Love, Boys, and Jealousy: A Typical Romance

Chapter 31

Josh walked Erica home that day, she didn't say a word the whole time. When she saw Michael she almost collapsed and Josh, Isabella and Justin were all concerned on what had happened. She could barely speak to tell them but all she said was Michael and pointed to her eyes. When she did that, they all understood and just helped her up, with Josh's arm behind her for support with his baseball bag on the arm. Erica couldn't believe it. Michael. Why Michael? She's in eighth grade, this shouldn't be happening to her, it shouldn't. Why would Michael want to hurt Josh? She couldn't believe it was just because the fact that Michael likes her and Josh has her. No there's more to it, she thought, and she was going to find out what.

"Are you alright?" Josh asked

"Alright with what? The fact that I had a dream where my boyfriend's old best friend wants to kill him? No, not really. I can't believe it was him. You guys were so close and now he wants to hurt you just because your dating me? I don't buy that that's it. There is more to it."

"You're right. It doesn't make sense. I mean, I know he has anger issues, but not that badly."

"Of course I'm right. I'm going to get to  the bottom of this. I don't care."

"You do what you have to babe. I'll be there for support and help."

"Thanks." Erica kissed Josh and they got to her house. When she opened the door she went to go tell her dad that Josh was over and walked back upstairs to her room. It was five by the time they got back to Erica's so Josh could only stay for about an hour. "So how do you think you did at tryouts today?"

"Pretty good. I had fun, they asked me to pitch."

"But I thought that your favorite position was left field."

"It is and they want me to do that tomorrow."

"That's great." Erica was really happy for Josh. "Do you think that you would make friends on the team?"

"I already have. They were all pretty chill with a middle schooler going out for JV because some of their best players were there and when they saw me pitch they knew that I deserved to be there too they told me."

"Oh my God Josh that's fricken awesome!" Erica screamed. she reached over and hugged him and kissed his cheek.

"Hm" he said when she pulled away with her arms still draped around his neck. He leaned in and kissed her. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Good."

"Baby you know I do."

"I know. If you didn't, I wouldn't be here right now."

"Wow thanks."

"No problem." He kissed her again and they laid down on her bed. She rested her head on his chest and they just sat there in silence, in each other's arms.

"I always almost forget what it's like to be in your arms, and then you hold me."

"I'll never forget."

"I come close when you're not with me and then you come to me and hold me and I remember." Erica smiled as Josh leaned over and kissed her temple and stroked her hair.

They laid there for awhile until Josh left. Erica thought that it would be a good idea to start her homework so she took our her backpack as she got a text from John. He said that he needed to talk to her.

"What's up?" she replied "Is it about Veronica?"

"Yeah, today I wished her a happy birthday obviously, but she said that she had to cancel on Saturday. I feel like I have to tell her I love her soon because I feel like I might chicken out otherwise."