Wrong Direction

The 'Too Soon' Period is Over

Josie comes by every night. Sometimes we talk, sometimes we don't, but she's always gone by morning. She even sings me to sleep a few times - upon my request, of course. Josie has a beautiful voice, but it often takes some prompting to get her to use it.

It's almost two weeks later when she breaks our comfortable routine, though. It's when I'm lying in bed, the siphoner absentmindedly playing with my hair, minutes away from sleep, that she breaks the silence. "Are we ever going to talk about this?"

"About what?" I murmur, not even bothering to open my eyes.

Josie's hand stills, her palm resting against my back between my shoulder blades. "This, Hope. Am I just supposed to keep coming here every night then disappearing before morning, pushing down my feelings that just get stronger each time you fall asleep in my arms?"

I freeze, my arms tensing around the younger girl. I feel her go stiff under my touch, realizing what she just said, and before I know it, she's apologizing for it. "I'm sorry," she mutters, her fingers resuming their previous ministrations. "I shouldn't have said that."

"No," I shake my head, sitting up. "I'm glad you did."

Josie's hand falls to her side as I turn to face her, my ocean blue eyes meeting her chocolate brown ones. Silence envelopes us as I allow her words to sink in. Part of me is ecstatic that the siphoner returns feelings for me, but another part is afraid that my feelings for her are just rebound feelings after Landon.

I focus on the brunette, picking up on the anxiety filling her big brown orbs. "I like you, too, Jo..." I begin, trailing off before averting eye contact as I try to figure out how to phrase this next part.

"But..." she prompts, her voice strained. She knows what's coming.

"But it's too soon," I sigh.

Josie nods, looking down right when I look back up. I frown, then take her hands in mine, prompting her to make eye contact with me. She does, and I squeeze her hands reassuringly. "I do like you, Jo."

"You already said that," she chuckles, and I smile at her, still feeling guilty for hurting her.

"Well, I mean it."

Josie returns my smile at my words, but then it falters a few moments later. "How long does this 'too soon' period last?" she asks, trying her best to keep her tone neutral despite the hope shining through.

"I don't think there's a specific time period," I shrug before settling back into her side, her hand rubbing my back now rather than playing with my hair. "I guess it'll be over when I'm completely past what Landon did."

"And how long will that take?" Josie questions, but I can hear the teasing lilt to her voice. I just sigh, tightening my arms around her waist, then bite back a grin when she says, "Kidding, kidding. I'm fine with waiting."

Her words make me realize how long she's been waiting and how much truth there is to her statement, and I can't keep back the smile this time. I close my eyes, not saying anything else as I fall asleep, knowing that Josie is already fully aware of how much her words mean to me.

When I wake up, Josie is gone, as expected, but this time there's a note sitting on my nightstand. I furrow my eyebrows as I tentatively pick it up, already expecting it to be Josie saying that was her last night staying here, explaining that she can't keep doing this until we're actually together. My anxiety rises as I sit up. I hold my breath as I begin to read.

Hope,

I took one of your hoodies. It's the least you can do ;) See you tonight.

-Josie