Girl On Fire

7

Once the boys left, I walked back into the house super giddy yet sad at the same time. Them leaving made me very sad but nonetheless, grateful for their appearance.

The silence in my home was almost unbearable. I haven't had a full house since I was a child. My home has always been a quiet place, so for it to be lively for a few hours made a whole difference in my world. I've always been one for being alone by choice, but this time, it wasn't.

I turned on my small radio to fill the room with sound to stop the loud ringing and plopped down on the couch. I sat there without a word to say, AeroSmith filling the silence as I stare at the guitar with wide eyes, unable to comprehend the mere thought of spending all morning with my favorite band. I let out a small scream and grinned.

I wanted to call someone about this, but I had no one to tell. I don't speak to my mother and Ashley was the only 'friend' I had. I sighed, placing the guitar down for the dishes.

"Fuck, how am I going to do this?" I asked myself, staring at cups and plates in the sink while holding out my one working hand. I huffed, knowing that I would have to push through it anyways.

Eventually later, I figured out how and slammed the dishwasher shut, turning it on. I slowly walked back into my room and stared at the painting on the floor, glaring at it.

In all honesty, I didn't want to finish it. It was one of those pieces where you feel like it's just not working, so you stop. It was unfortunate that Josh found it and now wanted it. It was a very big compliment, but now I gotta finish it. Suddenly, I felt my phone buzz, pulling it from my pocket. It was Josh.

'Lost a tire half way down the street! So close!' He texted, along with a singular photo of the van's tire in the grass. I bursted out laughing, asking if they would need some assistance.

'Already got some company coming to help. Thank you though.' He said, sending it with a thumbs up emoji. I felt a little disappointed, but to be fair, neither of us had a vehicle to get to each other and from the looks of it, they seemed pretty far from the house.

I shut off my phone and stood up, placing it in my back pocket as I walked into the guest room, remembering that Danny and Josh took a nap in here. As I walked in, I noticed just how messy the bed was. Two of the four pillows were on the floor and the other two remaining were in opposite directions on the bed, making a mental note that one or both of them moved a lot in their sleep.

As I made the bed, I spotted a bandana and a necklace as opposite sides of the bed.

"Wow, they both forgot something." I laughed to myself, grabbing both items and pulled my phone out.

'You and Danny both left something here.' I texted Josh. Not a second later, I got a response.

'What did we forget?' He asked. I sat down on the bed as I slowly texted with one hand, very slowly.

'Bandana and a necklace.' I told him. I saw the bubbles pop up as he was texting back.

'Keep em :).' Was all he said. I shut my phone off and leaned forward, a large grin slapped across my face.

"Oh my goooooood." I whispered and yelled. Oh boy, this was a lot to take in. I quickly stood up, grabbed both items and threw them into my room as my new prized possessions.

—————

A few months go by and I've been working very hard on both my truck and the painting of Josh. They gave me a new found inspiration that I haven't had in years since I've lived on my own and was happy. It was very refreshing.

Josh had been texting me, checking in almost everyday since he left. He would send me funny photos of him and the boys while touring the states. I've also been practicing the guitar Jake gave me ever since my wrist healed. Sometimes sending Josh videos of me playing songs on it. Every now and then staring at their signatures on the back, thinking about how they quite literally changed the direction of my life.