your day, Mama?" She asked politely, absently playing her a strand of her hair.
"Good, busy. Thank you so much for asking. How was school?" Her mother motioned to follow her to the kitchen.
"It was okay. Same old school, you know? I made a perfect score on my literature exam."
Isabella paused when she saw what her mother was doing. She was going to make dol sot. Her mouth was watering just from thinking about the dish. It was one of her favorites, but they rarely had it fresh due to her parents' work schedules. She could practically hear the bowl sizzling.
"Is Baba coming soon?" She asked immediately starting to help with the cutting vegetables.
"Yes. We both actually got off early and wanted to spend some time with you. We're off this weekend too." Her mother smiled.
"Oh…"
Crap. She had assumed she could just ask to go out with JJ and they'd say okay since they wouldn't be home. Now the plans changed. She really didn't want to cancel on JJ. She'd been looking forward to his for the past week. It was all that had gotten her through everything. She loved her parents, she really did, but this wasn't fair. She had plans. Why didn't they check with her and get off when she didn't have plans. She wanted to cry. On one hand she did really miss them, but on the other…she wanted to be with JJ.
"You sound less than enthused," her mother noted. "Do you not want to spend time with us?"
"No! No, sorry, Mama, no. It's just I had been asked to the movies tonight and I was hoping to go. And tomorrow I was going to go to the skating rink." She lifted her eyes to her mom. "Maybe you and Baba can have a date night?"
"Ooooh you were asked to the movies?" Her mom smiled and popped a carrot in her mouth. "Was it by a boy?"
"No." Isabella lied, leaning her head forward so her hair would fall in her face and hopefully block the blush forming on her cheeks.
"Look, if you want to go on a date, I'm sure Baba and I can find something to do. But tomorrow and Sunday, you need to promise that you'll be here." Her mother pulled her hair back and put it in a small bun.
"But I have ice skating tomorrow," Isabella frowned.
"You don't even know how to."
"I'm getting lessons!" Isabella flashed a smile.
Her mother's face fell and she shook her head. Isabella's heart sank. That wasn't a good reaction. That was never a good reaction. Dammit. She was going to go back on the whole thing and she'd have to tell JJ and what if he decided to move on from her? But JJ was her friend. Friend. God she'd never get used to that.
"It's that boy from the posters. Isn't it," Her mother's eyes bore into her.
"Mama…"
"We're meeting him before you go to the movies. I want to make sure he's not going to take advantage of you." Her mother said firmly.
"What?" Isabella blinked. "You're going to let me go?"
"I don't like it, but if there's one thing I remember about being a teenager, it's that if I tell you no, you'll want to do it even more and you won't be safe about it. This way at least we can monitor it." She took the knife from Isabella's hand. "Invite him to dinner."
Isabella's heart raced. She hadn't expected this. Her parents were going to meet him? Meet JJ? What if they said something? He couldn't know she had posters of him! She would die. Literally die. She needed to hide them. Pull them down and store them away from the world. It was so embarrassing she had posters of her friend. Ugh, why did the world have to be like this? It was so unfair. But they hadn't always known each other. It'd been three weeks. Three weeks and she hadn't thought of this before? She mentally kicked herself.
"What? Are you nervous?" Her mom nudged her. "Your father and I promise to behave."
"Please don't embarass me." Isabella begged.
"Oh, Isabella, that's our job." Her mother winked, pulling her into a one armed hug and kissing her temple. "Now go call him and invite him. Get yourself all cute and dolled up. Leave dinner to me, okay? Let me know if you need anything. I would love to help."
"Maaaaama," Isabella groaned, cover her face, trying to hide her burning cheeks.
"You want to go see a movie and skate with this boy, do you not?"
"Yes."
"Then invite him to dinner so we can at least have a good description if you get kidnapped," her mother joked.
"Fine. But don't say anything about the posters. Or that I always watch his matches. Or that I like him like that!" Isabella pleaded. "I'll die. Do you want to bury your only child? With no grandchildren?" Isabella flashed her mom a pleading grin.
Her mother let out a fake exacerbated sigh and nodded. "I suppose we won't mention that. We do want grandchildren. Is this the future father of our future grandchildren?"
"Mama!" Isabella's eyes were wide.
"I'm only joking, sweetheart. Now go."
Isabella hugged her mother tightly thanking her profusely before running up the stairs to her room. She dialed JJ's number as she rushed around her room carefully removing the posters from her walls. She stopped as he answered, his voice dripping with excitement.
"Isabella!"
"Hi, JJ!" She couldn't help, but smile. "How are you doing?"
"Great! How are you? Did you get to ask your parents?"
"I can go." Isabella stared at the poster of JJ, grinning with his signature JJ style pose. "But they want you to join us for dinner first. You can totally say no. I know that's so lame to hang out with your parents, but my mom makes really good dol sot and it's like my favorite thing." Her words slurred together.
"You don't like to hang out with your parents?" JJ sounded genuinely concerned.
"Um…no." Isabella frowned.
"Why? Are they not nice?"
"No, they're great. It's just…I'm fifteen and it's embarrassing." JJ was quiet for a moment. Isabella's heart raced. Why didn't he get this?
"My parents are my best friends. Especially my mom. Like we talk and hang out and skate and watch movies and stuff. Like…have you seen my Instagram?" Isabella confirmed. "My parents are on there a lot with me. Like we're having a lot of fun. It's not embarrassing?"
"Oh, that's really nice." Isabella tugged on her sleeve. "It's just like…most teenagers don't want to? It's not weird or anything."
"I'll come to dinner. What time? Text me your address!"
Isabella confirmed the time and place with him before letting him go and texting him the address and time once more. She pulled up her music app and started up her favorite group, BTS, and tried to decide on what to wear. It was so hard. She wanted to look nice, but not too nice. She'd never had a date before. Was this a date? He hadn't said it was a date? Why did she feel like they were? It was just wishful thinking, but it was so frustrating.
Isabella decided on a purple sleeveless dress that fell about halfway down her thighs. She pulled on some black stockings and a black leather jacket before deciding on what to do with her hair. She sighed and looked at herself in the mirror. Why was she doing this? After all the last time she and JJ had done anything she'd been wearing skinny jeans and a hoodie. Her hair wasn't perfect and her makeup definitely wasn't. She knew by the end of the school day she looked like crap. She wanted to look cute. She wanted him to tell her she was beautiful again like he had that first time. She felt strange thinking about it. She had always been the type of girl who thought doing things for boys was silly and immature. And yet here she was. She felt fake and like a hypocrite.
She glanced at her phone, seeing more texts filling the notifications. Was this worth it? This wasn't who she was. Losing friends over a guy? Having everyone talking about her? But what was wrong with her wanting to look nice for him? She couldn't find a single reason. Everything that popped into her head made her feel sick. And her friends had no right to be acting the way they were. She hadn't done anything wrong. If she wanted to get dressed up so JJ would think she was beautiful, then she would. It made her feel good. She liked it. This was fun when she didn't think about it so much. And if she wanted to be friends with him or more, then she would. They had the chance. She'd introduced them. They were they ones who'd blown that. She didn't even know what they did, but JJ was so shaken up.
She took a deep breath and played with her hair for a moment trying to decide what she wanted to do before deciding on a single braid to the side pulled back into a small bun. She pulled a few strands from the opposite side to fall along the side of her face in a frame. She touched up her eyeliner and mascara before putting on some red lip gloss. She looked at herself in the mirror for the finished product and smiled. She looked very nice.
A light tap on her door before it was pushed open a bit as her mother peered in. Isabella let her know she was dressed before her mom slipped into the room. Her face errupted into a large smile as she cupped Isabella's face for a moment before hugging her.
"You look so grown up!" She gushed. "My baby girl is turning into a beautiful young woman."
"Mama, don't make me cry!" Isabella laughed, blinking back the tears.
It wasn't often her mother acted this way. Really it wasn't often that her mother talked to her at all about this kind of thing. Usually it was about her day or her friends or what her plans were for the future. Things that were more practical and less superficial. Isabella had been raised her whole life to value herself based on merits rather than looks. She'd been grateful, but now as she was getting older, she felt herself caring more and more about how she looked.
"He's here," her mom whispered. "He's cute!"
"As if you didn't know what he looked like..." Isabella rolled her eyes playfully.
"Well yeah, but it's different in person! And he's so polite and well spoken? Your father is talking to him right now. Let's go down and save him, shall we?"
"Oh god..." Isabella covered her face. This was embarrassing.
She followed her mother down the stairs to the living room where JJ was sitting on the couch next to her father talking about something. JJ had a smile on his face, but by the way he was shaking his foot, Isabella could tell he was uncomfortable. He looked up, his face freezing for a minute when he saw her. His eyes sparkled and his smile grew about five sizes. He just jumped up and hugged her tightly.
"Hi Isabella! I was just talking to your dad about his job! You didn't tell me he was a doctor! That's so cool!" He gushed.
Isabella wanted to roll her eyes. He was sucking up to her dad. Why? Maybe she wasn't crazy to think they could be more than friends. Her heart skipped a beat at the thought. He crossed his arms, his eyes flying between the three of them.
"So what are we having?" He asked, rocking slightly.
"Dol sot! My mom makes the best dol sot ever. Have you ever had it?" Isabella asked with a smile.
"Nope! But it smells delicious."
Isabella followed her mother who led them into the dining room. As she went to sit, JJ pulled the chair out for with a wink. Her breath hitched. She couldn't believe he was doing this with her parents right there. She sat down offering him thanks. She stared at the table, not daring to meet her parents' eyes. The last thing she wanted was to see them staring at her or eyeing JJ.
She had never felt more aware of herself. She wondered if her hair or makeup was messed up. Even after her mother put the bowls on the table and the sound of the sizzling rice and the smell of the chili sauce didn't help pull her thoughts away very far. She ate quietly, politely interjecting when needed as JJ and her parents conversed.
"So Jean-Jacques," her mother began.
"Please, call me JJ." He smiled.
"Um...I'm sorry...Mr. Yang and I don't really care much for nicknames if that's okay?" Her mother offered a polite smile.
"Oh...well it's just nobody calls me Jean-Jacques except at competitions...oh and when I'm in trouble at home." He let out a soft laugh.
"Well now we do," She smiled crinkling her eyes just a bit.
"Mama...please." Isabella begged.
"It's alright," JJ shifted slightly. "I get it."
"Thank you. So Jean-Jacques, what do your parents do? Isabella tells us they were also professional skaters in their youth."
"Yeah! They did figure skating in their teens and started doing ice dancing together in their twenties. They actually got into the Olympics two times! They were super good, but they retired when they were like twenty-nine which is really good for a professional athlete. And then they had me. My dad owns the skating rink near Concordia and teaches kids skating. Sometimes he'll coach, but not very often. My mom went to college for education and used to be a grade 7 teacher, but she quit when I was like five because she home schooled me. She's really good. They both coach me. More so my dad than my mom though. She has a lot on her plate. My dad can be like really intense for coaching because he wants me to do well and I really appreciate that. My mom though, she takes a different approach and I really like that. But they're both amazing." JJ rambled on quickly almost seemingly without taking a breath.
He looked up and between the two adults, who were staring at him with stunned faces, before looking pained for a second and hunching over slightly. His body was vibrating again. The same way it had when they had gone to that restaurant for poutine and burgers. Why was he so nervous? Her parents seemed to like him. It didn't make a lot of sense. He shifted again.
"Sorry, I sometimes talk too much," he muttered.
"It's quite alright," Her mother said. "You said your mother home schools you and they both coach you."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Are you terribly close?"
"Oh yes, ma'am!" JJ perked up slightly. "They're my best friends. I talk to them about everything. I love them so much. They have done so much for me and I don't think I can ever repay them."
Both of Isabella's parents turned to her giving her an expecting look. She wanted to die. Just because JJ was close to his parents didn't mean most teenagers didn't want to hang out with them. Hell most would rather die than be seen with their parents in public. She wished JJ hadn't mentioned that. Now her parents were going to be using that against her next time they decided they wanted to family time. This weekend was going to be riddled with it. She could just tell. She slid down in her seat slightly. Could they just finish eating so they could leave?
"That's very nice, Jean-Jacques." Her mother smiled.
"Yeah. This food is so delicious, Mrs. Yang!" JJ complimented.
"Thank you. It's a very easy dish." Her mother's smile widened.
"Mr. Yang, you were telling me about you being a doctor at the children's hospital. What kind of doctor are you?" JJ asked politely.
"Neonatologist. Newborns. Usually they're very sick or premature. I've been doing it about twenty years now."
"You're kidding!" JJ gasped. "I was a premie! My mom got really sick when she was pregnant with me and we both almost died. I was like super early. I think my mom said she was only like twenty-five or twenty-six weeks. It was a lot for them."
"Really?" Her father's eyebrows raised. "Twenty-five weeks? And you're a professional athele?"
"Yes, sir!" JJ smiled. "A lot of people who took care of me through everything and my parents think it's a miracle."
"Do you mind if I ask if there was a lot you've had to deal with? See today we see more and more premies having good outcomes, but when I first started my career, we could never be too sure about outcomes. And even down having such a good outcome is not all that common."
"Um…well yeah. I mean…but I don't really notice anything because you know like that's just how it's been? I don't really like to dwell on it though, you know? I'm just like I gotta just do what I have to."
JJ shifted slightly and went back to eating. Isabella tried not to slide deeper into her chair. She could see how uncomfortable he was. She wanted the conversation to end so they could finish eating and go. Luckily the conversation turned to her mother's career. She really didn't get why they were talking about their jobs like it was the most important thing in the world. Maybe that's how it was when you were an adult. But then again, she really did want to be a journalist. And JJ did seem to love his career. She was so ready for the moment they were able to leave, she practically dragged JJ to the car.
The theater smelled of popcorn and sweets. A gentle hum of quiet conversations among the people already seated greeted them. It wasn't nearly as crowded as JJ had anticipated. He let out the breath he hadn't been aware he'd been holding. He really didn't like crowded theaters. They were stuffy and people always got annoyed with him easily. The last time he'd gone to the movies, a woman had glared at him and made a rude comment that had ruined his day. He hadn't been able to get it off his mind. He hadn't been to an evening movie since. Or during a holiday or vacation from school. The last thing he wanted was for Isabella to think poorly of him.
He followed Isabella down a middle row with a bar in front of the seats. She sat down and smiled up at him. He smiled back, sitting down and immediately putting his feet on the bar. He was so nervous. What if she found him annoying like everyone else he knew? What if she decided he wasn't as cool as she'd once thought and abandoned him? He didn't want to go through that again. He liked her so much. He was tired of not having friends. And this nice girl who had a smile that could bring about world peace was interested in him. She actually wanted to get to know him! She wasn't like the people who loved him from a far and spent only minutes with him as they got their pictures and autographs. She liked him. She wanted to know him. The thought was dizzying.
He didn't know what to say. He didn't want to say something stupid. Isabella was nice, but she wasn't a saint. He knew all too well that when he started talking about something that nobody cared about, they wouldn't listen. They would find him annoying. He said the wrong thing at the wrong times. People didn't like it. He tried to hold back, but he couldn't. And it didn't always seem wrong until it was out. He didn't want to upset Isabella nor did he want to make her annoyed or think he was stupid.
"What kind of movies are your favorite?" Isabella chimed in, breaking the racing thoughts.
"Um...I really like comedies. What about you?"
"Dramas and thrillers!"
"Like those scary movies with the ghosts?" JJ's eyes were huge. Isabella couldn't help but let out a soft giggle. "You really have the cutest laugh," JJ noted. Her laugh made his heart flutter slightly. He wanted to hear it more often. And her smile…
"Thank you." Isabella blushed.
As the lights dimmed, JJ couldn't help but think about that blush. Did she like him? Maybe he could just ask her out tonight. He didn't care that it had only been three weeks. He knew he loved her. He wanted to kiss. Her lips looked so soft. She always smelled so nice. He didn't like to text her because he didn't get to hear her voice. He imagined it. How amazing would it be to be able to call her whenever he wanted and not have worry? If she would just give him a chance. Was tonight the night?
He felt her hand on his. His heart leapt. He glanced over and she gave him a reassuring smile. She leaned over and whispered in his ear asking if he was okay and if her parents are riled him up. The feeling of her lips so close to his ear and her breath on his skin made him shiver. He was going to do it. He had to.
"I'm sorry if they messed with you or got you nervous," She frowned.
"Not nervous!" He forced a smile.
Dammit. He needed to calm down. Stay still. He was nervous but that wasn't why he was moving. Ugh. He hugged himself, sliding into the seat. He tried to focus on the movie. Focus on not moving. He closed his eyes taking deep breaths as he felt every muscle in his body start to scream to move. A slight ache consuming him. He shifted slightly trying to find just a little relief to little avail. He pulled his feet off the railing and hid them under his seat. Maybe this way she wouldn't notice him bouncing his legs. No. She looked at him. Shit. He leaned back trying to make himself look casual. He could do this. Just be still. Just don't move. Focus. Be normal for once. Don't make a fool of yourself. He needed this to go well.
He pulled his knees to his chest, resting his chin on them. Maybe this would be better. He stared at the screen, trying desperately to focus. To stay still. To not feel like everyone in the theater was staring at him. He heard whispering behind him. Were they talking about him? Was he being distracting? Were they annoyed? He felt the anxiety rising. Breathe. In. Out. He buried his face in his arms trying to acclimate himself to his surroundings. He couldn't do this.
He jumped up out of his seat walked toward the exit. He just needed to go outside. He needed to be away from people. Why did he think going to a movie was a good idea? He knew himself. He knew how distracting he could be. He was painfully aware. It didn't matter what his parents said. He didn't matter that people loved him. Fuck that. They wouldn't like him if they really knew him. Just take everyone in the juniors. He knew the seniors weren't going to be any different even if he did try.
The cold night air met him. He just kept walking, trying to pay attention to anything else. He just needed to take a minute to gather himself. He leaned against the wall of the theater, closing his eyes and taking deep breaths. He just needed to calm down. Why did he think he could be still? He knew what happened. Why was he acting like this? Why was he even taking a chance? There was no way in the world that a girl like Isabella would ever go for a guy like him.
"JJ?"
He opened his eyes to find Isabella standing in front of him, hugged her jacket around herself. He could see her breath in the air. Was it really that cold? She was looking at him with a concerned look on her face. He could have died. He hated that look. He hate people feeling bad for him. He was so sick of letting people in only to get that look. It was inevitable. He knew that.
"Are you okay?" Isabella took a hesitant step forward.
"I'm fine," He tried to force a smile, but he couldn't. "I'm sorry. I…" He swallowed the lump in his throat.
"Do you want to go?" She asked softly.
"Isabella, I like you. I like you a lot." JJ blurted. Shit. Her eyes widened.
"Oh, um…I like you a lot too."
"I have to tell you something because you deserve to know, okay? Because I'm not who you think or really who anyone thinks, okay? And I'm tired of just not saying anything and then people getting tired of me because it always happens and I can't deal with it again." He could feel everything pouring out. He couldn't hold back if he tried. Not right now.
"Okay," Isabella nodded.
"Remember how I told you I was born early? Like when we had dinner with your family?" She nodded. "I have problems from that, okay? Like I have issues with focusing on things and issues with learning things because if I don't get care, I literally cannot learn. And I have ADHD and anxiety. Like super bad ADHD. Like I can't sit still without a panic attack bad." He felt a pressure build inside him. He couldn't shake it. He started pacing. "And like I had issues for the longest time. My parents pulled me out of school because I'm too fucked up to go to normal school and then I lost like four coaches in a span of six months because I can't be normal for five minutes. Nobody likes me, Isabella. I don't have friends because I do not have a filter. I mean I've gotten better, but I know I don't. It's like so hard to control it. That's a filter coming in too. I get sensory overloaded if I'm not careful because I literally was born in overload. I can't change it. There's not a thing I do about it. I've been seeing a behavioral therapist for the longest time and it's helping, but it's never going to go away. And I don't know I just…I'm sorry I took you to the movies only to sit here and cry over myself. I'm sorry. And if you never want to talk to me again…I understand."
Isabella stared at him in shock. She had no idea. She couldn't speak. He just stared at her, his body trembling, watching her, tears glistening in his eyes. She didn't know what to say. She would have never expected in a million years that JJ would be dealing with so much. He was such a happy, confident person. She was used to a smile being plastered on his face and in his eyes. This was real. This was so real. She took a few steps toward him and took his hands.
"It's okay," she said.
"It…It is?" He whispered.
"Of course. You can't help that. And you're such a kind person. Why would that matter?"
"Wow…" He let out a laugh, wiping the tears from his eyes. "I'm sorry. I usually don't react like this. Honestly I don't usually mind everything. It's just…"
"I get it. It's okay. I mean that's part of who you are? That's part of what makes you you and if people don't see what an amazing person you are, then fuck them. I mean you are always so nice to everyone. I've never heard of anyone thinking you were mean to them. You volunteer your time. You're sweet and funny. And I love spending time with you. So you don't sit still? So you say thinking before thinking?" She desperately hoped she wasn't overstepping, but she needed him to understand.
"It's just in the past I've had trouble making friends and the friends I do make I lose because I get annoying. And I like…I get clingy." He brought his eyes up to meet hers.
"Stop." She smiled
"What?"
"Say it," She laughed throwing up the JJ pose.
"No…" He shook his head laughing.
"Come on!" JJ sighed covering his face as he tried to calm his laughter.
"It's JJ style!"
"It is." She beamed, hugging him tightly. "Do you want to go back in? You can be as bouncy as you want."
JJ frowned for a minute before nodding and taking her hand. They went back in and found their seats. Isabella couldn't concentrate on the movie. She was too busy trying to calm her own mind and heart. He'd opened up to her. He said he liked her a lot. This was her favorite date with JJ yet. She didn't care if they were officially dates. In her mind, these were dates. She felt so lucky to be here with him.
Thank you for reading! Please review!