My Annoying Neighbour

Chapter 26: Here For You

The week flew past and it was almost Halloween. There was a Halloween party held at school every year, but it's only for the staff and the parents of the school kids.

I don't really celebrate Halloween...well, I don't anymore. Grandma Lucy's passing was the day before Halloween, so I don't find much joy whenever Halloween comes around. It's been 6 years, but I still cry every year.

..........

Saturday (day before Halloween)

I've been dreading this day all year, but what makes this year even worse is, the Halloween party has been moved up to today.

Normally, the day before Halloween, mom and I watch all of Grandma Lucy's videos and we look at her pictures, cry together and just remember Grandma Lucy. Then the day after, mom and dad would go to the Halloween party.

"Okay sweetie, I have the snacks and the extra pillows." my mom exclaimed.

"What are you still doing here?" I asked my mom.

"What do you mean? I'm here for our Grandma Lucy Remembrance." mom said.

"Mom, it's okay. Go have fun at the party. I'll be okay."

"Sweetie-"

"Mom, it's okay. We can do it tomorrow." I said, cutting her off.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"Yes mom, go have fun!" I said, giving her a reassuring smile.

"Call us if you need anything, okay? Oh, is your phone charged?" mom asked.

"Yes mom, now go enjoy the party!" I said, laughing.

"Bye sweetie, love you!"

"Love you too!" I said, calling after my mom.

I don't know why I encouraged my mom to go to the party. Truth is, I wanted her to stay with me, but then a part of me just wanted her to have fun tonight.

I got comfortable in my bed and just started crying. All my memories with Grandma Lucy just came rushing in. I couldn't help it. I missed her so so much.

"Hey Sophie, your mom asked me if I could stay...over-"

Josh came into my room. I forgot that my door was still wide open.

"Are you okay, what's wrong?" Josh asked.

My head was in my pillow and I wasn't facing my door. I didn't look at Josh, but I could just hear the deep concern in his voice.

"Are you crying?" Josh asked with even more concern in his voice.

I felt Josh sit on the bed and put his hand on my shoulder.

I don't know why, but I just got up and hugged him. I didn't want him to ask any questions and thankfully, he didn't. He just hugged me back and we stayed like that.

Josh's POV

I was just watching TV, when I heard Ashley and Jack talking to my parents.

"Hey Ashley, hey Jack." I said greeting Sophie's parents.

"Hey Josh. Sophie is in her room, could you please give her company in the house at least?" Ashley asked.

"I'd be happy to." I said.

"We'll see you tomorrow Josh!" my dad said.

"Bye!" I said.

I took my phone from my bedroom and walked to Sophie's house. The house was so quiet so I decided to check if she was in her room.

The door was wide opened and I told Sophie that her mom asked me to stay with her.

But then I stopped in my tracks when I saw her lying on her bed and sniffing.

"Are you okay, what's wrong?" I asked.

She didn't answer me, but I know for a fact that she wasn't sleeping.

"Are you crying?"

I know, a stupid question to ask, but I just wanted to know what's wrong.

I walked over to her bed and sat down. I put my hand on her shoulder and she got up and hugged me.

I didn't expect her to hug me, I really thought she would tell me to go away or something. But things aren't like that anymore between Sophie and I.

I hugged her back, and I didn't even know it, but I really needed that hug.

I decided not to push her with asking 100 questions. She'll tell me whenever she feels like it.

We just layed back on her bed and stayed like that.

..........

Sophie's POV

My nap was so refreshing. I had the most amazing dream and-

What the...Josh? What was Josh doing in my bed?

Oh. Suddenly I remembered everything that happened earlier on.

"Sophie, I don't know if you're still asleep, but my arm is." Josh said.

I laughed and sat up.

"You're feeling better?" Josh said, while also sitting up.

"Yeah." I said, lowering my head.

"Sophie, you know you can tell me anything...right?" Josh said putting his hand on my back.

"I know, it's just-"

I looked at Josh and he had a warm smile on his face. It also seemed... reassuring?

"It's just, today's not the happiest day for me." I said, hesitating.

"Why?" Josh asked.

"6 years ago, my grandma passed away on this day. I called her Grandma Lucy and she was the only grandparent I knew. Grandma Lucy was my mom's mom and my mom's dad left when my mom was really young. My dad's parents passed away a few months before I was born." I said, feeling tears form in my eyes.

"Oh Sophie, I'm so sorry." Josh said, pulling me into another hug.

"My skateboard is the last gift Grandma Lucy gave me so, that's why I don't want to get rid of it." I continued.

"Is that why you got upset when I suggested getting rid of it the other day at dinner?" Josh asked.

"Yeah, but hey, it's okay." I said.

"I'm really sorry. If I had known-"

"Josh, it's okay. I'm okay...it felt good telling you." I said giving him a smile.

He smiled back and I instantly felt a lot better. We layed back and I switched on the TV.

"You wanna watch something?" I asked him.

"Yeah, sure." he said, giving me a big smile.

I don't know what it was, but something about Josh seemed to make me feel a whole lot better.

"Oh, and Sophie?" Josh said.

"Yeah?" I replied, looking up at him.

"I'm always here for you."