Keep Quiet // Josh Dun (completed)

chapter nineteen :: battle øf the bands and white lies

The next time Josh and Nicole saw each other was the day back from winter break. It has been since New Years, the last time they saw each other.

Josh came behind Nicole, who was congregating with Jenna and Tyler by their usual spot in the morning.

"Hey babe," he greeting as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Someone seems happy," Nicole turned to him and placed a light peck on his lips. "Did you have a good rest of break?"

Josh contemplated what to say for a few moments. He wasn't just going to straight up say how absolutely terrible it was but he didn't want to lie to her. He knew she was only asking out of care. "Could've been better..." He had his hands placed on her waist as they swayed back and forth slightly.

"You'll be better soon okay?" Nicole tried to reassure him. She cupped his face with her hands, nodding as she said her words. She felt his hands slide from her waist to the small of her back as he pulled her closer.

Josh nodded as he listened to what she had to say. He usually always got better by the time it stopped being so cold but he wasn't too sure about it this year.

"I'm always gonna be here... you know that, right?" She reminded him.

"I know,"

"And you can always call me,"

Josh sighed over dramatically, making Nicole knew he was just messing with her. "Okay Mom,"

Nicole rolled her eyes at his remark.

Josh knew that she was just trying to reassure him and give him a way of support but when he was constantly being told he was allowed to talk to someone whenever he needed or something along those lines, he felt pressured. He felt as if he had to tell her exactly what he was thinking. Exactly how he was feeling. And he didn't like that.

|-/

"The semester is ending soon." Josh pointed out when he sat down for lunch. 

"Mhm," Nicole nodded. "That means that our classes are gonna change."

There it was. The one thing that Josh didn't want to think about. "Y-Yeah I know," he nodded. He wasn't necessary looking forward to the change in his schedule. Him and Nicole were bound to get split up and he wouldn't be able to see her all day.

"I know but-" Nicole couldn't even finish her sentence before somebody who she despised came to the table.

Ashley leaned her elbows on the edge of the table and looked at Josh with a smile.

Nicole looked to Josh, who was staring at Ashley like he was already expecting her to say something rude.

"Wanna be my drummer?" She asked. Nicole had no idea what she was talking about and by the look on Josh's face, neither did he. 

"Oh yeah don't talk to Josh for weeks and then come running back when you want something." Nicole said quietly. As far as she knew, Ashley and Josh haven't really talked since the drunken kiss incident.

"I'm sorry, what was that, little miss mute?" Ashley looked to Nicole. 

"Nothing. She said nothing." Josh grabbed his girlfriend's hand from under the table.

Nicole leaned over to Josh and whispered in his ear. "I'm gonna yank her ugly fucking weave off one day."

Josh made a disapproving face at his girlfriend and shrugged her off.