Unexpected

17

Sorry about falling off the face of the earth for so long. I'm returning to finish this story and can promise weekly updates until it's done. Thank you all for your patience xx

       Josh led me the familiar path through the gym and out the doors towards the parking lot. I motioned to where I'd parked my Jeep, but he waved me off and steered us towards his car instead. I couldn't help but be intrigued, now not being the one to drive I wouldn't even have the aid of an address to help me predict where he might be taking me. Against my will, those damn excited butterflies erupted in my stomach and I felt hopeful.

               "Where are we going?" I asked after I'd buckled my seatbelt tight around me.

               "It's a surprise," Josh said levelling me with a look that brokered no arguments. I let myself meet his gaze for longer than I probably should've allowing myself to get lost in those warm, kind eyes of his. The sound of his engine starting was what finally made me pull my gaze away from his.

               "I hate surprises," I said but as the words tumbled out of my mouth I realized how untrue they were, at least with Josh. When Josh surprised me it was as if he'd known me for years with how easily he picked things he knew I'd like. It was one of the things I liked most about our rela—friendship, I corrected, the fact that there was an ease between us that felt years old.

               "No, you don't." Josh remarked, glancing over at me with one of his trademark grins.

               "My sister is coming to town tomorrow," I said, choosing to ignore his previous statement. "I'm pretty excited,"

               "Oh, yeah? Are you guys close?" Josh asked, relaxing his grip on the steering wheel as he merged onto the highway. Josh had to be my crush-kryptonite or something, otherwise there wasn't any rational explanation for why I found his confident driving to be so attractive.

               "Yeah, growing up we acted more like twins than sisters. We'd wear matching outfits and would practice all these stupid dances and skits that our parents probably hated having to watch."

               "How—um—" Josh stuttered out and at that moment I felt almost telepathic.

               "How old is she?" I asked and at Josh's nod I continued, "She's almost two years older than me," I couldn't stop myself from wondering what Josh was thinking, was he thinking the same as me? That being two years older than I was now would have changed the entire course of our relationship? That if I was two years older we'd probably be together, me in college and Josh teaching and fighting at the gym.

               I physically shook my head to rid myself of these crushing thoughts. I couldn't let myself get lost in a fantasy land which didn't exist, in a world where Josh and I could be more than friends. I had to be thankful for what I had. Thinking about being thankful I couldn't help, but remember my mom echoing those same sentiments back when I'd been so upset about Biz moving away for college.

               "Katie you should be thankful your sister has gotten such a great opportunity," My mom said as she rubbed my back in soothing circles.

               "How can I be thankful for that when it means she's going to be gone?"

               "You don't have to be happy that she's gone, but just think of how thankful you'll be when she comes home." At my look of disbelief she was quick to add "Think about how much more special the time you spend together will be when you don't get it everyday,"

               "I know," I breathed through a fresh round of sniffles. "I'm just going to miss her."

               "I know sweetheart,"