Chapter 36: What A Night!

"Charlene talk to me,please." my mom pleaded,seated beside me on my bed.

She had found me crying horribly on my bed like I had lost a loved one. But it wasn't like I hadn't.

I had lost Jonathan and it hurt. My heart ached and I couldn't stop crying ever since he had walked otut on me.

I missed him so much.Every fibre of my being yearned for him,his touch,his presence and everything about him.

He hadn't been to school ever since our argument and all I could do was sit here and regret telling him the truth. I knew it was gonna be like that,iI just didn't expect him to run away like I was some sort of a monster...then again,I am a monster according to him.

It was a saturday and all I could do was stay in bed and cry my eyes out like I had been doing for the whole week. Jonathan was all I could think of,I cried myself to sleep every night thinking of him and he was the first thing in my mind when I woke up.It hurt and it was gradually killing me.

I managed to avoid Jess all week so that I wouldn't be obliged to answer her questions about my sucky moods. And now,my mom wants answers.

"Mom Im fine." I said sobbing. How stupid of me. Here I am crying my eyes out and I'm trying to convince the only person who knows me the most that I'm fine.

"Come on Charlene. You know you can always talk to me." my mom said soothingly,stroking my hair out of my face.

"Mom could....you..." I paused for a deep breath,trying to stop the tears that were pouring out of my eyes uncontrollably. But no matter how much I tried I could never stop them. The pain was just too much for me to bear.

"Could you please leave?" I spoke pleadingly. I just wanted to be alone,like I had been the entire week and unfortunately my mom being the workaholic she is,never noticed.

"Is it the new school?" she asked,concern written all over her face,but there was no way I was going to tell her what was going on.

"Do you hate the new scool sweetheart?" she continued. I shook my head and pulled the covers on my face,hoping she'll leave me alone.

"I'm not going until you tell me what's going on."

I guess I was wrong. There was no way she was going to leave me alone. I tend to forget how pushy she can be sometimes.

I pulled the covers off,"Mom I'm fine,I just need to be alone. So please give me some space and when time's right I'll tell you everything." I pleaded with her.

She seemed to be thinking about it for some time,"At least tell me it's not school..."

"It has nothing to do with school,I promise....and I think I've been there for too long to have any issues with the place." I reassured her.

"I love you so much Charlene and I want you to know that.I know I haven't been there for you for the past months but I'm here now and anything you can count on me like old days,okay?" She spoke looking me in the eyes intently and I could see the honesty in her words.

"I know and I love you too mom." I sat up and hugged her tightly. Something about mother's hugs always made the world seem like a better place and that's what I felt everytime I hugged my mom,I felt like I was something so special and significant and that no matter what was going on,I will get through it.

We broke apart after some time and she stroked my cheek lovingly. She reluctantly stood up and left my room.

Immidiately after the door was shut,I broke down again. Everytime I thought of him,the only thing I managed to do was sob and feel sorry for my poor self. At least during the week I had some work to keep me busy and this was the second weekend I was spending without knowing where he was.

We had been told that he was sick and would return as soon as he was feeling better,but I knew that was not true. I went over to his after the incident and much to my astonishment,he was no longer living there. Jonathan had moved and he didn't even bother telling me. Then again,who am I to demand that he tells me everything?

Slowly I found myself drifting off to sleep...hoping that I'd wake up and this would all be just a stupid silly nightmare.

###

Waking up,I was startled to find Jess on my bed,typing away on her phone.

"Jess..." I mumbled,rubbing my eyes,thinking that maybe all this was a dream.

"Oh you are finally up." she spoke excitedly,dropping her phone on the bed.

"What are you doing here?" I asked,a bit confused as to why Jess would be here. She never comes over without telling me.

"Am I not allowed to visit my best friend now?" I eyed her suspiciously.

Mom.

"Did my mom call you to come here?" I asked knowing the answer.

She looked away from me and walked over to my closet. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm here to take you out." I could tell she was lying from the way she spoke.

"Jess I'm fine and I'm not going out with you. You can tell my mom that." I pulled the covers over my face,not realy in the mood of dealing with Jessica.

"I did not come all the way here for nothing. We are going out and you can do nothing about it. Now get up." I could hear her footsteps as she walked over to my bed.

She yanked the covers off me,revealing my naked body.

"Oh god...you sleep without putting on pajamas!" she looked beyond shocked.

"Yeah,is that a problem?" I asked.

"Hell yeah it is. Anyways that doesn't matter. You need to take a shower so that we can get going,it's getting late."

"Do I have a choice?"

"Nope." she shook her head,pushing me off the bed.

I groaned loudly and walked to the shower. You can never say no to this girl.

I turned on the cold water and allowed myself to relax,letting the cold liquid calm me down so sothingly as the droplets kept hitting my body.

I couldn't stop my mond from wandering off to Jonathan but I knew I had to be strong and tonight was my chance to let go and let myself have some fun.

"Jess where exactly are we going?" I asked from the bathroom as I stepped out of the shower.

"Movies duh...where else do you think we can go at 7pm?" she asked like it was obvious.

"Uhm...restaurant?" I replied trying to keep the conversation going so that I wouldn't break down in the bathroom.

"Do I look like the restaurant type to you?"

"You know what I mean." I knew that if I tried arguing with her,she was going to win in the end but if this is what it's going to take to get my mind off Jonathan then I was more than wiiling to keep this argument going.

"No I don't know what you mean. Do you honestly think I'd take you to a restaurant,clubbing yes,maybe even a bar but..."

"But whatever Jessica..." I rolled my eyes at her as I got out of the bathroom.

"What the..." What I saw in front of me was shocking. Jess had took out all my clothes and they were lying recklessy on the floor.

"Jess..." I tired my hardest not to lash out on her although it was more funny than angering.

"I was trying to find you something decent to wear." she replied biting her lower lip.

"For movies?" I asked.

"You have to look good tonight,James is here and..."

"Hold on a sec,James is here. What's he doing here?" I asked surprised.

"Well...your mom thought it would be best if he was here since you too get along well." she spoke slowly,knowing that I would not like the idea of my mom calling my friends over to cheer me up.

I took a long sigh,"Okay."

"Okay as in you're not going to go all gaga on your mom." she asked.

"Yes,I'm not going to go gaga on my mom. I understand why she's doing all this." I rolled my eyes at her.

"So...is it him?" Jess asked reluctantly.

"I uhm...let's get dressed,shall we?" I ignored her question and pretended to over look the clothes she had thrown on my bed.

"Yes ma'am." Atle ast she got the message.

No Jonathan tonight. That was the golden rule. I was going to go out with my friends and enjoy the night without worrying about him.

After going through all my clothes,Jess finally let me wear my skinny jean,which was black in colour and ripped and a simple dark pink t-shirt which was a bit tight and fell just below my belly,revealing my belly piercing.

"James is so goint to be in big trouble tonight." she eyed me imprressively.

"Whatever. Let's go. Poor James had to wait for one and a half hour and it's getting late." I grabbed my cellphone and decided not to put back my clothes since I have all day tomorrow.

"Okay let's rock."

We walked downstairs to find James seated on the couch watching football and my mom in the kitchen.

James looked a bit shocked to see me.

He quickly stood up and walked over to me,pulling me into a death-grip hug.

"I was so worried about you." he spoke as we pulled apart and I could see concern in his eyes. He realy did care about me.

"I know...but I'm fine now." I spoke assuringly.

He seemed to not believe me but nodded anyways.

"Okay let's get going people." Jess said loudly,clapping her hands together.

"Mom." I called out loud.

"Yes..." she replied from the kitchen.

"We are going to watch a movie and maybe hang out afterwards,okay?"

"That's okay. Take care of yourself." my mom walked out of the kitchen and immidiately I could see the excitement building up on her face. Guess she was realy worried....

"Bye Mrs Seyfried." Jess said as we all walked out of thr living room towards the door.

We walked to the car and Jess decided to drive while me and James sat at the back.

"There's no way I'm allowing you to drive me again." She spoke looking at James.

"Jessica just drive." James spoke,shutting the door as Jess started the car.

"So,how are you?" James asked as we pulled out of my street. He shifted in his seat so that he was sitting closer to me.

"Okay I guess...." I shrugged not really wanting to let the topic ruin my night. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked,pulling me closer to him as he wrapped his arm around me.

I looked up at him and nodded assuringly.

He looked me in the eyes and then pressed his lips on my forehead. He kept them there for sometime and I couldn't help but want to stay like that forever.To feel loved and cared for,to feel like maybe I do mean something to somebody.

Jonathan had made me feel like I did to belong to this world,like I was some sort of an alien and did not deserve appreciation,but I wasn't going to let his cowardness ruin me.

"You'll get through it,okay." James spoke swiftly as he pulled his lips away from my forehead. Sometimes I do wish he and I could be more than friends. He was really caring and loving,why can't he just be my mate?

"You guys should just kiss and mate." Jess spoke from the front seat and we both rolled our eyes at her. "I mean,it's clear that James has a thing for you Charlse..." she wiggled her eyebrows from the rear view mirror.

"I am right and James knows it,right Jamie?" she looked at James while I laughed slightly.

James seemed to be a little awkward since what Jess was saying was true.

"Focus on the road Jessica." James spoke seriously.

"So what are we watching?" I asked breaking the awkward silence building up in the car.

"Aren't we supposed to decide when we get there?" James asked chuckling.

"Uhm...how about Moneyball?" Jess suggested.

"Charlene will decide when we get there. It's her night after all." James smiled at me,squizzing me tightly against his body.

Fact of the night. James is amazing.

We arrived at the mall after some time and headed straight to the cinema.

"So Mrs James...what are we watching?" Jess asked.

"Uhm...how about.....that." I pointed out to the chart which was advertising The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

"Daniel Craig is so yummy. So let's."

"Antything for you tonight." James and Jess replied respectively.

We bought some drinks and popcorns and went to the room in which the movie was showing.

I sat next to James and Jess sat beside me,leaving a seat in between.

I looked at her questioningly. "Oh...I don't want to intrude." she said wiggling her eyebrows at me and James who wasn't even paying attention to her.

"Really?" I asked,laughing slightly at her silly implications. "You know what I mean." she took a sip of her drink and took a pack of popcorns to her seat.

As much as I like James,we can never be. And Jess neede to know that.

We watched the movie in silence and although I knew nothing about movies,I was pretty much enjoying the mystery in the movie.

Jess fell asleep after some time and James seemed to be enjoying the movie as much as I was or even more since he was focusing on the screen.

The movie ended and I couldn't help but groan at how it ended.

"You liked it?" James asked smiling at me. I pouted my lips and nodded.

I snatched his coke from his hand since mine was finished a long time ago and I hadn't seen him drinking it.

"You don't have to be so pushy. I would've given it to you if you asked." I smiled at how sweet he was.

"I'd do anything for you Charlene." he concluded,putting on his 'I'm serious face'. I smiled and looked at Jess who seemed to be deep in her sleep.

"Wake her up. It's late and we need to get going before your mom decides to come hunt us down." It's really sad that he doesn't know how drastically my mother has changed. I was no longer her little girl like I used to. My father's death had changed my mom definitely.

I shook Jess out of her sleep but she seemed to be in deep sleep.

I remeber the last time I fell asleep during a movie and Jonathan carried me to the car.

I pushed the thought away and whispered to into Jess' ears and finally she woke up. James seemed to be finding all this funny as he was laughing.

"Has the movie ended?" Jess asked mumbling.

"Yes Jessica." James answered her. I wonder why he keeps calling her ny her full name. I thought she wanted to be called Jess or Jessy.

We stood up and walked out of the theatre with Jess leading the way.

"Why do you call her by her full name?" I asked James.

He laughed and then answered,"I like her name."

"Are you serious?" I must say,I did not expect that.

"Yeah,it's cute."

"Uh-oh...do I sense some crush there?" I said jokingly,but something seemed a bit odd by the way James shrugged my idea off.

"Never." was his reply.

Is it possible that James liked Jess? This should be interesting.

I laughed at the thought when suddenly I saw him. My smile faded off my face at the speed of light.

There he was. Jonathan Garner.

I wasn't even aware that I had stopped walking when James looked at me worridly. "Charlene." he called,and I could hear the worry in his voice.

Jonathan was walking to the door with a little girl in his arms and at the door was Logan.

"Charlse what's wrong?" Jess asked as him and James tried figuring out what was going on until she looked at the door and spotted what I was looking at.

"James we need to use the bathroom." Jess spoke looking at James,who seemed to be confused.

Before we could turn away and avoid bumping into Jonathan,he turned around and as I looked back,our eyes met.

I love him.

That was all I could think of as his eyes locked with mine for a mere second. I wanted him so bad that the thoughts of how much I had missed him for the past week brought tears to my eyes.

Jess was practically dragging me at this point since my feet could not allow me to move on my own. I tried wiping away the tears but they just kept pouring out.

We were heading for another exit when I felt him. He was following me and as much as I tried to keep up with Jess to avoid him,I could not keep up. I just wanted to break down at that moment. Why was I running away again?

Suddenly,I felt his soft hand wrap around my wrist,gripping me tightly and compelling me to stop abruptly in my track,breaking free of Jess' hand.

His touch brought life to my miserable life and I wanted to just claim him at that moment. To just forget about everything and run away with him where no law or rules could come between us,where I could just be happy with him without feeling like being who I am was wrong.

I stopped and took a breath to brace myself for whatever was going to happen tonight.

As I turned around,I met his eyes. The way my body reacted to him was beyond my comprehension. It was like something so strong and magical was overtaking my body.

As I turned away from his eyes,I met James' which was full of wrath and so much anger that I became a bit frightened as to what he might do to Jonathan. His fangs were coming out while his eyes turned dark. He knew about us and there was only one person who could've told him.

My teary eyes turned to Jess who was biting her lips guiltily.

How can a night so fun turn out to be so fucked up?

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You can now get the rest of the book on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Hes-My-Mate-K-Konyana-ebook/dp/B07FVP71BQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1532691644&sr=1-3&keywords=he%27s+my+mate

Thank you for getting this far into this magical love story; you're wonderful!