"I love meeting new people; I think everyone has a story to tell. We should all listen sometimes."
{Kim Smith}

//

before I start,

MAY I PRESENT TO YOU....

JAMES!

the person that plays him is Jessey Stevens

//

"JJ, I DON'T feel like meeting new people at the moment." I frowned, leaning my head against the window.

"Well, what do you feel like doing?" Two-Bit asked.

"Laying in bed all day." I replied glumly.

"And that's exactly the reason why I'm making you meet James. He's just like you. You two will get along great, and it will take your mind off of Soda." JJ explained, turning into Steve's driveway.

I huffed and crossed my arms like a kid. "I can't even have a few hours to be sad?"

JJ shook his head and pinched my cheeks. "Go get dressed into some normal clothes, kiddo. I'll be waiting for you."

I got out of the truck and ran into my room to get dressed. I put on blue jeans and a regular t-shirt, wiping off some of my make-up. I left my hair like it was and ran back outside. Two-Bit got out of the truck and I furrowed my eyebrows. "Where are you going?"

"Watching Mickey Mouse." He shrugged, walking into Steve's house.

I chuckled and got in the truck with JJ. He turned towards me and started the truck. "I met James at the Nightly Double. He's just like you. By his looks, you wouldn't think he's innocent, but he's just as innocent as you."

"Can't wait to meet him." I replied sarcastically.

JJ sighed. "Lexie, you've got to get over the fact that Sandy will never let you have Soda. I don't know why because she clearly doesn't love him as much as he loves her, but just face the fact that you and him are never going to happen."

"Wow, thanks, JJ. You sure know how to make me feel better." I scoffed, keeping my gaze out towards the window.

"Look, Lex, I'm not trying to make you feel bad or anything, but I'm just telling you the truth. If I told you it would be a happy ending, I'd probably be lying. This is love we're talking about, there's no such thing as a happy ending!" JJ shouted, making me flinch.

"You only say that because that's what caused you to be so depressed!" I fired back, my voice just as loud as his. "Who says that love can't have a happy ending?!"

"It always ends at some point, Lex. Whether it's by cheating, death, or whatever, love always ends. There's no happy endings. I just don't want to fill you up with false hope." JJ spoke softly.

We pulled into a house that looked just like Soda's. JJ just walked straight in, so I followed him. "JJ!" A voice greeted.

"James! I have a visitor!" JJ looked over at me.

James shot a grin at me. "Are you the famous Lexie I've been hearing about?"

I knitted my eyebrows in confusion. "I'm not famous."

JJ started laughing. "I told you she's literal."

"Well, I think it's cute, JJ." James replied.

We all sat down on the couch and James fixed us some hot chocolate. James told us about his life, and it was pretty interesting. It was nice to find out someone was going through something similar to me.

"My dad and mom died in a plane crash. They were on their way to the Bahamas." A sad expression washed over his face as he recalled the memory.

"I was really close to my parents. Once they died, I got this place. I've never really recovered from their death, and I'm still pretty depressed about it. But, enough about me. Tell me about your life, Lexie."

I shifted around uncomfortably. I already told Soda about all of this, and I don't want to tell someone I hardly even know. Thank goodness JJ came to my rescue. "She doesn't like talking about it. Once you get close with her though, she'll tell you."

James nodded, understanding. "Well, Lexie, I heard you have OCPD."

I gave him a light smile. "Yeah, I do."

"Well, I have OCD. It's a little bit different from yours, but we both have some of the same symptoms." He replied, taking a sip of his hot chocolate.

I grinned. "At least someone knows how it feels."

"You know, I have a feeling you and I are going to get along well." James laughed.

I giggled. "I hope so."

//

"I TOLD YA you'd like him." JJ spoke, turning into Soda's driveway.

"He's okay." I shrugged, stepping out of the truck.

I braced myself for what I was about to see. I already knew Soda and Sandy were going to be in there. JJ turned to me right as I was about to open the door. "If she makes you pissed off, don't hesitate to throw a punch. You've never punched a person in your life, Lex, so just let it all out."

I chuckled. "Okay, JJ."

Once we walked in, everything went silent. The whole gang looked up at us and of course, Two-Bit had to put his two bits worth in.

"So, how'd your date go with, James?"

"WHAT?!" Everyone shouted, making me cover my ears.

"Guys, hush! You know she doesn't like when people yell." Darry spoke, making all of them be quiet.

I flashed a grateful smile at Darry, and turned back to Two-Bit. "It wasn't a date, JJ was with me. Plus, all he did was tell me about him."

Soda had a weird expression on his face, I couldn't figure out if it was sad, angry, or happy. Sandy on the other hand was practically beaming.

"I'm so glad you finally found someone that can deal with your psychoness!" She stood up in front of me.

(psychoness isn't a word, but it fit well, so YOLO)

I felt extremely angry. I wanted to punch her. Maybe it was because of all the stuff I had to go through at the wedding, or maybe it was because she wouldn't stop calling me a psycho, but I wanted to literally hurt her.

"Stop calling me a psycho." I replied calmly.

She scoffed. "It's true, so why would I not? You were just like your mom."

"You don't know my mom, so shut the hell up!" I snapped, making everyone jump.

I just cussed. Oops.

"Finally! She cusses! Now, I'm just waiting for the punch!" JJ shouted excitedly.

"Excuse me?" Sandy laughed dryly. "I'll shut the hell up when I want to. I don't take orders from stupid people."

"Really? Because you seem to be listening to yourself quite often." I sassed.

She pushed me back and my head hit the wall. "You're just pissed off because I'm not a psycho like you are!"

JJ whistled. "Ooooh you shouldn't have done that."

I narrowed my eyes at her and started to feel that same rush of electricity again. I grabbed her by the collar and slammed her against the wall.

"Call me a psycho one more time and I promise you I'll show you what psycho actually looks like." I growled.

I let her go and everyone looked at me, amazed. JJ looked like a proud parent once again.

"I knew you could do it! This was the best thing I've seen in my life!"

Right when we were about to walk out again, I turned towards Soda. "And if you want to keep being a jerk to me, don't even bother looking or talking to me."

I slammed the front door and got in the truck, my blood boiling. JJ got in the truck, still shocked and amazed. "You know, Lex. You should be like that more often. That way, people won't walk all over you."

I sighed. "I feel bad for snapping at Soda like that. I really do like talking to him."

JJ gave me a sad smile. "I'm sorry this had to happen to you out of all people."

I had a feeling he was talking about something more than Soda just not talking to me.

//

annnnndddddd bam. that was a long chapter, lmao!

I hope it was enjoyable!

Do y'all like James?

And, do you like the Lashing Lexie?