Missing Joshua | Book 2 (SEVENTEEN)

Epilogue - Say Yes

For the first time in a long time, I decide to do as I'm told.

And I had been told to wait.

It wasn't a short wait, but I wasn't left hanging, either. In fact, it was a normal, average summer's day that he came by, completely unexpected.

I was folding laundry for my mom when the doorbell rang. I vaguely heard the sounds of my mom's footsteps and her opening the door, but I just assumed that it was the postman, so I didn't really focus on the voices.

A few moments later, Mom steps into the living room. "Amy? I think one of your friends..."

I had just picked up the large crate of folded laundry, and I wobbled slightly. "One of my friends?" I grunted, just as Joshua stepped into the room behind Mom.

The basket falls from my hands and crashes at my feet, spilling clothes everywhere. The freshly-folded laundry lies crinkled on the floor, but I don't even register the mess.

Joshua and I stare at each other for a few hard seconds. He doesn't look like he'd come prepared with words to say. My mind had blanked itself out. Mom looked between me and him, then back to me again, before slowly excusing herself from the room.

Should I hug him? Should I speak first? What do I do?

He swallows nervously, but doesn't look away from me. "Well..." He begins, "I'm relieved I found the right house..."

I blink, slowly. "How... how did you get here? We were texting each other just yesterday..."

He laughs. "I did say I'd come over at some point. Maybe I should have made it sooner rather than later..." He breaks eye contact, and his face goes slightly pink. "To be honest... The opportunity came up suddenly, and I took it without another thought. I didn't really think it through. I just got on the next plane over." He glances at my expression. "I understand that you're probably mad. I'm sorry. I should've given you a warning, but I just couldn't think straight-"

His next words are cut off as I break the distance between us and wrap my arms around his neck.

"I'm so happy to see you," I speak into his shoulder, my voice slightly choked with tears.

"... Oh." He breathes heavily past my ear, a little surprised at my forward behavior. After a couple of seconds, he returns the embrace.

I pull away when it starts feeling awkward, and my cheeks turn red as I notice how close our faces are to each other. "Um... do you want to go grab something to eat?" I ask, my voice cracking slightly. "I mean, I don't know when your plane arrived, so..."

We'd never exactly had a normal relationship.

He nods. "That would be nice."

-

We walk down the street in silence. The sun shines bright over downtown and bathes the LA streets in sunlight. Here, there is no need to worry about people recognizing Joshua.

We could just walk together, freely.

"I forgot just how much I missed you," I wondered, aloud.

He doesn't say anything, but when I look over I can see the corners of his lips flick upwards.

"Maybe it's about time we stopped missing each other," he said.

I nod, then pause. "Wait, what do you mean?"

He carries on walking, but not before I catch sight of a sly and secretive grin cross his face. After a few steps, he stops and turns around to face me. "Say 'yes', Amy."

My thoughts are scrambled and confused, but I trust him.

"... Yes."

---

THE END