𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐄| 𝐉.𝐁.

1: Just friends

"So, are you gonna tell him?" My friend, Taylor asks as I organize my locker.

"Tell who, what?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Don't play dumb. You know what I mean!" She scoffs, slipping her phone back in her pocket.

"No, I don't." I chuckle, shaking my head.

"When are you gonna tell Josh you like him!" She exclaims.

"Shhh!" I say and she pipes down.

"I don't like him!" I exclaim.

"You shushing me says otherwise." She smirks and I roll my eyes.

"I only did it because I don't want people to think I like him! And besides, he has a girlfriend." I shrug.

"C'mon, Ashley is a bitch and we all know it. She doesn't deserve him." Taylor says, rolling her eyes.

"I guess Josh sees something in her that we don't. All couples are different. And it's not like I care, we're great friends. If he's happy, I'm happy." I simply say.

"So, you don't have the tiniest feelings for him?"

"No, we're friends." I say, crossing my arms.

"Okay, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have feelings for you." She shrugs.

"He doesn't, Taylor. Jeez, did you not hear me say he has a girlfriend?" I sigh.

"Did you ever think he's repressing his feelings?" She asks.

"No, he treats me like his friend. And I do the same." I state.

"C'mon, we gotta get to English." I say, shutting my locker.

"What's the rush? Oh I know why, you want to see your best friend Joshua." She beams at me and I roll my eyes.

"Yeah, I wanna talk to my friend and also, English is my favorite subject." I point out as we walk down the hallway.

"Is it just my tall ass, or did you get shorter?" She asks, looking down at me.

"Shut up. I grew another inch a few months ago! And besides, you're only 6 inches taller than me." I protest.

"That's what all the shorties say." She grins and I chuckle, shaking my head.

"So, how's the whole Lucas thing going?" I ask, as we open the classroom door.

"It's...getting there. But I don't know if he likes me or not. He's giving me mixed signals." She shrugs, clutching her books to her chest.

"From my experience, I think mixed signals means he's confused or bipolar." I say and she snickers.

"He's not bipolar. Lucas is very sweet." She smiles.

"Well then, go get your man!" I sass and she shakes her head.

"It's not that easy." She scoffs as we take our seats.

"Well, it kinda should be. Plus, if he's giving you mixed signals. Maybe he's waiting for you to make the first move." I shrug.

"Maybe, I'll work on it. But right now, we need to figure out this situation with you and Josh." She says and I groan, slouching back in my chair as I throw my head back.

"We're just friends. I don't like him like that." I say.

"Hey." A voice says and I snap my head up, immediately fixing my posture.

"Hey." I grin at Josh.

"What's up, Tay?" He grins.

"Nothing much, curly." She says and Josh laughs.

"Did you do the essay yet?" He asks.

"Yeah, I finished it last minute though."

"Shit, it's due today right?" He cringes.

"Yeah. Were you not paying attention in class yesterday?" I scoff.

"I couldn't. Ashley kept rage texting me." He groans and I laugh.

"Another fight?" I frown.

"Yeah, but it's over the stupidest things. Anyway, can you help me with my essay?"

"Why not just copy off me?" I joke.

"Tempting, but I'm pretty sure Ms. Baker would know." He chuckles.

"Okay, how's after school in the library?"

"Great. I'll text you when I'm there." He nods and I grin at him.

"He was literally giving you heart eyes." Taylor whispers and I roll my eyes, shaking my head.

I see him stare at me from the corner of my eye as he takes a seat behind me.

I hope it's not because he heard Taylor and I's conversation.

Anxiety; activated.