Conquering Distance

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"Lena!", Josh calls as he hugs me close to his chest. The smell radiates off of his plaid shirt, the sweet smells of light cologne and laundry detergent.

"I haven't seen you in a while!"

We sit at a booth in the back of the diner, avoiding the eyes of paparazzi. "It's great to finally see you. I called before but you didn't answer so Andre did.", I tell him as he offers me his polite smile. Over the course of two hours we eat and exchange talk about work and family. I learn that his brother is graduating this year and he is heading to Hawaii to film the second Hunger Games. Hawaii. I haven't been there since...no, I'm not supposed to be thinking of him.

"So, how's that album coming?", Josh breaks me out of the haze I was in.

Clearing my throat, I answer, "Almost done. I still have to record a few more songs. It's coming though." He smiles at me and nods.

______________

"Mom! Brian! I'm home!" I set the car keys on the table in the hall and go to my room. Plopping into my plush couch, I turn on the tv. Say yes to the dress is the only thing actually worth watching at the moment so I'm stuck with that. Three episodes into the marathon mom walks in.

"Well, of course this is where I find you.", her swollen stomach is growing larger, now it's completely evident that she's pregnant,"How's Josh doing?" Mom always liked him.

"He's doing really well. Connor is graduating this year and he's heading off to Hawaii in about three weeks." Mom mumbles something about him. Its a compliment but she'd told me she knew I liked him before. Which is true, I have since I saw him when we were about fifteen.

"Selena Marie Gomez, you're twenty, you need to go be with friends. Call Taylor." There she goes again. That's all she ever tells me. I'm happy just being alone most of the time. HE ruined it for me. "Get over Justin. His little ass didn't do shit. You should be dating a nice young man like Josh. He's single, correct?"

"You know, I was kinda avoiding that name...and yes, he is." It's true, both are. Justin was sweet at first but the last year of dating he was abusive. Emotionally, not physically. He didn't even have the balls to raise his hand to me. Hell, I don't even think he had balls. Why the hell did I date him again? I'm not even sure now.

"Stop thinking about him!", a shirt hits my face.

"Mom!"

"What?!"

"I'm going over Taylor's!", I yell at her. She's not helping me by throwing all of my clothes out of the closet and onto my face.