17 Stars

Chapter 9

Chloe's POV

"Sorry about my mom," Josh apologizes, walking up the stairs. "It's no problem," I reply laughing. I haven't see his family since I was thirteen years old. Also since I began to shut everyone out.

We are about to walk into Josh's room when his older brother, Jake, comes out of one of the rooms. He looks up from his phone, at me and almost drops it. "Chloe!?" he exclaims and gives me a hug. I start laughing at how shocked he looks right now. "Y-you look great!" he says, looking me up and down. "I think that's enough," Josh grumbles and pulls me into his room, shutting the door.

I raise my eyebrow at his behavior but decide not to question for his sake. "Let's just get this over with," I say sitting in his desk chair. "What? You don't enjoy my company?," Josh says, placing his hand over his heart, pretending to be hurt. I give him a look and he rolls his eyes. "Fine, you go first," he replies, laying down on his bed. What would be a good question to ask someone who is a sarcastic, arrogant pain in the behind. 

"What is the one career you see yourself entering in the future," I say spinning around in the chair. He seems surprised that I care about that. I have always wondered what he plans on doing with his life other than football. "Art," he says, finally. "What?" I say startled a bit. "Art. As in painting," he says as if he's talking to a toddler. "Wow," I mumble. "What?" he says slightly blushing. "That's really cool. Like really cool," I say smiling. "Really?," he says sighing in relief. "Yeah," I reply. "Okay, you go," I say, crossing my arms. He pulls out a piece of paper from his pocket. "You wrote them down, impressive," I say nodding my head.

"Shut it. Okay, so, If you could live anywhere, where would you live?" "That's an easy one. Germany. Most of my relatives are there," He nods his head. "Tell me something in German," he says sitting up. "Du bist ein sarkastischer, arroganter Narr." "What does that mean," "Google it," "I don't know how to spell any of that! "Well, then it will forever be a mystery,"

"I have my next question. What would your dream date look like," I say changing the subject. "A bit desperate, are we?" he says smirking. "Shut up and answer the question," I say rolling my eyes. "Hm. It would be with a beautiful, kind girl. Preferably with blue eyes. It would be somewhere very chill and romantic," he says, eyes furrowed in thought. He reopens his piece of paper and reads "What's your favorite movie?" "10 Things I Hate About You, it's the best," I say immediately. "True, true," "Okay, what do you think is your best feature," i say regretting the question already. "Only one," he says and I roll my eyes. "Kidding. My hair," he says running his finger through it and making a stupid face that makes me laugh. "Don't get too conceited," I say, still laughing. 

"What's your favorite childhood memory," 

"My mom used to take me downtown every Monday after school and we'd just sightsee. I was so fun," I say smiling at the memory. She stopped doing that when she got sick when I was eleven. She passed away when I was twelve. There is a moment of awkward silence until I clear my throat and ask the next question. "What was favorite thing to do as a child," I ask. "So, there is this tree. A Beautiful willow tree that I would always love to visit. The only thing that would ruin it was this girl. She would always be there and be super annoying," he says fake flipping his hair like a valley girl. I take a pen from his desk and throw it at him. "Hey!" I yell, partially offended. He falls backwards in laughter and I cross my arms. "O-Okay , my turn," he says, composing himself. "What is your most gut wrenching, hide from the world embarrassing moment," he asks, actually curious. "Remember that time in seventh grade when I puked while presenting a project. That takes the cake," I say, my face probably turning bright red. "That was pretty bad,"

"What is your favorite book? Iv'e always wondered,"

"Great Gatsby. Obviously. It's a classic."

"I wouldn't have taken you as a classics type of guy," 

"Well, you were wrong. My turn. What is your biggest fear,"

I freeze. Josh can tell that I'm a bit shaken by the question. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to," I shake my head. "I need to. My biggest fear would probably be dying. I mean there is such a high possibility that I am going to and Im not ready to go, you know? I'm only seventeen. My brain can't wrap around the idea that tomorrow I could just be gone in an instant," I say, my voice shaking a bit. Josh comes over towards me and does something unexpected. He hugs me. And it feels right. I feel safe in his embrace. He let's go and clears his throat awkwardly. 

"I have a good one. What is one thing you would change about yourself?" 

"Oh, um. I'm really bad at trusting people. That can be a good thing sometimes but it can also be a really bad thing," 

"Do you trust me?" I ask hesitant.

"Yeah but thats different. I know that you wouldn't do anything bad to me on purpose," he says and I smile to myself.

"Okay, this is my last question so I'm going to make it good. Who do you think knows you best," 

"My brother," I say. "Not your dad?" "No. I feel like Brandon and I have a different connection that makes us a lot closer than brother and sisters usually are. We never really fight that much unless something really bad happens. I already have my question. This is the best one yet so get ready," 

"I'm completely ready," he says rubbing his hands together.

"Whats your favorite thing in the world?" 

"Really? Thats your last question? That is the vaguest question i've ever heard,"

"Just answer the question,"

"Fine, fine. I think you already know this, but its art. Its like an escape from reality," 

"We finally finished!" I say pumping my fists. "I can leave now!" 

"Admit it you enjoy my company," he says standing up.

"Never,"

He picks me up from the chair and tackles me to the ground. "Say it," he tells me pinning my arms above my head.

"No," I say.

"You leave me no choice them," My face turns in confusion and he starts tickling my sides. 

"Stop! Joshua Edward Wolf you better stop right now," I say laughing hysterically. 

"Not until you admit!" he says laughing as well.

"Fine! I enjoy your company!" I yell and he stops tickling me. 

"See now that wasn't that hard now was it,"

Our faces are now centimeters apart. He leans in a bit more and my phone rings. He gets off of me and I answer the phone. 

"My dad said he wants me to come home," I say.

"Alright, I'll see you Monday," 

"Right," I say and leave his house, saying goodbye to his mom. 

What just happened?

________________________________________________________________________________

Vote, Comment, and Share with friends! Love you all!

-Ava