Crash (Josh Franceschi fanfiction)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

'Oh god, I just can't stop crying,' a loud sob emerged from downstairs, waking me up as the sound travelled up the staircase, audible from above.

I sat up, a crease forming above my furrowed brow as I felt around in the sheets next to me.

No Tyler.

I got out of bed, pulling the covers straight. The house was quiet aside from the faint, continuous cries from below and the scuff of my slippered feet on the worn carpet. I felt almost frightened.

'Ty?' I whispered, gripping the railing in my nervous hand as I emerged at the bottom of the stairs.

Sitting on the sofa was a concerned-looking Tyler with Josh beside him, drowning in tears. I stood watching for a moment while Tyler patted Josh's shoulder as several consecutive sobs escaped his lips.

'Tyler?' I spoke again, hoping my voice came out louder this time.

Two surprised faces spun immediately towards me, Josh wiping desperately at his wet face with his sleeve.

'What's wrong?' I asked quietly, for lack of anything better to say. I didn't think 'are you okay' would cut it, as I obviously had a crying, very 'I'm-not-okay' looking guy sitting on my couch.

'He's had a row with Jessie,' Tyler answered for Josh, 'They've broken up.'

I seated myself beside them, giving Josh a sympathetic look.

'I'm sorry.'

'Why should you be sorry? It's not your fault,' he replied, wiping the last tear from his eye.

The three of us just sat there for a minute or so, Tyler and I swapping from glancing at Josh, and then at each other.

'Are you going to be okay?' I spoke eventually. Josh shrugged his shoulders.

'Shit happens.'

We all simultaneously let out air through our noses, a kind of snort I guess, except this wasn't really funny and we weren't actually laughing.

'I need to go to work soon,' Tyler got up from the couch, kissing my cheek and giving Josh a small smile. 'I'm gonna have a shower.'

I nodded, giving him a sort of side-hug before he made his way up the stairs. The bathroom door clicked shut and when the sound of running water could be heard, Josh turned to me.

'Do you know why I dumped her?'

I stared blankly at him, confused as to why I would know that. He stared back for a moment, before saying,

'She called you an ugly bitch. She was constantly bad-mouthing you, and I couldn't handle it.'

I shook my head softly, 'Why does that matter?'

Josh's eyes met mine again, and his blue eyes, icy with what I thought was anger, stared into my curious ones.

'I couldn't handle her saying such hurtful things about the woman I love.'

His words came out in no more than a whisper, but they still seemed to shout. I put a hand on his shoulder, patting it a couple of times, maybe I was trying to comfort him; it felt like I was trying to comfort myself. A mixture of feelings ran through my muddled thoughts. I had no idea what to say. What was there to say?

'Oh,' I decided on, looking down at my hands.

Josh placed his index finger under my chin, his gentle touch sending sparks through my body. He slowly lifted the finger, tilting my head up with it. His nose touched mine as he moved in closer. His darkening gaze flicked down to my lips before his tongue slipped out and rolled over his own. I felt myself leaning forward as his head tilted to one side, eyelids fluttering shut as he lessened the minimal space between us, his lips brushing against mine.

'Hey, Kirsty, have you seen my navy-blue jersey?'

I jumped, leaping up from the couch as Tyler walked back into the lounge.

'N-no,' I stuttered, shaking my head.

Tyler sighed, then walked over to me, placing his right hand on the small of my back as he pressed a kiss to my jawline, then one to my cheek. He stepped back, looking at me,

'What's wrong, hun? You're shivering.'

'Am I? Im not cold... Maybe I have a fever.'

'You don't feel hot,' Tyler lifted a hand to my forhead.

'That's odd. Uh, shouldn't you be off now, Josh?'

My eyes stayed trained on the floor as the shuffling of feet was heard, Josh standing up.

'Yeah,' he muttered, 'I've got a thing to go to.'

His eyes burned into the back of my head as i made my way to the front door, opening it for him.

'Seeya, mate,' Tyler gave Josh a quick hug, before Josh's gaze found me. I turned away, to face the open doorway.

'Bye, Josh.'

* * * * * * * *

I'd just finished stacking a shelf in alphabetical order of about 40 different Piano Self-Teaching books when a face I hadn't seen for 3 days appeared. He leaned his long, thin frame against the bookcase, a small smile gracing his mouth and eyes, which were partially hidden by his straight fringe.

'You're working today?' I raised an eyebrow at Fletcher, who nodded.

'Yeah, been doing the accounts out back in the office all day. I must've gone in there before you started.'

'Oh joy. As you can tell, my day's been thrilling also,' I said, gesturing to the newly arranged lot of books such as 'The Parts of a Piano', and 'Lesson One: Right Hand Melodies'.

'Clearly,' Fletch chuckled. 'I haven't seen you for a a couple days... Not since that night.'

Silence held its presence as a familiar feeling crept into my gut. Fletcher looked at me before pressing his palm to his forhead.

'Shit, sorry. I'm an idiot,' he groaned.

'It's okay,' I smiled slightly, 'I never said thank you, anyway. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there. I really do appreciate it.'

Fletch nodded sheepishly, he was always awkward with thankyous. I stepped towards him and pulled him in to a hug, my arms wrapping easily around his skinny figure.

He smiled, tugging lightly at the grey, knitted beanie on my head. 'Hey, I've got a couple of cousins coming around for dinner next Wednesday. Why don't you and Tyler join us?'

'Sounds lovely,' I nodded, 'Should we bring anything?'

'Just yourselves and alcohol,' Fletcher winked.