Just One Of The Boys

Home & Heart

Happy Friday!!!

****

Not even a minute into entering the house, I'm already in a full conversation with Ms James as she asks me how I'm feeling and how the surgery went.

I explain the details and smile as she interrupts me, "you hungry? You want some food? I'll get you some food." And not a second later a plate was in front of me and I couldn't help but feel at peace here. The familiar light brown walls and cheesy encouraging quotes around the house popped with the rustic eclectic look of the house.
After talking for awhile Clara begins telling me some stories of when KJ was younger making me smile even more. I listen intently and laugh at her expressions.

"Oh god there was this one time you two were running around covered in paint when you were like 5 and when you saw me you both froze terrified id be mad and I just burst out laughing." Clara explains not being able to hold back her laughter while recalling the memory.
I remembered it well, KJ and I had met and clicked right away, and we loved to pick on each other and find any way to have fun or what seemed like make a mess. Between paint fights and water ballon grenades in the house, we had our fair share of damage caused to this house.

I reached over to grab my soda mid laugh and ended up knocking it and spilling it all over my self. I quickly jumped up with a squeal from the freezing soda covering me.

"Oh god I'm so sorry Clara!" I let out quickly grabbing napkins and attempting to clean it up. And Ms James just lets out a laugh and shakes her head waving her hand at me, "just like old times!"

I smiled at her positive attitude as she shooed me away with orders to change into dry clothes.

I made my way down the hall to find a closed door to KJ's room.
I lightly tap on the door and here a mumble from inside. Taking that as an okay to come in, I open the door slowly and poke my head in and smile at KJ.
His eyes looked warn and his large stature laid on his bed, consuming his twin bed.

He seemed lost in his own mind until I cleared my throat getting his attention. He looked up and smiles slightly,
"Just couldn't help but make a mess huh?"
I roll my eyes at him and walk over to his dresser, pulling out a Tshirt from a pile.
I quickly go into the bathroom and change my shirt out leaving the soaked one behind to dry.

"Thanks for the shirt." I smirk at KJ as I open the door from the bathroom into his room.

He simply nods staring at his phone and typing away. I go over to him and plop down on the sliver of the bed left over next to him and rest my head on his chest,

"Whatcha up to?" I ask as I poke his ribs.
He swats my hand away and frowns, "nothing." He says harshly making me recoil.

***

"Hey darling, everything okay?" KJ's mom asks as I walk into the kitchen.

I smile at Clara, " just a long day is all."

Clara nods and we talk mindlessly for a bit.

"Is he okay?" Clara asks motioning to KJ's room down the hall, "he went straight to his room...which usually means he is upset."

I shake my head, "he was quiet in the car too. Maybe he's just tired." I try.

Clara just nods and says goodnight and walks up to her room. Clara has always been their for me, ever since we met. She didn't know the full extent of things, but she knew I had a lot of bad family drama and always offered her home as a safe haven.

I walked over to the spare bedroom off the kitchen and curled up into the familiar bed, hoping to wash away some memories that seeped into my thoughts  with a much needed nap

It wasn't unusual for me to stay here, it was my safe house to crash out. But now that I had a real home with Tate and George I guess I didn't need a safe house. But even though I didn't need it, this place still maintained a warmth that couldn't be replaced by any other house.

Maybe it was because I was so used to staying here, helping make dinner, falling asleep on the couch after movie marathons or game nights. Whatever it was, it had this overwhelming sense of belonging and I sure as hell was not about to give that up.