STRANGERS » JOSHLER

p r o l o g u e

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"HELLO, SIR. Would you like to order?" 

Josh tears his gaze away from the door and looks up to see a waiter with a notepad and pen in his hands and a fake smile on his face. He didn't blame him though, it was what, the fourth time he'd come to take Josh's order? 

Josh laughs nervously, "Um," He swallows nervously before taking up the menu card and running his eyes over the names of the dishes like he'd done almost seven times already. Thinking it'd buy him some time, he stutters out. "I-I can't make up my mind." 

His cheeks flush when he hears snickers and mean comments directed to him from a group of people sitting a few tables away. They'd been here since Josh first arrived two hours ago, supposedly waiting for his date, with a bright smile on his face. 

The same bright smile that dimmed with every minute that passed with him taking occasional sips of his coffee and staring at the door. He wasn't unaware of the same people talking about how much of a stupid person Josh was for waiting for someone who was't gonna show up at all. 

He just hoped Jake would walk in that door any second, with that charming smile on his face and soft blonde hair and prove them all wrong. 

The waiter gives him a look, "I'm sorry, sir, but you need to order. You can't just sit here, it's against the cafe policy." 

"Uh, sure, just a minute, please." Josh chews on his bottom lip, as he realizes there was one more problem. 

Josh had forgotten to bring his wallet. 

He didn't think it to be a big problem at first since the blonde had said that he'd take care of everything, but now that he's not here. . .

"Are you done yet?" The waiter's tone is sharp, and Josh can feel the irritation rising. His heart starts thumping in his chest, his eyes moisten. He can feel the judgemental stares, hear the mean remarks. He inhales deeply to calm his slightly trembling figure. 

He should've listened to Melanie and not showed up in the first place instead of defending Jake and picking up a fight with the girl. That way he wouldn't have been here in this awful situation. 

Maybe he should just apologize and get out to avoid further embarrassment.  

 He looks up and opens his mouth to speak. Just then a stranger slides in the chair opposite to him smiling and saying, "Hi, babe. Sorry I'm late." 

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A/N : heyo new joshler fic coming up :))