Chapter 14: My Husband Thing

"Are you seriously not going to talk to me?" I hear sulky Jay's voice from behind me as he trails after me into the detention room. "Are you seriously pinning all the blame on me, again?"

I whip my head around to look at him. "I cannot answer that because I'm giving you the silent treatment."

"Mm," Jay nods, acknowledging it, "I can tell, you're very good at it."

"I can't believe that I'm in detention again when I'm nearly twenty-four years old, and all because of my boyf--husband thing," I grumble aloud, making sure that he hears. "You got me into trouble."

"Firstly, I didn't get you into trouble, and secondly, we can change the husband thing to a stranger thing if you want," he suggests solemnly. "I can always go and meet someone else and—"

"I hate that idea," I cut him off with a quick kiss. I pull away to see him smiling knowingly at me. "I just want you to be better behaved."

"Yup," he agrees, admitting to his faults, "because I'm the one who's behaved terribly today."

I nod. "Exactly."

"Oh, get a room!" someone yaps loudly, interrupting us.

I spin around to see that it's the kid from earlier, the one that I sent to the detention room in the first place.

"We got one, so, get out!" I retort angrily and point to the door. "Get out!" I gesture for him to leave. When he doesn't move, I frown in fury. "No, seriously, get!" I point to the door again.

"But you're the one sent me here in the first place," he reminds me, lost. He can't tell if I'm being serious or not.

"I don't care. Go back to class. Take the window again if you want, just go," I shoo him out of the class, practically pushing him out.

I'm a merciful teacher. I mercied him.

I glance around at the other students sitting in the room. They're all looking at us. "That stupid kid exposed us as a couple to all these teens," I whisper to Jay and gesture to the nosy learners.

"Well," one guy begins to argue with me – all these kids do is argue with authority, "I'd say the kissing between you two exposed you as a couple..." he sees my face and stops talking, "but that's just me. I could be wrong," he concludes weakly.

I'd give the kid a talking to if my phone didn't just vibrate. I take it out of my bag to see that it's two messages from Laiken and one from Dylan.

'Law, why have you been ignoring all my messages, lately?' ~ WhiteBoy

'It's not classy.' ~ WhiteBoy

He's so dramatic. I ignored maybe twelve or so messages of his...that's not that bad.

'Hey. You get home okay?' ~ Sexy, hot manager dude

I reply to Dylan first...because...you know...priorities.

'Jay picked me up. Thanks, D.' ~ Legend Lawson

I type back to Laiken next:

'What do you want?!' ~ Legend Lawson

He replies back instantaneously:

'I've only been telling you what I want in the last 100 messages I've sent you!' ~ WhiteBoy

'I want to know how Zac is. He keeps just telling me that he's fine and I don't believe him.' ~ WhiteBoy

I really don't want to think about this now. I'm afraid for Zac. I'm afraid that the path he's headed down won't allow for U-turns.

'He's not great, Laik. He's on drugs. I don't know what else to tell you.' ~ Legend Lawson

This time, there's a pause from his side before I get his next reply.

'Why didn't you tell me sooner?' ~ WhiteBoy

'I wanted to tell you in person. I know you two are close. If he'll listen to anyone, it will be you or Mia.' ~ Legend Lawson

'No, that's where you are wrong. He values your opinion of him way more than mine. If he's going to listen to anyone, it's you.' ~ WhiteBoy

'I'll see what I can do, Laik. Still think you should be here though.' ~ Legend Lawson

'I get it. You're missing me...' ~ WhiteBoy

'I will block you, don't test me, WhiteTrash.' ~ Legend Lawson

'Wait! No, I'm sorry!' ~ WhiteBoy

'In detention, can't talk now. Principal P gonna have my head.' ~ Legend Lawson

'Huh??? The hell is happenin?' ~ WhiteBoy

'You sure you're not on drugs too?' ~ WhiteBoy

I switch my phone off the second Principal P walks into the room. "I'm sorry I was on my phone in detention," is the first thing that escapes my lips. "Don't take it from me! I'll fight you!"

"He can't take your phone from you anymore," Jay quietly says from beside me. "If he does, it's now considered theft."

Principal Long's eyes widen upon seeing us. He places a hand up in front of his mouth before apologizing profusely. "You two...I'm...I'm so sorry. I didn't look to see..." he trails off, stunned.

Ah, so it was all one big, fat misunderstanding, something similar to Blubber's birth.

I open my arms up for P, happy to see him, well, now that I know that I'm not in any trouble. "Bring it in, Pee Long. All is forgiven."

He shakes his head before correcting me, "Technically not...Jay broke a kid's finger, and now that I know that the perpetrator is an adult, it makes things even worse."

"Woah. Don't try and put us in trouble; we're here because you're the one in trouble," I inform him sassily.

"Not here," Long motions with his eyes to the students listening in on the discussion.

Nosy brats!

I open my mouth to protest, "But—"

"Let's rather talk about it in my office," he suggests, leaving no room for argument.

I glance over at Jay and catch his gaze. "It's a trap," I tell him under my breath, trying to warn him beforehand.

Jay merely shakes his head at me before following after P.

I sigh to myself – Jay is so naive. If Long's taking my 'husband thing' then I better go too. Jay is going to need me.

P ends up leading us all the way to his more modern yet smaller office. It's a completely new room, hence why we couldn't find it.

Jay and I take seats across from Principal P. Feeling the tension in the air, I decide to cut it by leaning back in my chair and getting comfy. I place my sneakers up on his table and smile to myself.

Ah...just like old times...

"Aqueela, come on..." Long drawls with his usual, everlasting patience, "I really thought that you'd, at least, have grown a little by now."

Ha!

Ha! Ha!

This guy...

"Joke's on you," I shrug carelessly at him, "that's what you get for having high expectations for me. You, of all people, should know better."

Jay slaps my feet off of the table and shoots me a lethal look. "I feel like all I've been doing today is apologizing for you," he complains, attempting to get me in line again.

What can I say? Schools bring out the worst in me...

"Hey, hey, hey," I stop him right there, "let's not point fingers because if we are, need I remind you that there's now a kid out there, thanks to you, with one less finger to point back at you."

I think I delivered that well.

Jay's eyes widen as he catches on. "He deserved it," he mutters stubbornly before crossing his arms over his chest, refusing to regret it. "But..." he trails off, "I went too far. I know that."

Principal P glances over at Jay and sighs. "Aaron is a difficult kid," he says reluctantly, "I can't help but think that he deserved it too. The problem is whether or not he reports this to his parents. What do I say then?"

Jay and I both begin laughing at hearing his words. We know better than this poor, silly man sitting before us.

Jay takes the liberty to explain to him why we're finding this comical. "Aaron won't go and tell his parents anything. Kids like that don't like looking weak or vulnerable in front of anyone."

Principal P arches an eyebrow at us, skeptical. "And you're both sure about this?"

I know Mason and Laiken and they both used to be Aarons. Actually, Laiken is still an Aaron. Actually, actually, Aaron is actually a Laiken.

I nod at Principal P. "Yup. Call it a hunch."

A grim line appears on Peter's face as he thinks through all the possible scenarios that could take place. Finally, he sighs, agreeing to let it go for now. "Well, then, let's get to it. It's great to see you both, well, at least, one of you," this man is too sweet, sorry Jay, "however, I'd like to know why you are both here?"

"Does the name Pork Chop ring a bell to you?" I ask him sternly, getting my serious gig on. I'm going to lay the guilt on him thick.

Peter frowns, confuzzled. "No."

"She means Blubber Wilson," Jay clarifies on my behalf. "We're trying to ascertain the cause of his expulsion," he updates Long.

"That decision was not mine alone. The school board decided it was the best course of action to take," Pee Long explains to us as best he can. "Personally, it's been a long time coming. He never adheres to school rules, or any rules in general, and has a total disregard for authority. He flirts with all of my female employees. I see him in my office at least four times a week because of it. He skips half of his classes and he never hands in his assignments either."

"Fair point," I say after hearing him out, "but I raise you this, does he, at least, do the assignments?"

Jay turns that deadly look on me again before Principal P can answer me. "Why would he finish assignments and then not hand them in?" Jay asks me, his face marred with irritation.

"Total disregard for authority, duh," I answer him like a smart-ass. "Shame on you. Aren't you listening to Peter?" I ask and send him a dirty look of my own in return.

When I look up again, I notice Principal P watching the exchange with a small grin twitching at the corner of his mouth.

"What?" I press, curious.

Pee shakes his head and smiles properly. "Nothing."

"Look," I argue against Pee, refocusing my efforts on my pork chop, "those things that you mentioned don't even sound that bad. I know that you want all of your students to thrive but I think I speak for all past, future, and present students when I say that we're all happy to just get by."

Jay sucks in a deep breath and looks over at Peter again with a look of frustration on his face. "She does not speak for me."

Peter nods at him in understanding. "Noted."

"I know Blubber can be highly annoying, insensitive, inappropriate," I pause for a breath before continuing, "obnoxious, revolting, distasteful, off-putting, unpalatable, unpleasa—"

Jay kicks my foot with his own from underneath the table, quickly shutting me up. "I think you've made your point, Hon," he chips in, ready to save the day.

"She did," Long agrees, unimpressed. "If anything, she's validating his expulsion."

"What Aqueela is trying to say is that despite all these awful qualities, he's still just a kid who needs guidance. His home circumstances have not made it easy on him. I—" Jay corrects himself, "sorry, we, don't believe that he should be given up on. He has a lot of potential, and he needs this school, these teachers, and you to help him get back on track."

I nod, agreeing with Jay. "I could have put it better myself but that pretty much summarizes why we're here. Your job," I stare at Pee with intensity, hoping that he'll listen, "is to help kids to be better versions of themselves. When did you retire from that? Because, as I remember, you always had my back and believed in me even when I was at my absolute worst."

"It's not just me that's come to the conclusion that expulsion is necessary," P defends himself, offended.

I don't take his statement lying down...I take it sitting down instead...because...you know...I'm currently sitting. "Who else? The board again? But you can—"

"Let me read you some of the complaints I've received." He opens his desk drawer and takes out a stack of papers. "This is only half of it but here we go," he says before he begins to read them aloud to us:

"'Mr. Wilson has asked for an extension on the same assignment at least fifteen times now.'

'Mr. Wilson told me that he cannot take my test today. When I asked 'why', he said it's because he doesn't feel like it and he has purposely not prepared for it.'

'Mr. Wilson finally handed in his assignment after fifteen extensions. It was poorly done. The task was to write an essay on where he sees himself after high school. He wrote three lines on how he aspires to be Lightning McQueen when he grows up.'"

"In Blubber's defense, on the last one, anyway," I start speaking again, unable to stop myself, "fake it 'til you make it. I believe it was you who told me that once, P."

Peter sends me a morbid look, clearly in denial. "I most definitely did not, Lawson."

And we're back to surnames...

Peter shifts his attention to Jay. "I hear what you're saying but if I recall correctly, you were also dealt a bad hand while growing up yet you didn't behave in such a farcical way like Blubber. It's no excuse for his behavior."

"Let me ask you something, P," I interrupt once again, successfully getting on everyone's nerves, including my own, "why did you become a teacher in the first place? You don't have to tell us; I just want you to think about it."

P falls quiet under my gaze. I decide to give him some time to dwell on it. Eventually, it seems he gets lost in his own thoughts. Honestly, I want to retract what I said and force him to spill everything. My interest has been piqued.

I snap my fingers after some time to try and get him back to the present. "Any chance you'll regurgitate everything that you were just thinking about?" I take my chances in asking him – I'm a risky player.

"I was thinking about one of the first rebellious students that I ever encountered while teaching and where he is today because I persisted with him," he hesitantly tells me.

"Details?" I raise my brows at him, curious.

"No," he answers bluntly.

"Fine," I shrug again and stubbornly cross my arms over my chest, visibly upset, "keep your secrets."

He looks at me again and sighs in defeat. "I teach because I care. I teach because I want to make a positive difference in the lives of my students."

He did in mine.

"Giving up on a student doesn't do that, Long," I reply in a sing-song voice much to Jay's rising anger.

Peter slowly nods, accepting what we're saying. "You two are right. I can't allow Blubber to be expelled."

Ha! Suck it, Jay! The guilt trip is working! It's been a journey but the destination is in sight.

"You have clout and pull, I'm sure, no chance you can sway the board?" Jay asks him, growing more impatient by the second – he really wants a solution. His heart is deeply set on helping Blubber.

"No promises but I'm going to do my best," P reassures us with a voice of sincerity. "I mean it."

"Thank you," Jay says, in turn, satisfied.

"Thank you, both of you, for coming down here to remind me of why I'm here in the first place," he replies before smiling at us with authenticity. "I appreciate it," he tells us while standing up from his chair.

"It's been awesome seeing you again," Jay stands up too and shakes Peter's hand. "You had a great influence on my life. I want you to know that."

Peter grins boastfully. "I always knew that you'd go far, Jay. You've always been a gifted kid."

I clear my throat loudly and in an over-the-top manner.

"And you, Aqueela...somewhat," Pee adds with a laugh, amused. "I'll tell you what, your name has definitely gone far in this school. I don't know if you know this but Brice Laine accidentally started a fan club in your honor."

I don't think Brice even knows what he started, to be quite honest.

"Cool." I reluctantly stand up to join them. "Let's all hug out the bitterness now and forget the awkwardness of this little meeting?"

"No," they both reply in unison – you'd think that they planned it.

I scowl at them. "Jeez, fine, tough crowd."

Tired, I yawn and listen to Peter and Jay converse for a bit longer. They're catching up on years' worth of conversation. I listen to them but not attentively. I only start paying attention when I hear Jay subtly steer the topic to what he really wants to be talking about. I struggle to repress my giggles with his next words:

"No disrespect, Peter, but we really have to talk about the cardboard cut-out in the room."

I have to have my own say as well:

"And disrespect, Peter, but we really have to talk about the lack of my carboard cut-out in the room, all the rooms."

*~*~*~**~*~*~*

"And this is where it started," I say to Jay as I glance up at the gigantic tree before us. This tree has come a long way. This tree is our tree. I bet no other student here has a history with this tree like we do.

I'm so glad Pee Long said that we could explore the school grounds for a while longer before leaving, not that it matters what he says because I would have done it anyway.

Jay cocks his head to the side, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Well, technically, it's not where it all started but this tree definitely played an important role in our story," he agrees with me.

I watch Jay. He's staring up at the tree with a faraway look in his eyes.

"Where are you right now?" I ask him, wanting to know where his mind just went.

"Just thinking of that time when I was looking for you and I found you here," he reminds me, breaking his gaze to look at me. He smiles at me and steps toward me before interlinking our hands. "I don't say it enough but I really do love you, Aqueela," he tells me before leaning down to kiss me.

I smile and kiss him back, letting my fingers drift through his hair. I lean back against the tree and pull away slightly. "I kinda, sorta have a thing for you too," I tell him and wink up at him playfully.

We kiss again and I can't help but think back on the times when we were just teenagers at this school with silly crushes on each other. Right now, we're not just two kids making out against a tree, we're actually going to spend the rest of our lives together. I guess there are some pros to high school after all.

Jay breaks the kiss and touches his forehead to mine. "I really am going to get you in trouble, this time, if we continue," he whispers before pressing a kiss just under my ear.

"Yeah," I agree and laugh, "I don't know how happy Principal P will be if sees what we're busy getting up to right now."

Jay nods and takes a seat on the ground, leaning his back against the foot of the tree. I slide down the tree and join him on the floor.

"So, about the wedding..." Jay drawls hesitantly, breaking the silence, "be honest with me, are you getting cold feet or something?" Before I can answer him, he's already talking again. "Because if you are, that's completely fine," he tells me gently. "I want you to know that. Just talk to me."

I keep promising him that we'll start planning for the wedding but I keep unintentionally putting it off.

"Is it me? Did I do something?" he asks me, concerned but showing his understanding. "'Cause, I mean, if you're having doubts or anything like that, I want you to know that it's okay. I'll accept that."

I smile at him and his rambling, amused. "Jay," I say his name with clarity, "my feet are so warm that it feels like I walked on hot coals and larva. They are always warm when I'm with you," I relay the message that he needs to hear. "I have the opposite of hypothermia when you're around. In fact, if anything, my feet are suffering from heatstroke."

Jay chuckles, finding me funny despite the fact that I'm being serious. "So, then, what's with the delay? Why are we waiting, Aqueela?" he asks me, puzzled. "I don't want a long engagement. I want to marry you yesterday already." He shrugs. "That's how I feel."

"I want to marry you five years ago but..." I falter, really giving thought as to why I'm so hesitant to bump up the wedding. "But it just feels like the timing is wrong. People I love are suffering right now. They should be our focus."

Jay glances down at me and skims over my face, hoping to read me. "There's never going to be a perfect time, Aqueela. I don't know..." he shrugs, trying to get his point across, "life is too short to put something like this on hold. I mean, one day, we're here; the next day, we're not."

I frown, unable to pinpoint why I'm not ready to get married just yet. All I know is that it's not Jay's fault. It has nothing to do with him.

"If you need time, I'm all for that. If you want to wait, I'll wait with you. I just need to know why," he continues, showing patience and understanding.

"I..." I give a half-hearted shrug, "I don't really know." My gut just says 'no' – at least, for now.

Jay nods and puts his arm over my shoulders. "That's okay. That's completely fine. Don't stress about it. I just want you to be happy."

I glance up at him and smile in reassurance. "I promise you, Jay, I'm my happiest when I'm with you."

"Going out on a limb here then..." he stops as if second-guessing himself before pushing through, "is it maybe because of your mom and dad?"

For some reason, his question brings tears to my eyes.

"C'mere," Jay says before pulling me onto his lap and embracing me without a moment's hesitation. "I didn't mean to upset you," he tells me, running a gentle hand up and down my back in an attempt to comfort me. "I didn't mean to make you cry," he says softly into my ear. "I'm sorry."

"I'm not crying," I mumble into his chest while wiping frantically at my eyes. "My eyes are just leaking and peeing. It's windy again and the air is filled with onions and—"

"I'm so sorry that your mom can't be at the wedding, that she can't be here with us right now. I'm so sorry that I can't meet her," he tells me, earnest. "But I don't need to meet her to know what a rare find she was, to know the kind of person that she was. I already know, just by looking at you, that she valued kindness and radiated compassion. If she didn't, you wouldn't be the most tender-hearted person that I know. Her values shine through you, and I know that a part of her will always be carried with you wherever you go."

I bury my face in his chest and close my eyes, letting the tears fall freely. Not having her here is painful. I don't know why I'm missing her so much lately but the emptiness she left behind won't go away.

But Jay...he always somehow knows just exactly what to say.

"And I know how things currently stand with Lars. I hate him, you know that, but this isn't about me. I know that he's been asking for you. If you want to go and see him and patch things up, I need you to know that I, one hundred percent, got you. I'll come with if you want me too and I'll control myself this time; I've grown up since Yolanda...I think," he jokes. "But if you've turned the page on him, that's fine too. It's your choice and I'll have your back either way."

I stay in Jay's arms while processing all that he's said. The silence between us is comforting. Eventually, I tilt my head up to look at him. "I really, really love you too, Jay," I tell him, blinking back the last of my tears. "With all my heart," I express my living truth.

I never thought that it's possible to love somebody this much. I never thought that I could love somebody this much.

"And, my mom," I smile through my tears, "she would have loved you. She would have especially loved this..." I move my hand up from his abdomen and trace the center of his chest with my fingertips, feeling his steady heartbeat.

"My abs?" he teases, deliberately making me smile. "No judgments but that's a bit weird."

I laugh and shake my head. "No, dummy, your beautiful and selfless soul."

But probably your abs too.

"Well, I learn from the best," he replies and hugs me again, tightly this time. "You're the one who first took in Oog, forgave Yolanda, pursued me, made me realize that I'm good enough, saw through Grey's tough exterior, sought after Benley despite what initially went down, gave Zac and Lars a second chance, befriended an army of outcasts—"

"Alright, alright," I stop him and hide my face in the crook of his neck. I don't do well with genuine compliments like this – they make me feel...strange.

"I'm just saying, you've taught me compassion, forgiveness, and determination. That's all you," he concludes, convicted by his own words. "You taught me not to give up on people. You made me see that everyone has merit, and that fighting for people and putting your neck out for people, even complete strangers, will always be worth it. Everyone has their own story to tell and everybody deserves compassion; it's the answer to everything."

I smile and lean into his arms, wrapping my arms around his neck. I sigh in content and breathe him in, enjoying the moment. My life is full knowing that Jay and I are finally on the same page.

People will always matter to me, no matter who they are or what they've done. As long as I'm alive, I will embrace people. And it makes me so happy to know that I'll have Jay doing life with me and caring about people with me.

*~*~*~**~*~*~*

"In a way, I kind of miss school," I tell Jay, staring out at the passing scenery as we head home after quite the eventful day. "I miss the fun. And I miss you staring at me whenever I happened to look up."

"I never stared at you that much," he argues, getting all defensive, just as I predicted. "But whatever, I'll be sure to stare at you more if it makes you happy."

"Yay! And make sure you have that teen boy, love-struck look in your eyes," I say in response.

He takes his eyes off the road to shoot me a grin. "Look closely. I always have that look whenever I see you," he flirts.

He's such a charmer...

I chuckle and gesture to him to return his focus to the road. "So," I change the subject, "when are we going to go house-hunting?"

Bored, I start playing with the window, pressing the button over and over again as I aimlessly watch it go up and down, open and closed.

"You keen to move out too?" he asks me, smiling – this is obviously something else he's been waiting to discuss with me.

"Absolutely!" I exclaim in excitement. "It will be like another step forward for us! Plus, Greg's getting lazy. I've noticed that he's not ironing my dresses anymore."

Jay shakes his head at hearing my words. "Greg's way too nice to us, realistically though, to you, he's too nice to you."

I nod, agreeing. "Boss Man is a saint." I can't deny it.

"What kind of house are you thinking?" Jay presses for my opinion.

"One with a big yard where tiny feet can patter," I answer him. In all honesty though...a mansion by the ocean...but it might be a bit too early for that.

I see Jay raise his eyebrows in surprise. "You mean...kids?" he questions warily.

"I was actually talking more about padded feet, as in more furkids, but sure, real, human kids too," I reply. I want kids but I feel far from ready for that at the moment. I can barely look after myself, never mind a child.

What if I accidentally kill my own child? Ah man, I need Jay more than I realized.

"I'm down for kids and more dogs too," he informs me with a small smile tugging at his lips. "Slobs needs a sibling."

I nod profusely. "Yeah, I think he misses Oog too."

"A canine sibling," Jay clarifies firmly before I can get any ideas.

I open my mouth to protest, "But—"

"I don't care how convinced you are, Oog is not part wolf or werewolf or whatever you always say," he cuts me off, already knowing exactly what I was just about to say.

"And I don't care what you think, I've caught him howling at the moon a few times," I mumble, still believing it, choosing to argue with him. "He definitely wasn't raised by humans. Maybe he's part alien," I add, pondering over it – logically speaking, it makes perfect sense.

"Anyway," Jay emphasizes the word, hoping to move past the topic and dive back to what he really wants to be talking about, "how many kids do you want? Boys or girls? We've never spoken about it yet we're getting married. I feel like this talk is necessary."

"I don't care about the gender of our children," I say with a shrug. "As for how many, since I'm doing all the difficult work and giving birth to your flesh and blood, I think I have the right to say not too many."

This is where Max and I differ significantly but I guess it's because he's a male and gets to have all the fun times.

Jay grins, acknowledging my words. "Fair enough."

"What about you?" I ask him, interested in hearing what he has to say.

"To be honest, I'm okay with whatever you want," he tells me, sparing me a glance. "But if I do have to say something -- and knowing you, I do -- at least two kids would be nice so that they can look out for each other while growing up."

I stare at him, realizing where his head is at. "You mean, like you and Mase?"

I would wish for a sibling but I feel like I have AJ, Max, Troy, and Bells for that.

He nods. "Like how we are now and not like how we were then."

I process his words and smile, glad things worked out the way they did between the two of them. I continue playing with the window as a thought comes to mind, a thought that I've been meaning to discuss with him for a while now, and seeing as we're getting everything out in the open, I might as well get this over with.

"Do you..." I murmur softly, trying to complete the actual sentence, "are you...like...frustrated with me? Frustrated-frustrated? Like with relationship expectations and stuff?"

I'm not expecting Jay to immediately understand what I mean and I'm definitely not expecting a chuckle to resonate from his chest.

This guy knows me too well...

I frown and press the buttons of the window with more force. "It's not funny!" I snap. It took a lot of courage to even ask him about my 'wifely duties'.

He keeps his gaze ahead but smiles nonetheless, clearly amused by all this. "Firstly, you've just lost your window privileges," he lectures me before putting up my window and locking it, treating me like a child.

"Noooo!" I wail in dismay – how am I going to get through the rest of the ride without my precious buttons?! "I didn't even get a warning this time! I need like, at least, five warnings before I'm forced to face the consequences of my actions – you know this! I like the window down so—"

"Secondly," he continues on, ignoring my complaints, "I'm only laughing because this is so out of character for you. You're usually very reserved and -- don't slap me -- but shy when it comes to being intimate with me or even discussing it. I've always left it, never brought it up or pressurized you because I know you're 'old school' and I love that about you. I've never minded waiting for you and I never will. I figured that much should be obvious to you by now. It's not like I've slept around either."

"Thank you, Jay. I appreciate that and I love you even more for it," I confess, already feeling better about the whole ordeal. "I've been feeling guilty about it for a while, like I'm not giving you what you want or need, like somehow I'm letting you down as your girlfrien–sorry, fiancée."

Jay furrows his brows and shoots me a disbelieving look, visibly upset. "Please don't ever think like that. If I made you feel that way, I'm sorry; it was unintentional. I don't expect sex from you just because we're together, even though it's really difficult for me sometimes. I hate placing those kinds of expectations on you. It doesn't seem fair."

Yeah...I definitely don't deserve you.

"Oh, okay. So, like, no sex then, ever, is fine for you?" I tap my chin playfully, only messing with him. I would never do that to him.

"I mean..." he trails off and glances at me again, skimming over my expression in order to see if I'm joking or not, "I didn't say that," he backpedals, swallowing down his previous words.

It's my turn to laugh, finding his reactions hilarious. "Your face was priceless. You were really worried there for a second, huh?"

"Well...yes," he mutters, annoyed by my teasing. "I don't mind waiting but eventually, I want to be with you. I want to, I really want to, and honestly, kind of need to. And if we get married and you still don't want sex ever, I guarantee that I'll still be with you and lead a life of celibacy -- I mean, I am now -- simply because I love you but it would still be really difficult for me and it would just plain suck!"

I giggle, entertained by the sudden fierceness in his tone of voice. "Don't worry, JJ, we'll make up for lost time once we're married," I jokingly reassure him, getting under his skin in every which way except the obvious.

Satisfied, he winks at me like the flirt he is and unlocks the window. "Sweet girl, you have just earned your window privileges back."

"And you, dumb boy, are still busy earning your fiancé privileges," I say in jest, stifling my laughter. This is fun. Why was it so awkward to talk about this stuff before? I'm having a blast!

He locks my window again and frowns boyishly at me, looking so innocent and so miserable at the thought of never being able to be with me physically. "Shut up, Aqueela. I'm done being nice to you."

His words only make me laugh harder.

*~*~*~**~*~*~*

By the time we finally get home, it's beginning to get dark out. We took a few detours on the way home. Needless to say, my hunger was satisfied...until now, now I'm hungry again.

Exhausted, I drag myself into the house and find Boss Man busy in the kitchen. With only a towel around his waist, he's cooking up a meal. I don't care what he's wearing as long as I get food.

"What's up, Greg?" Jay greets his friend and then arches an eyebrow at all the food. "Expecting company?"

Boss Man almost jumps out of his skin at hearing us – clearly, he wasn't expecting us home just yet. "Oh, hey guys," he grins at us, welcoming us in. "Don't sneak up on me," he scolds us.

I shake my head at him playfully. "Put on some pants, Greg. This is no sight for me to come home to."

"You forget that this is not your home," he chimes back teasingly.

"I'm so glad to see you making dinner for once," I add, trying out his cheesy, pasta sauce with a spoon.

He slaps the spoon right out of my hand. "I don't know what roof you've been living under because I always make you food," he reminds me.

I nod and kiss his cheek in thanks before throwing one arm around his shoulders and the other arm around Jay's. I draw us all in for a group hug, one which is not welcomed, and smile in content. "Ah. My boys. Just look at us. Domestic bliss," I sigh dreamily and close my eyes for a second.

Both Greg and Jay push away from me, displeased.

"Boss Man would undoubtfully be the household husband," I say when silence falls over us. He's always cooking and cleaning and nurturing...he's like a mother hen.

"This is not a polygamous relationship," Greg corrects me with a frown. "Especially if I'm the only one here who doesn't get any benefits out of it."

Jay shoots Boss Man an accusing glare. "You say it as if I do."

Before I can insult them and set them straight, Decoda enters the room, looking sheepish under our confused gazes. I look her over and immediately notice her disheveled appearance. I turn back to Greg and raise my brows at him. "I don't know, Boss Man, by the looks of it, you are getting plenty of benefits."

Greg narrows his eyes at me, not taking to my joke well. "It's time you move out."

"The guy gets himself a wife and suddenly, I'm being replaced and kicked out," I say aloud to no one in particular.

"My manager and my boss," Jay comments, bewildered. "Weird."

"Let's not exaggerate," Decoda clears her throat, finally speaking up, "Greg and I decided that this," she motions to in between them, "is just casual."

And I decided that I'm a unicorn...

Boss Man diverts his gaze. There's an unreadable look in his eyes but I read it easily anyway because I'm fluent in the art of denial – this thing with Decoda is not just casual to him.

Unfortunately for me, Greg is suddenly very interested in something and he's not breaking his gaze any time soon. I follow his eyes and see that he's staring at the empty space where his creepy statue used to be situated before she died a tragic death. His facial expression changes, annoyance flickering through him, and I realize that he's realized.

Uh oh!

I maneuverer my way in front of him and jump up and down, trying to distract him and capture his attention. "Greg! Greg! Hey, Greg! Boss Man!" I wave my arms up and down as fast as I can. "Hey, Greg! Over here, Greg!"

He merely pushes me aside, his eyes as wide as saucers. "What the hell happened to my statue?!"

*~**~*

Hey, guys :)

I'm sorry for the looong wait again. I've been so busy again and now I'm super tired. If I didn't say it before, happy new year -- let's make 2021 better than the last.

1. What was your favorite part of this chapter?

2. Would you say that Jay got Aqueela into trouble? Why or why not?

3. Who wants Laiken back? Why or why not?

4. Can Laiken get through to Zac? If not, who can?

5. Has Aqueela grown up at all? If yes, in what way?

6. Does Blubber deserve to be expelled? Why or why not?

7. Thoughts on Principal P Long?

8. What do you remember about Jaqueela's tree?

9. Why do you think Aqueela doesn't want to get married just yet?

10. What kind of house should Jay and Aqueela move into?

11. Should Slobber get a sibling? Furry/human kind?

12. Thoughts on Decoda and Greg?

13. How many kids should Jayeela plan for?

14. Should Lars be invited to the wedding?

15. Who is more responsible for the murder of the statue? Max/Aqueela?

Hope you enjoyed this chapter :)

Take care!

~ CJ