out of mind

James Halloway-Vance; nineteen, student ❝There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable.❞

[halesvance-blog]

“Thanks.” The brunette called back a casual expression on her face, but as she turned around it was taken over by a smirk of success. She bent over and filed through the clean clothing onto of the dryer until she found a clean towel, she took time to dry of her damp skin before she took one of Jamie’s clean shirts and put it on drowning the girls small frame. Haley made her way back over to the L shape sofa, her eyebrows coming together as she noticed Jamie trying to advert his gaze from her which also caused a laugh to escape her lips. A loud roar of thunder cause the girl to jump her feet leaving the group and as she fell back onto the couch the room was lit by a sheet of lighting. Hales swung her feet onto couch and laid her head down in Jamie’s lap, she looked up at him  raising her eyebrows before looking at the TV. 

[jamievance]

Clad in only his large white shirt, the boy couldn’t tear his gaze away from Haley even if he desperately wanted to. God, was she hot, Jamie instantly thought. The feeling brewing in the pits of his stomach was utterly undeniable. Being this close to her — every touch, every breath — triggered fragmentary flashbacks to the day he locked lips with hers. Intermittent, just as the flashes of lightning occurred in irregular intervals outside of their spacious home. “Do you want some beer?” he inquired, already leaning over the large mahogany table to pull the caps off of two new bottles, handing one to the brunette. The television displaying a menacing scene of a horror flick. No doubt, a perfect complimentary with the rather ominous setting surrounding them. Jamie would glance down at the girl on his lap momentarily; close enough to see the lovely freckles just above the apple of her cheeks, and feel her heartbeat pulsing through her veins. A beer bottle on one hand, he gulped the cool beverage down, quenching his thirst. “You can safely assume this guy’s going to die,” he commented, shaking his head at the movie’s predictability, “I’m a hundred-and-one percent sure.”

[halesvance-blog]

The thunder caused Haley to jump and then laugh at herself. “You clearly want me to and better I do it now than wait until it looks like you’ve wet yourself.” She kicked her legs off of his and stood up, Haley tied her brown locks securely on the top of her head before moving her hips slightly as she walked to the laundry room. It was a small room next to the kitchen, but it’s advantages were that Jamie would have a perfect view of the doorway from his position on the couch. Purposely leaving the door wide open Hales stripped off the white top that had suctioned itself on her body, throwing it towards the direction of the washing machine. She looked over her shoulder casually to see if he was watching her before unbuttoning her jeans and pulling them down to her ankles at a slower pace, kicking them off her feet. Haley turned around after noticing none of her clean clothes in the room “-You don’t mind if I steal a top do you?”

[jamievance]

Jamie watched as she slowly headed towards the laundry room, his eyes falling on her fingers which were dancing on the hem of her shirt. Teasing him, no doubt. Though if he was being honest with himself, her tactics sure worked. His green orbs admired her from afar, the wide open entrance of the laundry room allowing him to stare as she sensually stripped the wet material of off her slender figure revealing nothing but her damp undergarments. Indulging in the sight before him, Jamie didn’t even notice as the girl turned slightly toward him, too late to even compose himself. As she wiggled down to pry the jean material from her legs, the boy’s mouth gaped in amusement, only to close them seconds later. I wouldn’t mind if you didn’t have a top on, he thought to himself, “Uh yeah, I mean no, I don’t mind–” he quickly corrected, shifting his position on the sofa so he was staring at the television screen and not Haley. Though the temptation was still lingering.

[halesvance-blog]

“How’d you guess? Helga is my preferred babysitter I’ll have you know, but sometimes I get stuck with you.” She teased rolling up the bag and tossing it and letting it land on the table, luckily without any of the snack able contents falling out. There was something about the way he could maneuver her around that caused her breath to hitch in her throat for a moment. as her legs hung over his.  “Just and inkling” Haley shrugged her green eyes finding his. Sure to some the situation and atmosphere between the two was wrong. But ever since Thanksgiving Hales didn’t seem to care about what anyone else might think. But deep down she knew the two could only steal glances and sneak around for a reason.

[jamievance]

“Right,” he mused, attention suddenly caught by the lightening that displayed outside the large windows. Thunder ensuing seconds after, shaking the ground beneath them. “Are you sure you don’t want to change?” he asked, slight concern in his eyes as he gazed back toward the girl. The air condition was on, after all, and as much as she was a tempting sight in this exact moment, Jamie didn’t want her to get sick or anything. Ever since their parents’ marriage, the boy would always show his concern for Haley, even if it was just the smallest of things. Little did he know that caring for her would turn into this special attraction for the brunette. He leaned over, grabbing the beer bottle and sipping the last of its contents. The dampness of her jeans transferring on his clothes, but Jamie didn’t mind.

[halesvance-blog]

Haley couldn’t help but smirk as she received the reaction she wanted and expected from Jamie as he looked up and down as her shirt clung to her in all the right ways. She decided to ignore his suggestion of changing and remain in the wet clothing despite how uncomfortable her jeans were becoming, but she though that if worse come to worse she could always loose the pants. The dark haired girl laughed triumphantly as he saved the document. Haley reached over grabbing the computer and moving it off of the sofa and onto the coffee table so that she could scoot into it’s place. “Excuse me, but I can be trusted to be left by my lonesome. What do you think they do with me when you’re in California and can’t babysit?” The girl continued to munch on the chips in her lap and looked and Jamie through the corner of her eye trying to see if she could get any kind of reaction out of him like before. “Just imagine what I get up to.” Her words were nonchalant, but there was a hidden undertone like she were trying to imply something. Something that even Haley herself didn’t know, but she like the way the words sounded. 

[jamievance]

The boy’s gaze fell on her dainty hands as she moved his laptop into place on the wooden table before them. He could hear the leather sofa squeak as she sat beside him, her damp jeans causing the funny noise. “They hire another babysitter named Helga?” his lips curve into a wide grin, stifling a chuckle from escaping his lips. Their banter always had this undeniable undertone of sexual tension, and Jamie could definitely sense it at the moment. Chugging down most of his beer, he placed the bottle on the side table, his free hands finding their way to her soaked bottoms. With a swift movement, Jamie pulled her closer to him, her slim legs practically sprawled on his lap. “What makes you think I’d like to know?” he teased, fingers drawing circles on the wet material covering her long limbs.

[halesvance-blog]

Like always Haley wasn’t one to take advice and even if it was sound she was most likely going to do what she wanted to do either way. This morning when the weatherman called for a torrential downpour she didn’t think twice about ignoring the warning and putting on a light summer top, jeans, and sandals. However when she got caught in the storm and had to sit soaking wet in her car she couldn’t help but laugh to herself. After fighting with the wind to get the front door shut Haley made her way into the living room where she spotted Jamie on the couch casually. “Look at me-” She gestured to her new soaking wet look and dramatically ringed out her white t-shirt onto the wooden floor, though only a small puddle formed she got her point across. The wet dog look may not have worked for some people, but Haley managed to pull it off in a way. “-They weren’t kidding about the storm.” The brunette walked around the back of the couch catching a glimpse of the computer in front of him and full word document of the screen and sighing. Of course she understood that work had to be done, but honestly she was not impressed that the paper he was writing and had been working on for days was getting so much attention and leaving her bored. “Make sure you save that I would hate for the power to cut out and ruin all your fun.” Her comment was sarcastic and she didn’t even try to hide it giving him a wink. “We should of had a party, or at least gone to one instead of being cooped up in here.” The girl complained plopping down next to Jamie and reaching her hand into the bag, stealing some of his snack. 

[jamievance]

He glanced back at the girl who had entered the room. Eyes dropping from her soaked hair down to his step-sister’s drenched white top which now exposed her lace-clad bra. Jamie stifled the lager that was already in his mouth from spraying all over himself. “You should probably change,” he started, watching her ring her sheer blouse dry, “you’re looking way too hot right now.” Ever since the incident over thanksgiving, the dynamic between the two soon changed. Flirtatious glances here and there, coquettish teases every now and then, and even some sneaky touches whenever Jamie would visit from college. He knew of the consequences he was putting him and Haley in, but the thrill and excitement that he would feel whenever she was around very much outweighed the possibility of any repercussion. “Oh I’m sure you would,” he chuckled, grabbing hold of his laptop and pressing ‘save’ on the document. “And that’s exactly why they don’t trust leaving you by your lonesome...” his green orbs glancing back at the girl, shaking his head teasingly, “Anyway, I doubt anyone would have a party in this kind of weather.” he added, taking a gulp of his alcoholic beverage.

[jamievance]

The wind was blowing against the trees, sending a whirling sound to encircle the entire Vance house. From the colossal high-ceiling windows, the brunet could spot the gradual change of the sky from pale blue to ominous grey. News about a huge thunderstorm was being reported this morning, weathermen talking about the dynamics that could cause such a massive storm. Fortunately, his dad and step-mom had left for their trip earlier this morning, a well-deserved vacation to celebrate their third wedding anniversary — a momentous celebration to commemorate their union and honour the sanctity of their marriage. Though, just before they left, James had been instructed to keep an eye on his step-sister. Not that she’d need it, but you know how teenagers can get when they have the house all to themselves, his dad stated, giving Jamie a knowing look. With a shrug of the shoulders and a nod of confirmation that he would stay home for his parents’ sake, the two adults were off. James grabbed his laptop and started working on his essay — listing specific talking points that supported his paper’s argument. After a few minutes of being engrossed on his coursework, the boy went to the kitchen to grab a few beers and snacks. Once he arrived back in his seat on the couch, James grabbed ahold of the remote control and turned the television on. While surfing through the various channels, he didn’t even notice the presence that had joined him in the spacious living room.

[gdihales]

Haley’s fingers tapped lightly against the dresser as their eyes scanned over the entire room avoiding each other. Her mind frantically tried to come to terms with what had just unfolded in the middle of Jamie’s room, with their parents only a few stairs away. Once some sort of feeling had begun to rise in her legs Haley braved a step forward. “This is really, really…” For a second she thought she was going to have a big revelation or say something profound that could sort this whole mess out but nothing could. “This is stupid, like the bad kind of stupid.” She admitted with a small laugh that seemed to light up her whole face and fill her eyes. Haley subconsciously grabbed his hand so that he wasn’t able to walk away, her fingers linked with his as if they were meant too, not how they had when they walked down the aisle together at their parent’s wedding. After the kiss Hales had begun thinking back to all their moments or little touches and wondering if they always meant something more. However good things never last long and she heard her mother call for the two. Within a beat Haley had made her way the door, but stopped her self and leaned against his door frame. “And just so you know, if we didn’t have to go and pretend to our parents like this never happened, I’d have had your pants around your ankles by now.” 

[jamievance]

"Reckless, but not stupid." He looked up at her, eyes gleaming at the sight of her step-sister's lips curling into its signature smile. Jamie could still feel the remnants of their sexual tension that had just filled his room to the brim a mere seconds ago. With the way her cheeks blushed as she whispered her tempting words, the boy couldn't help but bring his free hand to touch the warmth her rosy-hued skin was emitting. Jamie always enjoyed a little seductive banter, but the mere fact that they were coming from his own step-sister, sent shivers down his spine--the kind that would drive the boy into a frenzy. "Oh, is that so? I guess I'll have to experience it to believe it then." He whispered in her ear, the heat of his breath leaving goosebumps on her skin. To assume that he was hot and bothered was an understatement, and he needed to make sure she was going to feel the same way especially when he was going to face his dad and step-mom in a few seconds. This dinner was definitely going to need quite the amount of self-control... and alcohol if he needed to make it out alive.

[gdihales]

Haley’s stomach twisted into knots and lurched making her feel as though she was going to be sick. Jamie’s grip tightening around her small frame eased the feeling slightly. She wasn’t sure if it was having him so close of the room itself, but everything seemed to feel as though it was getting hotter by the second. Even in her alcohol-ed state the girl knew that the feelings brewing inside of her, well that had been brewing since the day she had set eyes on the older boy, were wrong. But for a single moment she simply didn’t give a fuck. Haley’s lower lip caught between her teeth as she felt the warmth of his breath travel from her ear down to the base of her neck. In return goosebumps rose noticeably on her arms. Frozen in place she didn’t dare move a muscle as James’ had moved further and and further down her back. As if her body had been waiting for his lips to touch hers, her hands instinctively snaked their way around her step brothers neck tightly. As wrong as it was the girl couldn’t help but wonder why it had taken them both so long. When his lips finally tore away from hers the force sent her stumbling backwards and Haley grabbed onto the nearest dresser and leaned against it. Her hand bringing her fingers up against her lips, “Fuck-“ 

[jamievance]

It took all of James' willpower to pull himself away from their fervent kiss. What was probably more surprising was that in his intoxicated state, the boy had managed to do so. If she was just any other girl, Jamie would undoubtedly already have her in between his sheets. But Haley wasn't just any other girl, and that mere fact had caused him to come to a halt. "Shit-" he breathed, taking his time staring on the floor before looking back towards the girl across from him. The heat was still radiating from his lips and he could still feel his heart racing, most likely caused by a combination of the alcohol and sudden rush of blood in his system. To say that Jamie was unsure of Haley's response was an understatement, he was terrified. Not only did he do something so reckless, but he also put the girl at risk of facing the consequences of his own actions. After all, it was something their parents would not be thrilled to hear. Finally meeting her gaze, the boy tried to decipher the brunette's thoughts, failing to come up with anything. He wasn't sure of what she would say but with the help of the liquor boosting his confidence, James felt like he needed to tell her the only thing he was completely certain about at this point in time. "Just so you know... I would do that again if I had the chance." he blurted out, unapologetically. Biting his lip, he waited for her response. Haley was his step-sister and to another person, this should look absolutely wrong but Jamie never felt something so terrifyingly right in his life before. 

[gdihales]

Haley’s eyebrows came together in confusion as he looked away from her. Her hands dropped to her side almost immediately in fear she had gone to far. Throughout high school all the girls around her were constantly drooling over Jamie, and in the beginning Haley didn’t blame them. But when their parents met, started dating, and eventually married she got constantly teased and everyone told her she’d be living a real life Flowers in the Attic. The brunette never let it bother her and swore to everyone that her and James’ relationship was strictly friendly- family even, but the feeling now brewing in her gut gave off the impression that it wasn’t the case. Her pink hued lips parted slightly as she tried to figure out if he just asked her what she thought he did. “I-I think they look fine” Haley’s dark eyelashes blinked rapidly when she realised she had been gazing intently on his jeans for more than any innocent time frame. The slightly intoxicated girl moved backwards and whipped her head to a different direction so quickly she got dizzy and felt herself fall. As she prepared herself for the impact two strong hands caught her and she was pulled up into James’ chest with a thud. Haley didn’t move, she didn’t really want to, he was warm and she feared she’d make even more of a fool out of herself if she did. So she remained where she was her lower and upper half pressed firmly into his. Her small hands pressed to either side of his neck, where they had landed during the collision. “I should really be more careful” Haley muttered under her breath.

[jamievance]

Her body pressed up against his, did unspeakable things to James. The heat of his blood immediately rushing from his face down to his lower abdomen. Tightening his grip around her frame, the boy slowly pulled both of their weight upwards making sure she remained in close proximity to him. Through the few years they've known each other, there was always something that drew James towards the girl. She was beautiful, smart and witty -- every attribute that he admired in a person. But their dynamic didn't really allow for certain advances, especially when the two were technically siblings in marriage. However, it seemed as if in his intoxicated state that Jamie's hidden desires for Haley were more amplified. Furthermore, there was nothing stopping him from giving into his impulse right at that moment especially when temptation was growing by the second. "You really should.." He whispered enticingly in her ear, pressing his cheek against hers. Jamie could feel her breathe hitch as his hands slid down her lower back, resting just above her behind. "But I don't mind a cute klutz." Jamie stared back, his lusting eyes drawing him closer to her lips. Without even a blink of an eye, the boy found himself leaning in until there wasn't any space left between them. His body instantly yearning for the brunette's touch as his lips captured hers.

[gdihales]

"Hey! I was five!" She said in her defence before pushing him back. "At least my dad didn’t walk in on me getting my first blowjob" Haley fired back before giggling. Her shot glass was quickly out of her hand and back again before she had even noticed. This time refilled once more  "I’m not concerned, just curious." Haley admitted following him and downing the shot before biting on her bottom lip again. She must have looked more deep in thought than she even realised. "Why would I care if you had something illegal? It’s not like you’re even my brother. I wouldn’t just run off and tattle on you." The girl joked before she realised how clumsy Jamie had become and laughed as the liquid splashed onto his shirt. She gladly took the bottle like a child receiving a gift and watched on with a confused expression plastered on her face as James stood up from the bed. Her brown eyes widened as he removed his shirt to revile his naked torso. Haley quickly took a large swig straight from the bottle, a lot more of the burning liquid entered her mouth than it had with the shot glasses and in that moment she was more than glad to have the numbing sensation as she averted her eyes and looked over towards the large window before taking another drink. When he asked her a question she turned her head back around and couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her vodka glazed lips. The brunette placed the bottle, which was a lot lighter than when she first brought it into the older boys room, onto his night stand. She hopped off the bed less gracefully than before and walked over to him. "Maybe if you didn’t miss half the buttons you would be presentable." Before she knew what was going on her hands where on the white material slowly unbuttoning the shirt and then lined it up so the buttons matched with the holes on the other side "Here-" Haley’s nimble fingers started to work their way up popping in button after button until she left two undone at the top. "-Much better" she said almost at a whisper.

[jamievance]

"True. It's a good thing you're not my sister then." He chuckled at how bizarre their situation would've been if they were actually related by blood. Trying to disregard his sudden lightheadedness, Jamie watched intently as she unbuttoned and re-buttoned his shirt, his gaze fixated on the pensive expression on her face. The boy could feel the breathe escaping from her lips as the space between them were almost non-existent. His attention immediately caught as the girl peered up towards his face. Time seemed to stop for a brief moment as the boy observed the distinct features of Haley's face. The balance of brown and golden hues of her pupils and the green specks just outside the rim of her iris gave the boy a sense of comfort, as if he could just drown in their rare beauty. Jamie could feel the heat radiating from her cheeks as the blush of pink painted her face. He figured it might've been just the alcohol taking its effect since he could also feel his own cheeks warm up. This was the closest they've gotten since the two first met and Jamie couldn't help take his gaze away from her. "I--uh, thanks" He whispered in reply, managing to stop every fibre in his body that wanted to do more -- push him to break his own boundaries. However, since the alcohol was still in his system, Jamie couldn't help but show his flirtatious side. "I'm not too sure if these jeans would look good with this though," he mentioned deviously, "what do you think?" But before a half-drunk Haley could step back and trip, James managed to catch the brunette just in time -- his arm wrapping around her slender waist to secure her from falling.

[gdihales]

The brunette shrugged, her smug smile still present on her face. “You don’t need to tell me, I’m pretty aware of that fact-” She teased handing him the cold, and frankly heavy, bottle.”-still nice to hear though.” Haley added before finding her previous place next to him. She couldn’t help but groan as Jamie reminded her of her mothers favourite pass time of embarrassing her belief. It never used to bug Haley before James and his father came into her life, and the thought of him hearing her awful childhood stories made her cheeks turn bright and hot. “You wouldn’t like it if it was you” She accused with a pout. The longer Haley looked at the clear liquid the more she wanted to feel the burning sensation. So she was more than happy when Jamie appeared with two identical shot class out of what felt like thin air. Hales opened her mouth to question them and was cut off by his statement, he knew her too well, but she’d get it out of him someday because she was more than curious about what else James had hidden in his bedside table. Haley bit onto her bottom lip as the glasses began to fill and eagerly clinked hers against his gently not wanting the contents to spill over the rim and tilted her head and let the warm vodka slide down her throat with ease. She waited until the warmth and nail polish taste had subsided before looking over at him sceptical, tapping the shot glass with her finger nails. “What else are you hiding in here?”

[jamievance]

"You're right, I probably wouldn't. Especially when I 'accidentally' wet myself at a friend's sleepover." He replied mischievously, nudging his shoulder against the girl beside him. His step mom's stories about Haley never failed to amuse James to no end which he, in turn, would occasionally use if he wanted to tease the brunette. As the last of the burning sensation receded from his throat, Jamie intuitively poured another round for himself and reached to take the shot glass from her grasp as he filled hers as well. "Nothing you need to be concerned about.." The boy pursed his mouth in a sly smile followed by an effortless gulp of the colourless spirit. The burning sensation quickly flooding his throat making him wince for a brief moment. "What?" He asked in fascination, wondering what the girl was thinking in her head. "Hey. I don't have anything illegal, if that's what you were thinking." The effects of the booze weren't really hitting him as hard as he thought it would. Four months of living amongst the most unrestrained and hardcore alcoholics, Jamie knew that two vodka shots were like drinking a case of ice coolers -- being tipsy was out of the question. As he poured themselves another round, his concentration was momentarily disrupted causing him to spill some of the liquid on his shirt. "You know what, fuck this." He exclaimed before getting rid of the shot glasses and setting them down on his side table. Instead, Jamie placed the rim of the bottle between his lips and took a large swig of the cheap alcohol. "I needed to change anyways." He smiled before handing the girl the half-full bottle of vodka. Standing up, he made his way to his closet and got rid of his t-shirt, exposing his skin to the warm air of the room. The alcohol starting to have an effect on his system, Jamie grabbed a white dress shirt that was hanging in one of the black velvety hangers and tried to button them up. Thinking he'd done it perfectly, the boy looked back at Haley who was situated on his bed for approval. "Do I look dapper enough for this dinner?"

[gdihales]

"Yeah, don’t know why you’re smirking, I’m all about those 11 year olds now didn’t your dad tell you?" She joked back rolling her eyes at him again. Haley moved to one side of his bed as he landed down next to her. They laid silently before something sparked Haley’s memory and she shot up from her comfortable position. Honestly she was enjoying being in such close proximity to Jamie in what felt like had been forever, but the gift she had gotten him was not only fun, but she hopped it might also remove a bit of the tension in the boy’s room. The girl hopped off his bed and skipped to her room with a smile plastered on her face. Eventually she returned and smirked at the confused expression on his face. She walked towards the bed and held a hand behind her back "I got you a welcome home present. Mostly because I wanted it." Haley pulled the large bottle of vodka into full view and smirked waiting for his response. The brunette placed both her knees onto the mattress and sat back on her legs. "I thought we would both need it if we were going to make it through the train wreck dinner is going to turn into."

[jamievance]

The look on Jamie's face as the girl stood up and left the room could only be described as a mix between bewilderment and utter confusion. Has he have said something? Or did he do anything to make her uncomfortable? -- A million thoughts rushed into his head to only be halted at the sight of the brunette enter his bedroom door with a sly smile plastered on her face. A welcome home present? Jamie raised an eyebrow in wonder and slight amusement before the girl revealed what she was hiding behind her back. "Holy sh- Hales, have I ever told you how amazing you are?" He grinned excitingly, as the girl handed him the large bottle of vodka. It was cold to the touch, as if she had been hiding it in some sort of mini fridge in her room. "Oh c'mon, you only find it horrible because of all the embarrassing stories your mom puts you through." He chuckled, meeting her gaze before opening his present. As he uncorked the bottle, Jamie immediately got a whiff of the strong scent that escaped the container. Instantly reaching for his side drawer, the boy took two shot glasses from a hidden compartment and handed one to Haley. "Don't ask." He smirked, preventing her from asking how long he'd been hiding it there or exactly where the compartment was actually located at. After filling the glasses to the rim, an eager James raised his shot glass in excitement. "Salud." He winked, clicking shot glasses with the brunette before downing the all its contents.

[gdihales]

The girl laughed as he looked around at his precise room “It’s like you died and they haven’t gotten over it” She teased before waiting for an answer to her question. Instantly Haley took in a gasp of breath the made her cough uncontrollably a few times “A girlfriend?-” She managed to ask, the shock evident on her face “-You never mentioned a girlfriend…” Haley reminded him, their relationship was different than many, but Hales had always thought they were close enough that he’d tell her about a new girl in his life despite how jealous it would make her. Her question was cut off by his laughter and her brown eyes narrowed at him. “That’s not fucking funny.” The girl reached behind herself and grabbed the nearest pillow waking him with it. 

"See the more you talk about uni, the less I want to go. Talk about the parties or boys or something exciting." The brunette jokes and reached forward and ran her fingers through the little dogs black fur. "Anyone you should know about? Whatever do you mean?" She asked innocently looking up and James and batting her thick eyelashes before mimicking his evil laughter from before. "No same boneheads and football players that were at the school when you went there." Haley leaned against the frame of his bed and shrugged her shoulders "No one exciting, I’m bored of high school boys." 

[jamievance]

The boy let out a playful gasp at her as she groaned about the lack of her own version of 'fun' college tales. Raking his hand through their dog's wooly dark fur, James felt her fingertips brush against his sending an instant spark of electricity through him. Ever since the two got closer, that spark she'd send him from time to time only grew bigger, making James question his ever-growing attraction towards Haley. Sometimes, it made him wonder what would've happened if their parents had never gotten together, he probably would never have met the younger brunette. "Well that should be a good thing, right?" He replied, standing up from his chair and freeing Charlie to roam around the house. "Oh, is that so? Are elementary school boys your thing now?" Jamie asked, keeping his signature grin on his face, as he landed on the soft cushion of his bed. However, his jokes aside, the boy clearly knew what she had meant and surprisingly liked the idea of it. There was no doubt in his mind that he'd been over-protective of her since the moment they've gotten along, not to mention the fact that his dad and step-mom expected him to keep an eye on her at all times. High school boys were just trouble waiting to happen and Jamie knew that, he'd once been in that position not too long ago. Haley was a special girl, and special girls deserved someone who would care for them unconditionally.

[gdihales]

"Prodigal son my ass, you’re probably the prodigal child." She laughed nudging him in the side lightly with her elbow. "They haven’t shut up about today since you announced your long awaited return. I’m pretty sure they’ve forgot about me all together." Haley joked as she bent down to give him a hand and grabbed one of his bags, her hand brushing against his softly as she took the handle, a faint red color came to her cheeks and her face started to get oddly warm on such a cold day. "Jeez, I hope you left the kitchen sink back at Uni. Your hot room mates would not be happy." The younger girl complained dragging the heavy over packed bag until it was safely placed inside the large house. Thankfully the girl heard the vaccum cut off and their step sibling reunion was cute short as their parents took James into a three-way embrace. 

Haley smirked at him and nodded towards the tangled limbs as if to say ‘I told you so’. “Mom let him breath will you-” She pleaded embarrassed for her mother. “-I’ll give you hand if you want?” The girl took the lighter bag this time and put it over her shoulder. Haley headed up the main staircase towards Jamie’s old room and smirked quietly to herself as she heard his footsteps closely behind her as they echoed off the wooden floor. Heavily she dropped his bag onto the floor and plopped down on his perfectly made bed. Haley always thought it was weird that this place looked exactly the same as it did when he left. Her suggestions to turn it into a sauna or workout room were ignored. “So spill college boy, what’s new? A police record, maybe? Or a kid on the way?” She teased letting out a small chuckle. 

[jamievance]

"Ow." He laughed lightheartedly, playfully placing his hand to his side. "Well I'm sure they'd do the same thing for you next year, but for now, you'll just have to settle for me keeping an eye on you." He replied, the smirk from moments ago managing to remain in his face. James could see the faint blush paint over her cheeks as she stood right back up with his bag in her hand. "Hey now--have you been stalking my Facebook profile?" He immediately asked, but before he could get an answer from Haley, the boy was instantly attacked by two eager bodies. All his thoughts suddenly drowned out in a sea of 'we miss you's' and 'were so happy you're finally home' from his parents.

Still entangled in his parents' embrace, Jamie rolled his eyes before mouthing a 'thank you' to Haley as she grabbed another one of his bags. As soon as she was walking up their grand staircase, Jamie's step-mom finally released him to finally get settled in and ready for their Christmas eve dinner. "Alright, I love you too." He smiled at her before catching up behind Haley as they both walked towards his room. Even Jamie couldn't quite believe how exactly the same this room looked since the day he left for college. It was as if his room was preserved like the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Walking around and taking the sight of his room in, Jamie couldn't help but grin at the questions Haley was launching at him. "Not quite. But... my girlfriend's actually on her way here to join us for dinner." He mentioned casually, waiting for the brunette's reaction. As soon as he got the reaction he imagined receiving, the boy broke out into laughter and sat on the seat beside his perfectly made bed. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding," He chuckled before plopping his feet on the edge of the bed. "There's not much to tell other than the fact that I've been spending the last month stuck in my dorm room, slaving away through finals." He finally admitted, grabbing their very enthusiastic dog Charlie off the floor as he gazed right back at his step-sister. "And you? Anyone in particular I should know about? I mean, other than this little cutie."

[gdihales]

Haley groaned from her place on the “L” shaped couch. Her mom rushed around with a vacuum, the noise drowned out the music coming from her headphones. Jamie was coming home from Stanford and Hales couldn’t help but roll her big brown eyes at all the preparations her step dad and mother were doing, you’d have thought the queen of England was coming for a visit. “Mom, he isn’t going to care if the house is trashed I’m pretty sure he’s used to that living with a bunch of guys anyway” Haley said loudly over the noise only to be completely ignored. 

She laughed as there was a knock on the door that neither of her parents had heard. Bounding off the couch effortlessly Haley went to answer the door. The brunette’s breath hitched in her throat and it was hard for her to swallow at the site of her step-brother, clearly university looked extremely good on him. “Thank god you’re here now the excessive cleaning can stop.” She tried to speak as casually as she could muster. 

[gdihales]

[jamievance]

Since he could remember, James had always loved the holiday season. It was a time spent with the people he loved the most, gathered around the fireplace or the dinner table and just simply enjoying each one's company. And ever since he started university, the almost-twenty-year-old boy looked forward to coming home for the holidays even more. He can't deny that he missed his family even a little bit over the course of those long, grueling four months. After all, the constant frat parties, beer-chugging and ramen noodles could only last for so long, Jamie was especially looking forward to all the home-cooked meals he could get. 

After a long ride from the airport, the cab finally reached its destination. The Vance's mansion was one of the biggest in their neighbourhood yet it still remained the homiest of all. Jamie's dad and his step-mom had that innate admiration for the holidays just as much as he did which was why going all out in Christmas decorations was evident from the moment the boy stepped out of the cab. After paying the cab driver, Jamie grabbed his bags, walked across their massive front lawn and finally reached the steps to their front door. Knocking on the black wooden door, making sure not to knock the Christmas wreath over, the boy waited for someone to answer. He was a little bit early so he hoped someone was at least home. After a few seconds, someone had eventually opened the door and Jamie was taken by surprise at the sight in front of him. As hard as it was to even swallow, his eyes couldn't take themselves away from how much his step-sister has changed. It was clear that Haley's senior year started off on a great note. "They're taking this "return of the prodigal son" on a whole other level, have they?" he asked, a smirk creeping up the side of his mouth.

[aaron-symons]

Sam Claflin photographed by Jeff Hahn