Maybe Someday

7- The Beginning

Song Inspo: The Color Violet by Tory Lanez

After the last bell rang out, you rushed out to your car in hopes of avoiding another awkward interaction that your friends would dissect later. You stopped just as you felt in your bag for your keys at the realization that your dad had dropped you off after sneaking off to breakfast together. You stood next to Josh's car, debating on going back inside and calling your mom. Confessing you'd been late and dad had to drop you off would have certainly been better than facing Josh. Before you could think better of it, Josh reached past you and opened the passenger door to his lifted truck. It startled you, but you let him help you up anyway. As you looked up, waiting for him to jog around to the driver's side, your eyes met with Olivia's shocked stare. In a panic you waved her over to the truck.

Olivia: "Joshua!? What do you think you're doing?"

You interrupted: "My dad dropped me off this morning, remember? I needed a ride. You're riding with us, right?"

Olivia looked over at Madison who usually drove her home and rolled her eyes: "Fine, scoot over."

You heard Josh sigh in defeat as Olivia pushed her way into the truck, leaving you squished between them. The engine of the truck roared as Josh cruised down the quiet streets on the sunny afternoon. Olivia sat, leaning against the window, pouting. You were trying to remain collected but the way Josh's hand kept drifting to his gear shift like he was struggling not to touch you was distracting: "Are you just coming back to our house?"

Olivia: "Why do you care, Josh?"

You: "I think he was just asking where he was supposed to be dropping me off. Actually, can you take me home? I have a ton of homework to catch up on."

Olivia turned back towards the sunlit window as the truck bounced over a pothole. Without a second thought, you used the bump as an excuse to shift slightly closer to him. His eyes flickered to hers for a second before returning to the road. After shifting yet again, he let his hand rest on the small section of leather seat between you.

Before Josh could notice your quickening breath, Olivia announced: "It's the next driveway."

She hopped out before the truck came to a full stop and waited for you to follow. You tried to relax her bad mood by inviting her to stay.

Olivia: "The last thing I want to do is watch you do homework."

You hung your head in shame, painfully aware her bad mood was likely due to the kiss Saturday night with her brother and every suspicious moment she'd witnessed since. Olivia softened: "Sorry, it's not you. I think I'm getting my period or something. Ignore me. Just call me after you finish your stuff, okay?"

She hugged you and hopped back in the car, turning the radio to full blast as Josh drove them both off in the direction of home.

You were putting the finishing touches on your final assignment when your phone went off. You expected it to be one of your parents. They always called on the way home from work to chat about what you wanted for dinner. You were not prepared for the name that flashed across your screen as you answered and pushed the phone up to your ear in anticipation.

Josh: "Hey. Can we talk?"

You: "Uh– sure. My parents won't be home for a while, so I have time."

Josh: "Good because I'm at your front door."

You swung the front door open in shock to find Josh on the other side, lowering the phone back down to his side. You bit your lip, unsure if you should say what was really on your mind at that moment or wait for him to break the silence first.