you should know what you're falling for

nine

After deciding that typing would take much too long, Josh asked me to give him a call. I don't have a phone, and I certainly can't ask to borrow Kendall's because I know she won't let me, so I creep into my foster-mom's room and slowly snatch her phone from her bedside.

Thankfully, she doesn't stir. I've gotten good at sneaking around after many years of practice. The iPhone is cold, I'm guessing that it hasn't been used recently since Christi goes to sleep at eight o'clock sharp, and I unlock the screen.

Great, I think, Of course she has a freaking passcode.

I take one quick glance to make sure Kendall is asleep, and duck into the bathroom. There's no use turning on the light, and it will only draw attention to my absence if anyone wakes up.
I question myself one more time.

Do I want to call Josh Hyland?

Yes, yes I do. So, I tap the 'Emergency' button in the lower right hand corner. This is clearly no emergency, but it's the only way around the passcode.

Josh answers on the first ring.

Pathetic.

I kind of like it.

It makes me feel important. "Hello?" he asks a second time, after I don't respond. I guess I didn't hear; I was thinking too much. I hardly ever think before I act. "Hey," I reply quietly, "It's Chloe."

Josh chuckles lightly, "For a second, I thought someone was prank calling me, or something."

"Nope," I laugh airily. Geez, I sound like such a priss, "It's me. So, uh, you wanted to talk?"

"Yeah." I hear rustling sounds as Josh nods, his face rubbing against his phone's microphone.

I take a deep breath, "Look Josh, you're a popular guy, and you're insanely good looking. That's not really my type, usually. Your life is perfect, and you can have anyone you want and-"

"-What do you mean 'usually'?" Josh interrupts.

I close my eyes in frustration, "I think I might have feelings for you, but I'm honestly a hot mess. I've never had feelings for anyone... in a long time. You're better off without me. Just forget that you like me."

There's silence on the other line. I've just assumed that Josh hung up, and am about to do so myself when I hear a completely different voice on the other end. It's still Josh, but it's a different Josh. His voice is still deep, but I can hear that he genuinely means what he says. 

"I don't want to forget."