sign of the times | joshua bassett

SIX

EMMIE'S POV

i facetimed olivia to tell her about my time with josh. she answered immediately and asked bow it went.
"so, how was it?!" she squealed.
"it was really fun!"
"what'd ya doooo?"
"we went to a record store he likes and we picked some out. i ended up with a few, including harry styles and wallows,"
"that's fun!"
"it was. to make it even better he paid for my vinyls. i tried to stop him, but he was so sweet about it," i tried my best not to blush.
"you're blushing, emmie!" she teased.
"no i'm not!" i covered my cheeks. "and he knows about my full name,"
"damn, really? did your mom say it or something?"
"of course she did," i laughed. "but again, he was really sweet."
"josh is definitely a charmer!"
"i definitely liked hanging out with him. all three of us should do something next weekend!"
"yeah we should! oh-" she said as her phone buzzed. "speak of the devil, he's calling me. i'll be right back!" she said. i smiled and she answered his call.

OLIVIA'S POV

"liv, i just got home." he said as he flopped backwards on his bed.
"i was just facetiming her,"
"what did she say? did she have fun?"
"she said she liked hanging out with you and wants us three to do something next weekend,"
"oh, okay, cool, yes." he stammered.
"i heard you paid for her? good move, good job!"
"she almost didn't let me, but i had to. my hand was shaking the whole time," he laughed nervously.
"don't jump the gun yet, pal, but i think she had a good time. you did it!"
"i know," he sighed. "she's just so..." he paused. "cool, and really genuine, and funny, and-"
"dude, i know. i've been her best friend for literally my whole life!"
"so you'll help me?"
"i promised you i would, so i will. but she's my best friend first. i'm looking out for her before anyone else, sir."
"got it. lets plan for next weekend tonight!"
"you are crazy, josh. i'll text you later." i waved bye to him and called back emmie.

FLASHBACK: NEW YEARS EVE
JOSH'S POV

"hey!" i said to olivia as she poured more chips in the bowl.
"hello,"
"um, can i ask you a weird question?"
"shoot," she popped a chip in her mouth.
"so your friend,"
"you think she's cute?" she cut me off as i felt my face turn red.
"how'd you know?"
"are you dumb? you've been staring at her the whole time you've been here and haven't said a word!"
"did she notice?"
"i doubt it,"
"you wanna, ya know, set me up with her?"
"emmie's um," she looked over at her. she was laughing with julia and dara. she was really pretty and even though i didn't know her well at all, she was all i was thinking about. "emmie's very nervous about everything. she's very sensitive too."
"that's fine, i can be sensitive," i shot olivia finger guns.
"no, i'm serious, josh. i can try for you, but i dont know if she's looking for a boyfriend."
"can i at least be her friend first?"
"that's up to her, but you've gotta make that move."
"okay, lets make a deal."
"i'm not betting on my friend!"
"its not a bet, its a deal. if i can get her to hang out with me by myself, you'll help me woo her and reel her in."
"she's not a fish, josh!"
"c'mon, liv! please?" i gave her puppy dog eyes.
"you know i cant say no to that face," she rolled her eyes. "fine, but be chill. be cool!" she shoved my shoulder backwards.
"i am chill and cool!"
"sure you are," she shoved a chip in my mouth and walked back into the living room.