lungs

part 11

i sit down on the bus seat as joey sits with me in it. i look around see that jacob didn't sit behind joey and i.

"where's jacob?" i asked joey, hoping he would know.

he looked around the bus and frowned. he shrugs but then his face lights up like he realized something. "he went to jeremy's house for the project."

i nodded and leaned back into the seat. i take out my phone and text my mom to let her know i'm going to joeys house for the project.

"i'm going to joeys house for a project." i texted her.

she didn't take long to reply, "be back in time for dinner, we need to have a talk."

"okay." i turn off my phone and look up at joey. he has his ear buds in jamming out to his music

i wonder what the talk is that my mom wants. i didn't do anything bad, did i?

i get my earbuds from my book bag and plug them into my phone so i could listen to my lil skies.

+

"just don't be loud okay?" joey said as we approached his doorstep.

"okay." i said.

he unlocked his door and stepped in and so did i. his house looks like mine but just from the inside a little. it was really big and the walls were painted, which matched the furniture.

a mid thirties lady came down with a baby in her hands. she looked tired with her hair tied up in a messy bun.

"hey joey can you hold kash?" she asked joey, "i just need a bathroom break."

he took the baby from her hands and looked down at the baby and smiled. "this is my little brother, kashius."

he rocks the baby back and fourth in his arms as he looks at the baby's face.

"i'm supposing the lady was your mom?" i asked.

he nodded, "yeah she hasn't had a lot of rest because of this little guy. so sometimes she just needs a break, you know?"

i smiled, "yep."

joey introduced me to kashius. "this is anna, kashius."

kashius looks up at me and smiles, while clapping his hands.

"anna." i heard a voice say, "that's a beautiful name."

our heads turn and we see joeys mom come out of the bathroom. she comes up to us and takes kashius from joey's arms.

"i'm joeys mom," she said while smiling. "but you can call me mrs. jenna."

i nodded, "nice to meet you, mrs. jenna."

a familiar girl that i met before comes into the house from the door. "mom, there's a cute boy that lives across the street."

joey nudged my shoulder and giggled silently, he probably knew who she was talking about.

"sophia." mrs. jenna said, that's her name. i met her when i came over to get help moving into the house. "stop being so boy crazy."

sophia scoffed, "i'm not being boy crazy." she said.

"do you wanna know who the boy is?" i asked her. she hesitated, but nodded. "his name is mathew."

she arched an eyebrow, "how do you know if that's true?" she asked.

"because he's my brother." i said.

we all bursted out laughing right before kashius started crying because of our laughter. "oh come on." mrs. jenna said, taking kashius into the kitchen and getting him a bottle.

joey looks at me, "you wanna start the project now?" he asked.

i looked at him and nodded. soon, i followed him up the stairs and into his room. he through his book bag on the bed and jumped on his bed also.

i sit at the edge of the bed and laugh, "you're so extra, joseph."

he sat up and pointed at me, "dont cross me, cross."

i put my hands up in defense. "okay, birlem."

he unzipped his book bag and took out papers for the project. we both looked at the papers and then looked at each other and laugh.

joey took a deep breath and looked at the papers. "here we go." he chuckled.

+

two hours go by and we got half of the project done. if i come by tomorrow we would have it finished.

i sit up from the bed and stretch. i look at my phone and look at the time. 6:55. the time went by so fast.

joey looks at me standing and he stretched too but on the bed.

"i gotta get home." i told him.

he nodded and got up from the bed. he put his arms out like he wanted a hug. i hugged him back and got a whiff of his scent, god he smelt so good.

i felt safe rapped in his arms as he rubbed my back. butterflies filled my stomach under his touch and protection.

am i falling for him? no, i barely know him. he could be a psycho under that smile.

we're just friends. friends hug all the time, and lean on each other's shoulders, have little nicknames for each other, and sneak into windows with a box of chocolate and a rose because they know that a rose is their favorite flower. this sounds like a relationship now.

god damnit, anna. you just met him four days ago. stop it.

he pulls out of the hug and smiles, "see you later cross."

"see ya, birlem."i said smiling back, while leaving his room and soon to be going to my house.