No Strings Attached

Chapter 42: The End

"So what were you and James doing?"

I glance at Marco funny. "What?"

"No, seriously." Marco chuckled. "While we were waiting for two downstairs, I guessed you were having some kind of a moment."

Aria giggled. "Yeah, it's okay if you two are a thing. But, if I were you, Nadine, I would tell James my feelings."

As she said this, Aria nudged my shoulder with her elbow.

As much as I hated their taunts, James and I kissed four times. My childhood dream has been fulfilled and now, I feel confident to share them with my friends.

"We were having a moment," I admitted.

Marco and Aria stopped snickering then gawked at us.

"Wait, so you two are a thing?" asked Aria in wonder.

Nonchalantly, James shrugs his shoulders.

"Yeah, " he answers simply. "What's wrong with that?"

Marco glances at Aria for a moment then back at me.

"Have you two kissed before?"

"Yep."

"And now, you're-"

I nodded.

Marco clapped his hands together. "Well, it's about damn time."

"You two are a couple!" Aria squealed. "I am going to have so much fun thinking of cute couple names!"

I laughed at her response.

Aria raised her eyebrow at me. "What's so funny?"

"I don't know, " I chuckled. "Aren't couple names kinda stupid?"

James snickers in agreement.

"What?" She glances at Marco who joined in the laughter. "I think shipping names seal the deal."

James puts his comforting arm on my left shoulder then shakes his head.

"I hate shipping names, " he snorted. "They remind me of those cliche teen drama television series."

Aria softly punches his right shoulder. "Don't joke. I think couple names are adorable."

"Yeah, adorably cheesy."

Rolling her eyes, Aria tugs James' hand so he can keep up with her. Treading along the murky floor, I cringe as the sewer water sloshed against my bare feet.

"Ugh, I hate walking around damp places." I moan.

It's a pet peeve of mine—especially when you are walking barefoot.

"Does anyone know where our stuff is?" Marco asked James.

James did an exhausted sigh. "I don't know, Mr. Jefferies got rid of them."

"Fuck, " he bites his bottom lip. "Well, can you at least take us back to Manhattan?"

"He can't, Mars." Aria stares at Marco with irritation. "James is too sleepy."

Marco moans, watching the stream of dirty water past by us.

"God, " he shuddered at the dead rat swimming in the river. "Do we have to walk inside the sewers?"

"I guess, I mean all the doctors and nurses entered here, " James pointed out.

"Where are they anyway?" I implore.

Aria shrugs her shoulders. "Don't know, maybe they got lost or something."

I bite my bottom lip, thinking about my parents.