"Is your Grandma okay? I saw you come in," James asks.
"Yeah, it was just a scare. She'll be fine." I hope.
I hand James a blanket and a pillow.
"You should stay here," I say. "I won't tell Grandma."
He nods immediately. "Thank you."
He settles beside my bed, careful with every movement, like his body doesn't quite belong to him right now. I don't know what to say.
Anything I think of feels wrong.
The house goes still.
After a minute, James speaks.
"So," he says, not looking at me. "You and Jae."
He saw him. I stare at the ceiling. "What about us?"
"Are you… dating?"
"I don't know," I admit.
James hums softly. "Okay."
My phone buzzes.
James glances over. "That him?"
"Yeah."
He smirks faintly. "Go ahead."
I pick up my phone.
Jae: you okay?
Me: yeah, you?
Jae: thinking about you… and your grandma
Me: 😊
Jae: how's she doing?
Me: she's okay
Me: can I ask you something?
Jae: you already did
Jae: but yeah
Me: what are we?
Me: because I honestly don't know
A pause.
Then—
Jae: I don't rush things
Jae: but I don't like pretending either
Jae: if I'm here, it's intentional
I let out a slow breath.
Me: so… intentional how?
Three dots. Gone. Back.
Jae: I'm not seeing anyone else
Jae: and I don't plan to
Jae: but I'm not pushing you before you're ready
I swallow.
Me: okay
I wait a moment before typing again.
Me: James here tonight
Me: he needed somewhere safe to sleep
Why am I telling him this?
The pause this time is longer.
Long enough that I notice it.
Jae: okay
Jae: is James alright?
Me: yeah
Me: he's safe
Another pause.
Jae: you okay with that
Jae: him being there
Me: yeah
Me: he's on the floor
The reply comes faster than I expect.
Why did I even say that?
Jae: I didn't think anything else
Jae: just checking
Then, a beat later—
Jae: I just don't like the idea of you looking out for everyone
Jae: especially after a day like this
Me: it's okay
Me: I've got it
A pause.
Jae: I know
Jae: still
That single word says everything.
I set the phone down.
James speaks softly. "Did you tell him I'm here?"
I nod.
"He worried?"
"Yeah," I say. "I guess he is."
James exhales. "That's good."
"Why?" I ask.
He's quiet for a second. Then he says, "It means he cares."
I shake my head.
"You okay?" I ask.
He doesn't answer right away.
Then: "I will be. Don't worry."
He pulls the blanket closer, turning his bruised face toward the wall.
I lie awake a little longer, watching James, wishing I could make it all go away.
Another buzz. My phone lights up again.
Jae: got any plans this weekend?
Me: not sure… got any ideas?
Jae: somewhere you won't forget. And yes… I might kiss you again.
Me: promise or threat?
I stare at the screen, heart thudding, chest warm, stomach fluttering.
Jae: a little of both
Me: Wait… is this a date? 😏
Jae: It is if you want it to be
Me: Yeah, I do