5. The Arguments

2.22.20

Kody's POV

I woke up to a shout to find a short lady hovering over us. James was still knocked out, and I mentally giggled at him. When the lady said his name again, I pinched him really hard so that it was like she had woken him up. Why? Because it was funny to see him confused.

"Better not let your parents see you, they'll eat you alive. You're supposed to be punishing to murderer, not becoming friends."

"Angie stay out of my relations with people please."

"I'm just saying. Get ready, breakfast is ready for you downstairs."

James got out of bed and waddled over to his closet. "Are you going to get ready?" he asked loudly while sifting through his clothes. I got up and walked behind him. "Wear this. I'm bringing you to breakfast. You need to eat, and if my parents don't like that then I'll do it anyways."

I put on the black skinny jeans and green hoodie that he handed me. Once again, it was too big on me, but I figured it out. I walked into the bathroom and did my hair up nicely. To be spiffy, I even brushed my teeth!

I waited for James since I knew he had to be basically perfect. When he joined me, we walked to the dining room. "I'm going to have to act a little bit more strict then I have been. Please forgive me," he apologized before opening the door.

The first thing that I noticed is that both of his parents were distracted with different things. The atmosphere was more tense then I had imagined families to be, and I knew that he didn't have functioning parents. Well, I already knew that when they didn't care about their son's mental health, but this confirmed every thought. He sat at the table first, and I sat down after.

"Good morning, son," his mother greeted coldly. Suddenly she looked at me, and her immediate response was, "son what did I say about bringing vermin to the table?"

"He isn't vermin, he's a human."

"He's a peasant. A murderer. He's ruining my appetite," she complained loudly, and I could feel James's anger from here. I rubbed a finger subliminally over his knuckles to signify that it was okay, and he calmed down. He slipped some food onto my plate from his since I didn't have any of my own, and I ate more politely than I did in the room last night even though I was just as ravenous.

"Why feed the animals you should punish?" his father contributed.

"Starvation is not a punishment, it is a torture," James responded smoothly.

"Since when did you show anyone pity. We didn't raise you like that, so who did?"

"I'm allowed to have my own opinions about things."

"It deserves nothing more than nothing. It is a piece of filth raised on the street. We might as well be housing a rat next to our perfect son. What if he rubs off onto you!"

"He is a human being!"

The rest of the meal was had in uncomfortable silence, and before we left, James's dad openly commanded, "don't forget to go to the ladies to look how you should. You're meeting more potential pairings today."

"No." Just one word that showed how upset and just overall done with his parents James was. It showed his growth, and it showed me how much he valued me.

"Jaminson Alexander, this isn't the time to be petty!"

"I'm not being petty, I'm proving a point."

"You're doing this to protect the dog, aren't you. Well you know what, I won't hesitate to take it out back and shoot it. Go. See. The. Ladies!"

James sighed before walking out with me in tow. "Go to my room. Lock the door and don't open it for anyone even if they say they're me. I'm the only one with the key. I don't want my dad to do anything rash while I'm meeting females," he commanded with the utmost seriousness.

I made it there and did exactly as he said. I sat on the bed with my knees in my chest wondering if his father would actually try to kill me. Sure enough, around noon, a knock sounded on the door followed by an obviously fake, "hey, I forgot my bag, can I come in to get it?"

I curled into a tight ball as the knocking got more intense until he was screaming at me from the other side of the door. I tried to put my hands over my ears, but he was still too loud. After an hour of continuous shouting, I was about ready to cry. I had a terrible headache, and I was stressing out about whether or not he would just break the door down. I could hear when James appeared because the yelling at me stopped and the yelling at him began.

"WHY CAN'T YOU JUST BE GOOD ENOUGH!" his father shouted loudly.

"I'M NOT A PUPPET! I CAN HAVE HOPES AND DREAMS OF MY OWN!" James shouted back with equal malice.

"HE KILLED SOMEONE, AND YOU'RE IN HERE ALL BUDDY BUDDY WITH HIM! GET IT THROUGH YOUR PEA SIZED BRAIN THAT HE'S A CRIMINAL AND A BAD PERSON!"

"I'M NOT SO SURE THAT HE DID KILL ANYONE!"

"SO NOW HE'S A MANIPULATER TOO! WE SHOULDN'T HAVE GIVEN YOU A CHOICE ON THE MATTER!"

"You're wrong. He's the kindest person that I know, and I won't let you have him."

He opened the door just to slam it shut behind him. It was dramatic of him, but totally understandable.

"Sorry that you had to hear that."

"It's okay, I understand."

"I'm just so tired of being someone else, you know?"

"I can't say that I've ever experienced anything like that. If my vote counts, I like the real you a lot better."

"Why is that?"

"Well when you're you, your smile is more genuine, and you're so much happier and more playful. Everyone, including you, deserves to be happy."

When I said that, his smile returned brighter than ever. I felt like I had a purpose other than just surviving. The world grew a little bit warmer when I realized that he had risked himself to defend me. Maybe, just maybe, my feelings were reciprocated.

"I've never felt more real than when I'm with you. You bring out the best in me whether or not you know it," he murmured shyly.

I finally felt it. This feeling was one that I had fantasized over for years, and it felt better than I had ever imagined. Even though I could never have him, I had slid into love with James. It wasn't because of his physical appearance even if it was perfect. I loved how he cared, the way his smile met his eyes, and especially his cheeky nature. However, it would never work out because he still has a pairing out there.

"You make me feel wanted again," I admitted. "Whoever you get paired to will be lucky. You really are something."

I swear that I saw a light blush stain his porcelain face,but there was no certainty because he looked away faster than I could look twice.

"I need to go down for lunch, but I'm scared to leave you alone."

"I'll be fine, just lock the door."

"Okay, I'll be back."