The Days That Count

14. The Day When Joe Stayed With Heaven

"Damn. I feel so bad now. You should have told me. I could have convinced my mom to stay there." he spoke.

Well it's already decided so it won't make any difference to think about it now.

"It's okay. Joe stayed here with me." that's when she explained about Jordan's offer to go to his family, and then decision to stay.

Opposed to her expectations, Maxx seemed quite bummed about it. He almost seemed mad, but it's like he didn't want it to be known.

"Jordan is staying there with you?" he spoke in a low voice.

"Yeah! We'll make pizza and even decorate the place. It's all fine. Don't worry about me." she explained.

He sighed deeply on the other line. "You two, like, alone?"

That's when Heavenly caught a glimpse of his feelings. Could he be jealous?

"Well, yes. It was really nice of him to stay."

"I see." Maxx paused. "He's so nice."

It kind of sounded ironic to her. She swallowed the lump in her throat.

"He is. He's a really good friend." Heaven emphasized the word friend to her boyfriend that was obviously growing more impatient.

"You're so careless sometimes." he finally let out some of it after being quiet for a while.

"Careless?" she stopped in her tracks.

"Yes. Letting another guy spend two nights with you in one apartment. Didn't you even think how I would feel about it?" he sulked, in a cold voice.

Snow started to get heavy. It was really cold. Overall, her heart got a bit cold, thinking of how he ditched her and now has audacity to protest because Joe stayed.

"So what? It's not like we are gonna sleep next to each other or spend that whole time together. We are neighbors and he is my friend. What are you so mad about? You're the one who left."

Maxx felt more irritated. "Oh so now I don't have the right to complain because I had to leave?"

Heavenly bit her lip. "It's all gonna be okay. Stop being so dramatic."

"I'm not being dramatic. You just don't see the way he looks at you. He definitely has something for you." he claimed in a flat tone.

Heavenly laughed out loud at her boyfriend's claim. "The way he looks at me? Please, Maxx, find other ways to justify your jealousy and distrust. That's just too ridiculous."

"Whatever."

Cold breeze tickled Heavenly's face. Her chest felt tight. She didn't want to fight.

"Maxx."

His grudge didn't seem to have passed. "I have to go."

"Why?"

"You don't get anything I say. It's pointless."

"What you are saying is just stupid!" she raised her voice.

"You're so damn clueless! "

"No, you're an idiot!"

He didn't say anything anymore. The sound of phone call ending tickled her hearing. He hung up. She could not believe it.

"Damn you.. " Heavenly felt mad and frustrated. Tears dwelled in her eyes. "Stupid Maxx."

She struggled not to let her tears fall. This was supposed to be a nice day. Besides, how could he be jealous ovee Joe? They've been friends for forever. She explained to him that on the Halloween party when he got upset because of that kiss in the past. It's in the past. Kid stuff. Long gone. This with Maxx is reality, but he doesn't seem to get it.

Her phone rang again. She quickly wiped her eye and glanced down hoping it was him calling again to make up.

No it wasn't. It was the reason they argued- Jordan Parker.

"Joe?" Heaven sniffed after crying a bit.

"Where are you? It's getting dark already." her friend asked.

"I'm near our building. I'll be there in a few."

Jordan clenched his hand around the phone, feeling her shaky voice. "You alright?"

She couldn't speak for a while and then sighed. "Yeah! It's just really windy and snowy outside."

"Well then hurry so that you don't catch a cold, dumbass." he scolded, but with a soft undertone.

"I'm coming. Where are we gonna be? "

"Your place. I'm there."

"Alright."

So she had to leave his present at his place, if he is at hers right now, so that he doesn't see it.

Heavenly knocked on the door of her place minutes later after setting the present and it opened seconds later. Parker stood there, wearing a red sweatshirt and a Santa Clause cap on his head, smiling ear to ear.

"Ho, ho, ho. You're late miss Heavenly."

Her eyes were still watery but she let herself laugh anyway. Heavenly could not breathe anymore from frustration. His goofiness right from the doorstep consoled her.

"I'm here." she stepped in, too close. It was her intention. Heavenly hugged him around the waist and snuggled her face against his chest. Her tears were about to spill. She was so thankful. How could Maxx be nad because of this guy?

"Heaven?" his hand squeezed her shoulder. He was now getting serious. "What's wrong?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. I'm just glad that you're here."

His chest felt tight. He closed the door and squeezed her as much as he could, smelling those gorgeous locks of hair. Joe felt dazed for a moment. Out of reality.

"I'm glad too." he barely spoke and stoked her hair.

Moments passed. Heavenly was sniffing and letting her tears fall a bit. That's to be expected. She was upset over Maxx since yesterday but couldn't cry at all. It all gathered up. She bit her lip. God, I'm such a fool. I need to stop. I'm gonna ruin the Christmas mood. She thought.

Joe tried to slowly pull back to see her face but she wouldn't let him. She squeezed the shirt on his back harder. He shuddered. Parker wasn't used to her acting like this, being so close.

"Heavenly, if there is something bothering you, we can always talk about it." he said to her quietly. "You know that?"

She nodded. He sighed.

"Now, now. I set this whole decoration up to see you cry on the doorstep. That's just unforgivable."

Decoration? Heaven pulled back and glanced behind him. Her eyes were bathed in Christmas lights and gaze filled with colors and shapes and a small Christmas tree. It was all perfect. She had to clear her eyes to see better, then turned to Jordan.

"You did all this?"

The boy nodded. "Like it?"

Heavenly nodded a few times, feeling her energy coming back. She hung her purse by the door and took off her shoes.

"This is awesome. It's so pretty. "

"Yeah. I made you some tea too." his feet took him to the kitchen to show her the cup with forest fruits tea made for her."I knew you were gonna freeze and probably ask for it."

"I love you, Jordan." Heavenly Brooks took off her coat and walked farther into the room. "I just love you, you know?"

He felt caught off guard for that first sentence, but smiled nonchalantly and sighed. "Everybody does."

Heaven rolled her eyes but smiled. "Ready for some pizza?"

"Always."