Jonathan Joseph

Chapter 8

Business was very slow today, kind of an agonizing slow. It was quiet too I don't know why I felt as if things were changing my appearance my surroundings and my friends, it just seems odd.

I don't usually wear makeup but today I had too - my skin is cracking and dry, my eyes just get darker and darker as the days go on. I really do look like I aged about a ten years.

And the slow business is making things worse cause I just can't get my mind off Jonathan and Clyde.

"Did you hear anything I said?" Rebecca cried out.

"Mhm, yeah- yeah." I looked up at her from my gaze.

"Chelsea is everything okay?"

"God, yes Rebecca everything's fine I'm just sick and tired of everyone asking the same thing over and over just-" I stood up from behind the counter and took a step outside.

I took a few deep breaths before I heard Rebecca's steps tailing behind me I was going to apologize but suddenly spotted Clyde leaving the flower shop.

"Clyde." I called out.

He didn't turn around but I ran behind him as fast as I could.

"Clyde wait." I said out of breath finally catching up with him.

"Look I'm really sorry." I started.

"I'm just dealing with a lot of stuff and I shouldn't have acted that way towards you." I finish but he still doesn't say a word its almost as if I wasn't even there at that moment.

"Please just say something." I begged.

"You know, other people have problems too and when someone is kind enough to try and help just to forget about other things for just a second it isn't all that great to have it thrown back in there face." He said coldly.

The darkness in his eyes gazed right into mine causing me to step back for a minute. "I said I'm sorry." I let out.
but after a long moment he walked off seeing just a little bit of him that way more than terrified me.

I let out the breath I held in and continued back towards the restaurant. I felt Rebecca's eyes burning a hole into me as I walked in I don't say a thing neither does she and we continue to work separately.

-

By the time my shift was over it was dark out and was drizzling I usually wave everyone goodbye but today I didn't I hung my apron and went on my way.

This time I wasn't going straight home either..
-
I stare at Jonathan's tombstone still shocked that I'd see the day I couldn't stop the tears this time they just streamed down my face as I got down on my knees. "I don't know where you are right now..." I started. "And I don't know if your listening... But I forgot to tell you something that I should've told you a long time ago..." I look up at the sky as the rain gets harder and the sky starts to rumble. "The day you died was the same day my father left my mother, you died when-"

"Chelsea!"

I turn around to see Clyde calling after me a couple feet away.

"Chelsea lets go!"

I'm baffled to see him standing there after the conversation we had this afternoon.

"No, I can't." I look back at the stone.

"It's not safe out here we have to go!" He calls out but I try to block it out.

"Jonathan you died because-" the thunder banged even louder and just by a good three inches lighting struck down on a branch just missing me.

"Oh my god." I say under my breath and see Clyde running after me.

"Are you okay?" he scoops me up.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine."

He looks me in my eyes for a moment until the sound of thunder breaks our gaze we begin to run..

-

I finally got the door open and removed my jacket from my covering my head I watch Clyde as he stood the outside the
door looking at me.

"I should be getting home now." he says.

I look at him like he's nuts, "Are you kidding me get in here." I grab him by his wrist and pull him in shutting the door behind him.

For a moment we were silent before I finally told him he can sit down. i took my jacket off and put it around one of the chairs I went into the bathroom and took out two towels so we'd both dry ourselves off I handed him one as I rubbed the towel through my hair and he did the same.

"It's not safe anymore Chelsea.."

"What?" I turn around facing Clyde now.

He looks up confused still patting himself down. "What?" He says.

"You just said something."

"No I didn't." He said.

I bite my lip and continue drying myself that must've been Jonathan.

"So um.." I set the towel down and lean on the counter. "how did you... How'd you know we're I was?"

He sighs I could tell he wasn't really up for a conversation with me and i don't blame him. "I was just walking by.."

I raise and eyebrow at him.

"I was, I forgot a few things at the shop went back and when I walked out it just started pouring... then I saw you."

The way he said those words for some reason made my hands get all sweaty and my heart started thumping in my chest.

"I really should be asking you why you were out there-"

"It doesn't matter-"

"It doesn't matter you could have gotten hurt." concern was in his voice.

I don't know why either he doesn't even

"...know me."

I suddenly realize I said the words out loud and he repeated them coldly like he didn't even want to hear the words come out my mouth.

He stood up taking slow steps closer and closer to me until we finally met face to face I don't know how but I could still smell the lingering scent of his cologne on him with every breath he took it breezed onto my chest I looked up into his brown eyes and couldn't help mine wondering down to his chest. Through his soaked white shirt you can see every muscle bulging through his skin as well as his veins.

"I don't give a damn if I don't know a thing about you... I still don't want you getting hurt." He said gently.

His deep raspy voice sent shivers down my spine leaving me speechless. He pulled himself out of his intent gaze and stepped back. "But now that your here and safe, I should get home." He said.

I still couldn't get the words to come out my mouth as he began to walk towards to door.

"Wait." I stood in front of him blocking the door and looked up at him.

"Please." My voice cracked. "Don't go..." I whispered.. "Stay."