24 Hours - Josh Richards x Chase Hudson -

Chapter 2

Last Chapter:

"Geez, calm down. Just came to tell you that we're snowed in and Sway is spending the night."

"What?!"

Chase's POV

"Where are they supposed to sleep?" I asked, my voice at least an octave higher from shock.

"In the living room. Thomas already turned on the fireplace and stuff." Nick responded like it was the most normal thing ever.

It was not the most normal thing ever.

How am I supposed to survive a whole night in the same house as Josh? The few words we did say to each other off camera weren't very nice, I can't imagine what will happen if I run into him again.

"You've got to be kidding." I muttered, looking up at Nick desperately, hoping this was some sort of joke.

"Nope, if you don't believe me go look downstairs."

"Ugh!" I let out a loud sigh, stuffing my head in a pillow.

"Hey, Chase, calm down. It's gonna be ok, it's just for one night." Nick said, sitting next to me on the bed and running a hand through my hair.

I relaxed immediately from the soothing action, turning my head so that our eyes met. 

Nick smiled gently at me, ruffling my hair before standing up and leaving the room quietly.

I spent the next few hours in my room, scrolling through tiktok, watching TV, basically anything to pass the time.

At some point, I fell asleep with all the lights on and my phone playing a tiktok on loop.

My mind was blank as I slept until weird visions started to appear. Once I regained conciousness, I sat up quickly.

Tears filled my eyes, threatening to fall but not actually doing so. I climbed out of bed, my vision still blurry, and made my way downstairs to the kitchen.

I walked carefully, not wanting to awake any of the peacefully sleeping Sway boys. I opened the medicine cabinet and dug through it for my meds.

My therapist had prescribed a few pills for situations like these when I was on the verge of a panic attack.

After successfully locating the medicine, my eyes scanned the dark room for a glass, bottle of water, anything to swallow it with.

The tears made it even more difficult to see things, so I ended up stumbling over a chair while searching for water.

I fell to the ground somewhat quitely, the pill bottles rattling on the tile floor as they rolled under the table.

My shoulder ached from the landing and I let out a pain-filled whine, covering my mouth quickly once I remembered who was right in the other room.

I sat in silence for a few seconds, waiting to see if anyone had woken up. About a minute went by and no sound was heard, so I figured I got off the hook.

Just as I scooted over to lean against the dishwasher, a light flashed in the kitchen and I could hear footsteps coming closer.

My breathing sped up and I pulled my knees to my chest, wondering who it could be and how I'd explain to them what was happening without freaking out.

When the footsteps stopped, I looked up to see Josh standing at the doorway to the kitchen with his phone light pointed straight at me.

"Chase?" He asked, giving me a confused look.

Great, just the person I wanted to see right now, I thought to myself.

Josh walked over and crouched down in front of me, his expression turning soft once he got a closer look at me.

I wanted to say something to save what little dignity I had left, but the minute I opened my mouth to speak, the tears finally fell.

Next thing I new, I began to sob uncontrollably, my eyes squeezed shut out of embarrassment.

"Oh, um, are you ok?" Josh asked, frantically looking around the room.

"No!" I screamed, my eyes finally opening just to glare up at him.

He jumped a little, looking even more disoriented, "What's wrong?"

"Everything." I whispered, not thinking he'd hear.

Josh stared curiously at me for a second and I expected him to leave, but instead, he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug.

I tried to wriggle out of it, wanting to get as far away from him as possible, but he just squeezed me tighter.

I gave up and melted into the hug, soaking in the warmth and softness of his hoodie. I took deep breaths to try and calm down and found myself captivated by his scent.

Once my sobs reduced to small sniffles, Josh realeased me from the hug and I couldn't help but be disappointed.

"Can you tell me what's wrong now?" He asked, his voice gentle.

"W-well, I had a b-bad dream and I got really s-scared. I almost had a panic attack, s-so I came down here to take my meds, but I couldn't see anything really and I fell and, and yeah." I told him, stuttering my way through the story.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Josh sat still for a moment, looking at me like he was deep in thought.

Suddenly, he lifted me from the ground, hands supporting me by my thighs. I gasped, grabbing onto his shoulders.

He placed me on the counter top then grabbed his phone, using the light to locate my pills that had rolled under the table and to get some water from the fridge.

Josh returned to where I was sitting, opening the bottle of water, handing it to me, then reading the pill bottle quickly before pouring a few in his hand and giving me one.

"Take it." He said simply, watching closely as I swallowed the pill.

Josh put the medicine away and helped me off the counter, immediately taking hold of my hand and leading me back upstairs to my room.

Once we were there, he gestured to the bed, still not saying a word. When I looked at him confused, he pushed me onto the bed gently, giving me one final, quick hug before tucking me in.

He left the room, closing the door behind him. I laid there staring at the ceiling, thinking to myself, what just happened.

As bewildered as I was, I also felt...loved, and appreciated. No one had ever taken care of me like that, not even Nick.

For someone who I was slightly afraid of, he made me feel so safe and special, like I truly mattered to him.

I thought I knew everything I needed to know about Josh, but maybe there's some more things I need to learn.

A/N: Hey guys, hope you enjoyed! Thank you for all the support I got on the first chapter, it really helps knowing people are interested. Next chapter out next weekend, or this week if I find the time. Love y'all<3