Anything But Ordinary ☯ Josh Hutcherson [unedited]

Chapter 13

Liz's POV

At some point I must have drifted off in a deep yet uncomfortable sleep. I woke up alarmed by my repetitive everyday nightmare and as I regained calm I noticed Josh was laying beside me. Quickly I looked around the room and then I relaxed, we were still in my room; he probably stayed to take care of me, not wanting to leave me alone in the state I was in.

Damn, I'm such a baby....after all this time, I'm still haven't mastered my panic attacks.

"Is everything alright?" I heard Josh's voice and he sat up to look at me.

"Yeah, fine" I said avoiding his gaze.

"Are you sure?" he insisted and I sighed.

"Yes I'm sure Hutcherson.... I appreciate you staying but I'm okay now, so you can leave" I said, annoyed.

Why wouldn't he let me be already? When will he notice that I'm a lost cause, he can't fix me, he should give up already.

"Whatever you're thinking, just forget about it. I'm so sick of the same crap Liz. Is it so hard for you to deal with the fact that someone is there for you when you need them? Seriously, all the shit that you say or do to push me away would've worked if I thought you weren't worth it, if I hadn't seen a bit of the real you but I did so now you will have to put up with me and get over it. Now come here" the last part was a command and before I could stop myself I leaned in his embrace. He laid back on the bed with my head on his chest.

"Were you having a nightmare?" he asked in a gentle voice.

"Are you bipolar?" I asked amused by the change in him from one moment to the other. I felt his chest rumble as he laughed and the movement felt comforting to me and I snuggled closer to him, letting his warmth seep through me. Heating my heart to the point of melting the cover of ice that entrapped him for the last three years.

"I have no idea but next time I go to a psychiatrist I'll ask him" he joked and despite of myself, I smiled.

"But even if I am bipolar, I'm not stupid Liz. You didn't answer my question. Did you have a nightmare?" he asked again and I sighed.

"I had THE nightmare. It's always the same. Has been the only nightmare I've had since....the incident" I confessed and I felt his arms tighten around me and for the first time since my mother's death, I felt safe.

"I'm here. I'm not letting anyone hurt you" he whispered with determination and I believed him, I really did.

"I know...thank you" I said quietly as I took one of his hands and placed a kiss there as appreciation. He took advantage of this moment of softness and took my right hand which was on his chest and he intertwined his fingers with mine.

"Now rest princess, I'll be here when you wake up" he assured and even though I was about to protest about him calling me princess, I was too exhausted and fell asleep almost instantly. I slept in peace, because there is always calm before the storm.....and the next day was going to be the mother of storms.

Part 2

I slowly awoke from a serene sleep.

I stretched in my bed to realize there was no one else in it besides me.

I sat up quickly and sighed deeply. Come on did I really expect him to stay with me just because he said he would? I should have known better.

"Morning Beautiful" Josh said as he walked inside of my suite with a stainless steel tray in his hands. I stared at him, shocked...

"I bet you were already thinking that all men are the same and they should all die in a very unpleasant and painful way huh?" he said with a laugh, which I ignored.

"Very funny" I muttered.

"Hey, take it easy. I only joke about it because you are not masking your emotions, so it's very easy for me to read you and figure out what you're thinking" he stated.

"Weren't you the one that told me to stop pretending and pushing people away? To be myself?" I asked with a smug smile.

"Yep, that was all me. I'm not complaining, I'm actually enjoying it" he said with a wink. But when he did, my heart skipped a beat and I looked away. What is wrong with me?

"Yeah, you're enjoying it to much" I mumbled which resulted on him laughing and spilling one of the glasses of orange juice from the tray on his shirt. This time I'm the one that started laughing and he gave me a narrow look which only made me laugh harder. After about 10 seconds of me laughing he could't keep stop himself from smiling. People tell me I've got a very contagious laugh (not that I laugh very often, not full heartily anyways...not like right now),well it's not laughing it's more like giggling, like a little girl giggling, yeah that's a better way to put it. Anyways people can't help but smile or laugh when I do it, and Josh was no exception because he started chuckling too.

"Okay, I can't breathe, I can't" I said while trying to catch my breath.

"Who would have thought that me spilling orange juice in my white t-shirt would make you so happy" Josh joked and I went into another fit of laughter, to the point that tears spilled from my eyes.

"Stop, please" I begged as I fought for control. I couldn't remember the last time I had a laughing fit.... it was way too long ago. I saw as Josh put the tray on the nightstand and proceeded to take off his shirt. The laughing died on my throat instantly after all the rippling muscles of his body came into view. I gulped loudly and looked away before he could find me staring. I've found him attractive since day one, I mean you would have to be blind not to right? Then when we were going up to the waterfall I realized his eyes were green, well hazel but still green eyes are like my biggest weakness, they always have been. If that wasn't enough he had to be this damn fit? Oh my Lord is testing me, and I think I'm going to fail....

"You should go to your room and get a clean shirt" I muttered without looking at him.

"Yeah....are you okay?" he asked suddenly and I nodded, still avoiding looking at him.

"Really cause.....Oh, does it bother you seeing me half naked?" he said and I laughed loudly, but it was obvious how fake it was since a minute ago he heard the real one.

"I'm sorry I didn't want to make you uncomfortable" he apologized genuinely. Oh sweetheart, trust me that it's not a bad type of uncomfortable....

"I'll go get a shirt then, sorry" he mumbled quickly before opening the door.

"Josh it's not a big deal it-" but whatever I was about to say was forgotten in an instant. Josh had open the door enough for me to see the visitor that was about to knock before it had been open.

My Dad.

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Dum dum dum dummmmmm.

What do you think will happen now?