Chapter 17: Chapter 017 – Like You

[2009 – June]

"That was kinda mean.", Jean said once we were in the corridor behind the entrance to the dining room and on the way to my room.

I still hadn't let go of her hand, but she didn't seem to mind much.

“I know, I meant it to be.”, I replied nonchalantly.

A snort of amusement was the answer I got from her in response.

Arriving at my room a few minutes later, I let go of her hand as I opened the door and switched on the lights.

"Make yourself comfortable, I'm gonna prepare something to drink.", I said to her as I pointed at the two big leather sofas and the small armchair that stood around a small table and faced the wall with a rather sizable flatscreen TV mounted to it.

"Mhm.", she answered a bit nervous, which was normal, as she seemed rather inexperienced when it came to social interactions and other interactions in general with the male gender.

This was probably her first time being at a guy's place by herself and adding to the fact that she couldn't read my mind, she was understandably nervous.

Looking through the kitchen drawers, I found some glasses and a pitcher. Opening the freezer I took out some orange juice and water. Thankful that someone had put them in there before I moved into this place, even though no food was present, only beverages.

Filling up the pitcher with watered-down orange juice, I grabbed it along with a handful of glasses, before I moved all of it to the small coffee table in between the sofas.

Jean had meanwhile sat down on one of the couches and was looking around tentatively.

“Want something to drink, Jean?”, I asked her, causing her gaze to turn my way.

With a small smile, she shook her head as she said: "Not right now, but thank you."

Sitting down on the same couch as her, leaving some space between us, we turned towards each other.

“A-are you seeing anybody?”, Jean suddenly asked.

During dinner, we hardly talked about me, as most of the time I asked her questions about herself and her life in the mansion.

“No.”, I answered calmly, causing her lips to quirk up minimally. I didn't think she even realised her reaction.

“Do you have any family?”, she questioned again, seemingly wanting to know more about me.

Shaking my head, I answered simply: "No, my mother died last year and she raised me on her own. I don't know who my father is, or if he is alive.”

I didn't feel any loss at the mention of 'my' mother's death, as I had no memories of her but just some factual knowledge that I couldn't really connect to emotionally.

In my last life on the other hand I had had a family.

Several siblings and my parents. I hadn't been really close to them, as I had been trying to find my way in the world while they had lived their own lives. We had distanced ourselves from each other with the passing of time, as was normal.

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Though the blurry memories of my childhood and the innocent joy we had experienced together still held a special place in my heart. It had been a time when I wasn't weighed down by the reality and cruelty of the world.

A time when I had felt the freest.

Shaking off these memories, I saw Jean looking at me with something akin to understanding as she seemed to have misunderstood my short introspection.

“Do you have any family, Jean?”, I asked quietly, not sure about her situation in this timeline.

"No.", she whispered while locking eyes with me, "I am alone. Just like you."

As if we were gravitating towards one another her whispers caressed my ears and I involuntarily leaned forward, Jean mirroring my movements.

Like a spectator, I was captivated by this moment and couldn't stop my own actions. I didn't even know if I wanted to. It was this moment before kissing someone for the first time that seemed to stretch infinitely.

Our eyes were still fixed on each other, but mine couldn't help but wander lower at her rosy lips. I could feel her breath on my own lips, drawing it into my lungs, her sweet flowery scent entering my nose.

Finally, our lips met and I could feel Jean's soft lips pressed against mine.

I realised that I wasn't against this happening between us and didn't have to stop. Jean also obviously wanted this – as did I.

My last life's experience didn't make me an old man in comparison to her. It just made me more mature than a teenager my age, my experiences just making me 'me'.

Jean was the same in a way, having experienced more than any other girl her age could imagine.

The simple fact that she had to live each day with the thoughts of others in her mind, their insecurities, their secrets. This naturally resulted in her growing up and maturing rather early.

Raising my hand to her cheek and sliding it down halfway to the side of her neck, I deepened the kiss.

Jean was obviously inexperienced, but she was quick to follow my example as her hands came up to my chest and neck, while she opened her mouth and our tongues fought an intense fight for dominance.

It was when I felt an unnatural heat being emitted by her hands and lips that I backed off quickly, calling out to her: “Jean, calm down!”

As if awakening from a trance, Jean quickly reined in her power with a fearful look on her face. Thankfully, I was quick to realize her loss of control or the couch may have gone up in flames, along with the rest of the room.

Just as she was about to apologize, I moved closer to her and lifted her lowered chin with my hand before placing another soft kiss on her lips.

"Don't worry about it. Control doesn't come easy for those with great power, I understand that.", I said quietly before adding with a mischievous smirk, "We just have to get you used to it."

A rosy tint coloured her cheeks as she started to smile at my words.

Suddenly a knocking sound echoed through the room, informing me that the others had probably arrived. Stealing one last kiss from Jean, I moved to open the door and let them in.

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