Chapter Thirteen

"Sidney, I don't know what I am suppose to wear." I called him panicing.
"Anything you wear will be fine."
"No, Sidney. Not helping. Am I to wear a dress? Am I to wear a skirt? Am I to wear pants? Am I to wear sweat pants?" I said laughing after the last.
"Definitely the sweat pants.. I am sure they will let us in."
"Well you do have some pull in this city for some weird reason."
"Yeah, who knows.. I think they think I am famous or something."
"Yeah, something like that.. but seriously will you just come here so you can help me get ready."
"Jo, we are suppose to leave soon."
"I know! Thats why I need you here to help!"
"Okay, I'll be there in like ten.."

"It took you long enough!" I said throwing a shirt at Sidney when he walked into my room.
"I think you should just wear that!" He said laughing looking at my appearance. I had sweats and a tank top on.
"Funny, Sidney. You are like wearing a suit.. like what the hell am I to wear?"
"I don't get why you are freaking out."
"Its your parents, Sidney. They are so important to you, what if they hate me."
"They won't hate you. Anyways you are my best friend, nothing will change that."
"Brooks made it worse, he was like Troy is kind of scary."
"When did he say that?"
"Like all day during lunch and everything."
"You went to lunch with him?"
"Yeah.. whats the big deal?"
"Do you like him?"
"Yeah, he is really nice."
"No, I mean do you LIKE him?"
"I don't know.. whats it matter?"
"I was just wondering.."
"This?" I said pulling out a black cotton dress.
"Thats fine."
"No, I'm serious, Sidney."
"Put it on once." He said and I pulled off my tank and pulled the dress over my head and then pulled off my sweats.
"I could have left the room." He said.
"Why? Did I embarrass you?" I said walking up to him. Then he kissed me.
"Sidney." I said pulling away.
"What?"
"We can't do this."
"Why not? It feels right."
"I don't know.. I just can't do it." I said and he just looked away. "Sidney.. its just I feel like I am the safe bet with you."
"Its not like that, Jo. You know that."
"I know, I'm sorry." I said kissing his cheek.
"I like your oufit.. what shoes?"
"Hmm.. should I wear heels?" I asked.
"How should I know?" He said laughing.
"I'll just wear flats."
"You look good, Jo." He said.
"Thanks, Sid. Let's go." I said grabbing his hand.

We met his parents outside of the restaurant. I was really nervous about it.
"Hi Mom and Dad." He said. "This is Joey."
"Hi, its nice to meet you." I said smiling and looking uncomfortable. While we were walking in Sidney whispered. "Relax.. its fine." Then he grabbed my hand.
Dinner was nice. They told me silly stories about Sidney. I loosened up and the Sidney/Joey dynamic came out. They seemed to like me, atleast they didn't hate me.. I didn't think. We were going back to their hotel to talk more. When we got there Sidney and I went to the balcony to talk.
"I love the city at night." I said staring at the skyline.
"You should come to Halifax this summer." He said looking over at me.
"That would be so much fun to hang out there with you."
"Yeah it would. I just bought a house on this lake."
"Wow, thats so weird. You like bought a house and I haven't even graduated from high school yet."
"Soon."
"I want you to come to graduation.. if you can. I mean I will understand if you can't."
"Josephine Smith! Of course I will come to your graduation. I wouldn't miss it." He said putting his arm around me. "I'm going to go talk hockey with my dad for a little."
"Okay, I can stare out here forever." I said and he left me. His mom came out a few minutes later.
"I'm really glad I finally met you. Sidney talks about you alot." She said.
"I'm sure he makes me sound so silly."
"No.. not at all. You two are good for eachother."
"Its weird.. I always thought my twin was like that person I couldn't live without.. but now.."
"You love my son, don't you?"
"Of course I love him. I can't imagine my life without him."
"I am still unsure why you two aren't dating?" She looked at me confused.
"Its complicated." I said looking away.
"I can tell he loves you."
"Sometimes love isn't enough." I said.
"He told me you decided that it wouldn't work."
"I just don't think its right for him right now. I want the best for him and I want him to be happy. I just can't see him being happy being tied down. We tried it once and he just needs the freedom."
"You want to be with him though, don't you?"
"If I thought our friendship could endure if we broke up, I would be with him in a heartbeat. I just need him in my life so bad, I mean I need his friendship.. I don't want to risk it."
"You are something, Joey." She said looking at me so sincerely.
"Thats what Sidney always says."
"He would be stupid not to see it." She said.
"Your son is amazing though. Its like he doesn't even realize how good of a guy he really is. I think thats what I love about him.. how good his heart is."
"I just love seeing you two together, because you have such a good dynamic. You compliment eachother so well. I never thought I would see a girl that could match his personality."
"I just want your son to be happy and we have our share of fights. I mean I have trust issues and he works through that, but I just want the best for him, ya know."
"Personally, I think you are the best for him, dear." She said patting my back and heading inside.

After awhile we left and Sidney took me home. I would see them again after the game the next night.
"So did they hate me?" I asked on the way home.
"I think you won them over."
"You must have gotten to your mom, she wants us to be together." I said.
"I didn't even tell her what I was thinking."
"Shut up, Sidney."
"I'm serious, Jo."
"She was really sweet." I said and then we didn't really talk until he pulled in front of my house.

"Jo, seriously why aren't we together?"
"Because its not right." I said looking at him in the eyes. Then he pulled me closer and gave me a deep kiss.
"You can't tell me that doesn't feel right. You can't tell me you don't feel something."
"I do and it does."
"Then whats wrong?"
"I need you and what happens if it doesn't work out?" I said putting my hand over his heart. "Your heart is so good, I just never want to think of it differently."
"I will never break your heart." He said putting his hand over my heart.
"Sidney, I just don't know if its worth the risk."
"I'm not giving up. I know its right." He said.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow. Thanks for tonight." I said kissing his cheek and got out of the car.