Forbidden Attractions

Old Friends, New Feelings

Chapter 3: Old Friends, New Feelings

Amelia lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, her mind swirling with thoughts. The events of the past few days played over and over in her head, a montage of laughter, playful teasing, and the strange tension that had settled between her, Christopher, and Josh.

It had been so good to be back home, but the dynamic felt different now, especially with Josh. She turned onto her side, hugging her pillow, trying to recall the memories of their childhood together—back when life had seemed so simple.

Amelia closed her eyes and let her mind drift back to a warm summer afternoon years ago. She remembered running through the sprinkler with Christopher and Josh, their laughter ringing in the air like music. Josh had always been the jokester, making silly faces to get her and Christopher to laugh.

"Hey, Amelia! Catch!" Josh had shouted as he tossed her a water balloon. The moment it hit her, the cool water splashed all over her, sending her into a fit of giggles.

"Josh, you're going to pay for that!" she had yelled, her heart racing as she chased after him, trying to retaliate.

She remembered how carefree they had all been, the world revolving around their little games. There had been a time when Josh was just Christopher's best friend, the annoying boy next door. But now, those memories felt tinged with something new—something she hadn't quite acknowledged until recently.

The summer before she left for college, everything had changed. She and Josh had shared a few stolen moments—hanging out late on the porch, talking about dreams and aspirations. His laughter had made her heart race, but she had brushed those feelings aside, convincing herself they were just a phase.

But now? Now, they felt different. The way Josh looked at her, the way he made her feel—it was as if she was seeing him for the first time, not just as her brother's best friend but as someone who could be so much more.

Meanwhile, Josh lay awake in his own room, staring at the wall, the events of the day replaying in his mind. After the confrontation with Christopher, he felt a mix of frustration and longing. He had always known Amelia as Christopher's little sister, but now she was something more—someone he found himself drawn to in ways he hadn't anticipated.

He remembered the first day she returned home, how she'd walked through the door with that infectious smile, her hair catching the light. It was a simple moment, but it had struck him like lightning. Suddenly, she wasn't just Christopher's sister; she was Amelia, vibrant and full of life.

Josh recalled their afternoon at the lake—the way her laughter echoed off the water, the sparkle in her eyes as she dove in, free and unrestrained. When they had splashed around, he couldn't help but notice how much she had changed. She was confident, sure of herself, and it stirred something deep within him.

He hadn't meant to let his feelings show. He had tried to keep things lighthearted, teasing her as he always had, but it was harder than he expected. Every time he caught her glancing his way, a rush of warmth would flood through him.

The tension between them felt palpable, like static electricity in the air. He didn't want to hurt Christopher, but he couldn't deny the pull he felt toward Amelia. It was like a magnetic force drawing him closer, and he couldn't help but wonder if she felt it too.

The next day, Amelia decided to take charge of her summer. She texted Josh, suggesting they go out for ice cream—a simple plan, but one that made her heart race with anticipation.

"Hey, want to grab some ice cream later?" she typed, her fingers shaking slightly as she pressed send.

Josh replied almost instantly. "Absolutely! I'm craving that new flavor they have."