campfire | joshua

five

it was such an exciting and memorable experience for her, including what they were in the middle of at that moment; the view of the bonfire and the sea waves infront of them.

it was the most peaceful thing that she had experienced in the entirety of her life, and joshua was the one who gave it to her, with that, she couldn't help but to wish for things to stay like that forever.

"it's so warm.", she mumbled, pertaining to the fire that was at a close distance from them.

joshua snickered hearing those words from her.

she heaved a deep sigh with a smile. "i could really give up life now, and just stay here forever.", she said, and she swore, it was the most truthful thing she has ever heard from herself over a long time.

"i know.", joshua agreed with her. he, honest to himself, didn't have his life as hard as her, but it was nice thinking about staying at that kind of place and not mind anything else.

her gaze landed on him for the reason that he said he understood what she felt. for once in her life, perhaps she had just needed someone who would understand her, and relate to her and say that they also want the same things.

"by any chance, are there any other reasons why you came here besides this being a trip?", she questioned, and she knew that it was by far the most uncasual thing that she had asked to him.

he tend his attention to her, therefore, making the heart skipping eye contact. his eyebrows slightly furrowed, appearing to be in thoughts. "maybe. . to get some air to breathe.", he might not have experienced any horrible events for him to momentarily run away from his reality, but sometimes, people do need a breathe of fresh air, just enough for them to continue. "for some reason, the air seems more. . breathable, when you're alone in some place worthy of being admired."

her forehead creased. "then why did you decide to count me in?"

she genuinely appreciated him for asking her to spend time with him, yet why, if he preferred being alone?

"because I just want you to be here.", he answered, his voice calm and gentle, but she sensed how serious he was, it was subtle yet he was.

at that point, she really just wanted to tell him to stop doing things to her heart.

her mind was confused and jumbled to an extent already, she didn't want to make it worse.

"and I'm glad that you still are. I'm glad that you didn't leave like you told me you would and ditched all you needed to do.", he continued.

her eyes fluttered. she was flustered, alright. "is it too late to say thank you?"

"hmm. .?", he hummed in response.

"you barely know me, but in a matter of one day, you did so many things for me. for giving me a ride here, for asking me if where will I stay. . and for asking me to spend the entire time with you, i really appreciate it."

the same goes to him for her being an unknown to him, and she knew that it was going to be the last night that she was going to see him, yet atleast, she got to say how grateful she was towards him.

"you gave so much more than the break that I deserve, from my bossy aunt, from horrifying interviews, from companies that rejected me and to the future ones that are going to reject me as well, and from that ignorant taxi driver who dropped me off in the middle of nowhere for no reason.", after her last word, she just hoped that after that night, joshua will forget that she even ranted about how miserable her life actually was.

"but anyway, if there is anything I could do to thank you enough, let me know.", she gave him an awkward smile. and she was then again hoping that he wouldn't make her do anything that is too out of her own comfort.

"let me like you.", he uttered. and he was serious, to an extent that he felt like it was the most serious thing out of all the serious things that he has ever said.

her eyes were as round as the moon above them. and she could feel something rushing up to her cheeks.

do you need permission to like someone?

because all her life, it was the first time that she had ever heard someone asking for permission to like someone — and that someone happened to be her.