We Meet Again

Chapter 3: Smokes and Differences

Josh was here. Now- on my front porch.

I was gaping, my mouth opening and closing continuously, probably looking similar to a gasping fish out of water.

His smirk turned into a worried look, as he furrowed his eye brows, still a half smile on his face.

"Sarah? Hey, you okay?" he said, reaching up resting his hand on the door frame.

Suddenly, Jen popped up behind me, resting her chin on my shoulder, and said, "Hey, Josh! So stoked you made it."

She snuck a glance at me, then pushed past me, knowing that I was not gonna speak anytime soon.

"Sorry, she's being a retard right now- this is Sarah, by the way." Jen said flirtatiously, batting her eyelashes at him, picking up my hand and waving it flimsily.

I smacked her after about five seconds of my hand in the air, caching her off guard.

"Ah! Bitch! God, just move so he can come in, Sare."

I obediently did so, shuffling away from the door, letting Josh lope into the foyer, taking it all in.

"Sarah, this is Josh, okay?" Jen said slowly, like I was a small child.

"And Josh," she said with her regular cool tone, "this is Sarah's house, so if you break something- watch your back at all times."

With that, she winked, waltzed into the crowd, and fluttered a wave at Josh.

He stared after her until she was out of view, then blinked, shifting his gaze toward me again, his crystal blue eyes boring into my light green ones.

"Your place?" he questioned, breaking the awkward silence between us.

I faltered, and then rushed out in anxiety, "Well- no. This is my Aunt Lana's place, I just moved in when I moved out three years ago. I needed a place to stay so... yeah." I finished taking a deep inhale.

Why the hell did I just tell him that?

"That's... cool," Josh exhaled, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

He looked around cautiously, then spoke again, "Hey, can we-"

"Nope," I interjected, "I can't talk to you unless it's business related, I can't go with you in private anywhere no matter what, and I most definitely cannot have a good time with you." I recite, counting off my fingers.

He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Wow, Sare. Didn't know you had an oath on this shit."

"Well... yeah. I guess so. Obviously, your request would be breaking two rules, which means I cannot do it," I stated, crossing my arms with attempted authority.

"Yes ma'am," Josh answered, saluting me jokingly.

I smiled, about to chuckle, when I remembered-

Rule #3: I cannot have a good time with him- laughing included.

Okay, I know I seem really crazy-strict on this, but it's serious for me and making the huge mistake to fall for him again would be a travesty, and could ultimately cause my downfall- which would suck.

He smiled brightly, eyes gleaming. "I saw that smile...," and rocked on his heels, hands still in his pockets.

I frowned as deep as humanly possible.

Josh copied my face, causing me to fight a smile. He started making ridiculous faces, causing me to eventually, begin laughing.

He smirked, then again asked, "Can't we talk? Please."