Yes, Sweetheart

Chapter 2

You know you're in for a real discussion when Josh Pinchola shows up at your door at 9 at night to express how he's upset at your actions.

Don't get me wrong: I love that he cares about me, and I love that he's worried about me.

But damn, I could do without the heavy judgement on all my actions.

"Hey, Aria."

Josh smiled slightly, and moved into the doorway. I huffed, slightly annoyed but resigned at this point, and shut the door behind him.

I stood on the first step and crossed my arms, green eyes narrowing icily at him.

"What? Look, I already explained why I was going to be busy tonight, and I frankly don't want to hear why that was bad."

He raised an eyebrow. Despite my anger, I couldn't deny that he made skepticism look good, with that light blonde brow arched over his dark amber eyes. It was in moments like these that his features reminded me of a desert, harsh and desolate but nonetheless beautiful to stare at.

He reached a hand tentatively towards me, and laid his fingertips on my arm.

"You're sure you're alright, Aria?" His brow furrowed in confusion, lightly ghosting his fingers down to my hand.

"You just seem a little moody lately. Maybe you've been spending too much time studying those textbooks?"

I sighed, forcing myself to reflect on the amount of time I've been studying physics, albeit to no progress. I've lost countless hours of sleep, and fuck, in these moments I feel as though I've never needed it more.

Admitting defeat, I uncrossed my arms, allowing him to gently slide his fingers down my left arm and take my hand, intertwine our fingers.

"I guess you're right, maybe I've lost too much sleep to this subject. But Josh, I know I can learn this, I have to learn it! The test is in two weeks!"

His free hand reached back around me and grabbed a loose strand of my auburn hair, tugging it slightly before smiling.

"And I know you'll be just fine. You used to stress like this in high school too, remember? University should be easier for you, don't make it harder on yourself," he implored, dark eyes meeting mine while his thumb traced circles on my hand.

Josh had always been labeled a jerk in high school, but he had never given me any problems. Likely, this was because any time he'd say anything that remotely resembled an insult, I'd lash out with my 'I-don't-give-a-flying-fuck' attitude.

Josh's friends had been plentiful in school as well. Whenever we were out, it always seemed as though he would pass at least one of them on every date we had. In school, he had a crowd of people clamoring to talk to him, which was no surprise to me.

I'll admit I was most surprised when he had waltzed up to me in English class one day and boldly declared that we should date since we see each other a lot, and that he was developing feelings for me. I cared for him a lot at the time, and agreed our relationship should start from that point forward. Admittedly, his attitude on how I spent my time was a large complaint of mine, but my only one. I loved him, and he always seemed concerned for my wellbeing, which was adorable.

"I know," I replied. "It couldn't hurt to take a day off every once in a while, but I just get stressed."

He smirked.

"You know what's a great way to reduce stress? Go to the gym with me sometime. It always relaxes me," he proudly stated.

It was true, he was pretty jacked for a guy that had just turned nineteen. Considering he went to the gym at least three times a week, however, that wasn't that big of a surprise. He typically chose t-shirts that showed off his arms, like the gray one he currently was wearing.

Exercising was exhilarating for me, I loved the adrenaline, though lately I've been busy studying.

"Well," I started, "I wouldn't mind that. I'd love to - "

He cut me off. "After all, it would probably help with your figure, don't you think?"

I raised an eyebrow, and pulled my hand away from his. True, as I studied more and worked out less, my body had become slightly curvier, but I had never considered it a bad thing. I wasn't overweight, not by any means.

Josh, seeming to catch my annoyance, hastened to speak.

"Aria I didn't mean that. Not the way it sounded. I just meant I thought you wanted to work on your body again, that's all."

I did, he wasn't wrong. The way he made it sound was getting on my nerves, but I'd let it slide for now.

Simply nodding, I turned around and began to climb the split entry to enter the kitchen. Josh, still at the landing, called up to me.

"What do you say tomorrow afternoon we hang out at my house? We don't have classes, and it would be good to see you and spend time with you again. I feel like I haven't spent time with you in ages," he smiled.

I could feel the corner of one lip twitching upwards. As upset as I could be that he often wanted us to spend more time together than what I was willing to currently give, I adored the time we spent. He made a valid point, and since I wasn't absorbing course material very well, I supposed that one day off of murdering myself by studying was needed.

"Sure, Josh. I'd love to come over. It's my fault of course, but I've been studying so much I haven't seen you lately."

He grinned wider, looking immensely happy.

"Great!" He turned to the door to leave, "So I'll pick you up tomorrow morning then?"

"Alright. I'll see you then," I smiled. He waved, and closed the door behind him as he left.

I was happy to have made plans with him, and semi-relieved to have my mind off of school - where it had been for several days with no abandon.

Feeling something buzz in my back pocket, I reached into my jeans and pulled out my phone. It had been such a busy day I had barely remembered that my phone was in my pocket, let alone why I was carrying it around.

It was my friend, Kari, trying to reach me. She had been ill recently, and supposedly had gone to the doctor this morning for an appointment.

"It's all good." The text read, "I'm fine, don't worry about it. Turns out I just got burnt again when I went to Costa Rica with my mom. Premature sun spot or something, nothing to worry about, or so says the doctor."

I heaved a sigh of relief and told her I was glad that she was alright, and to try to avoid getting burnt anymore.

A year ago, Kari was diagnosed with a form of melanoma. Roughly three months ago, she announced that she was in remission. We both hope that it stays that way. Kari has been my best friend since we were in middle school, and I hope that we make the most of our shared time together.

Even so, I was glad that she was alright. I didn't see her often anymore, since while Josh and I attended the same college, Kari had moved away. Texting her, however, always reassured me of our friendship and made me feel optimistic whenever I was down.

Returning my attention to the kitchen, I finally fixed myself a sandwich to pick at while I prepared myself for a kind day tomorrow. Josh could sometimes be a little pushy with his time frames, and often dropped me back off at my house a few hours after I originally planned.

I was fine with this, but that usually meant that I had to ensure that my phone was charged and everything at my house was in order before I left.

Regardless, I finished scarfing down my food and headed for bed when I saw a reminder text from Josh that he was picking me up tomorrow morning and to be ready when he pulled into my driveway.

I confirmed this, and shut my phone off. It would be a nice day tomorrow, I was certain. I just needed to stop stressing over physics.