✺ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 ✺- Josh Kiszka

Part 25

I lay motionless on my back, spread straight across the warm flat rock with the sun beating down on my face.

Josh lay opposite to me, his head resting right next to mine.

We had gotten out of the water a good bit ago and replaced our clothes after the sun had nearly dried us completely.

My eyes were closed as I listened to the array of sounds all around me. From the neverending roar of the waterfall to the many birds chirping from the trees above us.

Josh and I had been laying in complete silence almost the entire time, just enjoying each other's company as we drifted in our own thoughts.

As we lay, I noted how incredibly warm the day was, especially for the middle of October. Maybe it was just the wine still making my face warmer than usual.

To my right, I heard Josh begin to stir, causing me to turn my head over and look at him.

He stretched his arms up over his head, accidentally brushing some of my hair before he rested them on the surface of the rock above him. His eyes were still closed and he inhaled deeply, leaving his mouth slightly open as he did so.

He's so pretty, I thought as I kept my gaze on his face. The sun always had a way of making him look unreal in its light.

I watched as his eyes fluttered open, squinting gently into the sun above us. When he noticed my stare, he turned, and our faces aligned only a few inches apart. Being so close to him was almost agonizing.

A small smile formed on his lips and his gaze wandered across my face.

"You're stunning," he said softly after a moment. He drew his hand down from where it had been lying above his head, crossed it slowly over his body, and gently placed it on the side of my jawline, with his fingertips brushing my ear.

His words felt like a warm embrace as they entered my ears, and his touch was like a comforting breeze on a warm day. 

For once, I wasn't nervous around him. I didn't feel myself flush with his words or feel my heart race like a thundering drum in my chest. I felt totally and completely safe. His words filled my mind and as they did, I felt pure relief. The longing for Josh to admit anything, anything at all that would indicate his feelings about me. He had been giving subtle hints, obviously I had seen them, but this was different. The way he said it, and the way he looked at me, let me know.

"The wine isn't making you say that, right?" I said in a faint whisper, a smile tugging on the side of my lips.

He shook his head gently in response, now resting his hand lower on the side of my face, "I don't think I've ever felt more sober."

I felt my smile grow. The bracelets he had hanging from his wrist felt cold on my cheek as his hand stayed against my face.

"There's nowhere in the world I'd rather be than right here," I said, drawing my hand up and placing it on his.

My volume was almost inaudible and my words were like a whispered secret floating in the small space between us.

Please don't think this is too much, I thought, worried that I may have been too vulnerable too quickly.

He stayed quiet for a moment, a smile still lingering on his face.

"Can I admit something?" He asked, matching my hushed tone.

I was slightly taken aback by his question, it seemed random and almost like he wanted to change the subject away from our requited encomiums to one another.