Josh's POV.
The buzz of the cafeteria rings in my ears; the touch of Chloe's hand on my arm sends tingles up my spine, creating goosebumps on my arms.
I take a bite of my sandwich and lick my lips. I can feel Chloe's eyes on me, she's looking and me and just smiling. I shift uncomfortably in my seat. If only she knew.
Okay, it's not like I kissed Maddie or anything. I'm not a total idiot. But I did do something I shouldn't have, and the guilt is tearing me apart.
It was nothing really, we were just out for coffee and I gave her a lift home because she was having car trouble.
And there we stood, in her front lawn, and I felt about fifteen tears old again, back there with her. Young, innocent; naïve, untroubled.
We soon began laughing and talking, which led to goofing around, and all of a sudden I was slinging her over my shoulder and spinning her around like I used to, way back then.
As the final twirl came to a close, I brought her back down to the ground, and we just stood there; we stood there like little kids, eyes locked, no one daring to move.
And then suddenly we were both leaning in, and we just stood there; forehead to forehead, lips just inches away.
Until we came to our senses; snapped away. And we just stood there, shifting awkwardly, until all at once we both turned away, and ran.
You see? I didn't kiss her. I almost did, but I didn't, and that's why I like to call an important distinction.
So the goosebumps running up my arms from Chloe's touch aren't from what used to be sexual tension between us; it's due to the lack of any tension whatsoever.
Nick told me that this was a rough patch, and not to give up like he did with Brooke, but I'm just not sure. Everyone says we'll be married someday, and Chloe always beams at the idea, but no one ever asks me what I think!
Maybe it's a good thing that they don't ask, because I'm not sure what I want anymore. Maybe I'm just afraid of such an intense commitment to one person. Maybe I just am distracted by short brunettes with curvy bodies and sparkly blue eyes.
Maybe I just want to stand there, just stand there, and stare into Chloe's big brown eyes, not daring to move, the way it used to be. Maybe I want it to be the ways things were.
Maybe I don't want either of them. Maybe I want a fresh face, someone new and exotic to me.
A screech of a microphone interrupts me from all of my 'maybes,' and 'what-ifs.'
The school principle taps on the mic, sending loud thuds to echo throughout the cafeteria. He clears his throat, "Classes of 2016, please welcome your newest classmate. She's just moved here from Hawaii, where her Dad was based for the Air Force, Kalani Hilliker."
The girl strides in confidently, dark brown hair in loose waves, dark eyes shining, long legs, hips swaying.
God damn, I think to myself.
Chloe squeezes my arm protectly, "What. The holy hell. Is that?"
