Kismet

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I feel cold. Someone's hand is on my shoulder. I'm laying flat on the grassy ground. 

"May?" I hear a voice calling me. Then I remember...I'm in Josh's garden. I slowly open my eyes. I see Josh's godlike face so close to mine. I can feel the heat of his breath. His eyes are so gray and sad, his breath smelled like herbs, like the smell of tea.

"Alright don't move! Don't move. I think you fainted," he said startled. "Are you diabetic?" I started to get up. Josh helped me sit up straight with his hand on my back, strong and firm.

"Do you need sugar?" he rambled on. "Have some of this," he handed me a soda can, from the ground. I grabbed it, our fingers lightly touched. 

"It's flat," I said.

"You're tough to please," he said.

"You say it like it's a bad thing," I said. I take a deep breath trying to recover from what just happened. "Okay, excellent. Not embarrassed, not embarrassed at all," I said getting up from the ground.

"No, it's cool, alright. I mean, I've never had an effect like that on anyone before," he chuckled lightly. "I kind of like it." I smiled from the little strength I had and exhaled heavily. I couldn't look at him in the face.

"Nice garden," I said nervously while he's helping me get up from the ground.

"Thanks. It still needs some work. I'll finish it in the spring. I can't do that much right now but clean it up," he explained. "Plus it keeps my Mom happy."

"How about your dad," I said thoughtlessly, I turned around to meet him.

"No, it's just the two of us." he looked confused. "Didn't I tell you this already?"

"Really?" I said trying to remember. " Maybe during my drunk episode."

"Oh yeah, Well do you remember anything from that night," he asked.

"No, not really. Just little things." I sighed. "Did I say anything? You know... embarrassing?"

"Well you told me I was really hot and charming," he said with a serious face.

"WHAT?! Really?" I asked. My body became so tense. I felt my heart leaving my chest. Josh started to laugh so hard. He looks so cute. I gave him a light punch.

"I can't believe I believed you!" I said.

"You should have seen your face. Priceless. Sorry, I just really needed to," he kept laughing. I crossed my arms above my chest.

"Okay how about we start all over?" He said, calming down his laughter.

"What do you mean?" I asked. Josh stuck out his hand.

"Hi, my name is Joshua Stein. I've seen you around the neighborhood. I've been meaning to introduce myself to you. I'm your next-door neighbor," he explained. I gave him a smile. I took his hand and shook it. 

"Nice to meet you. I'm May Wasseran," I smiled. "Well, I should really head home."

"Alright," Josh said. "You need any help?"

"It's not exactly far," I explained getting my box from the bench.

Josh starts to talk, "So anytime you have something to burn..."

"Or I just want to pass out in front of someone," I interrupted.

"You know where to come," Josh smiled.

"Yes I do," I smiled back at him. I started to walk over the bush when Josh said,

"Next time?" Josh waved. I turned around and waved back.