The Bachelors: a tiktok story

108: Home Deteriorating

Josh and Emma looked at each other, feeling really bad for you. They were both children of divorce so they could see how much worse this could end up getting.

You: "We don't have to-"

Emma put her arm around you and offered:
"I'll still stay with you but it's up to you, hun."

You: "Maybe we should get a raincheck on those sleepover plans. I just really don't want to deal with this at all. "

You didn't feel too bad canceling because truthfully she'd only offered because she knew you hated being alone in that house anymore when your dad was home. You really needed to give thought to moving out at least while your parents figured out their mess but you just finally got close to your mom again and was afraid of losing that.

Emma perked up: "Maybe I'll go surprise Bryce, he should be getting home soon!"

You knew she'd never ditch you but when she got the chance to see Bryce then she jumped at it because lately he was working crazy hours. He'd gotten pulled over recently with drinks in the car and even though he wasnt drunk, he was 3 months shy of 21 and was charged with MIP. As long as he stayed out of trouble for a while and could come up with a lot in fines then he would just end up with a warning.

Emma hugged you then hopped in her car to head off. You and Josh approached your door and as soon as the key turned in the door, your parent's bickering died down. Josh paused:
"If it's too bad, pack a bag and we will just act like the plan was always for you to spend the night with me, okay."

You kissed him then opened the door. Your parents looked at you and then each other when they saw. It was obvious you had interrupted a bigger fight than usual. Your dad looked back at you and then back at your Mom before huffing off upstairs. He was clearly more angry that your Mom shut down the discussion he thought he was winning.

Your Mom wiped her eyes not nearly as discreetly as she thought she had before turning back to greet you:
"Hi sweetheart! How was your night? Did you and Josh have a good time?"

Josh: "I mean I did."

You: "Hey, mama. Dinner was fun."

Mom looked at you, then Josh, then towards the door before asking:
"No Emma tonight?"

You: "No, uh something came up so I actually think I'm gonna take the chance to go stay with Josh if that's cool."

Your mom looked up the stairs and then half-smiled, sadly:
"Have fun, sweetie."

You felt bad leaving her again but you just couldn't spend any more time in the middle of the warzone their marriage has become. You were grateful Josh that Josh decided to stay downstairs to chat with your mom and keep her company while you packed a bag.

When you got back outside you saw Jaden's car pulling away and Chase walking up to his door. You hadn't even noticed it parked there before. You couldn't help but wonder what happened and Chase seemed just as distracted. He was stalling, wasting time on his porch as if he had something to say but that he couldn't quite work up the nerve to call out to you.

You didn't want to ditch Josh so you turned and asked:
"Do you think it'd be okay if I drove myself and met you at your apartment? I just kinda wanna have my car with me."

Josh looked up and saw Chase:
"And to get the gossip about Chase and Jaden?"

You smiled, cautiously, unsure if he was really as cool with it as he seemed. You dragged out the word as though you were scared of the response:
"Maaaybeee?"

His face pouted in the most adorable look he'd ever given you:
"I mean, you're gonna come home and tell me all about it too, right? 'Don't tell anyone' doesn't count when it's your boyfriend. I want the tea too."

You couldn't help but laugh as you handed him your bag. You reached up onto your tiptoes to give him a quick kiss.

You: "I don't know why you were so hesitant to be a boyfriend... You're literally killing it."

Josh: "Well thanks, Girlfriend."

You: "I mean it. I know this is a lot so early on in the relationship and if you wanted to bail I wouldn't even blame you."

Josh: "Woah. Where is this coming from?"

You: "I just know I'm a lot."

Josh: "Who told you that? Tayler? Your dad?"

You just looked down, scared to answer the question that truthfully both had said that many times. Your brain could differentiate that they just said that because your boundaries were firm, but your heart doubted it sometimes.

Josh: "You're not too anything. You are exactly everything that I need and I don't care if your family is a disaster, your friendships are conplicated, your history is a mess, as long as you love me back then everything else is manageable."

You were scared to ask about the use of the L word because he hadn't really said the exact words so you kissed him again before walking over to Chase's house next door.

Once you saw his car disappear over the horizon, you asked:
"Sooooo. Ready to talk about it yet?"

Chase: "Talked about what? I thought we already talked about it and decided that you and I are just friends."

You: "No, we did. I meant about you and Jaden."

Chase: "There's not much to say."

You: "Well start with what happened?"

Chase: "He drove me home?"

You: "Oh, don't give me that. It's like a 6 minute drive and you're just getting in 45 minutes later? I feel like there's a story. Do you like him again?"

Chase: "I always liked him... but nothing has changed. I don't know how to have a relationship with him."

You: "It comes easier than you think when you like someone."

Chase: "You wouldn't understand. I just can't."

You: "Then maybe I'm the one who doesn't understand."

Should we have heart-to-heart with Chase about lying to Josh?