𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐄| 𝐉.𝐁.

33: Car ride home

"I'll see you tomorrow at rehearsal." Taylor says.

"Yeah, see you." I say and she hugs me after she unbuckles her seatbelt.

"Get her home safe." Taylor says, eyeing the two boys.

"Yes, ma'am." Red says and I chuckle.

She rubs my arm and heads out, shutting the car door behind her.

"You still remember my address?" I ask Red.

"I think...I forgot. You told me at the pizza place and I already forgot." He says, turning his head to me.

"It's on Flatbush avenue. Just take a right and I'll lead you from there." Josh says and I look at his side profile.

I see a lock of curly hair fall infront of his face and I meet his eyes once again through the rear view mirror.

"Okay, cool." Red says, breaking the silence and the light turns green.

||

"So, did you really write that song? You know, the one you played at the pizzeria?" Red asks, checking his signals.

"Yeah, I did. I actually finished it a few days ago." I slowly nod.

"Well, it's a really good song. I wish I could write like that." Red grimaces.

"Thanks. And you could, you can do anything you put your mind too." I say.

"Make a left." Josh says to Red and he nods, turning left as one more person crosses.

"Is this you?" Red says, squinting his eyes.

"Yeah, this is me. Thank you for the ride. I'll see you guys at the EL Ray tomorrow." I say, unbuckling my seatbelt.

"I'll walk you." Josh says and opens the car door.

"Is he okay?" Red whispers once he shuts his door.

"Yeah, I think he had too much pizza." I say and he chuckles.

"What did I say earlier?" He sighs as I let out a laugh.

"See you tomorrow." I grin.

"See you tomorrow, Lex." He smiles and I put the seatbelt behind me.

Before I can even press the open button, Josh already beat me to it.

He opens the door and helps me out of the steep seat.

"Thanks." I mutter and he nods, shutting my door.

We walk side by side as Red waits for us, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel.

We start walking further and the wind gets more powerful.

It hits against my face like a tornado and out of instinct, I move closer to Josh as I put my hands in the jean jacket he lent me.

"I don't understand how you're not cold." I shiver as we walk up the steps.

"Guess I'm cold blooded." He shrugs as I chuckle.

"Well, this is me. I'll see you tomorrow at rehearsal, Troy." I say and he laughs, showing off his pearly white teeth.

"Looking foward to it, Gabriella." He grimaces and I chuckle.

"Goodnight, Josh." I mutter as I unlock my door.

He pulls my hand back from the door knob and spins me around, making me meet him face to face.

Our eyes meet and he pulls his hand up, tracing my cheek.

"Josh." I say as my breath hitches.

"Goodnight, Alexis." He says, barely audible as he pushes some hair behind my ear.

My lips part as we meet each other's gaze and he starts to lean in.

I start leaning in too but I remember when I had told him at the basketball game last night.

"Josh, I can't." I breathe, leaning my forehead against his.

"But why? Why do you keep rejecting me? Have you truly lost feelings for me?" He asks.

"After what you did to Shawn, I don't know what I feel towards you." I huff, pulling away from him.

"Lex, I know I messed up, really bad. But I'm sorry, I didn't know what I was doing. I wasn't thinking, I don't think." He sighs, frustratedly running his fingers through his curly hair.

"Then maybe you should think next time. Your actions have consequences. You really scared me last night." I say.

He opens his mouth to respond but I see the lights flicker from inside.

"I gotta go. Goodnight." I say and open the door.

I head inside and shut the door behind me. I turn my head to meet my mom sitting at the dining table, writing in her book.

"Hey honey."

"Hi mom" I grimace, taking off the jean jacket Josh gave me.

"How was the pizza?" She grins.

"It was good. I had a good time tonight." I say and she smiles.

"That's great honey. Get some rest, school's tomorrow." She says.

"Yeah, okay. Goodnight." I say.

"Night, honey." She says and I grin as I scurry upstairs, heading to my room.

Why can't I forget the last two minutes?