Stage Fright

Chapter 60 ~ Bullet

☆ Some themes in this chapter may be disturbing for some readers, read at your own discretion ☆ 

Heather

"I still don't think I should go." Josh whispers, leaning his forehead on mine.

I loved how much Josh cared about me, but I'd taken up enough of his time in the last twenty-four hours. His friends were waiting and I really wanted him to see them and have some time with them before he left for Christmas vacation.

We'd spent the entire afternoon together and he made it all so much better. We laid in bed for a long time, then we watched a movie, and to finish off a perfect day, he sat with me at my piano and played with me for a while.

I always loved when we sat there together, Josh could read sheet music and play the piano to a certain degree and it always made me happy when he'd sing with me.

After Eleanor made dinner, it was time for him to go. It was sad, I didn't want him gone but I did want him to spend time with his friends. I wasn't going to be selfish with Josh and keep him right by my side forever and ever. Besides, I could get on by myself for a few hours.

"I know you don't, but I'm telling you to." I whisper, hooking my fingers in his belt loops. After ages of fighting and insisting I'd be okay, I managed to get him as far as the front door. "You're already late, go see your friends."

"What if you need me?" He asks, placing his hands on my hips.

"Then I'll come get you." I tell him. "I have three security guards, dad and Eleanor if I desperately need to talk to someone. I'll be safe, my neighbourhood is safe and I'm just going to have a quiet night in by myself."

"Promise you'll call me." He says and I nod.

"I promise." I whisper, running my hands up the front of his chest. "I don't want you to spend the night worrying about me. I know I've been up and down since last night, but I'll be alright." I assure him and he presses his lips together.

Poor Josh really didn't want to leave me. It touched my heart but I loved him, I couldn't lock him up with me all night and I was much happier than I was last night or even this afternoon. Knowing that he cared this much was all I needed to be happy.

"Baby, I'll be just fine." I insist and he sighs.

"Okay." He says reluctantly. "I know you're strong baby, I just don't want you to be upset alone."

"I know and that's very sweet, but I won't be alone." I remind him and he nods. I give him a hug and he wraps me into it tightly, holding me close.

We stand there for ages and even I can't deny how good it feels. I was so happy like this, always and forever happy.

"You're not leaving." I tease.

"You're not letting me go either." He laughs and I nod, pulling back. I lean up and give him a kiss that also goes on for far too long. I pull back eventually and groan at the loss.

"Okay." I sigh and he smiles.

"You totally just distracted me, you know I can't say no to you." He whispers and I laugh.

"I'm sorry." I whisper and he smiles, tilting my chin up and cupping the side of my face. But he doesn't kiss me, he just observes me, tilting my head from side to side and running his fingers through my hair.

"You're hair's getting longer." He mumbles and I smile. My once shoulder length hair had grown down just a bit past my collarbones

"I haven't had it cut since September. I've been too busy." I admit. "Do you like it better like this?" I ask, genuinely wanting to know the answer. I impulsively cut it all those months ago, so many things in my life felt out of control that my hair cut was one of the only things I felt like I could take back.