still a friend - j.k.

five

Ruth's POV

I woke up feeling the anxiety from last night form. Josh seemed fine last night, so he'd be fine this morning, right?

I stumbled out of my room to hear chattering outside. Almost everyone was awake except for Sammy.

"About time you woke up." Ronnie called out as I walked closer.

"It's only 9 o'clock." I mumbled tiredly.

"Did you have a long night?" Josh asked looking at me. I felt like I had been caught, only me, Josh, and Ronnie knew there was a truth to his statement.

"No." I said. "Just tired." Josh had a smirk laid on his lips. I found a spot next to Ronnie on the couch as we waited for breakfast to be ready.

Once it was done, we all piled into the kitchen to get breakfast. Danny had to go get Sam. I found a seat at the table where I had usually sat. Ronnie sat to the left of me like usual.

I watched Josh walk up to the table not thinking anymore of it. Well, until he found a spot next to me. I looked at Ronnie for a moment surprised.

I looked over at Josh just for him to smile towards me. He didn't say anything, but continued to eat his food. I felt weirdly warm, I didn't know exactly why.

The table talked off and on. I felt fine until his leg brushed against mine. I felt a shock slide through my body. He didn't move his leg away either. I'm sure everyone could see my face growing red.

We continued the meal with our legs touching. Every time he shifted I could feel my body jump. He had to of known what he was messing with me.

He finally moved it away as everyone started to get up. He was already looking at me when I looked to him. I smiled not being sure of what else to do.

The rest of the day seemed to go on like this. He would already be looking at me, never looking away once we made eye contact. I felt like I was being put under a spotlight. I felt nervous as if everyone in the house knew I had watched the fireworks with him last night.

As the day drew towards midday, we decided to go swimming in the lake again. I was even more nervous than I was the other day.

We had all walked towards the lake feeling the heat melting us. I was more than glad to get into the water.

We all swam around soaking in the summer sun. As much as I was participating, I felt focused on Josh. He didn't help me out either, he kept grabbing for me or doing anything to mess with me.

Ronnie had tried multiple times to push me towards him. I didn't want to make it too obvious. I was nervous of what Mrs. and Mr. Kiszka would think.

Nonetheless, he did not seem to worry what anyone else thought. He swam toward me in the water.

"Are you avoiding me?" He asked smiling.

"Why would you think that?" I asked. We were circling each other as we kept ourselves above water.

"You've barely talked to me." He said.

"Well, you haven't truly talked to me either." I said.

"I don't have to talk to get my message across." He said. I knew he was referring to all the little moments where he would bump or graze me.

"What's your message?" I asked feeling a bit confident. I was tired of him making me feel flustered, I wanted him to feel the same as I did.

"What's my message." He repeated looking towards the sky. "What do you think my message is?"