Worse Things

Chapter 9

As I walk out of Svorski Cafe with my caramel latte I can see Josh standing across the street looking aimlessly around. I immediately turn around and go to sit back down in the cafe. There's a small seat by the window that I take so I can see outside. There's no one I want to see less than him right now. I pull out my phone and dial Riley's number. After three rings she picks up.
"Hey Maya. What's up."
"Well I was walking home and I saw Josh."
"Oh yeah he left not long ago to come and talk to you."
"Why didn't you warn me Riley I don't want to talk to him right now."
"Sorry, where are you?"
"Svorski's Cafe on Cavalee Street"
"Well if your looking for a way to get home then you can go out the back and you should be able to get home but I think you should go talk to Josh. He feels pretty bad Maya."
"I can't face him now Riles but thanks for trying. Bye" I hang up the phone.
I walk out the back door of the cafe and start walking home again. I turn onto Argent Street and can and then go down the pathway that leads to my house. When I arrive home my boots are all wet on the bottom from the melted snow covering the sides of the roads. The grass that covers my front lawn is covered in thick white snow and I approach the front door. When I walk inside I call out for my dad but he isn't home. He and Alice must have gone to work while I was at Riley's house. I walk into my room and put my bag down on my desk chair. I grab my book from my school bag and sit down on my bed. As I read chapter after chapter the daylight that is coming from outside my window slowly turns to darkness. I look at my phone for the time and see its 6pm. I have 3 missed calls from Josh. I put my phone back down and go downstairs to the kitchen. I grab a bottle of water from the stainless steel fridge that's covered in baby pictures and award certificates I've won over the years. As I'm shutting the fridge I catch a glimpse of a picture of my mother. I feel my heart beating in my chest when I see it. The picture wasn't there in the morning. I quickly snap out of my thoughts when I hear a knocking sound from the front door. I slowly make my way across the  room to the wooden door. Before I open the door I look through the peep hole and see Josh standing there with a black knit beanie and army green jacket on. I open the door slowly even though I don't really want to talk to anyone right now.
"What do you want Josh?" I ask. The cool air from outside makes me shiver slightly.
"I wanted to apologise. I'm sorry I was being an asshole earlier, I just really like you." I don't know what to say to him.
"You don't need to apologise Josh, I know you weren't lying. I guess I just don't really know how to act around you because I really like you too." He starts smiling. The landline phone in the kitchen starts ringing.
"I guess I'll go now. I'll see you tomorrow okay." He smiles and walks back down the front pathway.
I slam the door shut and run into the kitchen to answer the call. When I pick up the phone a telemarketer starts speaking. I aggressively hang up the phone. I have never hated telemarketers this much in my life.
I go back into my room and lie down, my thoughts slowly drifting away. I close my eyes and fall to sleep hoping school will come soon.