Redwood Diary: Book One

Chapter Twenty-Nine: I Have To Avoid Her

Joshua stared at the text he had just received from Miley. He had a hand over his mouth; lost in thought, wondering what to do. He exhaled, trying to hold back the tears that had somehow welled up in his eyes. There was a sudden knock on the door and he jumped up.

"Sydney?" he called out for confirmation.

"Yes?"

He relaxed a bit as he approached the door. He opened it to see her, looking at him from head to toe.

"Babe, you're not dressed?"

He cocked his brow, confused. She slid her way through him and the door.

"We have a RUSS meeting today."

He sighed, "I totally forgot about that."

Joshua and Sydney were members of the Redwood University Student Support, or RUSS committee; a body of students whose main goal was to focus on analyzing and evaluating the issues faced by students at the university in different areas, whether academic or non-academic, and find solutions for them.

"You have about fifteen to get ready. We can't be late."

"--I don't think I can make it today."

"What? Why?"

He did not respond.

"Hey," she walked up to him and cupped his face with her hands, "What's going on?" She searched his eyes as if trying to find the answers for herself through them.

He averted his eyes from hers, "Tell them I'm sorry I couldn't make it."

His phone buzzed; alerting him about a new message. He walked away from her and picked it up. It was another message from Miley.

"Joshua?"

He looked away from the phone and met her eyes, "I really can't do this right now."

"What do you want me to do?" Sydney asked in a sad tone.

"Just go to the meeting. I'll see you at school, OK?"

She lingered for awhile, but then she nodded, "OK." She then turned around to leave but he called her back and approached her. He kissed her long and deep, placing a hand on her cheek. "I love you," he said after they pulled apart.

She weakly smiled and placed her hand on his, which was still resting against her face. "I love you too," she said, trying to hide the fact that she was worried about him. She then left.

Joshua plopped himself back onto the couch and stared at his phone.

"Adam! Adam!"

The memory of last night flashed through his mind. He could picture Adam's lifeless body on the ground, while the figure behind the mask stood over him. Finally, after fighting back for so long, he let a single tear escape from his eye, before he completely broke down.

🔪

After first period, Aiden and Jason met at one of the outside benches, waiting on Miley to show up.

"How is she?" Jason asked, referring to yesterday's incident with Ms. McIntyre.

"I think she's still a bit shaken up about it, but she's doing better."

Jason nodded, "It's just crazy what has happened over the past few weeks, you know?"

"Yeah, I agree."

A few minutes later, Miley arrived at the spot.

"Hey," she greeted them before taking a seat beside Aiden.