Even Though (Joey Richter fanfiction)

Chapter 20

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Joey cracked jokes the whole way to Walmart. By the time we had reached the shop my ribs were sore from laughing.

I took his hand and smiled at him as we walked into Walmart, and he cheerfully began swinging our arms back and forwards.

"Come on!" he said excitedly, pulling me towards the sweet aisle.

I laughed and skipped along side him. "What are you looking for?" I asked as Joey searched along the shelves.

"Candy." he said, as if it were the stupidest question he had ever heard.

"Wow. Thanks Joey. I never would have guessed." I said sarcastically.

He shot me a grin and grabbed a pack of Nerds. "I mean the best candy. Can you grab some Reese's Pieces?"

I turned around to look for the Reese's Pieces and spotted them on the very top shelf. "Oh." I breathed. I would definitely not be able to reach them. I decided to try anyway.

Joey turned around in time to see me trying to climb on the bottom shelf and attempting to reach the box of Reese's Pieces.

He burst out laughing. "Come here, silly." he said, walking over and reaching for me. I laughed as he grabbed me by the waist and hoisted me up.

It must have been a pretty odd sight; a girl in pyjamas being lifted up by a boy in the middle of Walmart in order to reach a box of peanut butter flavoured chocolate snacks.

I grinned in triumph as I grabbed the box. Joey laughed and set me down, pumping his fist in the air and yelling "Victory!"

"Take your damn snacks." I laughed, shoving the box in his chest.

He grinned and cradled the box to his chest like it was a baby. "Thank you Ali. I'm extremely grateful."

I laughed and pushed playfully at his arm. "You're welcome, Papa Bear."

He grinned and grabbed some Twizzlers, some lollipops, Tootsie Rolls and a pack of Runts. "Okay, Baby Bear. Do you need anything else?"

"Ehh.. How 'bout some healthy food?" I asked teasingly, eyeing the junk food in his arms.

Joey's face scrunched up in disgust. "Ew, no. No one eats healthy food."

I laughed and shook my head. "You're unreal. We're getting healthy food!" I said, grabbing his hand and dragging him over to the fruit section.

"Mom! I don't wanna eat healthy food!" Joey groaned loudly. A couple of people turned to look at us curiously.

I rolled my eyes. "Joey, you got me three full bunches of bananas as a present."

"I know, but-" Joey broke off as we turned into the fruit aisle.

I turned to see what he was staring at and saw a familiar blonde in a mini skirt looking at the label on a pack of salad.

"Shit. What is she doing here?" Joey whispered under his breath. "Please don't see us, please don't see-"

"Oh my God! Joey!! What are you doing here?" Ashley squealed, skipping over to us.

"Uhh.. Shopping." Joey said, swallowing nervously. I glanced concernedly at him. He always acted nervous around Ashley.

"I can see that. Ohhh, Joey-Bear. You haven't changed at all." she giggled, looking at all the candy in Joey's arms.

"Uh. Right." Joey flushed.

Ashley beamed and then glanced at me. Her smile slipped slightly. "Oh. Hello. Aliana, right?"

I nodded stiffly, acutely aware that Ashley was eyeing my pyjamas.

"Huh. Anyway, Joey-Bear." Ashley turned back to Joey and her big, fake smile lit up her face yet again. "I'm having a party at my place on Friday. How would you like to come?"

Joey's eyes widened slightly. "Oh. Uh. I-"

"Great!" Ashley interjected. "I'll see you on Friday!"

I watched with my eyebrows raised as she flounced away. I sighed and turned around, walking towards the counter.

"Hey, Ali, wait." Joey called as he ran up to me. "Uh.. Do you wanna go?"

I turned to face him. "You're asking me if I want to go to a party in your ex-girlfriends house? Who hates me? Who still has a thing for you? And who you still have a thing for?"

"I don't have a thing for her!" Joey said defensively.

"Right. You get tongue-tied everytime you see her." I said, raising my eyebrows.

"I don't get tongue-tied I just..-" Joey trailed off.

I said nothing and started to put all the items on the counter. The check-out lady started scanning our items, and was obviously also listening in to our conversation.

"Okay, Ali, I know you don't like her, but she's really not that bad..-" Joey said.

I laughed slightly. "Well that's funny. Because all of your friends have said that she's a walking bitch and Lauren even likened her to the Holocaust!"

"Well Lauren never liked her-"

"Neither have any of your other friends!"

"Ali, you're completely overreacting-"

"Sweetheart?" another voice broke in. Both me and Joey turned to look at the check-out lady. "Why are you in your pyjamas?"

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. Joey rolled his eyes and said "Because she's homeless and has no other clothes to wear."

The check-out lady's eyes widened and she continued scanning the items, only at twice the speed.

I stifled a laugh and took the bag she handed me. "Thanks." I said. She just nodded quickly.

I turned and began to walk out, with Joey following me.

"Ali. Wait."Joey caught my shoulders as I reached his car and turned me around to face him. "I'm sorry. I just- she was my girlfriend for a long time. It's hard to get over- look, I am sorry. Really. Please forgive me?" he leaned closer and took my hand in his, knitting our fingers together.

I closed my eyes and leaned my forehead against his. "Yes. I'm sorry too. I overreacted, you were right." I sighed.

Joey kissed my nose. "I love you, you know." he said softly.

My heart hammered in my chest. The first time a boy had ever told me he loved me.

And I was standing in the car park at Walmart.

In my pyjamas.

Getting weird looks from passers-by.

I smiled up at him. "I love you too." I whispered.

And I meant it.