The worst timing ever

James woke up late. Drinking always did do that. He heard laughter out in the living room, and noticed his bed empty and soggy. That aquarium would be a good thing...though, somehow he felt more okay with waking up than usual. He didn't mind the bed being wet. In a way it made him know she'd been there.

His guy tingled and felt heavy. Had he started developing feelings for Aurora?

Maybe...

He stretched and picked some clothes out before heading into the living room. He saw his mother, Terri, holding hands with Lee. They were smiling and talking, so Aurora must be hiding away in the bathroom. He didn't panic.

At least until he saw a blue shimmer. His eyes went wide as he turned the corner to find Aurora in her purple top and a pair of green shorts. She was smiling and laughing, talking about last night.

Lee held a hand up at James's shocked face. "Hey, James! I uh...can't say I expected your friend to be Novaxan but Terri filled me in after the initial shock wore off. I hope things go smoothly for your clearance.l approval."

"I uh...y-yeah...hey."

Terri gave Lee a pat on the thigh. "Lemme go fill him in, you and the girls enjoy your talk. I'm sure there's a million questions he has." She kissed him quickly and walked into the guest room. James looked at the two of them with an open mouth before glancing at Sally and Aurora, and then following his mother.

"Moooom...what the hell happened..."

Terri gestured for him to stay calm as she started speaking. "Okay. Well, Lee and I had a very nice dinner last night. We got to talking a lot about everything. He insisted on coming with to pick up Sally, to apologize, and I knew he might...catch her here. So I broke it to him on the way over. He still freaked out a little when he saw her come out of your room, until I explained that that's the only place a bathtub was."

"Aaaaand he's okay with it?"

"Yes, he was actually thrilled. I told him everything, except I fibbed a bit and told him you were looking into clearance. He relaxed a bit, and started asking her all these questions about how they work and all that. She hasn't broken it yet that you two are a couple, though."

James blinked, feeling his face warm up. "We aren't!"

Terri cocked an eyebrow, "Well then you should tell her soon before she gives up. You look just like you did when you found out girls are pretty, you know...and she can't stop talking about you. Apparently that game last night kept bringing out things you have in common."

He nodded, but responded, "Why would that make us a couple, she's not even human!"

Terri smirked, "And you had a blush that could cook an egg. It's...weird, sure but so are you "

"Oh, thanks Mom.", he rolled his eyes.

"Well, maybe you'll be honest with yourself before she gives up on you.", she shrugged.

"You wouldn't be freaked out by that? Why not?"

"Because you'd at least be happy, and with someone. You've been single for five. Years. Jamie, that's not exactly comforting for me...I don't want you to spend your life alone."

James saw her saddening face, and felt his shoulders drop. He hadn't even realized they were raised up. She'd been this worried he wouldn't find someone? The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. He hadn't exactly been very social for a long time. He glanced at the wall, in the direction he knew Aurora sat on the other side.

"I...maybe...but I'll have to really look into clearance first."

Terri nodded, and they both jumped at a loud knock. James looked into the main room just in time to see Lee reaching for the door saying, "Don't worry, I'll get it."