Believing in Love ( Josh Hutcherson Love Story)

Chapter 36: Honest with Myself

"What a jerk..." Ross mumbled under his breathe. A wave hits me and I clench my grip tighter to prevent myself from falling.

"Ross, he's not a jerk. He found someone he loves and I respect that." I continue. "And it's not like you or I should care. We are just his friends I guess."

Ross nods and waves me to paddle back in. I follow him into the shore and sit with the band. I explain everything to Rydel and she understands how I feel unlike some people I know *cough, cough* Ross.

"So, we are playing a gig this weekend. Would you like to come and be our opening act?" Riker asks. My mouth drops.

"Me? Opening act?" I manage to get out. "You haven't even heard me sing before!"

"Oh yes I have. You sing constantly. You know that right?" Ross asks. I shake my head. "Well then, you must just automatically do it but you always sound good. You should do the show."

"Please, please, please, please! I need a girl. I mean I love these boys and all but it can get a little too male centered in our dressing room. You have to do the show." Rydel pleads. I think for a moment and answer.

"Of course. I would love to do the show."

"Good. Just wear your most rockerish thing you have and we will pick you up on the bus at 7." Rydel says. I smile and hug her side. Maybe this will get my mind of certain things....

*        *         *        *        *        *

"Ann?" I hear a voice say behind me while in line for my hot chocolate. Turning my body, I see the owner of this voice. 

"Oh. Hey Josh." I say. "Hello Lauren." Oh great. She's here. Putting on my best fake smile I continue. "How are you guys?" 

"Good." Josh answers excitedly. " Excited for the big day, I guess." 

"I would be too if I was you guys." My voice sounds bland and uninterested which is exactly what I am right now. 

"That reminds me. I just sent out you and Ross's invitations. The should arrive shortly." I choke on my drink that was just handed to me. Is he really inviting me to his wedding? How awkward could this get?

"Thank you for the notice. If you don't mind, I actually have to go and meet with Ross. See you guys later." I say. Josh's face drops and I walk away regretting more and more stopping at the coffee shop.  A girl"s voice calls my voice. Rolling my eyes, I turn around. 

"Lauren... I really have to go...." I say opening the door to my car. 

"This will only take a second." She says stepping closer to me. Maybe a bit too close. "I just wanted to tell you that it wasn't my idea to invite you to the wedding. I was actually quite against it. The truth is is that I dislike you. Very strongly." For the second time today, I choke on my drink.

"May I ask why?" I question stepping away from her. The perfume soaked into her clothes is just a bit too strong for me. 

"Don"t act like you don' t know. Your in love with my fiance." Her voice whispers.

"Don't tell me who I love and who I don't  because your wrong about Josh and I. And once he finds out what a psycho you are he will find out he was wrong about you too."

"Oh honey, that's the thing. I've got him wrapped around my finger. He won't ever leave me. I've managed to make him that I actually care about him. So gullible." My left hand clenches into a fist. "Living with millions of dollars at my disposal is going to be such a step up from being a struggling model. Oh. Wait you wouldn't know that because your not pretty enough to be a model." I force my hand to stay down when she whispers those final words. I have to show her that she doesn"t phase me. 

"We all that you weren't pretty enough to be a model too. Isn't that what a struggling model's problem all the time?" I smirk. She turns red with anger. "I hope you you Josh arre very happy... and by the way, I'm coming to the wedding whether you like it or not. Josh seems to like it very much." On that note, I step in my car and drive away. My hands tap on the steering wheel and soon tap on the radio. I blast loud music and try to distract myself so I won't blow. Soon enough I'm once again at Ross's house. He's playing basketball outside with his brother. I step out my my car in a huff and march over them.

"Uh oh. She has loud music playing. Either she's mad or really hyper." Ross says. "Which one is it going to be?" I give him a glare. "Okay...so that answers my question. What's wrong?"

"Josh is getting married to a golddigging pyscho who called me ugly and said that she didn"t even acre about him at all." I mumble out. Both of the boy's eyes open wider.

"Wow. How do you know?" Riker asks.

"She told me herself when I saw them at the coffee shop downtown. She wanted me to stay away from him because she thinks that I still love him. Yeah, right." I answer. I take a quick breathe and pull Ross into his house. Since I know my way around his house, without any thought I pull him all the way to the band room where the band rehearses. 

"You need to chill, Ann." Ross says when I practically throw him on the couch there and pase back and forth.

"I will not chill, Ross. I just got bombarded by the girl my ex is marrying not to forget the fact that he also cheated on me with her, and on top of that I have to go to their wedding." The words come out so fast I have to take a breath. "I'm so sick of this. Why does everything have to be so complicated?" I fall down next to Ross on the couch and snuggle into side. He wraps me up in his arms. I feel safe here. 

"Everything will be okay. I will go with you to the wedding and help ou with anything you need. Life doesn't need to be complicated. You just have to be honest with yourself and others." Ross says. Honest with myself? What is he suggesting?

"What do you mean 'honest with myself'?" I ask. A long silence screams throughout the room.

"Do you still love Josh, Ann?" I sit up right and turn to look at him. He looks a bit scared actually. 

"Ross, if I loved Josh would I do this." I say before leaning in and giving him a strong kiss on the lips.

Just saying that I was not expecting what just happened. I don't think he did either.