Chapter 8
971 Words
Harvard Campus – Later That Day
POV: Bianca Lawson
He was sitting on their usual bench, hunched over, elbows on knees, as if the weight of the whole damn day was pressing down on him. Bianca spotted him across the quad and knew instantly—something had happened.
She sat beside him, not speaking at first. Just placed her hand gently over his.
He laced their fingers together like it was instinct.
BIANCA
“So… are we going to talk about it?”
James didn’t look at her.
JAMES (quietly)
“She came by this morning. My mom.”
Bianca went still.
JAMES
“She said things. Ugly things. About you. About us.”
Bianca’s jaw tightened. Her chest ached—not because she was surprised, but because she wasn't.
BIANCA
“Did you defend me?”
JAMES
“I walked away.”
That caught her off guard. She turned, studying him.
JAMES
“I told her if she can’t respect you, then she doesn’t get me either.”
Bianca exhaled slowly, touched but torn.
BIANCA
“That couldn’t have been easy.”
JAMES
“It wasn’t. But choosing you is.”
The tension cracked just enough for her to lean her head on his shoulder. They sat like that for a long while, silence like a blanket, until—
BIANCA
“So… how do you feel about fried catfish and blunt aunties?”
He blinked.
JAMES
“Uh. Depends. Are we talking actual catfish or metaphorical family drama?”
She smiled, leaning back just enough to meet his gaze.
BIANCA
“My mom invited me home for the weekend. Thought you could come. You know… see the South, meet the family. If you're up for it.”
His eyes widened slightly, but not with panic. More like curiosity. Like he wanted to say yes before his brain even caught up.
JAMES
“Would I be the first…?”
BIANCA
“First boy I brought home? Yeah. First Asian boy? Also yes. My sister’s going to be a menace.”
He chuckled, soft but warm.
JAMES
“Okay. I’m in. I’ve already faced one terrifying woman this week—how much worse can your mom be?”
BIANCA
“Oh baby. Don’t tempt fate.”
They both laughed, leaning into each other, the fountain still murmuring behind them like the softest soundtrack to something real.
James
"I'm driving us there"
Bianca
"Yes sir"
---
The Lawson Residence – Atlanta, Georgia – Late Friday Afternoon
POV: Bianca Lawson
The second her mom opened the front door, the smell of fried okra, warm cornbread, and slow-cooked collards hit James like a culinary ambush. His eyes widened; Bianca grinned. Welcome to the South, baby.
MRS. LAWSON
“Lord, Bianca, he’s taller than I imagined. Look at those cheekbones—boy, you better moisturize.”
Bianca tried not to laugh as James blinked politely.
BIANCA
“Mom, this is James.”
Her mother gave him a once-over, then hugged him like she’d raised him herself.
MRS. LAWSON
“I don’t do handshakes. You come in here, we hug.”
JAMES
“Yes, ma’am.”
Bianca’s younger cousins raced through the living room, shouting and throwing couch cushions at each other. Her uncle yelled from the kitchen, her dad was in the backyard tending to the grill, and her sister…
Oh Lord.
SAVANNAH
“Well, well, well. Harvard Barbie brought home a Ken with dumpling skin. He’s cute.”
BIANCA
“SAV!”
James burst out laughing, and Savannah winked, completely unbothered.
SAVANNAH
“Relax, sis. I’m just saying—you did good.”
---
Backyard – Sunset BBQ Vibes
POV: James Saito
He wasn’t used to this kind of chaos—but it was the good kind. Laughter. Music. Smoke curling up from the grill. Little kids asking him a thousand questions.
He was halfway through his second plate of ribs when Mr. Lawson sat beside him with two beers.
MR. LAWSON
“You serious about my daughter?”
James straightened instantly.
JAMES
“Yes, sir. I am.”
Her dad studied him for a second, then cracked open a beer.
MR. LAWSON
“Good. You seem like a quiet thinker. Lord knows this family could use more of those.”
They clinked bottles. James exhaled. Progress.
---
Upstairs Hallway – Midnight
POV: Bianca Lawson
Everyone was finally asleep. The lights were low. James was in her borrowed oversized tee, brushing his teeth at the sink across from her room.
She leaned against the doorframe, watching him.
BIANCA
“You survived. Barely.”
JAMES (mouth full of toothpaste)
“Your mom could run a navy fleet.”
BIANCA
“She does. It’s just called the Lawson family.”
He wiped his mouth and stepped toward her, all sleepy eyes and soft swagger.
JAMES
“You’re beautiful when you’re home. I mean—you’re always beautiful. But here, it’s like… you exhale.”
Bianca blinked, heart skipping.
BIANCA
“Stop. You’re making me catch feelings.”
JAMES
“Too late.”
He leaned in, slow and sure. Their lips met—warm, lingering, quiet.
And then—
SAVANNAH (from her room)
“If y’all are gonna make out in the hall, at least keep it PG. I’m trying to dream about Idris Elba.”
They burst into giggles, muffling their laughter in each other’s shoulders.
---
Next Morning – Kitchen Chaos
James tried to make pancakes. He flipped one so high it landed on the dog. Bianca was crying from laughing too hard. Savannah was filming it for i********:.
SAVANNAH
“James, baby, you’re lucky you’re pretty.”
MRS. LAWSON
“Y’all better clean that dog before it smells like syrup all week.”
They locked eyes mid-chaos, flour on her cheek, syrup on his hand—and stole another kiss behind the fridge door.
---
- Writer
