8 Spend the Night?

[POV: Iris]

It was hard hearing Grandma Flo passed away. She was one of the few of Joy's many relatives that I was close to. She used to pick us up from elementary school after it ended sometimes and took us to In-N-Out or a movie afterwards, and I know Joy absolutely loved her to bits.

We've been in this position for a few minutes and all I can think about is how to keep her comforted. I don't want her to experience the sadness of the world that I have. I know she's strong, but I feel she is fragile at the same time. The amount of insecurities she felt alone when she came out and started her transition alone is proof enough.

I'm stroking and running my fingers through her soft strawberry blonde locks before I feel her stir and start to sit up. She bends over to her purse and pulls a pack of tissues out before dabbing her reddened eyes dry.

"You okay?" I ask.

She sniffles and says, "I'm glad I wear waterproof mascara."

We both chuckle a bit at her attempt at dry humor. She continues, "Yeah, I'm good. It's just been a while since I've talked about her passing. I'm glad I could talk to you about her. She missed you, you know."

"Don't make me cry now. I loved Grandma Flo and I missed her too. I wish you told me about the funeral. I would have gone and supported you guys in a heartbeat."

"I'm sorry. I know I should have, but I was also in a difficult time in my transition and her passing completely threw my mind around so much that I couldn't think straight. Maybe I can take you to her grave this weekend."

"I'd like that. I'll keep my weekend open for it. Her favorite flower was the gladiolus, right? I'll get her a bouquet when we go."

"I'm surprised you still remember," she says in astonishment then smiles, "She'd like that."

"Haha, It's because I loved her more than my own grandparents!"

She smiles with a look of nostalgia and fondness that just melts my heart, and without thinking, I blurt out, "You're smile is so breathtaking." Shit. I said that out loud.

Joy looks at me with widened eyes before they narrow and she gives me a smirk basically saying 'you're such a playgirl'.

I avoid her gaze. "I mean... it's nice seeing you smile like that."

"I'm sure you tell that to all the girls."

"Haha... ha. If I'm being honest, yeah, I've slept around a bit, but I've never been in a serious relationship. I'm still waiting for the one person who sets my heart on fire." You. "Have you dated anyone before? Sorry, forget I asked. Stupid question."

She's surprised at my confession. Joy brushes a fallen lock of her wavy hair behind her ear. I've noticed her action all day, but this is the first time I'm actually paying attention to everything and I notice a bar piercing with yellow studs at the top of her ear that matches her sundress. It's cute.

She speaks up. "I'll be honest too. I am seeing someone, but we've done nothing more than make out. Honestly, we're kinda in a rocky situation right now. She cheated on me a few months ago and I found out. I'm willing to forgive her since that was the only instance that I know of and she promised me she wouldn't do it again."

My heart drops, but I don't let it show. "Oh, honey, you should have dumped her right there."

"I know, but I love her. So... I was willing to forgive her and give her a chance."

"Anyone I might know?"

"Hehe, now that's a secret. Well, it's getting late. I think I should take you home or my parents will begin to worry about me."

I have to make this last longer. I don't want to leave her yet. She's breathtaking and beautiful and I can't get her out of my mind. I want to monopolize her and keep her all to myself. Her mentioning her relationship just lights a fire in me and pushes me with a desire to fight for her and steal her away from her cheating girlfriend.

I pout and exclaim, "Aw, but I don't wanna leave you yet!"

Joy grabs her phone out of her purse and thinks for a second. "Want me to call my dad and see if it's okay to spend the night then I can just drive you to school tomorrow?"

"YES! A million times YES!"

"Hehe, alright. Hold on. Let me call him real quick."

Unlocking her phone, she scrolls through her contacts and dials her dad's number. After a few short seconds, I can faintly hear it pick up with a voice answering.

"Hey daddy. Yeah, you remember my best friend, Iris? Uh huh. Yeah. Well, we met up in school today and I'm hanging out with her right now. I know, right? Well I was wondering if it was okay if I brought her home with me so she could spend the night."

She looks at me and gives me a cheesy thumbs up with a smile. I fist pump and she holds in her laugh while shaking her head.

"Alright, thanks daddy. I'll see you at home tonight. By the way, can you let mom know too so she can make an extra serving for dinner? Alright, love you too, bye." She hangs up. "Yay! He said yes."

"SLUMBER PARTY!" I get a few surprised looks from the cafe's other patrons, but I just brush it off in my excitement.

"I know you're excited, but you... need to tone it down a little." I was just reprimanded and I couldn't be more turned on. Grab my hair, bend me over, and spank me please. I've been a bad girl. God, get it together Iris Monroe. Not the time, not the time AT ALL.

"OH! Can we take the Tesla tomorrow? I've always wanted a ride in one." I've always wanted a ride from you too. "They're such sexy cars."

"Of course we can. It's a good car, honestly."

Pulling out my phone, I say, "Alright, just let me text my mom and let her know I'll be staying at your place."

"Oh my god! Tell Mama Jack I said hi too! We gotta catch up when I pick you up this weekend."

I smile and text my mom while we head out the door to her car. This is going to be fun. Maybe I can feed some bull about her dumping her girlfriend tonight.