Summertime Sadness

Chapter Seventeen

Word count: 1348

Warnings: None, I don't think!

Author's Note: I am drafting this the night before like a proactive human (thanks, Kae!) and as always, I hope you enjoy :)

Song Suggestion: Slow Burn by Kacey Musgraves

It took you a while to comprehend that Josh was standing in front of you, speaking to you, after you haven't seen him for over two weeks. His eyes creased as he tried to give you an apologetic smile.

"Hi, Dun." You blinked your eyes after what seemed like forever. You wanted to rub them, to make sure that he really was in front of you, but even if you wanted to move you couldn't.

"Did you enjoy the performance?" He snapped you out of the trance that he had put you in,

"Oh, yeah it was good! I never heard you guys live before!"

"Yeah, we're really blowing up lately! That last song, Guns for Hands, people love it!"

You rubbed the back of your neck which had little dots of sweat popping up, "Yeah, I liked it." You didn't understand why you were so nervous, and why you couldn't stop staring at his lips while they moved.

"Do you want to go for a walk?"

You wanted to say no to his request, but for some reason but instead, you nodded, "Sure." You watched Josh rubbed his tattooed arm, meaning that he was also nervous.

You followed Josh a step behind so you weren't close enough for him to touch you or anything, even though you sort of wanted to grab his hand. The kids running around made it difficult to start a conversation but eventually, it quieted down enough.

"How have you been? I like your hair!" Josh exclaimed, still keeping his steps slow and steady.

You laughed, "I wondered if you were going to say something about it. Thanks, I did it the night after-"

"The night after you dumped me?" Josh interrupted.

"To be fair, you hurt me and it was the right decision."

Josh stopped midwalk and stared at you, "Was it? Was it the right decision Y/N?"

"What?" His sudden change of tone took you by surprise.

"Y/N, I loved you, I still am in love with you."

"Josh," you tried to stop him, not wanting to do this in the middle of the fairgrounds.

"Seriously, listen to me. I'm sorry for not telling you about me moving to Washington, but you literally kept on explaining how excited you were and I didn't have the guts."

"Well you had the guts that night, right after getting my hopes up." You crossed your arms in anger.

"I know that, and I'm so sorry. I know my apologies can't make it better, but I truly am so sorry."

"I know you're sorry, Josh, but do you realize that you talked to me about dates in the fall knowing that you wouldn't be here?"

"Yes, I do realize. I realize that I made a huge mistake, and I lost one of the most important things in my life. Please, Y/N, I miss you." Josh's voice quivered at the end, and you could see his eyes well up with tears.

"Josh," you whispered. You grabbed his hand, and he looked down at your fingers intertwining. "I've missed you too."

"I want you back, Y/N."

"When do you leave? Summer is almost over," you asked, not really wanting to know the answer.

"A week," you saw Josh suck in a breath, anticipating your response.