Serendipity 2: A Yearning Heart [On Hold]

6| Where's Kaycee?

Kaycee's POV

i opened my eyes from my nap to a dark skinned woman. she seemed to be in her early 30s. as i blinked my eyes, i noticed that her face held concern.

"afternoon, miss. are you alright?" she asked. in an instant, i noticed her southern accent. "yes. what do you mean?" i asked confused.

"well my employees say you've been here for 3 hours." she informs me. from reading her name tag, i see that it's luanne. "are you sure there's no one we can call? or anything we can get you? it's on the house."

"oh there's no need for that, miss luanne. i'm sorry if i caused you or any of your employees concern. i just came from a rehearsal so i'm really swamped...but i'll be out of your hair as soon as i-" my voice got caught in my throat as i saw josh come in and go to the counter. i watched him and the guy at the counter interact with each other.

"are you sure there's nothing wrong, miss?" she asked crouching down a bit to reach my eye level. i finally took my gaze off of josh's back and to the sweet lady's. "yes. i'm fine. thank you for going out of your way to make sure i'm okay." i reassured, putting my hand on her arm gently. she gave me a sympathetic smile and grabbed me a donut.

right when i let my eyes shift, josh's met mine as he walked to my table. he sat down across from me with an iced mocha coffee in his hand. the lady perked up as she saw josh looking at me, fleeing from the table to leave us alone.

i set my eyes on my fidgety hands, refusing to look josh in the eye any longer. in the corner of my eye, i saw josh looking anxiously. he sighed heavily then walked to the door. he held it open, insinuating that i follow him. knowing he wouldn't do anything to me, i followed his lead. josh walked us to what i recognized as nat's car.

we hopped in and i expected for him to start the car but he didn't. we just sat in silence. we were practically letting the tension consume us. if i was being honest, i was scared to speak. it seemed like every time we opened our mouths for one another, it ended in a fight where i'd always get hurt.

josh took a sip of his coffee before clearing his throat and licking his lips. "good coffee." he said fondly. "want a sip?" he offered while looking ahead. i shook my head, still looking forward as well.

"just because we hate each other, doesn't mean you can't steal my drink like normal." josh said, cracking his window. i internally scoffed. "we hate each other now?" i asked, finally looking his way.

"i don't know. don't you hate me?" he shrugs. in some way, it was necessary to ask. so much has been said in these two days. "no. do you hate me?" i asked.

"no." josh said, shaking his head. i nodded slowly in acknowledgment. "but...i can tell you what i do hate." he sighed, leaning his head against the head rest, his head tilted up slightly. "i hate that we're fighting."

i inhaled sharply. here we go. i guess we're finally addressing it. "why are we fighting, josh?" i asked softly, looking down at my hands. he remained silent. "is there something that pisses you off or something? what's bothering you?" i asked tiredly. i was sick of us fighting for a reason i didn't even know. i knew there was something else deeper than my priorities and supposed obliviousness.

josh sighed. "are you not happy for me?" i asked. they seemed to just flow out naturally as if i had them just lying around in a file in my head.

"of course i am, kayc!" he answered immediately, practically jumping in his seat. his hands ran over his face as he said so. "i've been friends with sean since we were kids! he's amazing for you."

"then why- fucking hell, josh." it was my turn to sigh. this was beyond frustrating. he knows sean's good for me, but has a problem with us being together. how does that work?!