11 chapter 11

Denise inhaled a deep breath and got through her lunch with Derek. Although she tried to focus, she couldn't help but hope that Jordan would be alright. That he would be OK. She half listened until Jordan's name fell from his lips. This caused a pause in thought, she focused in on what he was saying.

"....and with the clothes he wears, you could tell he grew up out here, I mean with that accent, he can't be from anywhere else" his gaze turned to Denise " you actually went out with him?".

Denise eyebrow rose" what's wrong with him?".

" He just doesn't seem like your type that's all"

" What do you mean, Derek?".

"You know, he's..." Derek racked his brain for a word to describe him, but came up empty. " I don't know, he doesn't even look like your type. His clothes was less than fashionable and what's with his hair?. The creepy eyes".

Denise smiled" are you jealous of him Derek?".

Derek cleared his throat " no, I just can't figure him to be your type that's all. I mean, he's not even doing anything with his life."

Denise smile dropped "some people have it a lot harder than others. He's had some pretty hard time over the years".

" Well I think is time for him to get up and start living" Derek opinionated.

"And I think you need to stop right there before you put your foot in your mouth" Denise stated, her tone firm.

"All am saying is...."

"And what am saying is mind your own business. What happened to him is none of your business" Denise replied gruffly. Derek stared at the fire in her eyes "sorry".

Denise held a protective gleam in her eyes. Derek took a swig of the drink he'd ordered," so, how serious was your relationship in high school?"

Denise glanced down at her half empty plate, "serious enough".

" Did you guys stay together the whole four years?".

"I don't want to talk about it". Denise stated, her heart speeding up a bit, remembering those years.

" Aw, come on, Denise, I want to know about the man who claimed your heart". He teased.

Denise looked up at him with a sigh,"am ready to go" signalling for their waiter, who had just put in an order for two guys at the bar next to their table, she asked for the check.

Jordan gazed around Nicholas room, staring at the stack white walls, cleared out floor that has been swept and vacuumed along with the clothing cleared out the closet, he felt the emptiness float over the room and work its way into the crevices of his heart. He already missed the hazel eyed little boy. Swallowing, he flickered off the light to the room and turned towards his room. Glancing over at his mother's door, he stared. He wasn't ready for taking her things up to the Attic. Inhaling sharply, he made his way to his room and laid down on the bed. Closing his eyes, his thoughts drifted back to Chicago.

"Who's Denise?". Caren inquired, as she glanced over at him, her pupils red from the weed they'd smoked. Jordan laughed, finding this the funniest question in the world.

" Who's Denise?" Jordan inquired a glaze in his eyes, the smile relaxed on his face.

"Yeah who is she?" Caren whispered.

"Why?" he asked.