The Days That Count

14. The Day When Joe Stayed With Heaven

Heavenly sulked, not wanting to admit that he was right. Her head leaned against the window. Eyes followed snowflakes as they quickly rushed by their fast vehicle. As Heavenly kept her hands on her lap, one in another, the skin suddenly started to feel warm and tucked. She glanced down to see Joe's big palm covering both her hands tightly. It put her in a daze. She glanced at his face sideways. It was serious, focused, and strong. Her shyness made her avert the look. She finally understood why so much girls come to like him. He had this really caring side to him, at rare occasions when he wasn't teasing her or joking around. It happened before, but she felt reassured every next time.

He changed, she thought. He had become more manly, somehow. They were only eighteen then, coming for that nineteenth year, and she wondered how much more manly would he get over the years that are to come.

He stayed with her, over his family, because he knew she'd feel lonely. It took so much care to do that. Heavenly felt a bit overwhelmed with such strong care.

"Thank you."

It echoed across the car, not getting any response in return. Jordan was focusing, but his heart would not let him settle. He was gonna be alone with Heavenly for two nights. It ate him up, thinking of pictures, images, scenes. He became more greedy and started lusting after her. It made him guilty. He finally learned to suppress what he was feeling, and now, it is about to be tougher than ever before. He cared for her purely and that was enough, but he could not help but shiver in her closeness as a guy.

"Joe, could you go and buy some decorations? I really want it to look like Christmas, even though we are here."

"Do you wanna go now?" he questioned. "The mall is still open."

Heavenly bit her lip, thinking of something she wanted to do alone. "If you can do it alone, that would be great. I have some things to finish by myself in the meantime."

He quickly glanced at her and back to the road curiously, turning left. "What things? We can go together. "

She shook her head. "I have to meet up with Elianna and help her look for a present for her boyfriend. You don't really wanna be there. Two girls shopping and stuff."

He thought about it. It would be such a pain, true. "Okay then. You want me to pick you up when you finish?"

"Nah, it's okay. I'll come home alone. I can't make you wait for that long and plus, it's a short way to our building. "

The car was parked in a huge parking lot near the mall. They both got out of it. Jordan approached his childhood friend that seemed to be freezing big time.

" Wait. " he grabbed her by the hand to stop her. Heaven glanced at his face as he unwrapped the black scarf he wore and then put it around her neck. He even took off the cap in pair with it and placed it on her head.

Warmth took over her and she breathed."But you are gonna freeze!"

"Stupid. I'll be going home by car. You're the one that's walking. Don't argue." he patted her head and started walking away.

Her chin lowered. The skin on her cheeks felt hot, opposed to the coldness outside. This was supposed to be done by Maxx, all day long, yet, it is Jordan taking care of her. It made her feel a strange wave of emotions, a bit of sadness and a bit of something else, she couldn't quite define. Similar to.. Excitement?