24 Hours - Josh Richards x Chase Hudson -

Chapter 7

Josh's POV

Only a few hours after finally returning home, and I was already back in the car on the way to the Hype House to see Chase.

It was difficult for us to talk on the phone without being interrupted by either of our friends and we really needed to have a serious conversation about the rumors being spread.

This time, however, I was alone, dwelling in the silence of the car. My thoughts got out of control as I imagined unrealistic outcomes of people finding out about our relationship.

'What if my parents find out? They're probably homophobic. Then what will I do?'

This idea hurt me the most, the fact that my own parents could abandon me just because I liked boys, and maybe girls still, I hadn't figured that part out yet either.

They had loved Nessa and were more upset than I was when I told them that we broke up. I don't know what they saw in her that I didn't, but I was better off with Chase anyways.

I turned my focus back to the road and realized I had passed the house, so I made another lap and pulled into the driveway.

I climbed out quickly and jogged up to the door, anxious to see Chase and talk things out so I could have some peace of mind.

After knocking lightly, the door opened and Ryland stood there, staring at me blankly.

"Um, hi." I greeted him, hoping he would just let me in.

"Hey Josh, did you forget something?" Ryland asked, his unreadable expression not changing.

"No, I just came to see Chase." I said.

"Oh, alright, he's in his room." Ryland responded, finally opening the door all the way and stepping to the side.

I entered the house, confused on why he was acting so differently from 4 hours ago when we were here.

Then, I noticed that he was on his phone and it was open to a tiktok about Chase and I. Particularly, one where I was staring really intensely at Chase as he talked about something.

I looked away from him and saw that the other members of the house were staring at me awkwardly too.

I waved nervously, starting towards the stairs when I felt a hand grab my wrist, making me turn around to see Nick now behind me.

Without saying anything, he pulled me into a hallway away from the others, ignoring my hesitation and questions.

"Nick, what are you doing? I need to go talk to Chase?" I asked, trying to yank my arm out of his surprisingly tight grip.

"Josh, what are you're intentions with my  best friend?" He asked, his tone cold.

"Uh, we just admitted our feeling towards each other a few hours ago, but I mean I guess I just want to take care of him and treat him right, and, you know, eventually ask him to be my boyfriend." I said, not sure why Nick was asking.

"Typical." Nick muttered.

"Seriously, Nick, what's this about."

"It's about me making sure you aren't trying to hurt Chase."

When I didn't respond, he continued, "A lot of people think that your just with him to play with his feelings, leave him, and get revenge for what he 'did' to you. I don't want to believe that cause Chase seems so happy, but I'm not sure."

I took a minute to process what he had said, before immediately replying, "No, of course not! I'm not trying to get revenge or anything, I really do like him, I have for a while now. Even before we knew we liked each other, we were friends, so I've always cared about him."