Josh and his dad sat down and talked more than they had in the past five years combined. He also told him everything. He couldn't stand to have any more secrets.
From that day forward, their relationship became stronger than ever. They made a point to talk every day. Josh was able to explain his need to put off college—he wanted to prove he could make it on his own. His dad was able to explain why college was so important to him—so Josh would be able to make it on his own for longer than just a couple years. Eventually, they agreed that Josh would take off one semester and then re-evaluate.
Today was his high school graduation, and Josh was leaving next week on a massive road trip across the United States. He couldn't wait to get started. He had to get out of this town that held so much loss.
He and Lauren saw each other at school only, and, since they had no classes together and separate lunch hours, was not very often.
She looked beautiful today, though, in her cap and gown. His heart had skipped a beat when he saw her walk across the stage to get her diploma.
Afterward, they all gathered outside for pictures. It was the closest the two of them had been in a month. He still felt the pang of hurt in his chest with not being able to touch her, but, surprisingly, it had somewhat subsided. Whether that was because he was beginning to move on or because he was just becoming numb to it, Josh couldn't say.
"How about the two graduates take a picture together?" Lauren's grandma suggested. She obviously hadn't been given all the details of why Lauren had moved out.
Josh looked at Lauren, whose eyes were wide as saucers, and then at his dad and Shannon, not knowing what to say.
"I think that's a great idea," Shannon said, motioning for the two of them to stand together. "You won't be able to avoid to each other forever," she whispered. "And I don't want to be the one to disappoint my 88 year old mother." She winked at him.
Josh smiled and wrapped his arm around the back of Lauren's waist, he could feel her momentarily stiffen, and then relax. We may not be alright right now, Josh thought, but we will be.
I hope you enjoyed it! I am considering writing a sequel. Let me know your thoughts!
Also, don't forget to vote! :)
YOU ARE READING
Thicker than Water
ChickLitLauren and Josh are drawn to each other, unexplainably. All they want is to be together, however, they must keep their feelings for each other a secret. Will they be able to resist each other forever? "Lauren sometimes wonders, 'If I had known then...
