Max
It's been a week now since I've seen Josh and I feel at least relieved from the mental burden I had been carrying ever since I found out who Josh was. Right now, I'm just chilling in my room since today is a Sunday.
I wanted to hang out with Josh but he hasn't responded to any of my messages. All of them are sent but none of them are read.
Max: Hey, Josh! Are you free today? - Sent at 8:32 AM
Max: Josh, you there? - Sent at 9:06 AM
Max: Josh? Why aren't you responding? - Sent at 10:23 AM
I know the rational thing to think here is that he's hanging out with his friends. So, of course he wouldn't be able to respond to me if he were with his friends.
That would be the case if I didn't know him well enough. Regardless of whether he is hanging out with his friends or not, he would shoot a quick text stating that he's busy. No matter what he's doing, he'll always tell me that he's busy and won't be able to text for the rest of the day.
This sudden silence worries me a lot and the worst part of it is I don't know what could have even caused it. At first, I thought it was my request for space might have driven him away but he didn't seem to mind all that much and even encouraged it for my sake. I then thought maybe he was having trouble with a professor but then again, I think he would've gone to me and told me about it. A bad grade didn't seem to be it either since we're still too early in the semester to warrant any exams plus, I doubt he would flunk any of his exams.
Nothing I could think of could warrant this sudden silence from him and I grow worried every passing second. I am honestly thinking about going to his room to check on him but I'm not even sure which room he was assigned to. We only ever went to my room that one time.
I could go down and ask the RA for his room but then I have to come up with some sort of lie to why I want to know that. And considering my sudden friendship in the eyes of everyone else, the RA will end up prying into my business. To be honest, I don't want to have to deal with all that headache when I want to find out what's wrong with Josh.
Knock, Knock, Knock
A sudden knocking broke me out of my thoughts. Who could that be?
The RA? Seems unlikely since I've been really quiet and there isn't any real reason he would need me for. Then again, it could just be important mails or reminders for certain things.
A professor? Kind of unlikely, too. If anything, they'd hand or tell the RA to send a message to a specific student. It's unlikely since I haven't done anything extraordinary to catch their attention.
It could be anyone from the track team. But, our first track meet of the month is done and I've kept a close eye on any marathons that could pop up but none seemed viable due to either age restrictions or location.
Knock, Knock, Knock
Once again, the knocking snaps me out my thoughts. Though this time, the knocks sounded more insistent. Like whoever is on the other side of the door was desperate for me to unlock the door and let them in. I began to feel dread, thinking it might be one of those girls who wants to date me. As nice as dating sounds, I'm not interested in pursuing a relationship.
Knock, Knock, Knock
And yet again, the knocking had knocked me out of my thoughts but this time, it truly did keep me out as the voice on the other side completely caught me off guard.
"Max? Are you in here? Please, be in..."
I felt shocked but recovered quickly as I made my way to open the door for him.
"Oh, thank god. I thought you wer-", Josh begun to speak but stops as I see his eyes travel downwards. Confused, I looked down, only to realised I am in my underwear. Worst of all, a jockstrap, the most revealing underwear that I could have worn today.
'I, uh, come in and, uh, lock the door! I'll be out in, uh, a sec!", I say as I ran back to grab a pair of shorts to wear before fleeing into the bathroom. Just as I did, I remember about the bracelet I had bought him, sitting in the fancy black box it had come with. I took one last look at it before taking it with me inside to hide it away from Josh's eyes.
Soon, I was somewhat clothed and I rejoined Josh in the main space as he sat at my desk, his face flustered from the sudden body show.
"S-sorry about that. I wasn't expecting visitors today", I said.
"N-no, it's... it's fine. It's my fault that I didn't warn you beforehand."
A thought drifts into my head, thinking to ask him why he didn't read my texts but I decided to let it go for now. He looked stressed out. His eyes were red and slightly puffy, as if he had cried before coming here.
"You okay, Josh?"
He doesn't respond at first but then looks up at me, looking confused.
"Sorry, I didn't hear that. Could you repeat that?"
"I was wondering if you're okay, Josh?"
"Oh, I'm... I'm fine."
That pause didn't sound fine but knowing that, I don't push him in fear that he might get defensive. I don't want to force him as it doesn't seem to be what he needs. Maybe I could cheer him up instead.
"Hey, Josh."
"Uh, yeah?"
"I got you a present~"
I stride over to him, hands behind my back holding the box containing the bracelet. He looks up at me, confused before looking surprised as I presented the box. He takes it and I kneel down to better see his reaction to the gift.
"What is it?", he asks.
"Open it."
He slowly lifts the cover of the box, not really reacting to it at all. But once he saw the bracelet, his reaction was priceless.
"Whoa! This looks really cool!"
He grabs the bracelet and twirls it around in his hands, feeling it and just generally admiring the design of it.
"Knew you'd like it."
"How much did it cost you?"
"Don't worry about the cost. Just enjoy the gift."
"But-"
"No! Don't! Enjoy it."
He hesitates. Then, smiles.
I smile.
Then, he kisses me on the lips.
YOU ARE READING
Hidden Hearts
RomanceWelcome to Winterwake College! A college meant for anyone but in reality, funded by the rich for their kids to further their studies away from the common folk. Though it houses many students, this college is housing a story that has yet been written...
