Coward

Chapter Thirty Three

We fell asleep on the roof last night and as a result I was late to class the next day, to which I didn't mind. It was the last week before term break, marking three quarters of the school year to be over bring the heavy rains or spring with it. Pineridge I have heard is prone to flooding being this close to the mountains when the snow melts we get the worst of it.

As the black Audi stopped out side school Josh turned to me and grimaced. "I'm going away for the week," is all he says.

I furrow my eyebrows but I smile none the less, "why so mysterious all of a sudden?"

He sighs, "sorry love but I can't tell you where I'm going but I'll be back next Monday and I'm leaving Finly here to look out for you."

I across my arms, "I am not a child I don't need a babysitter I'll be fine, I've lived alone for a while."

"You don't have any power on at your place," he points out.

I chew on my bottom lip, "touché."

His eyes follow my movements before pulling me in for a kiss, not as passionate as most of our others as we were in public, (not that either of us would give a fuck) but it still showed how much we meant to each other.

When we pull away he grins at me, "I think I'm falling for you Florance."

I rest my forehead on his as I hum in response, "and I you Joshua."

He chuckles, "don't call me that, it makes me feel old."

I laugh lightly, "yeah, but everyone is old these days."

"What's that meant to mean?" He asks softly.

I shrug, "whatever you want it to mean."

He shakes his head, effectively shaking mine as well. "No I mean, what does it mean to you?"

I smile sadly, "I feel as if I have aged a billion years since my brother died."

He smiles sadly, "I get what you mean, but I see it more as character development."

I pull away from him as I smile, I look into his black eyes. "Yeah, maybe you're right."

As he leans in to kiss me again a rock smashes into my passenger window, the glass shatters and I am left covered in shards. I gasp in shock, there are a few cut across Josh's face but his eyes are on something over my shoulder.

I turn around to see Mason flipping us off. My eyes widen and I quickly open up my door, the remains of the window fall onto the concrete. "What the fucking hell was that for!" Josh yells from behind me as I step out of the car. Josh opens his door and walks around to stand beside me as we watch Mason turn and walk away, whistling.

*************

I walk into the cafeteria, smile tightly at Crystal and Logan who are already sitting at our table before making my way to the centre of the building where I know the guys will be sitting. My hair is now free of glass but little cuts are etched onto my face and arms.

Too soon I find myself standing in front of their table, all eyes on me. Liam, Peter, Max and Dan all look surprised to see me but I'm ashamed to say I ignore them as my fiery gaze is settled on Mason and his smug smirk. I want to punch him so bad right now, but in front of everyone that would look bad. Instead I find myself raising my eyebrows at him, "if you have a problem with me Mason, be a man and face it."