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Sneaking into the girl's dorms at night to hang out with you had become a normal occurrence. Sometimes leaving just before 2 AM, other times passing out on the vacant bed across from yours, then leaving early in the morning before anyone could find him. You got lucky that your dorm room had no roommates this year.
His trespassing had become an open secret to a handful of other girls in the dorms, and everyone knew the only person he came around to see would be his girlfriend. Some found it creepy, while others found it oddly romantic. Rumours whispered around the school about the two of you doing a little more than fooling around, but you always shut them down when it was brought up, and he would always stand up for your choice, and his choice to stand by it.
You were so immensely grateful for his understanding, and his patience. Guess it was also good how he understood rushing a thing such as that isn't very gracious, as he had (unfortunately known about) his mom's youthful past examples.
Right now, he was making his way to your room, also making sure Mrs.Peabody wouldn't randomly pop up as he did so. Fortunately, a couple favors you did for some nerdy girls had them holding up the scraggly woman from coming up to the second floor.
His steps slowed however as he got closer to your room. He could hear faint music being played behind it. He drew a smug smile, having an inkling about what you were in the middle of.
He stopped at the door, and carefully turned the doorknob, cracking open the door to peek through.
And there you were.
In the solitude of your dorm room, you loved to dance. There wasn't quite a routine, a precise choreography, but it was unapologetically yours. Arms, hands and feet finding their way along the beat. An expression of pure glee stamped to your face.
Jimmy found his grin get a tad bigger, and a happy sigh escaped him. Watching you dance, open and carefree, never failed to set his heart aflutter. Though, he would never particularly say that out loud.
"Peeping on your girlfriend, are you Jimmy?"
At the voice he turned halfway, to see Pinky and Mandy staring him down in suspicion, teetering on disgust. Pinky had spoken first.
Mandy spoke second, crossing her arms with disapproval. "I don't think she'd appreciate you being a creeper."
"I'm not looking at that." Jimmy immediately refuted, annoyed at their assumption.
Mandy spoke again, taking one step forward to stand closer to your door. "Well, what are you looking at?"
Jimmy thought about refuting again, but the two girls brushed beside him to see what he was seeing.
You did a spin, giving out a soft laugh for yourself.
He couldn't help but smile fondly, and thought out loud despite the two extra spies. "A lightened spirit." He thought of no reason to deny that.
The two teens looked to Jimmy, Pinky looking at him oddly and Mandy's expression balancing out.
They both took a step away. Pinky raised a brow, face scrunched and still odd. "You're weird Jimmy."
"Still don't think she'd appreciate you eavesdropping." Mandy added.
Jimmy scoffed, lowering his voice and gesturing to the door. "This is how you get the whole show. Why would I want her to stop?"
They both rolled their eyes. Mandy shrugged. "We'll leave you to it I guess."
Before walking away, Pinky pointed down the hallway. "Oh, and not to ruin your fun, but just so you know, Ms. P is about to head up from the stairs."
"Got it." He responded.
The two went off on their way, and Jimmy slipped into your room. Quietly he shut the door behind him, and you were still dancing. It was only until you turned around and met his gaze that you froze, eyes widening and an embarrassed blush painting your face.
He grinned wide, a loving smirk settling on his lips.
"Hey honey. Seems you're enjoying yourself."
You often got nervous and bashful when people catch you dancing with yourself. And Jimmy always knew how to make it more embarrassing.
Your cheeks grew hotter, and a large bashful grin made it's way to your expression. You felt yourself chortle, still a little embarrassed. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
He pointed a pointer finger to you, thumb up but unapologetically honest, adoration dancing in his brown eyes. "Because you're cute."
You turned your head away, moving a strand of hair out of your face. Giggling a little as you rubbed your arm timidly.
An adoring grin graces his features. He loved to see you all sheepish and shy. He chuckles, soothing your embarrassment as he walked over to you. "Don't act so flustered ( ), it's only me. I really enjoy you just being yourself. I love it."
You smile at that, turning to him and shrugging. "I know. I know. Still gets me all fluttery though."
Jimmy winks at you, playful in his tone. "That's perfect to me baby."
You roll his eyes at him, staying smiling, and he snickers. Still, you're earnest with gratitude. "Thanks." You really do appreciate how much he loves you for you.
You walked over to your speaker set, turning it down a notch so that the music is still loud enough, but low enough that Ms. P wouldn't barge in to berate you. "So, any particular reason for coming over this time?"
He strode over to sit on the end of your bed, talking. "Not really. I just wanted to be with you." He paused for a thought before speaking again. "Though, I do have something I want to tell you in a little bit."
"Okay." You simply replied, turning to walk over to the bed, and sitting next to him. He welcomed your presence with an embrace, and you reciprocated warmly, comfortably leaning against his frame. You let out a content sigh, snuggling up to him as he pulled you closer.
He loved the feeling of being close to you. Not in a possessive way, but just the feeling of letting this just be. That this was even willing to be shared, to feel this loved. And to feel this much love for someone else.
You radiated warmth, and he loved that. You loved how safe you felt in his arms. He was secure.
For a little bit the two of you just cuddled, letting actions speak for themselves.
Then, a soft waltz started playing, and Jimmy pulled out of the embrace. You sat up straight as he slowly stood, a smirk coming to his face. He turned, holding out a hand to you. "May I have this dance?"
You almost scoffed at his attempt to be suave, but took his hand all the same. "Should we practice a routine for the end of year Prom?"
"If you want. I'm up for anything." He shrugged, placing his free hand on your hip, and you placing your free hand on his shoulder.
You two began dancing at a steady pace, keeping in time with the music and minding your steps.
You had always loved dancing. So it came rather naturally to you. On the other hand, you had to teach Jimmy a lot of the basics as he'd never learned to traditionally dance with a partner before.
Though, he's improved significantly since the last school year. A few different spins, a few dips. Luckily he's always been good on his feet.
After a little twirl, you chuckled, noting how well he was doing, a little cheeky in your tone of voice. "You've gotten better at ballroom dancing. Practice must be helping."
"And who was that I wonder?" He quipped back, then leaning forward a little to kiss your cheek. A silent thank you under that bravado.
For a good long while you two danced to slow music, your arms eventually folding around his neck and down his back, and both his hands going to hold your waist. Eyes sometimes wandering but always coming back to meet the other. It was a peace that James longed for so often.
Eventually you rested your forehead on his shoulder as you both sway.
After that long beat though, you speak up, quiet. It had been on your mind for a while, and you wanted to mention it.
"You know,"
You take a minute to continue, and Jimmy gives you his full attention. Timidly you raise your head, gaze shy. "When we... Eventually agree to.. do it, I.. I hope we make it a romantic night."
He pulls you a little closer, nodding. "Of course. Wouldn't want to rush it. ...I know I'm not the most romantic guy, but I do want it to be a very special night... for the both of us."
You attempt to hide your smile, joking sarcasm. "He says, while romantically slow dancing with his sweetheart."
He sees through to your smug grin and blows out a huff, rolling his eyes, slightly embarrassed. "Shut up."
You giggle a smidge, resting your head back on his shoulder as he speaks, softer this time. "But yeah.. I want it to be special too."
You hum, a small quirk drawn up on your lips. "Thank you. Really. Thank you for your patience. That kinda thing... Scares me a little, actually." You're honest.
Jimmy glances to you. "I totally understand. Waiting till you're ready is realistically the right way to go. You shouldn't have anyone force you into doing anything you're uncomfortable with, or not ready for."
You sigh contently, squeezing your grip on him. "Agreed. You're so good to me..."
Your movements become slower with each passing beat.
"Anything and everything, love. Count on that. It'll be worth it." He responds, true.
You whisper for him to hear, a light blush brushing your cheeks. "..Especially if it's with someone you love.. someone who's always going to stay by you. No matter what."
Jimmy feels himself smile, and he closes his eyes, tilting his head down. He feels immensely grateful, and lightly flattered. Humbled.
It only strengthens his decision.
He lifts his head up, and lightly nudges you to look at him. He chuckles dryly. "That conversation wasn't exactly what I was going to bring up, however I do still have something extremely important I want to tell you."
You stood straighter, leaning back a tad from his embrace. "What is it?"
You both come to a standstill, and his hands slide over your arms down to hold your hands. He glances down at them, anxiously avoiding eye contact. He rubs his thumbs over your palms as he speaks, finally looking back up to you. "I've been mulling over this for a long time now.. and I think- no, I know, I want to be yours. And I want you to be mine. I've never been so sure of anything in my entire life. So, I want to make a promise to you."
He brings your hands together, grasping them with his own. He straightens his posture and speaks poignantly.
"After we both turn 18, 3 weeks from then, I would love to marry you."
You gasp, absolutely floored by the suggestion. A blush floods your face and you blink multiple times in surprise. "Wh-what?? A-are you serious? Certain?"
His gaze becomes sharp, readjusting his posture, squeezing your held hands. "( ), I'm deadly serious. You know how much I value loyalty to others." His brown irises grow softer alongside his tone of voice. He's open and honest. "My mom slept around. Divorced and married 5 different times. Hell, I'm sure this newest marriage won't last too long either."
His left hand leaves your held hands to cup against the curve of your left cheek. He goes on as your blush gets more vibrant. "But now I've found you, someone I truly and deeply love, through all the good times and the bad, and I'll be damned to repeat her mistakes. I'm yours, and only yours. I'm sure of that. I wouldn't be bringing up marriage if I didn't believe you were the One."
You're breathless.
"James..."
He brings your held hands to his heart, sincere. "I cross my heart, swear to God. I want us to get married then. ...Would you want to get married?"
Tears flood and threaten to spill in your eyes, and you beam through it all. You answer with a loving embrace, pressing him up against you. "Yes. I do. I... I'm sure you're the One for me too."
He instantly hugs back, a soft grin lifting up his lips. It's unlike any feeling he's felt before. And he likes it, a lot. "Good. I'll properly propose to you before that too. But for now..." He slips out of the embrace and digs into his back pants pocket. "As a symbol of my promise to you, I want to give you something."
He starts chuckling at the absurdity of it, but also knew how you would react. "And I know how much you love corny, childish things like this, so... here."
He holds out a small plastic capsule, inside it a small plastic ring.
You start to chuckle. "A ring from a capsule dispenser?" You take it from him, and pop open the capsule, giggling as you hold the fake ring between your fingers. "You know my taste in gestures so well." This type of stuff always made you feel bubbly, as you held the sentimental value in high regard.
He shrugged, but smiled with you all the same. "A Promise Ring I guess. I'll get you a real one too this weekend, since I only just gathered enough cash to do so. Fortunately though I knew you'd get a kick out of this." He would say he wasn't too big into the silly stuff himself, but secretly he got a good kick out of it too.
You stride across the room to place the empty capsule into your bedside drawer, and playfully slide the fake ring onto your pointer finger. "I love how you notice this stuff about me."
He follows your steps to stand directly in front of you, you turning to meet him halfway, having your back to your bed. He winks at you, taking a step closer. There's a little sarcasm to his tone, but it's light and truthful. "Well, I do appreciate your quirkiness."
You roll your eyes, smirking yourself. Finally you grab him by the collar, pulling him in. "Oh shut up and kiss me already."
He doesn't quip back, instead he meets your lips with a strong passion, as you do the same. The kissing gets heated quickly, and you both fall onto the bed in a fit of passion. For the rest of the night you two make out, caressing and breathing whispers of affirmation and plain unfiltered love.
Before you go to sleep that night, you and Jimmy talked a little more about the future. It was plain to see just how much Jimmy wanted to be yours and he was dead set on his decision. You wanted to be his too, steadfast on this next chapter of your lives.
And then, after he publicly proposed to you, you decided you were ready. As was he. He made sure to make due on that sentiment you shared.
So thankful he found his lifelong partner amidst the craziness of teen years....and he was determined to not let it slip through his fingers. Ever.
He swore to never make the mistakes his parents did.