Choices

Part 4

With no words shared or space occupied between them. A week pass before a ring is heard echoing through Cressa's home.

Josh bravely stands in the doorsteps of her house with a white rose surrounded by a bouquet of red roses. Cressa rushes to the door and opens it without looking who it was. Her eyes widen seeing an amazing surprise in front of her. She gasps realizing that she's just woken up with still a hint of bed hair. She combs through her hair eagerly with her fingers as Josh noticing her panicking. He shakes his head with a smirk on his face. He reaches for the doorknob and lets himself in. She takes a step back allowing him to enter covering her mouth. Josh takes a step towards her and wraps his arms around her.

"I'm sorry," she embraces him in return still being in a daze from the scent from Josh. She closes her eyes as Josh tightens his hold on her. He releases her and steps back. "These are for you." holding out the bouquet of roses. She hesitates in such action taken bravely from Josh.

"Oh wow, these are---" he smiles seeing the shock in her eyes. He leans in to kiss her on her cheek and leaves for the kitchen in attempts to find a vase. She still stands by the door as she turns her attention to watch him navigate himself through her kitchen. She closes her front door, walking over to a cabinet containing colorful varieties of assorted vases. She removes a glossy blue slender vase embroidered with rose petals. Josh realizing she's found a vase, he grabs a kitchen knife removing the bands that held them together as she poured water into the vase. Josh places all roses into the vase but one. He cuts a short portion of the stem off leaving nothing but a few leaves and a smooth stem. As he cut the white rose to an appropriate size, Cressa takes a seat in front of the piano. Josh walks over to her, parting a strand of hair from her face keeping it in place with the white rose. She turns to her side smiling at such a gift. Awed by such beauty, he is left with no words to speak. No sound is heard but the quiet rhyme of a clock nearby. She turns her attention onto the piano in front of her and plays piece with elegance and ease. Josh is shocked by her skills as a pianist, his phone rings. She stops playing and fixes her attention onto Josh. He gets up and paces back and forth.

"Hey, what's up?"

"Hmm, so we're good right. Everything is set?"

"Okay, so is everyone there now?"

"Good, then let me know when everyone arrives then. Especially him," He closes phone and turns towards Cressa.

"What's going on?"

"A party: A beach party." he smiles hoping he could convince her to go.

"Today? But I'm not fit to go anywhere today."

"Don't worry it'll start in an hour or two, you have plenty of time. Everyone is just getting this ready. So come on, go on and get dressed."

"But---" he interrupts her lifting her from her seat pointing her in the direction of the stairs. "But---"

"But nothing, go on. I'll be here when you're done. Dress comfortably." With that said she gives in and heads for her room to gather her bathroom things.

The shower is heard. Josh sits in the piano continuously plays various songs. The shower is off, rustling and quick movement is heard from upstairs. Cressa pauses realizing music is played. Josh still playing creating a peaceful atmosphere in her house, he stops playing realizing no more sound is heard from upstairs. He turns his head up to the staircase seeing a Cressa standing on the top of the stairs. He gets up from his seat and walks over to the end of the stairs looking like a gentleman. She steps down the stairs one by one.

"Comfortable enough?" seeing her in skinny pants with a nice purple top and jacket.

"Oh why, is this too much?"

"Not at all; you look perfect," as he smiles so coy. They start out the door and walk towards Josh's car. He gets to the car opening the door for Cressa inviting her in. She smiles seeing such a chivalry gentleman by her door.

"Oh why thank you kind man" He closes the door behind her as she stares from the car as he gracefully floats across the car. He enters the car and revives the car in its slumber. With a soft purring, he gives the car momentum as they leave her driveway. As moments passed in the car, Cressa feels a bit of anxiety as they near reach their destination. He pulls up by the parking lot by the beach. He puts the car's sweet purrs to sleep. He steps out the car walking over to her side. He opens the door and offers his hand. She takes his offer stepping fluidly out of the car. Still holding onto her hand, he closes the door behind her as they leave for the beach. They can hear loud music and see many of their friends having a great time. They reach the entrance of the party with warm greetings from the people they knew. Josh seemed to be so popular with the crowd; he was greeted from everyone at the party. As people said their share of greetings, Josh exchanged with them the introduction of his lovely guest, Cressa. Cressa and Josh spent most of the party's time together, despite his friends wanting him to hang for awhile. He rejected their invite and stayed by Cressa's side at all times. She saw his sacrifice for wanting to be with her, all she could do was to smile and engage in conversations that dealt with her. A few laughs and smiles passed as Josh courageously excuses Cressa from the party to have a few moments alone with her. She agrees to have a walk across the beach. Sharing thoughts and information by the history they had with their friends, Josh stops by the end of the beach leading her to a boulder located by the beach. Luckily there were smaller rocks for them to sit upon. Josh leads her to a seat by the rock taking his seat beside her. They gaze out to the spectacular sunset set for them. Cressa boldly redirects her gaze to Josh as he still looks at the sunset.

"Josh?" as if nothing but a whisper.

"Yes Cressa?" He turns his attention to her realizing her eyes filled with intensity only he saw when she was still with Kyle. She slides closer to sit side by side Josh touching his cheek. "Josh?" was the only words she could speak at this moment. She leans in closer, Josh realizes the intimate moment. He takes a hold of her hand stopping her from moving on with her intentions.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Hoping truly that he was what she wanted. She doesn't give him a response but only raise her other hand resting upon his other cheek. She leans in more as he returns the same gesture. Only inches apart from a sensational moment that could be shared. She drops her hands as Josh lifts his to hold her head gently stroking her hair. She closes her eyes as his close too. He hopes this time it could happen...centimeters apart