Jim
As he doze off to his slumber he then realized that he was dreaming. It was a vivid dream. Everything was clear and doesn't seem like a haze nor his dream does not make sense. In his dream, it seems that he was preparing to take a bath in the river stream. He was slowly undressing near the giant tree whose branch cast a shadow over some parts of the river. The sun was beaming, the birds were chirping, and the calm water seems too inviting. He was about to jump into the stream when he felt arms wrapping around him from the back and then covering his eyes. Thinking that he might be alone, he was shocked at this person's sudden appearance. He then heard her giggle and recognized the voice immediately. It was Mayim.
He then gently lifted the hands covering his eyes and brought them to his lips to kiss them. He then turned around and saw her face beaming at him. Looking at the way she was dressed, he believes that this is Amy and that he is witnessing Sheldon's point of view. Another one of his dreams of the past. Oh, how he missed seeing Amy because the last dream he had was very depressing and dreadful. But this seems different. I am butt-naked in front of a fully dressed Mayim, that's neat! he thought to himself.
"Would you care to join me?" he asked which made him think that he was acting uncontrollably of himself in his dream.
"I don't see why not?" she replied and then gave him a chaste kiss before turning around to remove her clothing near the tree and piled her chemise with the other layers of her dress.
Amy came back walking timidly as if she was shy. She was looking down as she walked near Sheldon. "Why are you shying away, Amy? You should know how beautiful you are. I am smitten by you," he cajoled earning a smile from her. "Do you want me to show you how much I adore you?" he asked as he gently caressed her shoulder kissing her there.
She nodded. "Show me how," she replied sweetly offering her hand to him. Sheldon kissed her hand and the kisses moved up to her arms up to her shoulder. She shuddered under his warm lips as he moved to her back and spread chaste kisses on her bare shoulders.
Warning: Beware of mature and adult content. Reader's discretion is advised ;)
"A beauty that you possess should not be shunned away, Amy," He spoke as he moved his lips to her nape down to the crook of her making Amy moan slightly. Savoring the moment, she then turned around and faced Sheldon cupping his face and bringing it closer to hers. "Make love to me, Sheldon," she whispered making Sheldon stunned and slightly stimulated and kissing him passionately before he could even answer.
"Gladly," he replied almost breathy and crashed his lips again to Amy. He brushed his tongue gently on top of Amy's lips as she allowed him to access as their tongue and danced together. His hands traveled from her face, down to her neck, and all the way to her chest. Her mouth went agape as his warm hands cupped her breast. He gently massaged it and played with her nipple which made Amy moan in ecstacy amidst their kisses. Feeling the heat of the moment, he stopped kissing her lips and grabbed her legs and trunk, and carried her in bride style to the river not taking his eyes off her.
He placed her on a boulder near the shore or the bank of the river and placed himself in between her legs. He gave her another long kiss before pulling back and looking her in the eyes to permit him to do more things to her ever-alluring body. She nodded and grabbed his face again for a passionate kiss. He knows that she will allow everything he does to her out of love but she still adores the way he looks at her when he asks for permission before he touches her intimately. As they kissed, his hands caressed her cheeks, down to her shoulders and down to her perky breast. When he heard her moan again he then moved his lips down to her chin. His wet kisses moved down to her cleavage and played with her breasts with his tongue. Amy grabbed his head and push down telling him how much she enjoys what he is doing to her.
He gave attention equally to either one of her breasts as his right hand went down and discovered her wet folds making Amy's head rock back and released a pitched moan. He touched her there till he discovered her nub that made Amy yelped. From her bosoms, he kneeled and faced her womanhood. "I love you," he said looking at her lovingly while he rubbed his hands on her legs. "I love you too, Sheldon," she said breathlessly as he bought his mouth closer and tasted her wetness. It was fine, tight, and pinkish and she tasted clean and sweet. She was just so fine, Jim thought as Sheldon's tongue flicked her clit as she grabbed his hair and messed with it, he then came back up to kiss her to let her taste herself.
He went back again to properly lubricate her entrance, by placing two of his fingers in Amy's mouth as she wet it with her spit and bringing it down to insert in he entrance. Sheldon then went back down and toyed with her clit flickering with his tongue driving her crazy. "Please Sheldon," she barely whispered as her eyes are closed shut savoring the sensations that Sheldon is doing to her."
He wasted no time and stood up to kiss her as his shaft was teasing her entrance. As he felt her wetness covering the tip of his cock, he then gently entered her slit making Amy's jaw drop. No matter how many times they have done it before, she just didn't seem to get used to his size. She looked up at him as his eyes were closed to savor the contact and as he opened his hooded eyes, he was met with her gaze. He made love to her so passionately and slowly as he wants her to know and feel the sensations that he feels whenever they are with each other.
He smile as he gently went in and inside her and kissed her passionately gently nibbling on her bottom lip. "I just hope that you can see yourself just as how I see you. You're so beautiful. I can't believe you're mine," he admits making Amy's body heat rise as she melted from his words. There are a lot of times when he'd be like himself and would like to ignore her when he was engrossed with painting, or obsessing over something and would like to talk about himself and disregard her feelings in return. But at most times, she knows all too well that he loves her immensely with the way he looks, smiles, and makes love to her. He is a different man when they are intimate or just with each other.
As he could feel his near, his thrusts went to a faster pace, he gently asked Amy to stand up and went behind her as they both went to the deeper part of the river. He kissed the back of her neck and whispered sweet nothings in her ear as he then inserted his cock gently from her behind. Amy's eyes rolled and threw her head to his shoulder and kissed him as he moved in and out of her. Hitting her in the right place, "You're so tight. It doesn't seem to wear off" he whispered huskily to her. "It feels so good. Go faster, please," she barely uttered. Sheldon obliged and went a bit faster as his other hand went down and rubbed her clit making Amy moan and gasp for his name. Few more thrusts and they are met with their peak. Savoring their contact, Amy remained to be cuddled with Sheldon as they both recovered from their high. She then turned and kissed him gently," Thank you for always being gentle with me." He kissed her back with equal gentleness and touched their foreheads as his eyes were still closed. Sheldon was about to say something when...
*beep* *beep* *beep*
End
FUCK! he whispered to himself as he woke up from his slumber. Looking at his bedside table he showed that was already 7:30 on his alarm clock, he slammed it to turn it harshly off. Exasperating, he roughly pushed his blanket off of him and noticed his erect member. "Oh great! I woke up disturbed in the middle of my dream and now my schlong is waving at me..." he thought to himself out loud. He sighed loudly as he leaned back to his headboard when his phone vibrated. He took it from the bedside table and saw that Mayim had texted him.
Hi, good morning Jimmy Pea! Sorry, I just read your text just now. I feel bad for not thanking you properly last night. Ryan and I talked and make things out. We're good. I hope you're rested well and have fun at work! Talk to you soon! x.o.x.o the text reads.
Made things out? he pondered in his half awake half asleep state. THEY ARE BACK TOGETHER?! he thought to himself making him fully awake. Freaking out a little, he rubbed his eyes and slapped his cheek to make sure he is awake and not just dreaming. How can she go back with him after all the things they have told each other? he scoffed as he pressed his face to his palm. After his erotic dream, he'd wake up with something like this. But then again, thinking to himself, it is difficult to move on from a relationship of a few years. You can't just throw that away. He doesn't understand why he feels upset about this. He should be happy knowing that Mayim would stop hurting because they are now back together. But he can't just shrug off the feeling of something he owns is not really his. He can't demand something from her. He is just a friend. Nothing more, nothing less.
He then stood up and made his bed and went straight to his bathroom. His aroused member was long forgotten as his thought was invaded by this recent discovery.
Mayim
She woke up to the brightness of the sunlight inside her room, squinting she went ahead and coped a feel on the other bedside and realized that she was alone again. Typical mornings with him she thought to herself as she wrapped her naked body with her blanket and sat up on her bed. Waking up from a night that she spends with her boyfriend makes her feel weird. She feels remorseful even if she only did what felt right at the time. Her eyes scanned around the room and she then found a note on the bed that seems to have handwriting from her boyfriend.
Sorry baby, I didn't bother to wake you up because you looked so peaceful. I will be at work as you read this. Please eat breakfast, I made you some. I love you, thank you for last night smiling as she read the note.
Weird as it is, this was a gesture that is a first from Ryan. He might be changed. She stood up and quickly dressed up before she went to her kitchen where she saw sliced fruits on a plate and a bowl of granola. Another note was placed at the table indicating that the yogurt bowl is chilling in the fridge for her granola. Smiling at something really simple but knowing her boyfriend, this was big for him and she truly appreciates it.
She then grabbed her phone to unblock his number and text him to tell him her appreciation. Then he just noticed that she had 2 unread texts from Jim. Suddenly she feels weird about spending the night with Ryan. Ever since she woke up this morning, she could feel that something is wrong even if there was none to feel wrong about. Why would she feel bad about spending her night with Ryan? She opened the texts and saw that it was sent last night when she was with Ryan. I asked him to shoot me a text once he arrived home and I didn't wait for his text. she thought to herself feeling guilt-ridden. She then quickly typed a reply to him.
After sending the text, she then dug in with her breakfast. As he was munching on the food when her phone vibrated again and saw that her friend, Jenna is calling her. She picked up the phone right away and greeted her friend.
"How are you?" she asked over the phone.
"I'm great, how about you?!" she said rather enthusiastically. Jenna went silent for a moment and spoke.
"This doesn't sound right..." she uttered her voice sounding disappointed.
"What do you mean?" she wondered confused about what Jenna may mean.
"You got back with Ryan aren't you?" she uttered under her breath.
She was speechless, the news does travel fast but it happened last night and who would blab to her? She wanted to say something but she just stammered.
"You know that you can't hide anything from me right?" she sighed on the other line. What does she think of her, a stranger who doesn't know her antics?
"Well, yeah. But how did you know? I have only told Jim..." she whispered the last part. But Jenna was keen on listening and caught in a name she hasn't heard before.
"Who's Jim?!" she asked as her voice heightened.
"Blue-eyed man," she replied sighing over slipping.
She gasps audibly on the other line, "You have talked to him?! How? When? Where? Why didn't you tell me anything?"
"Okay calm down... Yes, I have talked to him. Using words, the night when Ryan and I had a spat and I decided to break up, we met at the museum we just went to. I didn't tell you anything because I don't think that it's a big deal. So I met a new friend, so what?"
"This is more news than you being back with that prick," she sighs again. "I bet he's kind and sweet. Any other guy on the planet maybe except the one you're dating."
Mayim rolled her eyes, "Hey, he is changed. He actually made me breakfast. This is big for him," she explained as her spoon fiddled her spoon on her bowl of granola.
"What? That's the bare minimum?! But never mind. Anything good in your book oh, my feeble-minded pretty friend," she scoffed earning another eye roll from her It offends her but she can't blame her friend for thinking like this. She knows that she had been kind in offering her advice. But she doesn't seem to learn.
Sighing, "You don't have to be mean..."
"Oh sorry, the truth hurts you now? Mayim answer me honestly, what hurts more? Hearing the truth or being insulted by someone you love without an ounce of regret, being used for pleasure, and treating you as if you don't have a mind of your own?" she scolds. "I know that it's harsh, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. So when will you wake up?"
"I totally understand where you are from Jenna. But please trust me on this one. I just can feel that he is changed. I just can't throw our relationship away, we were with each other for a lot of years," she explained with conviction.
"Whatever...But the next time he'd hurt you, I would just roll my eyes at you and I would inform you right there and then that I told you so. Chad did too,'' Jenna sighed. "But enough about him, how's writing going?"
They spend the next moments catching up with each other. And had talked about the new friendship she found with Jim.
Jenna finds him to be very kind towards her knowing that she was a complete stranger yet he extended help to a damsel in distress. Some men might do this towards a fragile female just to get something from them in return. It could be a kiss, a grope an intimate maybe, or probably sex but no, he just did it with kindness towards her. In the span of only a week of knowing him, Mayim has spoken about him quite fondly. She doesn't need to meet him to tell him that he was a good man, with the number of praises Mayim admits to her, it was already an assurance of his personality.
"If you'd only date a person like that Mayim, I would really need not worry about anything," she says to Mayim after she told her everything about her friendship with Jim.
"What will you worry about?"
"That's a great question," she rolled her eyes. "But what I mean is, with a person like Jim, I don't worry about you begging for something so banal just to feel appreciated. Listen and analyze this, you broke up with Ryan first before he tried to do something nice as a change to you compare to this cutie stranger who found you in distress and did everything to uplift you despite the fact that you stranger to him. And has been a delight since you met him. Ain't that amazing? That's a green flag all over. I bet that a person like Jim wouldn't make you beg for anything. Maybe begged to be strangled while fucking but I don't know about your sexual preference," Jenna shrugged at the other end of the call making Mayim giggle at her antics.
"I swear, if this chance I gave him will end up in naught, I will let you slap me across the face," she said sternly.
Jenna scoffed," As if I could do that to you?!" she exclaimed. "Just make smart choices Mayim, this is your life. I am only giving you strong suggestions as I have been in your position before. I wish I could have listened to other people more when they told me that my relationship with this person was toxic but I let my heart decide on anything and in the end, I was broken. If there's anything I want to do to you is to just be stern in convincing you that Ryan is not good for you Mayim. I don't want you to blame yourself when you are hurt in the end because as of now you can end it. But again, that is totally up to you," Jenna told her gently.
The past few weeks have been a dream for Mayim. Ryan has stuck to his promise of changing. He had been more affectionate towards her, understanding, and they communicate things. It was the change that was needed in their relationship. And for a very long time, she had been happy with her relationship with him. Long forgotten the ill-rotten things he used to tell her before. People are really possible of making changes and she does not regret the chance she had given him.
After a few weeks and being back together, she told him things when they were broken up. She bought up her friendship with Jim to him.
"Really, he did that for you? Have you two met before?" he asked after Mayim told him about the first encounter she had with Jim that had started their friendship. They were cuddling on the couch as they ate popcorn while watching a television show. Mayim was in front of Ryan as he spooned her while his arms is wrapped around Mayim's waist.
"No, it was our first time meeting. I may look horrendous and run down that night that a stranger like him had asked if he can accompany me to release the pent-up stress and sadness I had at the time," she said fondly remembering that night. Their breakup may be a silver lining, as it was the reason why he found such a great friendship with him.
"Do you and Jim still talk every day?" he asked with a hint of jealousy in his voice.
"We do. We talk and also text every day," she said casually while her eyes are on the television.
"And what do you talk about?"
"Work, books, and stuff. We have bonded over our similarities when we were broken up..." as she was speaking, she heard him release a sigh. "You are not jealous are you?" she asked over her shoulder.
"A little. As you know...I should be the man who should make you feel interested in life, to entertain you, who should talk about work and other stuff with you," he admits as he rested his chin on her shoulder. Mayim turned around and faced him and kissed him tenderly.
"I am with you, you need to realize that. Don't be jealous of Jim. He is just a friend. Nothing more, nothing less," she assured him.
He nodded and gave her a chaste kiss. "Oh, I know!" Mayim uttered.
"What?"
"We should hang out with Jim?! That might ease your mind once you get to meet him. And let's invite Jenna, Chad, and his girlfriend. It has been a long time since you hang out with them," she suggested as she smiled widely in front of her boyfriend.
"Gee... I don't know. You know that your friends don't like me," Ryan admits as his eyes look down at her gaze.
"Well, you have changed. This is a good opportunity for them to see you in this new light. That my boyfriend does love me. So what do you say?" she said enthusiastically looking at Ryan. Ryan stared at her eyes for a moment then released a sigh and agreed with her plans.
"It's a good thing you're pretty," he smiled and gave her another kiss.
Jim
Since the day he found out from Mayim that she got back with her boyfriend, he had felt the need to be distant towards her. But the conversations they still have are still very entertaining and spontaneous. He doesn't really know what he wants between them with Mayim but he feels weird about her being back with her boyfriend. Which was silly. She had known Mayim for only a few weeks but he has been drawn towards her like a moth on a lamp. He doesn't want to have distance between them because he genuinely enjoys her company, be it through the internet or with her physically. It's like he was living alone in his bubble since nobody understands and doesn't know how to go inside it but when she came into his life, her mere existence and Mayim being herself made her quick entrance into the bubble that he created. She had done it with ease.
And for him, wherever she is happy, he will be happy too. But he wants to be the one that will suffice her with that happiness. He'd do everything. But who is he to kid? He is not her man. And it would be too soon to admit his feelings towards her. Not to mention that it is wrong too since she is involved in a romantic relationship with somebody else. He doesn't want to admit it and just wants to blame the knowledge he acquired on their past, but he likes her. At first, he'd blame that he is Sheldon and he promises Sheldon that he'll do what it takes to see and find Amy. And now meeting Amy, it is him as Jim who is drawn to her.
The past few weeks were a bit difficult for him, he was rather lethargic and unmotivated to work. He'd come to work very quietly and his co-worker/friend had noticed it but just shrugged about it. Until one day, she cannot stand it anymore. She walked up to him and ask him what's his deal.
"Nothing," he replied to Kaley not looking at her as he continued to lazily brush strokes to a part of the canvas he was working with.
"Nothing means something, Jim. Don't let me squeeze the truth out of you," she warned making Jim stop at his ministrations and looked at her.
"There's nothing really. Also, what may have hinted to you about this nonsense?" he asked sightly feeling annoyed.
"For starters, you stopped smiling like a crazy person. I would come inside and you'd be here alone smiling to yourself. But now, you are awfully quiet and your brows are in a frown. I also noticed how often you'd skip meals and just hype yourself in coffee. I am kind of worrying about you. So tell me what's wrong," she asked desperately hurting that her friend is going through something and wouldn't be bothered to tell her. Of course, it wasn't her business but he was her friend and she holds her friend dearly. She doesn't want to cry in front of a coffin crying while regretting that she didn't breach the subject while he was still alive.
Jim released a sigh and pushed himself off his working table and walked passed her to lie down on the sofa. He crossed an arm on top of his head as he closed his eyes and said, "She got back with her boyfriend."
"Who? Mayim?" she asked taking a stool and pushing it near him.
"Yes," he sighed.
"Isn't that kind of good news?" she asked unsure of why her friend is asking this way.
"I know it should be but I don't know why I have reacted this way. I don't know if it is because I am Sheldon and she is Amy or because I, as Jim am upset that she had gone back to her toxic ex who has hurt her many times before. I may have thought to myself that they were over for good but it doesn't look like it now does it not?" he explained. "I am not in a position to tell her what to and what not to do as I am a new addition to her life. But it frustrates me that she still got back with him after all of the pain he has caused her."
"Do you have feelings for her?" Kaley asked after a long silence.
He released another heavy sigh but didn't say anything. He still lay there while covering his eyes. "Acknowledge what you feel towards her Jim or in this case, Sheldon."
"That's the thing, Kaley..." he started sitting up from laying down. "I don't know if these feelings I am suppressing are because I am Sheldon or because I really like Mayim as Jim. It frustrates me because it feels wrong. I am her friend. I don't mean to like her but I do. It's too soon to say but I honestly like her," he admits as he buried his face in his palm.
She went closer to him and embraced him in a tight hug. "I know..." she uttered as tears came out from both of their eyes.
"I can't be with her because she is with someone. And I doubt that I'll ever be the man she deserves," he barely uttered as he sobbed on Kaley's shoulder. Kaley just sat there with him and rubbed his back gently. After a few moments, he suddenly giggled amidst sniffing. She let go of him and wiped her tears and looked at him.
"What are you laughing about?" she asked.
"After a lot of years of friendship, this may be the first time I cried in your arms. Usually, it's the other way around," he admits while still giggling.
She looked up to try and recall a scenario if this had happened before and he was right. Who knew that a girl would make Jim cry in her arms like this?
Shaking her head in her realization she chuckled and, "So do you feel better now?"
He shook his head no which made Kaley frown her eyebrows slightly. "It's not better but not worst either. Thank you, Kaley, you are a good friend," he admits smiling at her.
She nodded and gently tapped his shoulders as she stood up to return to work. Jim on the other hand stood up as well and continued his work earlier.
A few days have passed and everything seems normal now to him. He had slowly accepted the fact that it would be rare for him to meet Mayim physically as he won't be demanding anything from her as she is back again with her boyfriend. He doesn't know what may run through his boyfriend's head in his sudden presence in her life so to avoid chaos, their communications remained to be through technology. Their friendship is still strong and every day, he'd learn a thing or two from her. He'd still leave a text message to her at night and also in the morning as soon as he woke up. They still remained friends even if there is pent-up feelings he had felt strongly towards her. He just hopes that he can hide it well from her.
Until one day, while at work busying himself with yet another rush commission. He stood up to take a drink of water and a break from work when his phone vibrated. It was a message from Mayim. It was no surprise for her to send text messages or DMs to him at random times of the day so he took a look at the message she send and his eyes widened.
The text read, Yo! Pee Wee, are you free this weekend? I want to introduce you to my other confidants and my boyfriend, if that's okay with you.
Meet her boyfriend?, he thought to himself as he walked near the water dispenser to get himself some water.
He released a sigh and walked near Kaley's workstation. He saw that she was also on a break scrolling up and on her Instagram feed while a bagel is in her hand. She heard his footsteps so she looked in his direction and asked him what was wrong. Jim didn't say anything but handed his phone to her instead. She took it from his hand and read what was on it as Jim sat on a stool near her and released a heavy sigh.
She looked at him with a surprised expression on her face. "What are you gonna do about it?" she wondered.
"I don't know," he said scratching the back of his head. "I want to spend another time with her but not with his boyfriend..." he exasperated.
"Oh, quit whining and fake it till you make it. If it's her that you want to spend time with so that's what your main focus should be. And I doubt that it would be awkward since she's also introducing you to her other friends," she shrugged as she took another bite of her bagel.
Her suggestion has merit but he is hesitant to be around people that she holds dear. Over their text messages and or chats, she had spoken fondly of them. What would happen if they don't have a vibe or if it would be awkward? He can't bear the fact that he'd face someone who Mayim loves. He doesn't know how to act around these people. He just hope that whatever they will do that day, he will have a nice time with them.
"You know that you can carry a conversation well, so I doubt that they will hate you," she adds not looking at him. "And remember this Jim, no friend of mine will steal anybody's girlfriend just because they feel strongly towards them."
"I know. And I won't do that. Damn those hopeless romantic sad main characters in movies, I feel for them now and I feel bad for ridiculing them," he suspired. Kaley just laugh at him.
"Can't believe that this is how you act when you like a person," she scoffed at him making Jim roll his eyes at her.
He quickly typed a reply to her.
Sure! I am free of commissions this weekend so I am free. Can't wait to meet them! he typed.
Not gonna lie, he is anxious about this meetup. He doesn't know what kind of impression he wants to leave on them or if will they even have something in common that they could converse about. He would want to tell Mayim that he doubts her friends who'd like his camaraderie but shrugging and sighing deeply he will try to condition his mind so he knows how to act around them once they meet up. His phone notification rang again and he read a response from Mayim stating how she can't also wait for them to meet. He doesn't really know what brought this on. Why Mayim suddenly asked for him and her other friends to hang out?
Whatever the day will turn out to be, he just hopes that he would gain friends and stop sweating about it.
Third Person's POV
After the confirmation from her friends that week, she had been ecstatic. She finished submitting her manuscript and was just waiting for her editor to give her the final edit before publishing. Everything in her life is turning the way it is after its slight turmoil a few weeks ago. The scare of her being homeless, being single for the remaining month of the year, and not being able to submit her manuscript on time were things that had been on her mind but now she is a bit at ease. Knowing that things are going great in her life, she does not know where her feeling of guilt is from. She cannot put a pin on whatever it may be that may cause her to feel guilty about someone or something. It is something that keeps her up all night. It's a feeling that she would feel whenever her boyfriend is around. But regardless, she just focuses on what is in front of her and does not act upon the pit that is curling in her stomach.
The weekend came and she informed her friends of the location where they will be eating together for dinner and right after that, they will be hanging out at a KTV bar. She arrived first at the restaurant so she could have a little bit of work done before hanging out with her friends. So she thought. When she came inside she saw Jim already sitting at one of the tables and seem to be engrossed in a book he was reading. She can't contain herself but smile and feel thrilled that he is there already.
She walked at a brisk pace closer to the table he was at. She stood closer to him and waved her hand in front of him, disturbing him from his reading. He looked up at her with annoyance but his aura changed from being annoyed to delight to realize that it was her. Mayim jumped and hugged him giggling and he stood there frozen from the unanticipated hug. He then wrapped his arm around her and returned her embrace. Oh how warm you are, he thought.
"How have you been?!" she squealed as she sat down opposite him. He then placed his bookmark on the book he was reading and placed it in front of him.
"Good..." he said not looking at her.
Mayim frowned and gave him a look of being not sure. "Really? I don't know if I just missed seeing you but you became skinny," she said. She misses me. But God knows how I miss her more, he thought to himself.
"It's just that I am receiving more commissions these past few weeks and I am tight on my schedule. So I can't prioritize some meals," he lied but it seem to convince Mayim as he saw her nod in response.
"Well, I hope in your case you're not overdoing it," she genuinely worried about him. Not to mention the cheerful glow he no longer has. His eyes used to glimmer when they were together. It's glimmering but she can see through him and she thinks that there's sadness there deep down. The pit in her stomach just got worst as she saw the state of her friend. She has the gut feeling that she may play a part here. But she's not clear as to why.
"Oh, I am not. Thanks for the concern but really it's just the rush and tight schedules. But enough about me, how about you? We talk every day but I would guess you leave some details," he grinned at her. She smiled back at him sweetly.
"Well, as you know that I am writing Private Eyes, I actually just submitted my manuscript to my editor and we're working on some revisions," she stated making Jim audibly gasp.
"You promised me the first printed copy right?!" he excitedly ask and she just nodded while smiling at him.
"Of course, to my number one fan!" they both laughed.
"Besides the book, what is new about your life?!" he asked as he placed his crossed arms on the table.
"Well, Ryan and I got back as you may know..." she started kind of looking down. "And he has proven that he has changed. I have been happy with his company," she admitted.
Jim smiled timidly and told her," I am happy for you. For both of you," he tried to sound genuine.
"Thank you, I appreciate that," she said now the feeling of guilt slowly creeping into her system.
"Of course..."
She was going to say something when her phone vibrated seeing Jenna's name on her screen. "I am sorry, it's Jenna. I need to pick this up," he just nodded as Mayim stood up and took Jenna's call. Jim picked up the book again and read the last paragraph he was reading.
Mayim stood up to take the call and heard Jenna on the other line.
"Hey girl, we're stuck in traffic. Are you in the restaurant already?" she asked trying to utter the words as the car where she is currently is very rowdy with love songs. She guess that she shared a ride with Chad and Chanel. And by the sound of some people singing along to the song, she might be right.
Chuckling at her poor friend's fate, "I already am. How much time would it take for you guys to arrive here?"
"Probably 10 minutes more or less. But I would be deaf by the time we arrive there. But who is there with you?"
"Jim, it's only us. Ryan hasn't been here yet," she said in between giggles. Upon hearing his name, she heard a faint but distinguishable gasp from Jenna followed by a yelp.
"OH MY GOD, CHAD! TURN THE VOLUME DOWN. MAYIM AND JIM ARE TOGETHER. JUST THEM!" she exclaimed getting the attention of the two love birds. She could hear them exchanging questions in the background. Sometimes she wonders why her friends tend to be overreacting. "We're near girly, we're so excited to see Jim. See you two there soon!" she said excitedly.
"How about Ryan?" she asked but the call already ended. She sighed as she realized that her friends do not trust Ryan. She couldn't blame them for acting sour towards him. But she wishes that they could give him a chance to be seen in a different light. She knows that he was capable of changing and that is what he is showing right now. She went back to the table and sat down again.
"She says they are near," she told them as she sat back down in front of him. "Ryan might run late, so why shouldn't we order first you may be starving."
"Hey...doesn't mean I look thin, I am starving," he pouted pretending to be offended.
She rolled her eyes at him and snorted. "You know that that's not what I mean."
"Oh, it is what it is. It seems to be like it," his nose flared. Mayim gently slapped his wrist. They stared at each other for a moment and realized how they missed being together just like this. Just them alone. It's a different dynamic. It's not cloying, it's not forced, and he was the only one that could bring this part of her. Their banter was something that keeps them as friends. How she wished that it was always like this with Ryan. But Jim is different. As for Jim, being with her is something he does not think he needed. He thought that he was perfectly okay with being with himself. But everything is so much better with her.
Their glances were interrupted when Jenna squealed, jumped, and slapped the table where they were sitting. Both of them jolted in surprise.
"Jenna! What the hell?!" Mayim exclaimed as she placed her hand on her chest.
"I have been here standing for a hot minute but the two of you are just looking at each other like that," she explained. "Aren't you gonna introduce me to him?"
Mayim was gonna spoke when Jim stood up and put his hand in front of him, "Jim. I assume your Jenna?" he smiled at her.
"Damn Blossom, you were not kidding with his eyes..." she uttered as her eyes glued on Jim's eyes as she took his hand and shook it gently. Jim gave him a questioning look and Mayim just facepalmed. "Yes, I am Jenna. Mayim's single childhood friend, sister by heart, best friend, harshest critic, and the cutest person that exists in her life," she says as she fixed her hair at the back of her ear making Jim chuckle.
"Hey, thou shall not lie oh my dear friend. Where are Chad and Chanel?" she asked. Jim then pulled a chair for her and also for Mayim to them to sit.
"Oh, I left the car as soon as I saw the sign of the restaurant. It would make my ears explode if I stayed there any longer. They might be looking for a space to park," she sighed. As soon as they were formally introduced, Chanel and Chad had come inside and introduced themselves as well.
As they ordered and started to eat Chad, and Jenna conversed with Jim and learned a lot about their likes that are the same as theirs. Mayim would glance at her phone from time to time to shoot a text to Ryan to ask where he's at. He hasn't replied for some time now so he might be driving. She just placed her phone in her purse and joined the conversation at the table.
"Oh, my God! You listen to NSYNC too?!" Jenna exclaimed as she discovered that Jim had been listening to their song as well.
"Yeah, I have a college friend and a colleague who is obsessed with them. As we study back in college, I would hear her listen to it out loud so she would be motivated to study. It annoyed me at first but the songs are pretty catchy so I just supported her and went to some of their concerts together," he explained.
"You're friend is lucky to have you. These 2? We'd plan to go somewhere together but it ends up just a plan. It doesn't happen. I'm still upset about the two of y'all for canceling on me when they had a concert," she pouted.
"Well because of the 3 of us, it is only you who likes them as much. But I do love Beyoncé," Chad explains looking at her girlfriend as he knows that Chanel is a huge fan of Beyoncé. They went again on being chummy earning an eye roll from the 2 girls. Jim just laughed at their antics.
"Well, I listen to a wide variety of songs. But my favorite band is the Indie band called 'The Bird and the Bee'," Jim said as he took a sip of his glass of wine.
"Bird and Bee... isn't that the euphemism for penis and the vagina?" Mayim asked. Jim just nodded at her and snorted.
"The band composes of a woman named Inara George and a man named Greg Kurstin, thus the bad name indicates, they do have a bird and a bee," he explained earning a chuckle from them.
"Why haven't we thought of naming our trio like that?" Chad asks looking around the table. "We could have been the bird, the bee, and the flower," he said making the whole group laugh. "But since Jim is now added to our circle and of course the love of my life, we could be 'The bird, the bee, the flower, the butterfly, and the propagator'!" he added eliciting more laughs from them.
"And what would our group do?" Jenna asks in between giggles.
"Teach the youth how to correctly pollinate other flowers but with the use of prophylactics," Jim pitched in making them laugh.
Chad raised his fist up to fist-bump Jim. Jim raised his fist to bump his in return, "Damn, I wish we met you sooner."
"I know right, he could be the propagator that might help Jenna grow a few inches," Mayim dished out earning a glare from Jenna. She just raised her finger in a peace sign and mouthed 'I love you' to her.
They were still laughing and throwing each other some jokes that are harmless when Ryan suddenly came close to their table and greeted everyone. Everybody went silent and kind of awkward. He gave Mayim a kiss on the cheek before sitting beside her.
"Sorry for being late. Traffic. Anyway, what did I miss?" he asked casually. He looked around the table and they nodded in response.
"Oh right, Ryan this is Jim, Jim this is Ryan," Even if he was not looking forward to meeting him, he still placed his hand for them to shake.
"I have heard a lot about you, it is nice to finally meet you," Ryan said as he gripped his hand firmly and said it with a growl.
"Oh...it's a pleasure to meet you as well," he faked looking him directly in the eye.
"Chad, Jenna, and Chanel..." he acknowledged them and they smiled timidly in return.
After the introduction, they went ahead and dig in again and soon for dessert. Ryan tried to insert into their conversations but Chad and Jenna would just ignore him. Jim would bring something up that Ryan had mentioned but they faked being interested in it and then would go ahead and talk about Jim again.
After the dessert was served, they became more comfortable with each other. Well for Chad, Chanel, Jenna, and Jim but for Ryan and the rest of them, he was kind of inserting himself. But he didn't even try. Besides the books he and Mayim shared an interest in, the rest of them didn't share that with him. But everyone had an interest in singing. That is why Mayim planned for them to go to a karaoke bar after to get some drinks and for them to celebrate her new book that is soon to be published.
"This is wonderful! Congratulations!" they cheered after reading the brief synopsis of her book.
"This has actual merit! And for one, I am very thrilled!" Jim told her genuinely and hugged her. Ryan saw them and went ahead to grab Mayim and congratulated her and gave her a deep kiss. It was uncalled for and they were in public, Mayim was caught by surprise and pushed him.
"Honey thank you. I appreciate that you want to show affection but you can't just impose this on the public. Not even in front of my friends," she explained as she pulled him into a corner.
"Why not?" he asked a little pissed.
"It is not proper. I like it when you are affectionate but not here. It is better when it is just the two of us," she reprimanded him gently as to not draw attention to them.
"Can't I- fine," he surrendered and rolled his eyes. He kissed the top of her head and they went again to join the group. When they came closer to them, Chad had already picked a song for them to sing. Or him. It was Beyoncé's Crazy in love.
Chad scrunched the end of his shirt to turn it into a tank top and grabbed the wireless microphone and started dancing as the beat started.
"Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh, no, no (ow)
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh, no, no
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh, no, no
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh, no, no (yeah),"he started as he moved his body to the beat. Chanel was having the time of her life as Mayim and the rest of the people in the bar started to laugh and take videos of him.
"I look and stare so deep in your eyes
I touch on you more and more every time
When you leave, I'm begging you not to go
Call your name two, three times in a row
Such a funny thing for me to try to explain
How I'm feeling and my pride is the one to blame
(Yeah, yeah) 'cause I know I don't understand
Just how your love can do what no one else can
Got me looking so crazy right now, your love's
Got me looking so crazy right now (your love)
Got me looking so crazy right now, your touch
Got me looking so crazy right now (your touch)
Got me hoping you'll page me right now, your kiss
Got me hoping you'll save me right now
Looking so crazy, your love's
Got me looking, got me looking so crazy in love
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh, no, no
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh, no, no
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh, no, no
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh, no, no," he continued.
Soon, Chanel joined to dance with him so that he would look less like an idiot. He hyped the environment of the karaoke bar and that everybody was having a great time looking at Chad with such fervor in his performance as if it were his last. As soon as the song ended, he squatted and posed for the people then took a bow and thanked everyone for watching his "concert". He came down the stage and gave the mic to Jim. He was shocked since he was not oriented he'd be next. But oh well, looking at the people around them he knows that they want to be next so he grabbed the opportunity.
He brushed off the anxiety that was starting to build up in his system telling himself that this is his only chance. So he grabbed the microphone and went on stage. He looked over to the rest of the group and saw Ryan picking up a call and excused himself as he started to search for the song he was looking for.
"This song is from the Philippines but it is in English. I heard of this at some time when I was living with a couple of board mates in college. I hope you grab on to your lovers as I will serenade you all because honestly, I can't top Chad's performance," he said chuckling as everybody looks at Chad who raised his glass of water. The song is How Did You Know by Kuh Ledesma
"I remember so well
The day that you came into my life
You asked for my name
You had the most beautiful smile
My life started to change
I'd wake up each day feeling alright
With you right by my side
Makes me feel things will work out just fine," he started the song as he closed his eyes for every word that he utters is something that he means. Mayim just stared at him shocked by the song he chose to sing. From her knowledge, Jim isn't dating anybody. And she can see how much he felt for the song as his eyes are closed and expressed with his words. Is he in love?
"How did you know
I needed someone like you in my life?
That there's an empty space in my heart?
You came at the right time in my life
I'll never forget
How you brought the sun to shine in my life
And took all the worries and fears that I had
I guess what I'm really trying to say
It's not every day that someone like you comes my way
No words can express how much I love you," he continued with equal passion making people squeal around him.
Chad and Chanel started to gently waltz as they held to each other. Mayim on the other hand feels butterflies in her stomach wondering who he is singing it to. Then Jim opened his eyes and gazed directly into her eyes as he continued to sing the song. His gaze penetrated through her and cannot bring herself to stop staring at him but was interrupted when Ryan grabbed her by the waist and pulled her to dance.
She just let him and they danced as Jim continued to serenade the karaoke bar. She turned around still in Ryan's arms but her glance was still on Jim. She doesn't want to assume anything and she was scared to find out as well. I am with Ryan but I don't think I belong to him anymore, she unconsciously thought.
"I guess what I'm really trying to say
It's not every day that someone like you comes my way
No words can express how much I love you, you, ooh
I love you," Jim finished the song still looking at her intently. Her gaze softened. She does not what she feels but she knows that her stomach is feeling funny.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Ryan cupped her cheeks and kissed her softly. She went stiff and was not able to return the kiss before he pulled back and looked directly into her eyes. "Is there something wrong?" he asked as he frowned.
She chuckled nervously "N-no. I was just caught by surprise," she smiled. When the song was finished everybody in the bar applauded and asked for one more from Jim but he looked down and chuckled. "Ya'll can't afford my talent fee," he joked earning laughter from the crowd.
"Hey, that will be the song for my wedding day, and you will be the singer. I called dibs," Chad claimed as Jim went down from the stage.
"Is this a proposal to Chanel?!" Jenna asked. Chad's eyes widened and covered his mouth as he slipped and looked nervously at Chanel. He stammered and they just all laughed.
"No pressure!" Chanel exclaimed as Chad held his chest in relief.
"No, it will be the song for Mayim and I's wedding," Ryan chided. Everyone went silent including Jim. Ryan was smiling hoping that someone would agree with him but everybody avoided his gaze except Jim who smiled timidly at him and nodded. Mayim's mouth opened in shock. She knows that she is at the right age for marriage but not right now. And not now that she doesn't feel so sure about Ryan. Why now, of all of the time they could've been?
Jenna cleared her throat as she came forward and grabbed the microphone on stage and search for the song she wants to sing. Ryan, on the other hand, has been feeling unwelcomed by Mayim's friends so before Jenna could start her song he told everybody that he needs to go home soon as he needs to be in early for his office duties. Mayim told him goodbye and that she will see him soon. And as soon as he came out of the karaoke bar all of them started to enjoy themselves again.
"I kind of feel guilty," Chanel told Chad. Other members of the group heard her so they went closer to her to hear what she will say next. "I think we might have made him feel unwelcomed that's why he left soon." Everyone went silent as it started to sink in. Yes, they didn't like him but it's very crappy of them to make him feel like that around them.
"Oh, it's fine Chanel. He does really need to go home early because of his early office hours and it is getting late," she smiled appreciating Chanel's thoughtfulness.
"He had it coming. I still remember all of the things he caused you and I will not keep a fake front of liking him. You may have forgotten all of it, but not me," Chad says sternly to Mayim. Jim who is new to the group only has half the idea of how Ryan was to Mayim, but seeing how Chad's sudden change of persona changed because of the topic he kind of thinks that it's serious. Jenna just nodded and gently rubbed his back.
"I do get you. I totally do, but what you don't see is that he is trying to change," Mayim said gently.
"Mayim, you are too innocent to realize this. But once someone is like that, he will always be like that. Like they say once a thief, always a thief. He might seem to be "changing" at the moment, it is just because of the recent threat. Once he gets comfortable that you won't go away or he had manipulated you to think he's changed, he'd act the same again. Aren't you tired of the insults?" Jenna reprimanded. "Look at how he acted tonight, he knows that we didn't have a good impression of him but he seems to not even try to change that. He even left you early."
Mayim just sighed. She really can't change their minds about him. They already made up their mind. But to be all honest she understands where they are coming from. It's just a part of her wants to still try and give him a chance. It is her pride that won't allow her to just let their relationship go. And she believes that he is perfectly capable of change.
"Guys, I know that I am in no position to have a say in this but..." Jim hesitantly started.
"Go on, Jim. Say what you want to say," Chad told him.
"Well, I am new to all of you. And I may not know everything you all have been together or what Mayim and Ryan had gone through together but regardless, we can all see that he had indeed changed by the way he had come forth to be with us despite being busy," Jim said. "I only know Mayim for a few weeks now but I don't know everything about their relationship because it is there's and it's them alone in this relationship."
Hearing Jim talk makes Mayim's heart. He does understand her. Only him.
Mayim
After the heated moment, they decided to just come home as they were tired. Chad's mood turned sour but he was still grateful to meet Jim, at least something nice had happened today, and not completely shit filled. Jenna, on the other hand, was very thrilled of meeting Jim, and knowing who he is as much of a delight. Despite the turn of events, Jim still managed to let them go with a smile on their face as he cracks jokes here and there to maneuver the atmosphere. If he wasn't there they would all just fight. They separated in the parking lot and thanked Jim for a wonderful evening. They even asked him if they can hang out sometime in the future. Just them "The bird, the bee, the flower, the butterfly, and the propagator". Chad made him promise to come to see them again and even created a group chat for them to keep in touch.
Jim had offered Mayim a ride home as it was not safe for her to be grabbing an uber at night. Mayim didn't hesitate and hopped in his car as it hummed and drove away.
"I hope you are happy," Jim uttered amidst silence. The car ride was silent but there was a smile on their lips.
"I am," she nodded looking at the road.
"All I want for you May is to never see you cry again like that night I saw you."
Mayim looked at him as his eyes are still on the road. I wouldn't be wearing a smile right now if I were not with you that night
"I don't know what will people think if ever you'll be seen like that in public. One might hand you Claritin because they might think you're having allergies," he chided making Mayim giggle.
"I also hope it won't happen again," And if I were to cry again, you are the only one I want to see
"Make sure it won't happen again. I am not in a position to lay a hand for you but I will," he said sternly.
She looked at him with a dramatic facial expression "I don't know you're violent," she chuckled.
"I will only lay my hands and pray. I can't even hurt a fly, let alone a human," he exasperated making Mayim laugh. "But in all seriousness. I don't want to see you cry like that. I do understand why your friends were stern about their warning to you. Because I am not sure that I will be there for you all the time when you cry and I think the same goes for them, be careful of your heart May. Don't lose it to someone that's not worthy of what you are capable of giving," he said as he looked at her. She nodded. There was nothing left to say. She will do better. She hopes.
As they were driving along the highway to her apartment complex. They had bid their goodbyes. Their hug lingered longer than intended. It was his warmth, his scent, his touch it was all she wants.
"Call me if you need anything alright?" Jim added when he escorted Mayim out of his car. "See you next time, I had a great time meeting all of them."
"I am sure they feel the same towards you. Drive safe, see you the soonest Pea," she said as she waved to his car window once he got back inside. He nodded and smiled then drove away.
She went to the floor and entered her apartment and saw that Ryan was inside and it reeked of alcohol. It was dimmed as some of the lamps were turned on. She walked near to where he was. He seems to be drinking and it seems to be with somebody. She turned the lights on and saw Ryan's mouth wide open and slightly groaning and eyes shut close. Upon looking further there was a girl on her knees and Ryan's cock in and out of her mouth. It was a disgusting sight to see. She gasped audibly dropping her purse on the floor which made Ryan open his eyes wide and stood up from his seat.
"M-Mayim I didn't know you'll be home soon. It's not what it looks like," Ryan tried to explain as he started to pull his pants up and zippered his pants.
"Go out," she calmly said. "I don't want to see you ever again. Don't ever come back here. I don't want to hear any explanation I don't need, we are over and done. Get out," she continued as she felt numbness all throughout her body.
The girl scrambled to run out the door and Ryan followed her as he looks back at Mayim.
She cannot cry. Her eyes are dried up. "He's changed? Such a ridiculous notion"
Pulling her phone out, she dialed a number. I took a few rings as she knows that he was still driving.
As soon as the person she had dialed picked up, "Jim, can you come back here? I need you"