Not Just A Fan - Josh Hutcherson

Chapter 21

Emma's POV.

I wake up drenched in sweat and my head is pounding against my skull. The pain was so intense, and I felt like screaming.

Rolling over to the other side of the bed, I notice that Mickey was gone. Great. It's all my fault for running out in the freakin rain last night. What was I thinking?

Deciding it was best to get up, I walk over to the bathroom on the other side of the room. I see my reflection in the mirror and decide that I look half decent. Please let there be Advil. I admit I kind of feel bad for rummaging through Josh's stuff but the pain was so intense. After searching through the medicine cabinet, I finally locate the Advil, thankfully.

"Emma?"

I jump, as I always do, when I'm surprised. The Advil rattles in my hand spilling all over the floor. Great.

"I'm in the bathroom!" I yell to whoever entered the room. The room was spinning and I swear I was about to faint.

"Em- are you alright?" Josh enters the bathroom seeing a strange scene taking place in front of him.

I couldn't even speak it was that intense. I shake my head, pain clearly read across my face.

"You need to lie down you don't look so good." Josh helps me up, with his arm around me, and settles me on the bed. I ignore the warm chills running through my arms because of his contact.

"What hurts?" he asks.

"My head." I wasn't even slightly joking. This is probably what a migraine feels like. Josh quickly jumps up and hurries to the bathroom, to get medicine I assume. A second later he's back by my side.

"Emma you've got to take this okay? Are you allergic to any kind of medications? Do you need to take a specific type?"

"Advil's fine." I say smiling in thanks for his sweetness. He hands me over two pills and a glass of water. I struggle to lift the glass to my mouth because every movement sends a new set of pain to my head. Finally, I swallow.

"Thanks." my words tremble out.

"Don't even mention it." I finally take that moment to look at him. He doesn't look well either and I can tell that he has a fever.

"Josh you should probably have some medicine too."

"I'm fine." I raise my eyebrows at him clearly not convinced.

"Josh. Medicine. Now. You're an actor you can't afford to get sick."

"I guess you're right..."

"Psh I'm always right." I say jokingly, trying to lighten the mood.

He quickly swallows the pills and takes a seat besides me on the bed. It's silent at first, and I'm glad for it. It wasn't an awkward silence, but a comfortable one. I'm the one who finally decides to break it.

"I'm sorry for last night. I'm sorry that you had to find me in the rain. I shouldn't have run off and now it's all my fault that you're sick-"

"Don't be sorry for anything. It's not your fault okay? I need you to know that." Josh says seriously.

"Thanks Josh."

"You thank me too much." he smiles.

"Actually, I don't thank you enough."

I close my eyes for a moment and I can start to feel the Advil kicking in.

"How are you Emma?" I realize what he wants to talk about and I will myself to stay strong.

I turn my head to him and find that the space between us is getting extremely small. My cheeks heat up, but I quickly look away before Josh could see the kind of effect he has on me.

"Honestly? I'm emotionally drained. Just tired of everything." I say. I turn back to him and see that he's listening intently and urging me to continue.

"Do you- Do you know what happened?" I ask.

He nods.

"Oh." I guess we would have to talk about this sooner than later. I realize that Josh is a complete stranger. I mean obviously I know him, but only in a way a fan does. The thought makes me shudder.

"Connor made a huge mistake and I know that he is beating himself over it. No one, especially a girl like you deserves that." he begins.

"What do you mean 'a girl like me'?" I ask. He probably thinks I'm a little girl who can't handle real life problems. He must have realized how insensitive he sounds and quickly shakes his head.

"No I didn't mean it like that! I mean that you are such an amazing and sweet girl that doesn't deserve this. If we-" he stops himself from continuing.

If we? If we what?

"But you don't even know me." I sigh. A glimmer appears in his eyes.

"Why don't we change that?" he asks.

"How?"

"Do you maybe wanna get some coffee with me sometime? We can get to know each other, for real this time."

If I wasn't so drowsy off of Advils, I'm sure I would have squealed and fallen off the bed. Instead I settle for a happy dance inside my mind.

"I'd like that."

"Don't worry Ems, everything's going to be okay. He did have good intentions but just the wrong way of approaching them."

Ems. Josh Hutcherson has a nick-name for me.

He looks down at my hand, and moves his closer to mine. Oh god what is he going to do? He's about to place his hand on mine but quickly pulls away from me.

"I'm going to head downstairs. Do you need anything?" he asks while scratching the back of his neck.

"I'm fine. I think I'll just stay up here to rest a bit if that's okay."

"Yeah-yeah of course it's okay! The medicine should ease down your headache in no time." he reassures me. Josh turns away from me and walks towards the bedroom door.

"Wait Josh!" he spins around.

"Hm?"

"When are we going to, you know, grab some coffee?"

"Tomorrow morning, yeah?"

"That sounds great."

Maybe I'll actually get to know the real Josh Hutcherson after all.