After Us

Chapter Ten

I may not vape or do drugs, however, three hours of sleep was enough to make me look like I was completely out of it with that zombie glaze. My eyes were swollen from staying up all night talking on the phone to Miles. My heart had been racing and my mind had been racing churning over the conversation we had. By the time I eventually fell fast asleep it was three in the morning. Miles had been thrilled that I could come so it made me feel like I wasn't just a tag along. We were officially leaving in a week! One week. My summer dreams fulfilled. I also called Oliver and told him about the news. He sounded even more excited than I was and it just made me realize once again what a truly amazing friend he was.That morning I took a shower to wake myself up and then went downstairs to make my favorite caramel iced coffee. I was planning on sitting outside to drink it but from outside, in our backyard, but all I could hear was the distracting hum of the lawn mower. The gardeners come on Wednesdays. I set my cup down and went around to the other side of the house where it was quieter.

The Lawnmower stopped, "Annalise. Good, you're here." Dad said coming over to me, "check out this bad boy!" I smiled trying to show as much interest as I possibly could.

"A lawnmower?" I ask with confusion.

"It belongs to Josh, the boy who lives down the street. Think he's in the year below you at school. He's letting us to borrow it." He says. The fence gate opens and a familiar face, Josh walks in. I smile and he smiles back. "You two know each other?" Dad asks.

"Good to see you again." Josh laughs.

"Bet you wouldn't say the same thing a few weeks ago, working together as gardeners for Mrs. Gram." I joke. Josh turns the keys to the lawnmower and shakes his head.

"Couldn't imagine." He jokes back. Working with Josh had been a nightmare at the time but deep down we enjoyed winding each other up and pushing one another's buttons.

"Ann you should help, I just need to go grab some more things I'll be out in a minute," Dad says and goes inside the house.

"I doubt I'm getting paid for this," I laugh and Josh smiles back.

Josh leans back on the gate, "I'm not either so we'll suffer together." He smiles.

Dad comes out again, this time with more tools in his hand. He smiled at us and Josh and I just laughed. Working with Josh and dad wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. We got things done and it was actually pretty fun. Dad invited Josh to stay for lunch and decided to rustle up a mouth watering BBQ. It was great to see dad cooking again, he hadn't done that since work started to get busy. He seemed to be in a better mood lately. He had told his boss he needed to cut down for a couple of weeks so maybe thats the reason why seen him smile more. After lunch, when Josh was about to leave, he asked me if I wanted to hang out sometime. We hung out a couple of days later and went to his house. I met his little brothers who were pretty cute and they made me laugh a lot. They were just like Josh but four years younger. We then spent the rest of the time at the skatepark where Josh wanted to show off tricks. He was actually pretty good. Not that I needed to compliment him on his board skills to add to his already large ego. He was such a show-off and in a goofy kind of way, he made me laugh. The day went by so fast and it was already getting dark. We started heading back home.

"I never knew you lived so close to my house," I said walking on the sidewalk while Josh walked in the middle of the road.

"Neither did I," he said, "We should do this more often. Are you around to hang out next week?"

"Aw Josh that's very sweet but I'm going on a trip next week, I'll be away."

"With who?" He asks, "Your family?"

"No, actually just me and-" Right before I could continue my dream car slowly drives past. Miles. Josh walks to join me on the sidewalk. Miles pulls up to where we stood and rolls down his window. Cami was there too.

"Crazy night last night," he laughed. Josh looked at me with confusion but then I realized what that sounded like.

"Oh no Josh he's talking about our phone call, I called him last night and we were talking about the trip we're about to go on. That's it." Josh didn't say anything he just stared Miles down. "Miles this is Josh, he lives down the street from me."

"Nice to meet you," Miles said but again Josh didn't say anything.

"Hi Cami," I smiled, "how are you?"

"Pretty good," she replied.

"That's good!" I say.  Cami reminded me of my younger self. Always so happy and confident around people, I missed being like that. Things started to feel awkward especially with Josh just staring Miles down for some bizarre reason.

"Alright well, I'll catch you later Parker." Miles smiles and drives off. Cami waved bye and I waved back and smiled.

Josh quickly turned to me, "So when were you going to tell me you had a boyfriend?" Josh asks.

"Boyfriend?" I mocked, "Miles and I are just friends," I say.

Josh rolls his eyes, "Going on vacation with him? You're not just friends." He scoffed.

"What are you talking about?'' I ask.

"You know his sister. How about the way you look at him?" Do I look at Miles in a certain way? I had never thought of it, Miles had always just been my good friend. Sure once in sixth grade, I had a crush on him but it didn't last forever. Or did it? Was the reason for my mixed feelings and staying up all night the night before, after our phone conversation? I felt confused and I seriously didn't even know why Josh cared so much.

"What about us? Aren't we on a date?" He asked. Holy shit. When Josh asked me to hang out he meant that as a date not just friends. My mouth dropped open and I looked to the sky searching for some words that could help me in this awkward situation.

"What. A date?" I asked, "I thought we were just friends."

"Everyone in my grade hangs out and is more than friends." He explains.

"Josh, I'm so sorry, I just don't think of you in that way and you in the grade below which would make it tricky." I had never let anyone down this way since no one had ever proclaimed that they liked me in this way. I felt really bad. Josh didn't say anything and just dropped his skateboard on the ground and skated away. "Josh. Wait!" I called after him but within a few seconds he was out of sight, leaving a trail of dust and confusion.