Where Are You Now?

Gone

Chapter 18

Josh's P.O.V

I open my eyes the next day and it takes me a few seconds to remember it all last night.

I sit on bed and the headache comes back once again. I rest my elbows on my knees as I put my head between my hands and the door gently opens. I look up to see George, he closes the door behind him and approaches me.

"You're alright?" He asks still standing and I nod without saying anything. "Listen, you know I didn't mean to kiss her. You can't be mad at me for that." He says. "I know man. It's okay." I guarantee him. I can't be mad at him for that. I know him too well; it's just the idea of her kissing someone else made me feel awful.

Is this how jealousy feels like?

Michelle's P.O.V

"What happened with Josh yesterday?" Chloe asks sitting on my bed. I called and told her to come over since I'm grounded.

"Nothing." I say sitting next to her. "What happened when you followed him outside with George?" She asks the same question in a different way. "Really nothing. You know Josh, he was mean and cruel." I say looking at the ground.

"He was kind once but his dad got killed when he was sixteen." She tells me and my eyes widen. "What? How? Who did it?" I say louder than intended. "He doesn't really know." She says looking at me. "What about his mother?" I ask her. I remember he once told me that he lost them both but I didn't know they were killed.

"She lost her mind when his dad died. She's not dead yet..." She says and lowers her voice in sadness. "I didn't know that." I say to myself more than it is to her.

"He's strong." I say after a few seconds breaking the silence and she nods in agreement.

"Girls breakfast is ready." I hear my mother's voice from downstairs.

We get to the kitchen to find that my mother has prepared us some hamlet egg with fresh juice. "Thank you Mrs. Sumpter." Chloe says politely taking a seat and my mother smiles before leaving the room.

"So, what do you want to do next?" I ask her bringing the glass to my lips. "I was thinking about going to school. I forgot the homework in my locker." She suggests. "Yeah okay but isn't it closed on Saturday?" I ask her.

"Yeah, but there's a cheerleading practice daily this month." She tells me. "Cause they have a competition. Sasha told me. She's a cheerleader." She explains and I nod since she is really tall and fit.

Minutes later we finish having breakfast and leave the house after convincing my mother to allow me to go. She only agreed because we're going to school otherwise she wouldn't have allowed it.

"I love walking." I say once we leave the house. "I do too. It gives me time to think." She says. "What are you thinking about right now?" I ask her while we are walking. "I don't know. Everything, I like him." She says looking in front of her with a small smile. "George?" I ask and she nods looking at the ground.

"Does he like you?" I ask looking at her. "I don't know. He sees me more as his sister." She says and I watch as her smile fades.

"Have you ever asked him about it?" I ask her trying to choose the right words. I have never had these honest conversations with anyone before, not even John.

"No, I don't want to risk it and lose him as a friend." She answers me. "He isn't seeing anyone right? And he stays with you the most so maybe he likes you." I say hoping I'm right.

"I thought that before but then he asked you to that party and..." She stops looking at the ground then at me. "No, there's nothing and that night was a disaster. I kissed Josh that night and ..." I stop myself once I realize what I just said and cover my mouth with my hand and her eyes widen. "You kissed him? I knew there was something between you too." She says with a smile on her face.