Always You

Chapter 16

James PoV

"You are a daughter of bad timing!" I said to Natasha who is busy munching her midnight snack.

"What did I just interrupt?" Natasha said in full mouth.

"Natty, there's no need for us to act like you are into me. Lily and Drake are not in a relationship."

"Who is Drake? And excuse me, I'm not into you."

"The one, I thought Lily's boyfriend but he isn't," I said gladly.

"Aha, that was your face earlier! Then why did you not tell Lily about us?"

"Oh, shit." As I realized my action.

I was caught before I can even express what I truly feel after I know the truth about Lily and Drake.

"James, you just started your real problem. Her face earlier was something I knew. She must probably promise herself by now." She grinned.

"Promise of what?"

"Secret. Buurrp. Excuse me."

Natasha is far from a lady, she can easily turn off any guy.

"That was loud. Natty, will you please tell me what will happen?" I sounded worried.

"Tsk. tsk. James, you won't ever understand girls. Starting tomorrow, why won't you court her real? Act like a real man, how did you become like this?" She said but more on insulting me.

"I'm trying and you know it isn't easy. I've hurt her before and she doesn't even want to remember our childhood, including those happy memories that I didn't and will not forget."

"From what I saw, both of you were just holding. You have a lot of things to say and so is Lily, I am sure of that. I just can't believe a week has passed by and your progress is too slow."

"Yeah, and I have three weeks left." Was my only reply as Natasha reached for my hand and pressed it.

"It will be okay James. I'm here to help you but first, let's go back to sleep and good luck for tomorrow." Natasha said followed by her big yawn.

× × ×

"Good morning, my dear cousin." Natasha's greeting.

She is still sweaty from her morning run. A routine that keeps her in shape.

"She already left for school." She said as she notices me looking around, obviously looking for Lily.

"That early?"

"Yes, and you are not early to catch her."

"I will then talk to her later."

"She said she is not going home..."

"What? Was last night really a serious case?"  I immediately cut her off.

"Relax, Lily said she will work on some projects."

"Did she tell you where?"

"I don't know and I didn't ask. Why won't you call her?"

"I don't have her number." I sighed.

"What? You are ridiculous!" Natasha said and rolled her eyes.

"Is there a need to, if we live at the same house?" I said defeated, "asking for her number did not come in mind."

"You know what, I hate you on days that you are stupid. Is that the side effect of..."

"Will you please watch your mouth?" And decided to walk away from an annoying Natasha.

It's still early to deal with her.

"Where are you going? How about our breakfast?" She shouted.

"It's time for you to cook your own!" I shouted back.

"I really wanted to hate you more!" She shouted, more on a roar like a hungry lion.

× × ×

I was waiting for Lily outside their school but it was Drake I saw first.

"Hey, you're here again for Lily?" Drake asked but I'm not any more affected by him after I knew the truth last night.

"Lily did not tell you that we will work on our project?" Now that affects me.

How can she stay at someone else's house for a project? Not just someone but Drake who likes her.

"I know, I just want to talk to her."

"Really? I thought you live in the same house, why won't you wait for her to go home and talk?" Drake said which really pissed me off.

"I just want to see her. Is there any problem with that?" I said, looked at him and stand straight leveling our shoulders.

"Yes, because I made clear to you last time that I like her and yet,"

"I like her too," I said firmly.

"Damn you!" He blurted.

"And now you're rude. Is that the real you?" I said controlling myself. I remembered how he behaves last time inside my car.

"Just stay away from her," Drake said.

"No. You stay away from her. The next time you take advantage of her, just make sure I don't see it or else you will pay for it."

"What did you say?" As he walks closer to me, our hard chest was almost touching.

"What you did inside my car is an example," I said slowly.

"You!" As he grabs my shirt pissed.

I'm glad that he is not connected to Lily. His like is trouble especially his short temper.

"Is everything alright?" A familiar voice said, which we both know.

Drake immediately lets go of me and face Lily with a smile.

What a freak.