I let go of Rebecca's hand, calling my Dad again and sighing when I hear no answer.

"I'll be back tomorrow, I promise." I sniffed, letting myself out of the room before pressing the bottom floor of the elevator.

The Uber I ordered twenty minutes ago was waiting for me outside. I spotted the silver car waiting by the entrance, lights running as snow hurled down.

"Hi, sorry about the wait." I announced quickly, buckling myself in.

"No problem." The driver said, not making eye contact with me.

We rode in silence, my frozen hands and pink nose slowly warming up from the cars heat. We pulled onto the street and I eyed the house. The lights were on - thankfully.

"Thank you." I said, before closing the door behind me.

Going up to the door, I knocked three times, stepping back whilst I waited for a response. I heard footsteps approaching the door before a lock unlocked and the door swung open.

A lady who I assumed was his Mom, answered, "Can I help you?" She asked. A warm smile on her lips. She was wearing a pink apron that said 'kiss the cook' and had bouncy, curly hair. "Hi, I'm Sofia, a friend of James, is he uh- here?" I asked.

The lady smiled even deeper, stepping aside and welcoming me in, "He's in the kitchen, follow me." 

"Mom who was at the door?" I heard his sweet voice call. He stepped out, looking at his Mom first before seeing me. "Hi." I said in a small voice. "Hey, what're you doing here?" He asked, coming over to me and pulling me in for a hug.

I sighed against his chest, feeling like crying all over again. I shrugged, "I'm sorry to just barge in like this I- I had no where else to go." 

James rubbed my back, "You can always come to me." 

I pulled away, the warmth immediately draining from me as I let go, "Come, meet me family." He said, taking my hand. "Mom, this is Sofia." He said, squeezing my hand. "I know, we met." She winked, stirring something in a pot.

The smell tickled my nose just as my stomach growled, "That smells amazing!" I complimented. She smiled, "Would you like to stay for dinner?" 

I looked up at James who shrugged, "She'd love too." 

"Come meet Lily, my Dad's feeding her dinner because she has to go to bed." 

I followed James down a dimly lit hallway to a room where I heard a TV, "Dad, this is Sofia, she's my- friend." He said hesitantly. I reached out my hand to shake his Dad's hand, "Ah, so you're the famous Sofia. We've heard about you."

"Good things I hope." I add, earning a chuckle from him, "Promise. I'm Rick." 

I strayed my eyes over to a little girl on the couch. She looked so tiny compared to the large leather couch, it nearly swallowed her. 

"Lils." James said. "Big brother!" Lily squealed, struggling to get off the couch. James met her at the couch and picked her up, blonde pigtails tied up in pink hair pins, "This is Sofia." He smiled, "Hi Lily." I waved, "Hello." At least she's not shy!

"Dinner!" His Mom called, "Hey, what's your Mom's name again?" I whispered, "Julie." He whispered back, kissing my cheek.

James pulled out a chair for me before taking the seat next to it. "What is it again Mom?" James asked, "Pozole de Pollo o Guajolote." She spoke, very fluently I might add. "You didn't tell me you were Mexican." I nudged.

He shrugged, "It never came up." Calmly placing an olive in his mouth before winking.

I rolled my eyes, mouth watering at the delicious looking food on my plate.

+ + + 

"So Sofia, James tells me you guys met in History class." Julie said. I nodded, swallowing my food. "Yeah, we were partnered on a project." 

"How's it going?" She asked, looking at James with a knowing smirk, "We finished it Mom, don't worry." 

I felt terrible lying to a woman I just met but I can't exactly tell her I met her son at an abandoned church after getting a cryptic text from a wrong number now can I?

"And what is your background eh? You seem to have a fair bit of color on your skin." 

I was taken back by how deeply she noticed. However, I didn't think brown eyes and brown hair would've given to much away.

"My Dad's from Detroit and my Mom's from Puerto Rico. However, I got my Dad's skin and looks." I smiled. "You definitely look like your Mom more." 

"Yeah? Is she pretty then James?" Rick laughed. I turned to smile at James, who's cheeks had turned a light shade of pink. "Very pretty." He laughed it off.

"Well you're lucky your Mom is from such a unique place. Puerto Rico is beautiful." 

I just sent her a smile. Talking about my Mom still tugs at my heartstrings. 

After we finished dinner, James took me to his room. 

I was surprised at the lack of color, yet surprised at the clutter. He had grey walls, a white comforter and a desk with a dresser pushed into the corner. 

A shelf above his desk filled with books and trophies while his walls were covered in posters.

He sat down on the bed, patting the bed beside him. I took a shy seat, feeling his arm wrap around my waist, "Are you okay?" He asked.

Ah, the dreaded question. I shrugged, fiddling with the strings on my hoodie. "I was worried about you." He said, "I was worried about you. I'm just glad Lily's okay." I smiled, changing the subject.

"Sofia, come on. I'm not stupid, what's going on." 

I shook my head, standing up, "No, I don't wanna talk about it. Because if I talk about it, I'll cry and I've cried too much today that I could fill an ocean." I breathed, feeling light headed, "And I'm terrified to be alone. I don't want to go home but I can't stay at the hospital and I just- I don't know what to do." 

I felt tears fill my eyes again and tried to breath out, "I can't reach my Dad and I just-"

I gave up on suppressing my emotions and squeezed my eyes shut, shaking with anger and anxiety. James took my face in his hands and kissed me, completely taking my breath away.

"You can stay here." He said, releasing my lips from his before planting another quick kiss, "Let me talk to my Mom okay? Stay here."

He let go of my hand and as soon as I heard the door shut and I collapsed on his bed. 

Wiping my eyes before peeling off my coat, I squished myself into his pillows.

+ + + 

Hiiiiii.

Did you like this chapter?? I promise you guys, like I SWEAR that so much is going to happen that you'll probably cry. Like, trust me, okay? These are just filler chapters/character development chapters.

Speaking of 'character development' how do we feel about Sofia and James's lil... relationship? ;) because I love it.

Thanks for reading Xx