Love, Boys, and Jealousy: A Typical Romance

Chapter 6

'He loves me?' She thought. 'I want to say it back, but I don't know how. He said it so kindly and sweet, I feel the same way about him but I can't put it into words. I don't want him to think I don't though. He might get upset if I don't say it soon. I'll say it today. In class.'

Today was Monday and Erica tried to avoid the conversation yesterday while she talked to Josh. They didn't hang out but they were texting. It worked out pretty well.

She started to make her way to Isabella's who was waiting outside for her. Isabella still doesn't know what Josh said to Erica that night.

"Hey." Erica said when they met up. 

"Hey." 

"Ready?" 

"Yep. Let's go." On their walk to school it was quiet for a little while and then Isabella started talking. 

"So what happened on Saturday? You got a text and then you started crying." 

"I thought you were asleep." 

"No I wasn't. So what happened? Was it Josh? What did he say?" 

"It was Josh. He sent me this beautiful text message." 

"Then why were you crying?" 

"He said he loves me." 

"And this is a bad thing?" 

"No it's really good. I feel the same about him but I can't put it into words like he did. It was amazing." 

"Let me see the text." 

"Okay." Erica showed her the text and she just stared at the phone." 

"That's so sweet. I can now see why you started to cry. But you have to tell him before he thinks you don't feel the same way about him." 

"I know. I'm going to tell him today. In english." 

"With Michael right there?" 

"Shit I forgot about that. Well I can't wait until seventh period. I'll just make sure that he's not near us when I do." 

"Okay sounds good."

They get to the school and make their way to homeroom before the second bell. Erica is dying to get to third period. She has to talk to Josh soon. First and second period was a daze to Erica. She was so out of things.

Finally. It's third period. Erica walks into class and tries to find Josh. Nothing. She thinks that he could be late or at band. The bell rings and he's still not there. 'Where is he?' she wonders. Mr. Simon passes out the vocab sheets that they will be working on for a week. That's when Erica realizes that Michael isn't in class either. 'Where could they be?' Erica was starting to worry. She hopes that Michael didn't hurt Josh.

Lunch was a blur. She sat, she ate and barely said a word. She wanted to get to seventh period to see if Josh would be there. Fitht period rolls around and Isabella is dying to know everything.  

"Well? What happened?" she asked over the break. 

"He wasn't in class and niether was Michael." Erica answered worried. 

"What do you think happened?" 

"I don't know. I hope he didn't hurt him." 

"Who hurt who?" 

"Either. I don't want Josh to get hurt but i also don't want him to beat up his best friend." 

"Sounds reasonable. At least next period you can see if he's there." 

"I hope he is and I hope he's okay. Michael knocked him pretty good last time. Just think what could happen now that he said he loves me." 

"He'll be okay. He's a strong guy. Physically and emotionally." 

"Strength is just how well you hide the pain. The stronger you are, the more pain you feel." Erica said, dying to get to science.

Science. Thank the lord it has come. But where's Josh? It's official. Erica was freaking out. She looked over at Isabella who shrugged her shoulders. Erica looked down at her paper and just stared. Mr. Komar started talking.

"Open your notebooks. We're going to take some notes down." he said. Erica did as instructed. She heard the door open and Mr. Komar say "welcome Josh. And why are you late?"  

"I was in the principles office. I have a pass." 

"Okay. Take a seat and open you notebook." he responded not even checking the pass. Josh sat down. 

"Where were you?" Erica askes relieved to see him. 

"I was in the principle's." 

"Why though?" 

"Michael tried to pick another fight with me and a teacher saw. We both got pulled down and Michael got suspended for a week."  

"Oh my god." Erica replied, shocked. "What about you?" 

"I'm fine. I didn't do anything so I wasn't punished." 

"I'm glad than."  

"Me too." Josh smiled at her and she took his hand in hers.  

"As long as your alright." 

"I couldn't be happier. I have a great girlfriend who I love and I hope she loves me too." that's when Erica's smiled faded. "What is it? Is it something I said?" Josh was sorry. 

"No it's not. That text you sent me that night was beautiful and I loved it. It made me cry and i re-read it over and over."  

"Than how come you never answered me that night?" 

"I couldn't put into words how I felt. I couldn't compare to what you wrote to me. It was beautiful. Just like your heart." 

"No. Just like you." 

"Erica and Josh please stop talking. It's day after day. Josh just ask her out already." the whole class laughed and so did Josh and Erica. 

"Yeah just do it Josh. Don't be scared." said Isabella 

"Okay. I will. Erica, will you go out with me?" 

"Of course I will Josh." Erica said and kissed him. The whole class Oohed and awed. 

"There. Happy now? Now be quiet and pay attention please." 

"Sorry Mr. Komar." said Josh. Erica giggled. "It won't happen again." 

"Good."

Erica ripped a piece from her notebook and wrote on the paper: I love you too. 

She slid it over to Josh who looked at it and replied with a smile "That's all you need to say."