BENEATH THE STARS

For the love of pizza

Chapter 17. For the love of pizza

Josh was thinking about the Kate he'd seen that night. She was different, scared. It had always been her who'd been there for Josh but that night she'd looked so distraught. He had seen her break down when she'd told him about her parents but that was different. At that time she had made her mind to tell him about her past and she seemed sad but not scared. He couldn't see her like that, crying and scared. And he hated it when she blamed herself for whatever happened to her parents.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Why do people keep doing that to me?" Josh jumped at his voice and looked up to see Drake.

"You're a scaredy cat, it's not anyone's fault," Drake laughed as he sat down.

"You. Don't even start with me. What were you doing in my apartment when I was not there? And at night?"

"I was..."

"No stop. I- I don't wanna know. Keep it to yourself."

"But it's not what..."

"I said No. Let's get to the topic. Kate is having nightmares again. And she says they are just as intense as they were when her mom died. That night she called me all panicked. She's blaming herself for everything again. And she's taking it hard on herself. Drake I hate to see her like this. Are you gonna tell her about helping Doug?"

"I don't think this is the right time. I mean with everything that's going on in her mind, she'll be super mad. I really want to tell her, I don't want to hurt her but she's not gonna take this the way we want. I'm scared for her, bro."

"I'd told you earlier that it'll be hard to tell her later. Why don't you ever listen to me?"

"Josh, there are reasons why I am helping Doug. I don't think I'm ready to let you guys know about them. I promise you that when I'm ready, I'll make it my very first priority to tell you. I need time."

"Fine. But don't do anything that you'll regret your whole life. I'm here for you when you're ready. I hope it's nothing like my life though."

"Don't you dare joke about your life. It's all good and with people like me and Kate in your life, it'll be amazing."

"Yeah sure. Where are you heading?"

"Mila. Doug has some work to take care of so I'll be visiting her. She's such a sweet girl. She'll get better, I can feel it. We're just trying to know each other and it's going great. She's not had any attack recently so I hope that's good."

"Yeah, that's great. Take care though."

"You don't need to tell me twice you know. I stored it in my brain the first time you asked me."

Before Josh could say anything, Drake's phone started to ring. He picked it up with a surprised expression.

"Hey, wats up man?" he said, "Wait what? Whoaa... hold on, what do you mean? Where are you? Alright I'll be there in five."

He hanged up and turned to Josh.

"What happened."

"We need to go," that's all he said and Josh didn't know why but he felt sick to pit of his stomach.

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Kate had left the library, now headed towards the Café to get her usual dose of caffeine. She was just about to enter when a panicked Doug was rushing out. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Kate.