Eliza hugged Jimmy. "I could never replace you, Jimmy. You are still the twizzler drummer of the gods," she said in that cute accent of hers.
I leaned back on the couch and watched her start to yawn. Everything about her was cute to me and this was a strange feeling. I had never been like this with a girl before. I'd dated before but none of them struck me like Eliza did.
She was shorter than me (not by much but still shorter), she was beautiful, funny and musically talented. I had never seen anybody match Jimmy's drum beats like that. Even if it was with twizzlers, it was impressive.
I had kissed her earlier in the kitchen and ever since that, I had wanted to do nothing more than just take her and kiss her all day long. I wanted to kiss her again tonight, but I didn't know how I could get her alone.
Then it dawned on me, I didn't want this to be a secret. That would be like I was ashamed of what I was feeling and that wasn't it at all. I wanted them to know how I felt.
After Eliza yawned, she waved at us. "Goodnight, everybody," she said. "I'm exhausted. I'll see you all tomorrow."
She turned to leave and I knew it was now or never. Before I even knew what I was doing, I stood and grabbed her hand. When Eliza turned back to me and looked at me with those beautiful blue eyes, I leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
I heard a collective gasp come from behind me but I was ignoring them. All of my attention was on her. Eliza looked up at me in surprise and I smiled.
"Goodnight," I said to her and I reluctantly let go of her hand. She turned and hurried up the stairs. I watched her go and when I heard her door shut, I turned to see my best friends staring at me with wide eyes.
I looked from face to face. "What?" I asked.
Val was the first to break the silence. "You...you kissed her, Johnny."
I smiled. "Really? Is that what I did? Oh thank you for clearing that up because I was so confused."
"Oh shut up," Matt said. "She's been here a week and you're already making a move on her?!"
I took a step back. I hadn't expected this reaction from them. "What? No. I'm not making a move on her! I care about her," I said.
Brian snorted. "Yeah ok, because we're going to believe that."
I flipped Brian off. "Believe it 'cause it's true. Eliza does something to me a girl has never done to me before."
"It's called a boner," Zack said. "You are now becoming a man. Good for you."
I rolled my eyes. Why were they making this so difficult? "Not that. And fuck you, Baker. I mean I feel something here," I said pointing to my chest. "I've felt it ever since I met her at our show. Why do you think I was the first to agree she come home with us?"
For once they were all silent and listening to me so I continued. "I'm starting to have strong feelings for her, guys. Why can't you just be happy for me?"
Jimmy looked up and spoke for the first time since I'd kissed Eliza. "Johnny, you know I care about Eliza like my sister, right?"
I nodded. We all cared about her but Jimmy had really taken her under his wing. "I know that, Jim."
He stood and faced me. "Then you know that if you hurt her in anyway, I will take my role as her brother very seriously."
It wasn't very often that Jimmy was this serious. Most of the time he was hyper and silly, but when he did get like this, it was wise to listen. I nodded again. "I get it, Jimmy. I'm not planning on hurting her. I care about her too. Just in a different way."
Jimmy nodded, took a bite of a twizzler and sat back down. "Good," he said around the licorice. "Then you have my blessing."
I sighed with relief and looked around the room.
Matt sighed. "I'm with Jimbo. We all care about her as if she were our sister. You know that, Johnny. So it won't only be Jimmy being the big brother if Eliza's hurt."
"Yeah," Brian said. "It'll be us too."
Zack smiled at me. "And you know we can kick your ass, short shit."
I nodded at them and finally sat back down. I was really tired all of a sudden and I leaned back with my eyes closed until Val cleared her throat.
I opened my eyes and looked at her. "Doesn't anybody want my take on this?" she asked, looking around at us.
Matt patted her hand. "Yeah, baby. Go ahead."
Val took in a deep breath then leaned forward looking me in the eyes. "You know it doesn't really matter what we say if Eliza doesn't want this of you. You can't force her to feel something for you if there aren't any feelings there."
I nodded. "Well she kissed me back when I kissed her earlier in the kitchen."
Jimmy's head snapped up. "What?" he asked, glaring at me.
I had forgotten they didn't know about that so I explained. "Earlier today, we were in the kitchen and I told her how I felt. Then I kissed her, but she kissed me back, guys, and she was smiling afterwards."
Jimmy groaned and leaned back in his chair. "That explains why you two were so close. I knew something was up."
Val shook her head. "Did she tell you how she felt about you?"
I thought about it and realized that she hadn't. "No. But I could tell."
Brian sat up, suddenly serious. "Well you'll never truely know until you talk to her."
Matt nodded. "I agree. First you talk to her about it before you start something."
"And you take it slow," Jimmy added. "Remember she's adjusting to a new life here. Don't try and get her into bed."
I shook my head. "That's not what I want. At least...not right away."
Zack rose an eyebrow. "Really? Because you usually have them in bed by the first night."
"Yes really. I told you guys already, I feel something for her I haven't felt about another girl. Ever," I said.
Jimmy nodded and stood. "Just don't hurt her, Johnny. Please? I really care about my Ly-ly."
"I know, Jimbo. I promise I won't hurt her, but I will talk to her first and see where she wants this to lead." I said.
They all agreed and I stood to get my keys. "Bye guys. I'll see you guys at the studio tomorrow."
I went out to my car and headed home. I was suddenly very exhausted and I just want to climb into bed and pass out.

Notes

I loved writing this chapter :)
Comments and cookies, my loves <3