Hearing his Heart Beat

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"I search for things in you that I can't find in myself. I don't love me like you love me, and quite frankly I need your help." -Demetrius Harmon
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James' POV
It's definitely weird taking the classes of my choosing again. It's even more weird to not have Shanna super glued to my side.

But I think a little space will be healthy for the both of us, especially since we're practically living together now.

I sigh as I sling my backpack into my truck just as Shanna approaches and wraps her arms tightly around me.

"Someone missed me." I joke and she nods.

"Always miss you." She mumbles into my shirt. I swear she's the cutest thing alive.

"Come on. I promised your mom we'd be on time since we have to leave early to make it to Jorden's playoff game." I tell her, opening the passenger side door for her.

She gets in with a big sigh and I roll my eyes.

"How terrible having to spend time with your own mother." I say and she glares at me, but doesn't argue because she knows that I'm right.

It really shouldn't be like pulling teeth just to get this girl to speak to her mother.

We arrive at her mom's place and I knock on the door.

"It's my favorite people!" She exclaims, pulling us both in for hugs.

"Come in sit down. The foods almost ready." She says with a smile. We sit at the bar as Ms. Woods finishes up her cooking.

"So how have you two been?" She asks and I elbow Shanna when she only shrugs in reply.

"Just trying to get use to a new normal...again." Shanna answers and her mother nods.

"Lots of change in the last couple months and even more approaching as you prepare to graduate. But you're a strong young woman, you'll handle it well." Ms. Woods says with a smile as she plates our food.

We eat in a mixture of lukewarm silence and shallow small talk.

"Well it was nice seeing the both of you." Ms. Woods calls as we head out to my truck.

"You're not gonna hug your mom." I sign to Shanna and she rolls her eyes.

"Don't push it." She signs back as we finally make it to my truck.

It'll get easier one day. I hope.
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"Bestie!" Brandon squeals as we arrive at Jorden's game.

He runs up and wraps his arms around Shanna and a big smile paints itself on her face. I didn't really know much about Brendan before I started dating Shanna, but I feel like I'm forever in debt to him because of the way he loves her. Everyone needs a best friend and I'm glad that he is Shanna's.

"How did the dinner go?" He asks and Shanna rolls her eyes.

"I don't want to talk about it." Shanna groans. We sit down just as the coin toss happens and the game begins.

This is the first time in school history that the football team has ever made it this far into playoffs.  It's crazy that despite everything that's been going on that Jorden and the team held on to make it to the State Semi-finals.

The game starts and it's back to back the entire game. The type of game that keeps you clinging to the edge of your seat. This other team is good and we're definitely feeling the loss of David. Jorden grows tired as he starts at Wide Receiver all night long. Brendan is cringing into Shanna's shoulder every time he takes a hit.

Everything is going fine until halftime. The team is huddling up to head back into the locker room. We're down by two and the agitation is showing on their faces. Cameron walks up to Jorden and says something and it's not long before they are in each other's faces.

And that's when the craziest thing happens.

Cameron punches Jorden.