IN TOO DEEP│minizerk

9

( a/n: i know josh has never had coffee or tea in real life, but allow it. it's a fanFICTION )

I leant back in the chair, bringing my mug of coffee to my lips as I scanned the cafe. I was looking for anything to set my eyes on while I waited for Harry to arrive. It was funny how he suggested we meet up here and then he's late to show.

The steam from his coffee began to fade, until suddenly it wasn't there anymore. I groaned, pushing myself against the table lightly as I grew more and more impatient for his appearance. My fingers drummed along the wood, my lips vibrating as I hummed a soft tune to distract myself.

Finally, the next ring of the bell that notified the entire interior of a person's arrival went off and this time it was who I was waiting for.

"Fucking hell, mate," I sigh as he sits in front of me.

"Sorry, my boyfriend was in a crisis," he scoffs, staring at the liquid in his cup with disgust.

"You don't have to drink it," I retort. "I didn't expect it to get cold." Harry rolls his eyes, slouching in his seat as he crosses his arms over his chest. "What's up with Vik?" I ask.

"He's still in Uni, as you know, and it's stressing him out, especially with YouTube piled on his plate as well," he sighs.

"Tell him it'll get better," I reply, a smile faltering on my face.

"I've tried," he mumbles.

"So, um," I glance down at my mug and watch my fingers trace odd shapes on the porcelain, "why'd you ask to meet here?"

"That JJ kid you're crushing on," Harry starts, pausing for a breath, "he's not what you think he is."

"He's biromantic, Harry," I interject.

"Are you sure about that?" he quizzes.

"I'm not fucking sure about anything anymore," I grumble.

Harry looks at me, eyes kind of wide in concern. "Josh, are you alright?"

"Not really," I reply. "I don't like JJ anymore, just so that's out there."

"Did he do something really douche-like?" he asks, being soft with his questioning as he didn't want to upset me further.

"Kind of...?" I respond. "But I don't wanna talk about it."

"It might help to talk about it with someone," Harry retorts politely.

"I have talked about it," I return.

"With Freya?" he asks, a little annoyed.

"No, she actually doesn't know yet," I answer.

"Do we have to fucking push you to tell us shit now?" Harry questions. I stay silent. "What the hell has gotten into you, Josh? You're so distant nowadays."

"I've just made a new friend is all," I explain in a quiet voice. "I guess I just forget to tell you guys."

"We're your best friends, Josh," he argues slowly. "We wanna be there for you, but how can we be when you don't even fucking talk to us anymore?"

"Is this why you wanted to meet up? So you could yell at me for being a terrible friend?" I interrogate. Harry's face softens, and he sits up straight, placing his hands in his lap.

"You aren't a terrible friend," he mumbles.

"Well, thanks for the reassurance," I sarcastically respond.

"Josh-"

"I'm gonna go," I mutter, standing from my chair and storm out of the cafe.

++++

As I stood at the last crosswalk that was on my route home, I watched the cars zoom by without a care of my presence. It didn't upset me though, it gave me time to think. Think about everything that's happened over the last few months. How I, without trying or even knowing, replaced Harry and Freya with JJ. And now possibly with Simon.

I sighed, stuffing my hands into the pocket of my hoodie. It wasn't fair on Harry and Freya. They'd been there for me with everything.

"Josh!" I heard someone shout, footsteps jogging toward me as I nearly step onto the street with traffic still coming. I turn around, my mood lightening a bit once I recognize the piercing ocean blue eyes. "You alright?"

"I'm fine, Simon," I grumble, noticing it's my time to cross. Without looking both ways or back at Simon, I cross the street and continue walking.

"Can I join you?" Simon asks, walking beside me with a bounce in his step.

"If you really want to," I sigh.

"What's the matter, Josh?" he questions. I don't reply, which annoys him. He grips onto my wrist and tugs on me to face him. I keep my head low and place my hood over my hair, shielding my eyes from his. A finger is pressed under my chin, Simon's eyes coming into view. "You can talk to me, you know that, right?"

"I know," I mumble. We stare at each other for quite some time before I hear my name get called again. I turn my head, causing Simon's finger to fall from my chin. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw JJ running at us.

"What's up, man?" he shouts with joy as he stares at me.

"N-nothing," I respond. Simon's hand lingered near mine, and I wished to wrap my clammy hand around his in an attempt to calm my anxiety.

"Why are you hanging out with Simon?" he asks, his face showing a hint of sadness.

Suddenly, my fingers were meshed with someone else's, a kiss placed on my cheek as JJ's stare turned from almost loving to ice cold.

"We just wanted to go on a coffee date is all," Simon replies beside me.

"You two are... dating?" JJ quizzes, looking at me with sorrow in his eyes.

"Y-yeah," I stutter, mentally face palming myself as I wasn't convincing at all. I had no idea what Simon was doing, but I was set on asking him as soon as JJ was far enough away from us.