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"Mom, It's going to be fine, Im just having a quick drink with Herb, and Grace. Dont sweat it!"
Mom keeps worrying over the phone.
"Yeah, I have my pepper spray and I know my curfew is at 11.I'll be safe,, Kay?"
With a quick "love you" I end the call and open the door.
Only to shut the front door to yell towards the living room,
"Also, OLIVER JONES if you even THINK of TOUCHING my new IPAD we will have MURDER in this household."
Ollie sticks his head out towards the hallway.
"Like you'll even KNOW..and enjoy VALENTIMES Day!"
I roll my eyes and after giving him the finger, I head out.
Xoxoxo
"Okay, I feel uncomfortable."
Herb and Grace just told me that they're dating.
"June, nothings changed, its fine."
Grace rolls her eyes and hands me my drink.
"We just thought that it was about time we informed you."
Grace is attending UCLA for track and field, While Herb is going there for Engineering.
"Well, Im not ecstatic that Im hearing the news late, and on the night that couples are supposed to be together, Im third wheeling your date."
Herb waves his hand carelessly infront of his face
"Dude, we were in a relationship when we agreed on a night out. No sweat."
Grace nods "Its fine, and we haven't been able to see you for ages. Us being in LA and you being in Cambridge. Its worth it."
Herb takes a sip of his drink before bursting out in laughter.
"Who knew, Junie B Jones-spelling test cheater, would get into Harvard English language and literature?"
I groan at the nickname I used when I was young.
"Ugh, do NOT call me Junie, it makes me feel like a toddler."
Grace winks teasingly at me.
"Little miss VALENTIME."
Herb chokes on his drink mid- laugh.
I roll my eyes habitually despite thinking it a bit funny myself.
Seriously if Mr.Scary could see me now he'd have a panic attack.
Xoxoxox
"So you have a boyfriend?"
I was waiting for my drink when a random guy started talking to me.
And despite my many bombs of clues, he keeps pestering me.
I'm about to leave (deciding the drink wasnt worth it) when another guy suddenly walks towards me and loudly claims,
"Sorry babe! The line was too long at the mens room."
He stands between me and the creep with his back towards me.
"Hey man, whats up?"
The bloody creep stands up, and leaves without saying another word.
The man turns around and I swear something is familiar about him. And,, well, he's cute.
"Sorry, it just seemed like you needed someone to swat him away."
And bloody hell, he has a British accent. Someone revive me.
When he clears his throat, I realize Ive been staring at him far too long. I smile, a bit embarrassed.
"Yeah, good call, I did, thanks."
He grins and leans against the bar top.
"You're thinking I look familiar, arent you?"
I quirk an eyebrow, I was, but perhaps he was flirting?
"If you say that you're from the heavens I'll literally spill this drink on your shoe."
He laughs "Not my shirt?"
I shrug cheekly and smirk.
"Well you did shoo away that rodent fly..besides that shirt looks expensive. "
He shakes his head, slowly, mockingly.
"My, god, what terrible memory you have Junie B Jones."
Hearing him say my name instantly alerts me, and I walk a big step back.
"Dude! What the fu.."
In slow motion, I watch him reach towards my hand and with
His pointer finger, go,
"Zzztttt"
Oh my God.
"JIM?"
Xoxoxoxo
Jim is walking me home while we catch up.
I hug his jacket tighter around me as we walk.
"So you moved to England after kindergarten? No wonder I didnt see you around school."
He grins "Im touched, you looked for me?"
I nod, "Obviously, you were my friend."
At that Jim raises a questioning eyebrow.
"Friend?"
I shrug "Using the term loosely, yes."
"And here I thought I'd only be remembered as the brat that gave you the big mushy gushy valentine."
I bark out laughter at that memory.
"Oh god, you know what, I probably still have it at home."
Jim stops at my words.
"Seriously? "
I nod and with a teasing voice, "I cant possibly throw away something from my secret admirer now can I?"
He snorts "Well, I still have your little skunk card."
A skunk card?
His grin widens at my confused expression.
"You gave me a skunk card that Valentines day Junie B Jones."
I gasp in surprise. I couldn't possibly have given him a SKUNK card.
"Youre joking"
He shakes his head.
"A little skunk in front farting out 'love is in the air'."
"I gave you a measly mortifying skunk card while you gave me a huge fancy valentines day card you bought with your own allowence?"
He grins.
"Yep!"
I frown, "No way am I letting that settle. C'mon."
I grab his hand and hurriedly walk the way towards the closest Walmart.
"Im enjoying it, dont misunderstand, but where are you taking me?"
I look at him and smile.
"I'm buying you a mushy gushy expensive valentines day card."
Xoxoxo
(Time skip)
"Happy anniversary! "
I come back to my dorm to find Jim has decorated the place with roses and balloons.
"Jim! I thought you'd be at Oxford!"
"Well, its our one year anniversary, and I couldnt allow myself to let it pass."
Xoxoxo
(Time skip)
"Juniper Beatrice Jones, my little adorable spitfire, will you do me the massive honor and become my wife?"
In one hand he's holding a ring..and the other, an exact replica of the Valentines day card he gave me when we were five.
I leap into his arms and kiss him.
"Yes."
-------
"Where did you even GET this?"
He smirks
"Found old ads and pictures of that thing, and made it myself."
I look at him in awe and fall in love a little more than humanly possible.
Xoxoxoxo
"Im going for an early run. I'll make breakfast today, you stay in bed and rest. Okay?"
I simply nodded, still halfway in dream land.
He grins before swooping down to kiss my stomach.
"Dont torture mom so much princess."
Using his pointer finger he then points at my stomach.
"Zzzzttt"
I roll my eyes and smile at his goodbye kiss on my cheek.
Just before he softly closes the door, I call out.
"Jim? Wink wink."
He chuckles.
"Wink wink darling."