Maybe Someday

4- Crush

Song Inspo: Crush by Sebastian Paul

Josh and Olivia's parents had sprung for a party van to drive the group to and from the dance. On the way there Josh had been buried in his phone, playing a game while you snuck sips of champagne with your girlfriends and Nick. It was annoying having Nick be in the middle of your girl time but you couldn't blame him. He and Josh had been best friends until last summer when suddenly they weren't. You weren't sure if there was a falling out or if they just drifted apart but how hard they tried to avoid acknowledging each other would hint it was the first. As long as he and Madison were together you'd have to get used to him and they'd been pretty much glued at the hip since last summer.

The ride home had been uneventful... to everyone except you. As the group loaded up into the party van, Josh climbed in first. Madison and Nick were next and quickly sat on the opposite bench from where Josh was sitting. As you piled in, being pushed by Olivia, Josh grabbed your arm to stop you from falling. Without skipping a beat, he pulled you down to sitting in the spot right next to him. Olivia and Loren made their way in next and the bus lurched forward towards home.

Josh didn't speak to you... or anyone for that matter... the entire drive back to his house but no one seemed to notice. If they did, it was lost on you. He sat, legs spread enough to have his knee brushing against yours with every bump in the road. His hand reached out to straighten the fabric on his pants, skimming your exposed knee as he did. You couldn't focus on anything outside of the thrumming of your heartbeat.

You looked up, shyly to see his eyes seeming to sparkle in streetlights, pouring in the window every few seconds. Suddenly you realized he wasn't looking through you off into the distance any longer and was staring straight at you. You looked away quickly but would have sworn you felt his body chuckle.

The van heaved to a stop but you didn't notice until the music that had been blaring turned down. Olivia pulled you out of the van first before anyone had a chance to unload. You watched behind her as everyone piled out and headed off in opposite directions. Madison and Nick were saying goodbye at his car and Loren had followed behind Josh into the house.

You nervously asked: "Everything okay?"

Olivia: "Yeah totally. Just- Do you think it's weird that Loren seemed to watch Josh all night? You don't think she actually likes him do you? I know she said it was just a stupid crush like forever ago but like- you spend time with him tonight. Did it seem like something was going on?"

You stuttered out your answer: "I- I don't think so. Maybe she just thinks he's cute and that makes her nervous or whatever but–"

Madison walked up as Nick pulled out of the drive: "Is it cool if I stay after all? I was supposed to go home so Nick could come over but apparently there's a seniors only party tonight and he wanted to go to that."

Olivia: "Screw him. Let's make it a girl's night."

Madison turned and bumped into you, playfully: "Soooo you were getting awfully cozy with Josh tonight..."

Olivia answered for you with a laugh: "That was just a pity date, the person I need to keep my eyes on is Loren. You don't think..."

The rest of her warning was lost on you as she dragged you in the house and up the stairs. Josh was sitting on the couch already in sweats and completely stole your focus. He was flipping through movie options on the television and paying you no mind but as he disappeared from your line of vision, his face was all you could still see.

Olivia continued as she and Madison spilled into Olivia's bedroom: "...let's see if Loren is down."

Loren: "If Loren is down for what?"