The other half of Josh

Chapter 10- It's a fairly recent friendship

I sit against my bedroom wall, twiddling a pen between my fingers. My mum got home a while ago, I went to see her but quickly retreated to my room again. How can Royden just randomly flounce back into my life? How does he have the guts to just walk up to my house, check if I'm alright and then ask for me back? Is he completely heartless?

I guess so.

I chuck the pen across my room and grit my teeth. Slowly I get up and walk downstairs, I mean I do need dinner, I might as well make it for mum too. I stride into the kitchen and open the freezer, grabbing frozen pea's chicken and chips. I don't feel like anything fancy and my mum had a big lunch, with Dave I suspect. Just before I put the meal in the oven, mum calls out.

"Hey, April? Don't cook dinner just yet I've invited some work colleagues 'round, with their family's, I'll cook in a bit. Could you go change because they will be here in about 15 minutes."

"What? You could have told me this earlier." I reply, a little annoyed. "How many are coming?"

"Well it's Darcy, her husband and her too kids. So four."

"Oh that's not too bad, what type of thing do you want me to wear?" I ask, four isn't that bad, not compared to the 11 we had last year, discounting us.

"Oh, I don't know, but they are quite posh, so your dress might be nice?"

Great. I hate dresses.

I look at my mum and sigh, "Fine, I'll be down in a bit."

I stomp upstairs and open my cupboard, I sigh again as I take out my grey flannel dress, as far as dresses go it's actually really nice, it's a little grungy which I like. But that said, it is also a dress, and I don't do dresses.

I slip it on and take my dark hair down from its high ponytail, it falls around chest level and is naturally straight.

I begin to walk downstairs when there's a knock at the door, I pause and brush off non-existent dust from my dress, as mum opens the door I start to walk down the stairs once again.

I swear to god I've been up and down these at least 15 times today. I turn the corner as a tall, elegant woman steps through the door, although obviously quite classy, she seems pretty down to earth. She has a warm smile and a pleasant posture, it makes you want a hug from her.

I so need a hug. Unfortunately the person I want a hug from, wouldn't hug me. He doesn't date, you see. He's also a little badass. Jeez, Josh... he needs to stop this... this messing up my head.

My mum and Darcy greet each other with a hug and she introduces me, Darcy grins at me and I say hi. Mum gestures to the living room and Darcy walks in, her husband follows her, he has a very familiar face and it's only when their son walks in that I recognize it. Ethan Mole walks into my house, followed by his younger sister, who I believe is called Jules.

"Oh! hey April! I wasn't expecting to see you here." He beams at me and pulls me into a snug embrace. I guess a hug from him is close enough to what I really want.

"Hi Ethan, I wasn't expecting you here either." I say, before adding quietly, "but I'm glad you are, today's been horrible."

His eyes widen with concern and for a second I feel kind of bad that I mentioned it, but, to be honest, I could do with some comfort.

"Tell me all!" he says.

"I will, but later." I say, not really intending to.

We slip into the living room and both out parents look at us, his are smiling while my mum has an odd look on her face.

"You two know each other?" She says.

"Um... yeah I guess." I utter, barely audible.

"yeah we do, we're actually pretty good friends." Ethan saves me.

"you've never mentioned April before honey." His mum inputs.

"It's a fairly recent friendship." He replies.

Our mums exchange a look, before my mum says "Why don't you two and Jules go to your room, April? Give us adults some time to talk." She says it like we're children, really little children, even Jules looks at least 14, not warranting a voice like that. My mum does that a lot, it's quite embarrassing actually, especially with Ethan here.

I nod my head and lead them both upstairs and into my room. Jules goes to sit on the bed and I follow, sitting beside her. Ethan stays in the doorway, he gazes around the room in wonder.

"Sit down Ethan." Jules commands, Ethan snaps out of his trance and takes the seat in front of my desk. We sit in silence for a couple of seconds, except those seconds feel more like minutes. The silence is filled with a loud awkwardness, and it seems unavoidable.

"so..." Ethan breaks the silence.

"So..." I repeat, not sure how to answer. Another awkward silence before Jules speaks up.

"Lets play 20 questions." Ethan and I exchange a look, before I nod my head and he verbally agrees. Jules speak again, "Okay, me first!" she looks at me, "sorry, I don't know your name..."

"April." Ethan says instantly.

"Okay, April, whats your favourite colour?"

"oh! um, red." I say, I don't even know if it is, It was just the first colour that came into my head. "Ethan, um... what's you'r favourite food?"

"Pizza, what's your bra size?" Why do guys always ask that?

"I'm not telling you!" I exclaim.

"Awh! come on! you have to answer the question!" He whines.

"Nope!" He shoots up from his seat and steps forward.

"I will tickle you... unless you tell me." He threatens.

"Kids! Dinners ready!" I hear my mum shout from downstairs, thank god. I get up to leave but am stopped by Ethan, who has stepped in front of the doorway.

"Okay, one last question. Do you like anyone?" He asks, suddenly serious.

"No." I reply and push past him.

The dinner is pleasant but goes by quickly, Ethan sits next to me, and although he is a really nice guy, tonight, I feel a little awkward around him. I'm trying desperately hard not to brush his arm while eating. It really isn't working. Our Table is only designed for 4 people, so fitting 6 around is obviously makes it a little more cosy than normal.

After we finish eating we all head to the living room for a while, the parents talk pleasantly while we sit in silence listening. Before long they have to leave, which is some what of a relief, this is actually so awkward.

"Bye April!" Jules says, giving me a hug, then quickly follows her parents out of the house.

"Bye Jules!" I reply.

"April?" Ethan says, I look at him and nod, "Sit with us tomorrow lunch?"

"um...okay..." I reply, slightly worried.

"Great! I'll see you later." He pulls me into a hug, but this one isn't as comforting as the last, if anything I want the hug to stop.

"bye" I say. My mum closes the door and turns around.

"He's nice." She says and raises her eyebrows.

"Yeah... um mum... no." I reply.

**********

It'skind of a filler, and it's definitely not my favourite chapter ever.

But eh... :) hope you guys like it!

If you do like it please comment/vote/follow

love,

Ellie
xx