Crazy Love

Chapter 17

MELS POV

After breakfast I told Josh I had to go. My parents thought I stayed at Brady's, I had told them I would be home at 11:00, and it was now 11:30. As I was opening the door to leave, Josh hugged me from behind.

"See ya buddy," he said in a playful voice.

"See ya pal," I responded in the same tone, looking back at him. He was so handsome.

We both smiled and waved goodbye. I ran over both of our lawns and to my garage. I walked in and went to let my parents know I was home.

"Where were you young lady?" My mothers stern voice came from the living room.

"Brady and I went to Starbucks and lost track of time," I cringed when I said his name.

"I strictly told you to be here at 11:00," she said angrily.

"I know, I know I'm sorry mom it won't happen again," I promised, of course it wouldn't ever happen again. I was never going to see Brady again, my stomach dropped, except at school. My mouth suddenly became dry and I tried to push the thought away but I couldn't.

"No, you need to learn from your mistakes. Give me your gym pass, I will give it back to you in a week." She said holding out her hand.

"Mom you can't! I promise I will never do it again, I need it," I pleaded. I would be fine if she had taken my phone, but I practically lived in the gym. She knew that taking my phone would have to effect.

"Now," she said looking me in the eyes. She could be scary sometimes.

I huffed and ripped the pass out of my purse, I thrust it at her and ran upstairs. I showered and brushed out my hair. I needed to clear my head, I went to grab my gym bag but then remembered.

Oh, right. She took my gym pass, I thought bitterly.

What was I going to do? I suddenly had a plan.

I got on my cutest running gear. Although it was February and still cold I still ran every morning.

I got on running leggings, a tight running shirt, and a cute winter running jacket. I grabbed my shoes and jogged downstairs.

"I'm going for a long run to clear my head," I said, refusing to look at my mom.

"When will you be back?" She asked, "I feel like I never see you anymore."

"In two hours, you will have plenty of time to see me now that I won't be able to go to the gym" I said curtly. it wasn't uncommon for me to go for two to three hour runs. I had already participated in two half marathons and one full marathon.

She looked like she was going to say something, but changed her mind and walked into the kitchen without another word.

I went outside and turned onto my usual path, I knew she was watching me. I took a long loop around the street that I was standing by the back door of Josh's house. I knocked a couple of times before the door opened, there was Josh standing shirtless.

Wow those abs are nice.

No, were just friends.

"Do you ever wear a shirt?" I said pushing past him.

"Well hello to you too," he said sarcastically.

I walked into his living room and plopped on the couch in front of the TV, I mean we are friends right?

"I have two hours, entertain me" I said in a mock bratty voice.

He quirked an eyebrow, then trudged upstairs.

Did I say something?

He came back down five minutes later in jeans and a nice fitting sweater.

"Were going bowling," he announced.

"In this?" I motioned towards my outfit.

"Yes." He wasn't going to take no for an answer.

Ok then. I looked at him suspiciously then shrugged my shoulders, I guess we are going bowling.

We hopped in his car and off we went. There were two bowling places in our town, we went to the smaller one and parked right in front of the door.

We paid and grabbed our shoes. Then found our lane and started right away. Josh was an excellent bowler. It was so much fun, we just talked and laughed, sometimes forgetting that we were even bowling at all. Too bad Josh still had his girlfriend, he was an amazing guy.

Josh beat me by nearly 100 points. I should be embarrassed, but I wasn't I had never been really good at bowling.

By the time we got back I still had thirty minutes left of my "run," so we plopped in front of the TV, there was a weird stain in the middle of the couch but I didn't want to ask Josh about it, I just avoided it, since it took up most of the couch I had to squish in next to Josh.

I turned to look at him and he looked back, his brown eyes looked so warm and friendly all of a sudden we were both leaning in. Right as our lips were about to touch the doorbell rang.

Was I really just about to kiss Josh? So much for being friends.

I heard Josh telling someone to hold on a second and that he would be right back. He ran in with an urgent look on his face.

"Mel you have to go," he said pushing me out the door.

I turned around to ask what was going on, but he closed the door on my face.

I guess Josh didn't want to be more than friends.

 I walked slowly back to my house, I looked back at Josh's house. There was a car in his driveway.

Hold on a second I know that car. That is Jenny's car.

I fought back tears as I went inside. I slowly walked back to my room, and fell face first onto my bed. I had the worst luck with guys. One is taken and one is a rapist, just fantastic.

I guess he liked Jenny more than me. Well what did I expect, Josh did only ask to be friends.

I just didn't get it.

My mom called me down to dinner. I put on sweats and a T-shirt then put my hair in a bun.

We had spaghetti and a side salad for dinner, I got the smallest amount possible because I hadn't worked out today.

"Mel you'll need more than that, I mean you ran for almost two and a half hours," my mom said as she loaded another big scoop onto my plate.

"Thanks mom," I said with fake gratitude.

She nodded and sat down across from me.

"So we got your application back from the U," my father started. Yes they had gotten me to send an application to the place that I was destined to be great in.

"And?" My mother pushed nervously. Apparently she hadn't seen it yet.

"You were accepted!" My father shouted in joy.

Of course I had been accepted. I had gotten a 4.0 GPA since 9th grade, with all of the extra curricular activities my parents had forced me into and all of my volunteer hours I could've gotten in to pretty much any college I wanted to.

"That's great dad," I said trying to sound excited.

"So I scheduled a tour for us to go to in March," he added.

They both looked so proud, how was I supposed to tell them my dream? I had $20,000 saved up so far. I know having a college degree would help a lot but I had been researching and studying business since the eighth grade, I was also thinking of taking online college.

"I can't wait." My parents had started saving up for my college when they got married, yes that's right, they had started saving before they even thought about having a child.

I went to bed that night thinking about Josh, and how as soon as Jenny showed up he had tried to get me out of the house as fast as he could.

How could I be so stupid?