Sanity || j.d

42

“Can we ditch today?” I asked the next morning, getting in the car with Josh. 

He looked beyond shocked. “The girl who has never skipped a class, never failed a class and has never broken a rule, wants to skip a whole day of school? What is this world coming to?” He shrieked.

I shrugged. “If you don’t want to ditch with me, then would you drop me off at the cafe on the way to school. I am in need of caffeine and a cafe vibe. Get my mind off the tension.”

“You didn’t much sleep last night did you?” He asked.

Shaking my head I leaned back in the seat and snuggled into the side. “Not really. I got home late and then we had an argument.”

“So I heard.” He mumbled.

“Did you really? Did you comprehend it or just hear the yelling?”

He shrugged. “Snippets of the conversation drifted over my way, but mainly just yelling.” I knew not to push my luck with him anymore than I already had over the last seven months, so now I’d just have to wait for him to make up his mind. He sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. “It’s the cafe just before the turn off for school yes?” I nodded and he drove off.

He pulled up and turned off the ignition. “You’re ditching with me?” I queried.

“I don’t think that you’ll be safe on your own all day.” We walked in and as we did, the little bell above the door jingled, alerting the staff of a customer. I made my way up to the counter and ordered an iced coffee to go while Josh just hung back at the door. 

“And a croissant.” I added and the waitress nodded. Momentarily, the coffee and croissant were ready and turning on my heel after paying, made my way back to the door. “Here.” I handed him the croissant.

“What’s this?” He asked, even though he knew exactly what it was; he was asking why more than what.

“Paying you back for letting me ditch and ditching with me.” I explained shrugging.

I went to take a window seat, but he took hold of my hand before I could. “Come on then. If we’re gonna ditch, we’ll go somewhere worth while then.”

And we went back out the car and set off once more. I didn’t bother to ask where we were going, only because he wouldn’t have answered either way. Finally, he pulled up at what I recognised it to be Little Towns rehearsal space. The dingy building where Josh had previously invited me along to.

“Here?” I asked as we got out.

“Sure,” He shrugged. “It’s as good a place as any.”

I rolled my eyes and followed him up the driveway. He dug around in his pockets producing a key and proceeded to unlock the door. The smell was what hit me first; alcohol infused with deodorant which was probably masking the man smell. I went to step into the place but he put his hand against the doorframe blocking the way. “I should probably warn you that Luke and Kate are staying here at the moment, hopefully that doesn’t make you too uncomfortable.”

My eyes clouded over for a moment but I snapped out of my delusions and shook my head. “You should be just as out of place as me then.” I retaliated. He looked genuinely offended, but covered it up and let his hand fall back to his side allowing me to pass.

“Luke?” He called and I followed him through the house. He stopped halfway down the entrance hallway in front of a banged up door. He pounded on the door turning from sweet to sour within seconds. “Luke open up.” He repeated and continued to knock on the door.

A groan was heard form the other side of the door and instinctively I stepped behind Josh. “Shut up, I’m coming.” He groaned, opening the door wearing only boxers and black socks. His usual quiffed hair was flat falling in his eyes and across his face. “Sarah?” He looked over Josh’s shoulder, surprised to see me. “What are you doing here?”

“That’s what I came to tell you. Sarah and I are gonna hang here for the day, so if you’d be so kind as to keep the noise down, it’d be much appreciated.” Josh explained, staying exactly where he was a.k.a. in between Luke and myself.

“I’ll do what I want.” Luke snapped at Josh, but not taking his eyes off me. “You and her together or what? Oh I forgot,” He sniggered and glanced at Josh then back at me. “Joshy’s a virgin.”

I looked at Josh, his jaw had stiffened but otherwise he didn’t look guilty of the sentence that hd been bestowed to him.

Luke rolled his eyes. “Piss off.” He muttered.

“Excuse me? I’m the land owner, you’re lucky you pay rent otherwise I’d have no reason to let you stay.” Josh spat.

“See you ‘round Sarah.” Luke nodded as he slammed the door in Josh’s face.

Josh relaxed and looked at me timidly and began to lead me away from Luke’s room. “Well... that could have been worse.”

I’ve missed this, this time when Josh would be like my older brother, looking out for me no matter what, but at the same time being completely cute and shy around me.