𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗜 𝗪𝗔𝗡𝗧. a true story

⁀➷ 57- THE BET

-𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐲-

12 / 12 / 22 — MONDAY

It wasn't until I heard something from Madelyn that made me second-guess my "friendship" with Joshua.

"I think I lost my hoodie, It's my favorite and I can't find it any-"

"Ems!" Madelyn's whisper shouting voice interrupted me.

"You will not believe what I just heard!" she gasped, plopping down beside me.

"Yeah?"

"So... I was in band and we were all just there and chilling since Mrs. Mason hadn't come yet, and I overheard Tristan and Joshua talking...."

"And?"

"Well... Tristan made a bet that he would hold hands with Giana if Joshua asked you out by Sunday."

I nearly choked on my Skittles.

"He did what?!" I shrieked.

It was a miracle I didn't get kicked out of the library right then and there.

"Hasn't he been pestering you, asking you who your crush is since like, last week?" Jen gasped.

"Yeah, but... I never thought...."

"Plus, when they were making the deal, Tristan was talking in a 'let's help each other out' kind of way. Because we all know he likes Gia, and well I guess that means Joshua...."

The realization dawned on me.

"Josh likes me?"

---

"Joshua Alexander Moore, I'm going to kick your ass into tomorrow!" I shouted, realizing he had pulled my chair out from underneath me just as I was about to sit.

"I'd like to see you try," Josh called back, prancing away into the hallways.

"Oh you get back here- wait, Josh!"

"Yeah?"

"We're not supposed to be in the halls right now!" I hissed, grabbing him by the arm and dragging him back towards the cafeteria. 

"I swear, if Mrs. Perkins catches us, I'm actually going to-"

"Going to what?" Joshua asked, pulling on my arm that was holding onto his, making me trip into his arms. "Come on. I dare you to try something."

"Josh, we need to go back before-"

"Before what? I got time."

"No you don't! If we stay here-"

"What are you two doing?" a voice asked as I let out a yelp, nearly startled to death. 

How glad I was to see Tristan standing there instead of Mrs. Perkins.

"What's going on?" he asked suspiciously.

Joshua stuttered, "T-Tris, uh-"

Using his distraction as a chance, I slipped out of Joshua's arms and raced back to the lunch tables.

"Geez, where were you, Melody?" Jenna asked.

"Oh you know, stuff. Anyways, did you guys hear how Mrs. Browning got cancer? I feel so bad..."

Thankfully, I was able to change the subject, but my thoughts were still scrambling around as my friends chatted on.

I have a feeling Josh actually does like me...

---

That evening, I was chilling on the couch after finishing my homework when the doorbell rang.

I opened the door to find Jaehyun.

"Jae? What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I uh, needed to return this to you," he said, handing me a store bag.

"What's- my hoodie?! Oh my gosh, Jae, you found it?"

"Yeah, it was on the bench at church and I knew it was yours."

Out of pure happiness, I threw my arms around his neck. 

"Thank you so much! I was looking everywhere for it."

"Yeah, no problem. 'Kay, I'll see you around."

Jaehyun tossed me a smile and walked away.

hm idk if i should end this chapter here or not 😭😬