✺ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 ✺- Josh Kiszka

Part 14

Violet and I hung around my room for a couple more hours. I worked on the homework that I had. Even if it wasn't due for weeks, I just needed something to distract me. But it seemed like nothing could get rid of the memory from today constantly replaying in my head. Along with that, all of the confusing bits to go with it.

Does he still think we're hanging out this weekend? I knew I would make some excuse not to go. 

Just then, I remembered.

I grabbed my phone off the bed and stripped it of its phone case. The polaroid picture I had of Josh fluttered to the ground. I picked it up and tossed it into the trash, eliciting a frustrated 'ugh' as I did so.

"What was that?" Violet asked.

"Some polaroid I took of Josh when we went hiking." I replied, "I don't exactly want it anymore."

A minute later, there was a knock at the front door. I got up off the bed and went to answer it. When I opened the door, my mom was standing outside the sliding glass door, holding several bags of groceries over her arms.

"Hey, mom," I replied as I slid the glass and reached to grab some bags for her.

"Hey, baby." She said with a sigh as we walked into the kitchen. Her job constantly made her stay late, and you could see it was taking a toll.

"Hey, why don't you go to bed? I can put these away." I said, setting the plastic bags I was holding onto the counter.

"Are you sure?" She asked, leaning against the fridge.

"Yeah, I've got it, don't worry, Violets here too. She can help." I replied, beginning to put away a few cans into the pantry.

"Thank you." She said, smiling and rubbing her hand over my back. "How was your day?" She asked.

"It was good." I lied, continuing to rustle through the bags, grabbing out food and putting the items in their places.

"I feel like we never have time to talk." She said, "is there anything you want to get off your chest? Any news?"

"Honestly, nothing," I replied, wanting to change the subject.

"Alright, well, if there is, let me know. I'm always here to talk." She said as she kissed my forehead and started walking out of the kitchen and toward her room. I felt bad for not telling her about my personal life all that often. We didn't see each other much with her job taking so much time, and I didn't want to bother her more with my high school problems.

I finished putting away the groceries and throwing the empty plastic bags into the drawer we kept them in. I walked back down the dim hall and back to my room. I saw Violet curled up on my floor, eyes closed and slightly snoring when I went in. I knelt over and nudged her,

"Violet," I said in a hushed whisper. She groaned a bit and curled farther into a ball." Violet, if you're sleeping here, at least get in the bed."

She begrudgingly got up from her spot on the floor and dragged herself to my bed, laying down and throwing the blanket onto herself. I switched the light off and laid down next to her, facing the wall. I felt my phone vibrate under my side from where I had put it after taking out the polaroid. I grabbed it and opened it to see one text notification.

Josh.

My stomach dropped again when I read his name. I opened my messages with my heart racing from nerves.

What did you have in mind to do this weekend?

I know he did not just text me that. I thought angrily. He's still stringing me along. I turned off my phone, not answering his message and put my phone away.