Another Day in Paradise

chapter 7- i think that possibly, maybe i'm falling for you

Monday rolled around and I had the hardest time concentrating during Professor Izollo's lectures. My mind would wander off and think about the amazing time that I had with Josh over the weekend. From Friday evening to last night, he made an effort in showing me that he cared for me.

Lauren would catch me day dreaming and would tap my shoulder or try to keep me focused, but it was no use. I kept imagining the way our skin felt when it came into contact with each other, just the thought of it made me blush. Even the group that we went out with the first night thought something was wrong with me. They knew a few well known actors were staying at the same hotel as we were, but thank god no one, other than Lauren, has seen us. I couldn't help that I was thinking about Josh, he simply consumed my mind.

On Wednesday, we were informed that our last day of instruction was the following Wednesday. The news hit me; I only had a little over a week with Josh. We haven't even talked about what we were going to do after we left Panama.

When we got back to the room, Lauren suggested that we go out to dinner and shop around. I honestly didn't feel like leaving the room, but I felt bad that I kept ditching her. We freshened up and ventured off to find a restaurant. Lauren suspected something was going on so she began her usual questioning.

"Andy, what's wrong? It seems like since Monday morning I lost you," she questioned.

"It's nothing," I bluntly said as I looked at anything but her icy blue eyes.

"Well, that's complete bullshit. Did Josh do something to you?"

Was it really that obvious? I am such an open book.

"He didn't do anything wrong, he's treated me with nothing but respect. It's just that...," I honestly didn't know how to broach the subject to Lauren. She stopped sipping her drink and gave me her 'Well, continue' look.

"I know we just have a week left and, I'm just wondering what's going to happen to us when this is over."

Lauren pushed aside her drink and reached over to place her hand on mine. I knew she felt bad for me and she wanted me to happy. I guess she's worried that I'm going to return to my previous state of moping around and avoiding any potential guy at school.

"You should talk to him about it," she stated. "When will you see him again?"

"I don't know yet. I was thinking about calling him on Friday," I stated.

Once our food arrived, I asked Lauren to talk about something else. She talked about how on Friday night when she went out with the group, one of the guys tried to kiss her. Of course he was drunk and she told him off. She repeatedly told him that she had a boyfriend and that only infuriated the guy even more. So she did what any girl would do, she threw her drink at him. We laughed over our dinner and then talked about what Professor Izollo was teaching earlier that day.

We finished dinner and headed off into the town. At night, the plazas would light up and families took strolls or sat on benches. It certainly gave me the feel when I would visit my family in Mexico. At that moment, everyone leaves behind their worries and just enjoy being with each other. There were a few couples there, embracing and kissing one another. That was when I wished Josh was at my side. It's been three days since I last saw him, and even though we would text or have short phone conversations since then, it wasn't the same as him actually being with me.

Lauren would go into practically every little store and buy souvenirs for her friends and family. I guess it was best that I would get something for my own family since I would be home in California by the end of June.

When we finished buying souvenirs, we sat on a bench, watching children chase around bubbles that they blew. It was really cute and we laughed along with their parents.