Don't Talk to Strangers

Chapter 6

I woke up in sudden panic when I realized I wasn't in my own bed. I remembered I was at Josh's house though, I remember the way he kissed my forehead, the way he said goodnight.

I rolled over expecting to see Josh but he wasn't there. I walked into the bathroom and fixed my hair and washed my face. I went into the kitchen and saw Josh sitting at the table with a little girl who's auburn hair was pulled into two long pigtails.

I sat down at the table and she looked at me in surprise.

"Hi," I said giving her a friendly smile. She quickly looked at Josh who laughed at her confusion.

"This is my friend Kara," He said taking her empty plate and putting it in the sink.

"Hi, I'm Rae, short for Reagan,"

"Aw, that's so cute! Nice to meet you Rae." Her cheeks turned red as she smiled and Josh came back in with a plate of french toast.

"Hungry?" He asked me and I nodded.

After everyone ate breakfast we sat in the living room watching cartoons, Rae's favorite she told me. She was such a sweet little girl and I felt like she was my little sister in a way. I watched as she giggled at the television, Oh how nice it would be to be a little girl again.

Josh smiled at me and scooted towards me, Why has our friendship gotten so close? I looked at him smirking and realized I had been smiling. I quickly blushed and he wrapped his arm around me and pulled me closer to him.

"Ooh! Joshie has a girlfriend!" Rae said making kissing noises. I laughed and I thought I saw Josh blush as he took his arm away from my shoulders.

"Rae, do you want to go to the park today?" He said immediately changing the topic. I saw Rae's eyes light up and a huge smile appeared on her small delicate face.

"Get dressed and we can leave when you're ready," Rae happily skipped off upstairs, "Make sure you brush your teeth!" He called after her.

"You're so cute with her," I said.

"You think I'm cute?" He said grinning. I rolled my eyes and hid my blushing face.

"So you want to come with us?" He asked getting up and I noticed the bandage on his arm was new.

"Sure, but is your arm ok?"

"It's fine, and if Rae asks I just tripped, she won't think any different," I nodded and I was disappointed that last night had really happened, it wasn't just a bad dream.

"Can we go to my house first so I can get clothes?"

"Yeah that's fine,"

***

I grabbed a clean pair of jean shorts and a light green v neck. I noticed the sweatshirt laying on my bed and I took it downstairs. I locked the front door and met up with Josh and Rae outside.

"Here Josh," I said handing him the sweatshirt, "I've had this forever,"

"Oh thanks," He laughed and we started walking to the park. Rae happily skipped in front of us telling about her friends from school and other childish things.

"Your sister is adorable, Josh. You're so lucky to have a sister like her. Plus you get along so well," He looked down at the side walk and I heard him say, "Yeah" under his breath.

We finally got to the park and Rae ran straight to the giant jungle gym at the other side.

"Reagan, just stay where I can see you! I don't want you wandering off!" Josh called out to her but she was already playing pretend and having a blast. Josh and I sat on the swings and watched her run around.

I felt my phone go off in my shorts pocket. I pressed the home key and I noticed I had a new text from Ryan.

Hey, Mia and I are going to dinner tonight, what should i wear?

I looked at the text confused, why hadn't they asked me to go?

"What's wrong?" I heard Josh ask.

"Oh nothing, Mia and Ryan are going to dinner tonight,"

"Jealous are we?" He replied with his trademark smirk.

"What would I be jealous of?"

"Ryan asked Mia on a date, and not you," My eyes widened in shock. Why had I not realized this?

"No, I just didn't they liked each other like that," I said laughing.

"Well then you must be blind," He said jokingly. Reminding me of the night in the kitchen when Mia told me I must've been blind.

I quickly sent a text telling Ryan just to wear something casual but nice.

Josh cleared his throat I turned to look at his blushing face. He gave me "that look" and I smiled.

"What is that? That face you make?"

"What do you mean?" He asked as if I was crazy.

"I see it in your eyes- never mind." I said laughing. I wish he new, it was difficult to describe to him how his eyes looked into mine with something more than care.

"Hey, Kara, maybe we could go to dinner or something tonight?" He said kicking the mulch on the ground.

"Really? Like a- like a date?" I asked, I instantly regretted saying anything, what if he just meant just as friends? I felt my cheeks blazing and I looked down, pretending I was interested in something.

"Yeah, I mean, if you're up for it?" He said looking at me. I felt butterflies in my stomach and I smiled at him.

"Sure, I'd love to," He smiled back at me and I felt my phone vibrate again.

OK thanks Kara! I'm going to ask Mia to be my girlfriend tonight :)

I couldn't help but let out a girly squeal. They would be so cute together, I thought to myself.

"Oh shit!" I heard Josh say as he suddenly stood up.

"What's wrong?" I asked standing up to face him. He ran his fingers through his hair.

"Oh shit, shit. Rae is gone!" My heart stopped and I felt my stomach tense up.

"Reagan?! Reagan where are you?!" We both called for her.

Josh ran over to the jungle gym but she wasn't there. I heard him cursing and I continued calling after her.

From the woods near the park I heard a soft cry in the distance.

"Someone kidnapped Reagan!" Josh yelled to me, his voice quivering, hands shaking like mine.