The Upside Of Us

Part 25

*Jonah's POV*

"Would it be fine for you to drop off Oakley at soccer practice?" I swallow harshly, a cold sweat breaks through my back and up my neck.

I nod. "No problem." She smiles in a way she seems to reserve just for me and it makes me feel guilty.

It makes me feel guilty for not being easy to love or not in the way I know she hoped she could.

She comes near me ruffles my hair in affection, and kisses my head in answer. Clara was all I knew. She was my mom and yet I felt like I was failing her.

I loved my mom, my dad even if he did work more than I saw him.

I wasn't going to lie but having two kid brother and sister weren't half bad I suppose.

Oak made it easier for me, I could talk to him without pretense because in a way kids were like that, unguarded by societies norms and shit.

As for Ivory, she was just like her name but to the opposite affect. She poisoned me with the inability to ever say no to her. She had me wrapped around her small finger.

I wasn't the most affectionate. But I tried. I swear I did.

Claire clapped her hands happily, I turned to her in alert.

"Your dads coming home early for dinner." She said smiling ear to ear.

I bite my lip fighting a smile. I think she knew she always knew.

"Oh cool." It was more than cool. Dad always knew what to say and I missed talking to him for longer than a few minutes.

"Um ... I have this friend," It felt weird talking about Mila, it was strange when she took up most of my thoughts these days.

"Jonah is ... this a girl— a girlfriend." I felt my cheeks heating up, I wanted to shut up immediately.

I shook my head. "No, no it's not like that but ..." I struggled with my words, just speak dammit.

"I want her to come over for dinner is that fine?" I asked strained.

She tried to smother her smile, but I saw the way her eyes flared in interest. "Honey I'd love to meet her of course that's fine." I gave her a tense smile and whispered a faint ok before turning and going to my room.

I sat on the edge of my bed and groaned into my hands as I bent over clutching my head in my arms in mortification.

"Sirius not now, go away." I said tiredly. I thought he'd listen but a few moments later I felt soft fur rub against my leg.

Little shit knew just when to be affection it made me annoyed as shit but I fell for it still and the damn bastard knew.

He purred as he relished in the way I caressed him behind his ears.

I laughed at the desperation and absurdity of what I was about to ask and who.

"How do I convince her to come, Sirius?" He looked at me wide eyed before pawing me as to say 'you'll figure it out' and sauntered his butt as he left.

I was screwed, really badly screwed.

Fuck.

-

I was half listening and half muting Oak out as he talked about god knows what. Kids never know when to shut the fuck up.