Officially His, 365 Days With You

PROLOGUE

Jeremiah walked through the bustling airport, his phone in hand as he dialed Ellie’s phone number. His face lit up when the video call connected.

“Hey! Look who’s back!” Ellie’s voice rang out excitedly from the screen. She was sitting on her couch, grinning ear to ear.

Jeremiah laughed, shaking his head. “You are acting like I've been gone for decades, Ellie. It's only been six months. Bruv, chill please!”

Ellie rolled her eyes, “Only? You practically disappeared off the face of the earth! Anyway, how’s Canada been treating you? Miss all the snow?.. I hope you enjoyed yourself and were you able to control yourself around the bunch of beautiful girls”.

“It was tough seeing them but oh yeah, I miss Canada so much, I almost wanted to stay”.

“Look at you with your lies, oh please,” Dazzle's voice joined in, his face popping into the frame as he leaned over Ellie’s shoulder, “you hated it. All you did was complain about the cold”.

Jeremiah laughed louder now. “Okay, fine! You got me there. I’m glad to be back in sunny LA”. He glanced around the airport terminal, “Dutch is about to pick me up. He is probably waiting outside”.

“Ahh! Good man Dutch,” Dazzle said, smiling.

“You tell him to take care of you on that long trip back and he shouldn't speed too much this time. Like he always does”. He said sarcastically.

Ellie giggled, “Yeah, last time you almost missed a flight ‘cause of him”.

Jeremiah chuckled, “Dutch likes to think he’s in a fast & furious movies. But don’t worry, I’ll keep him in check”.

“Better! Ellie teased, as she smiled brightly.

“It’s really good to have you back, Jay and I hope you brought back goodies. Or else you are a de*d meat”..

“Ooh! I think I forgot that part of bringing goodies”…

“You must be joking, right?”…

“Not really, I didn’t know what to get”…

“That’s really not cool”… Dazzle chimed in.

“Wow, Jay. You really grown balls. Come home, first”

“We will see about that” Jeremiah’s expression warmed at the sound of his childhood nickname. “It’s good to be back, El. I really missed you two so much”…

Before Ellie could respond, a familiar figure appeared on Jeremiah’s screen.

“Hey, there he is”…. Jeremiah said, waving towards the camera. “Dutch just pulled up”

Dutch, a tall man with a broad grin, nodded at him from across the car park. “Welcome back, Sir!” Dutch called out, walking over to collect his bags.

“Thanks man, how have you been? You look good!”..

“Thanks to the six months off work”…

Jeremiah nodded, “that’s great. It’s good to see you again. You remember Ellie and Dazzle, right? They are greeting” Jeremiah pointed his phone towards Dutch.

“Of course! How could I forget these two troublemakers?” Dutch grinned.

Dazzle laughed. “I haven’t caused any trouble recently though, we’ve been keeping out of too much trouble, Dutch”…

Ellie waved at him, “Good to see you, Dutch!”

“Likewise, ma’am.” Dutch replied, giving an affirmative nod. “Alright Jeremiah, let’s get you home. Long trip, I bet.”

“Yeah, I’m ready,” Jeremiah admitted. He turned back to the camera. “I’ll catch up with you guys later, alright? Let’s meet up soon”.

“You better”.. Ellie said with a playful wink. “Take care, Jay.”

“See ya, man” Dazzle added.

Jeremiah hung up the call and followed Dutch to the car. He exhaled deeply, feeling the warmth of home as the LA sun beamed down on him.

As soon as the car pulled out of the airport, his thoughts drifted back to his childhood days….

FLASHBACK: CHILDHOOD DAYS

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Jeremiah and Ellie had lived next door to each other for as long as they could remember. Back then, everything seemed simpler. Until one day, things took a wild turn.

On the playground, Ellie was on the swing vibing to the Barbie song playing in the distance. While Jeremiah played with insects during hide and seek with other kids.

As he ran towards the swing he noticed Ellie sitting there.

“Hi, my name is Jeremiah”..

Ellie ignored him at first and continued with her song.

Jeremiah waited for her answer but she didn’t speak up.

“Hey, are you deaf? Can’t you introduce yourself too?”… hiding the spider behind his back.

“Okay, I know how to make you talk to me, then!”..

He pulled out the spider, leaving Ellie shocked as she jumped down from her swing”…

“Hey Jeremiah! Put that thing down!” Ellie shrieked, running across the backyard as fast as her little legs could carry her.

Jeremiah laughed mischievously, holding up the small spider he’d caught in the field.

“I thought you wouldn’t talk? What is your name?”

“Ellie! So can you stop already!”…

“Come on, Ellie, it's just a spider! What are you so scared of?”..

Ellie’s face was pale, and her fear was growing.

“No, no, no! Get that thing away from me! That’s so gross!!”

In her desperate attempt to escape from him, Ellie tripped over a tree root and tumbled to the ground, scraping her knees badly. Tears welled up in her eyes as she held her legs.

“You see what you’ve caused, I told you to put that thing away”….

“Ellie!” Mrs. Jay called out. Seeing everything from hee kitchen window. She rushed outside, hee voice firm as she yelled out, “Jeremiah, what on earth were you doing?”…

Jeremiah froze, as guilt gnawed at him instantly. “I was just messing around with her mom. I didn’t mean to hurt her”…

“Messing around?”.. Mrs. Jay cut him off, kneeling beside Ellie and inspecting the scrapes on her knees.

“You see what happens when you mess around?”

Ellie sniffled, her eyes teary, but wasn’t crying so hard anymore. Mrs. Jay gently patted her shoulder. “It’s okay, sweetie. You are alright.”

Jeremiah lowered his head, feeling terrible.

“I’m sorry, Ellie. I didn’t mean for you to get hurt.”

Mrs. Jay stood up and gave him a stern look. “You’re going to apologize properly, Jeremiah”…

Jeremiah nodded, “Ellie, I’m really sorry. I won’t do it again, ever. I promise”… holding his two ears.

Ellie wiped her tears away with the back of her hand, looking up at him. “You mean it?”…

“Yes, I do” Jeremiah said earnestly. “I won’t let anything hurt you. Ever again.”..

“Okay, I believe you!”.. Ellie replied.

“Come darling, let’s get you treated and patched up to avoid bacteria from evading into your wound”..

From that day on, Jeremiah kept his word. He and Ellie were inseparable, always looking out for each other. Which also brought their parents to know each other too. They played together, walked to school together and shared every secrets like best friends always did.

It wasn’t until the third grade that their duo turned to a trio.

“Class, we have a new student joining us today” their teacher had said, introducing a boy with long curls and a shy smile.

“This is Dazzle Leo. Let’s all make him feel welcomed and be friends with him”..

Ellie and Jeremiah exchanged curious glances as Dazzle took a seat at the back of the classroom.

During break, Jeremiah spotted something that made his blood boil. A group of older boys had cornered Dazzle near the swings, shoving him around and taunting him while he shedded tears.

“Leave me alone”… Dazzle cried out.

“You dirty little boy. You want to make new friends right? Then why are you crying?”…

They continued pushing him.. until he fell.

“Hey! Knock it off!” Jeremiah shouted, running over with Ellie right behind him.

One of the boys, a tall kid named Ruby sneered.

“What are you gonna do about it, Jay? This kid is a freak!”…

“He’s not a freak! You all are!” Ellie piped up, standing beside Jeremiah with her hands on her hips.

“So leave him alone!!!”…

Ruby’s smirk disappeared, and for a moment, it looked like he might start a fight. But Jeremiah stood his ground, and Ellie’s fierce glare didn’t waver.

“Fine,”.. Ruby muttered, stepping back. “But you two better watch your backs”…

As the bullies walked away, Jeremiah turned to Dazzle. “You okay?”

Dazzle nodded, looking grateful but still shaken.

“Yeah… thanks. You didn’t have to do that”.

Ellie smiled. “Of course we did! No one messes with our friends”

Jeremiah grinned, offering Dazzle a hand. “I’m Jeremiah, by the way. And this is Ellie, my best friend”..

Dazzle shook his hand. “Nice to meet you and thanks again. I’ve never had anyone stand up for me like that”.

“Well, now you’ve got us,” Jeremiah said, clapping him on the shoulder. “We stick together from now on, no one gets bullied again”…

From that moment on, the three of them were inseparable. They sat together in class, shared lunches and caused more than their fair share of mischiefs. Although no one could stay mad at them for too long.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

As Dutch pulled into their driveway, Jeremiah couldn’t help but smile as memories of their childhood played in his mind.

Jeremiah, Ellie and Dazzle had been there for each other through thick and thin. And now, even as adults, nothing has really changed.

They were still the best of friends, always sticking together no matter what.