Artificial

Chapter 2

Julia
It's been 2 weeks since the first game of the school year.

Carson has been hanging out with Josh and I a lot more. Well mostly with Josh, I just sit their and draw in my sketchbook while listening to music.

It was now Wednesday and second period just passed, I swear to god there is no teacher that is more boring than our maths teacher mister Taylor.

I mean does he really think we care his dog rolled into a ball or that he finally got his own place instead of living with his parents. The dude is 40 years and just got his first place.

Carson and Josh were talking by their lockers when I felt somebody move my headphones to the sides.

I'll hurt whoever did that, my favorite song was playing, 'the view from the afternoon' by Arctic Monkeys.

I looked up to see Carson. I was about to yell at him but his words interrupted my thoughts.

"You wanna join us later in the park?"

I know they just asked me because Josh doesn't know how to drive and we have to go home together, but I thought it would be a great opportunity to work on my drawing.

"Sure."

I said with a monotone voice.

School ended for the day and we went to the park. The boys played hockey on the pavement whilst I was getting inspiration for the landscape in the background of my drawing.

Josh was wearing the pads he usually wears on his legs during games.

Carson was practicing shooting while Josh was practicing using his legs more to catch the puck, well in this case a hard ball.

They always used a ball made off rock to get the real hockey feeling.

All of a sudden this shot of pain went trough my tibia. The ball of stone hit me hard. Carson went rushing to me, at this point Josh was laughing really hard.

"Shit Julia, are you okay. Let's get you home."

He put my arm around his shoulder. For some reason I've always been afraid of physical touch. Except for with Josh. Even my parents don't touch me since I don't let them. They're never around, always on business trips. They owned a really well going store.

"I can walk perfectly fine no need for your assistance."

I say coldly as I took my arm away from his shoulder.

"Hey guys!! You go along I'm gonna hang out with Alexa for a bit, she'll drop me off!"

Josh yelled, Alexa is really nice but she goes to another school. Josh says she's just a friend, but his cheeks turn as red as a a nose in the winter cold when he talks about her.

"You can go to I can drive home."

I say to Carson hoping he wouldn't put my arm around his shoulder again.

"No, it's fine. I'm staying at your house tonight anyways so I'll get the bed ready."

"You're staying over?"

"Yeah Josh asked me to."

He's been staying over twice a week since he broke up with Marie, or did she break up with him? I don't know and don't care.

"It's really fine I'll set up the bed and everything, you just go and hang out with Josh. It's Wednesday anyways so we still have like 9 hours to set up the bed."

"I walked to school today so I don't have my car, and I think Josh wants to be alone with Alexa. You're hurt, I won't let you set up the bed."

There was no point in discussing it any further. Josh was already gone, nowhere to be seen.