Thirteen Summers

thirty-five

J O S I E

tw: mentions of drug abuse.

Today was a Josie day.

A Josie day was one of those days where I just wanted to bask in my own presence and comfort, and I did so.

Earlier in the morning, Madison gave me a quick visit.

A baby blue duffle bag was hanging over her shoulder.

"You okay, Jojo?" She asked me, watching me with a sweet smile as I lay on my bed, reading my book.

"Yes, are you?" I sat up properly.

"Yeah, I just wanted to say bye before I leave for the day." She told me, taking a seat on my bed. "I'm spending the day with Kevin and then staying the night."

My brows raised in surprise. "Kevin? Oh...that's what his name is."

"Oh, okay. You'll be okay?" I then asked, nerves settling in.

I've never had a boyfriend of my own but I knew that staying the night was a big step in relationships, I'd seen it in the movies.

Clearly, Madison really liked this guy.

"Of course, I'm just a call or text away if you need me, ok?" She pulled me into a little hug.

"Okay, have fun." I nodded my chin on her shoulder.

Madison pulled back and spoke in a careful tone. "And if you want to talk about...things that have been going on recently, I'm here when you're ready."

Immediately, I knew what things she was referring to but would not say out loud. She didn't want to push me, I guess.

Cameron and Roman's orders.

I mentally rolled my eyes, thinking back to what Caleb had told me.

"I will...have fun and be safe with Kevin!" I tried to take on a cheery tone to quickly move past it.

I waved goodbye to her as she left.

I envied her freedom to come and go as she pleased anywhere she wanted and by herself, I couldn't wait to be an adult.

A couple hours went by and I had abandoned my book to give myself some self care.

Beetlebum played softly from my TV while I sat on the plush rug on the floor, leaning back on my bed as I painted my toenails a turquoise blue colour.

I sighed when I heard a knock on my door, the person knocked a random rhythm and I had to wait till they were done until I asked, "Yes?"

The door opened and Kai walked in, he looked around my room and then stopped at my TV, where the music video of the song was playing.

Then his eyes found me where I saw on the floor. "You, what are you doing?"

"I have a name...and I'm painting my toenails, see?" I flexed my toes out, careful not to accidentally ruin the beautiful colour.

"Put your shoes on, you're coming with me." He announced, crossing his arms.

"What? Wh-why?" I looked around at my current set up, there was a tub of cookie dough ice-cream on the floor, the current book I was reading and my undried toenails.

I was in no position to move or go anywhere right now.

"I have places I need to be, I can't leave you here by yourself."

"But I'm having a Josie day." I whined, more to myself.

"A what? The hell is a Josie day?"

"Me time!"