Forever Beside | Joshua Hong

6

Joshua watched Julia leave his sight after turning down his offer. He hasn't said much yet a drop of guilt flew in his heart.

That drop was enough to disturb him. They shared memories together. Even though Joshua was acting like they didn't, they had history. He could lie to himself but the truth is the truth.

Julia was his high-school best friend, and at the time, his neighbor and co-worker. They were even seatmates again since their desks were pratically next to each other.
Everything was too well-known.
Joshua took the guilt in and planned to enjoy a decent afternoon with her the next day. He took a trip to the supermarket on his way home to get groceries and some popcorn to microwave.

The following afternoon, right before Julia got up to leave her desk, Joshua called her name. "I was thinking if you would... There isn't much work for tomorrow and um..." He gulped, nervous for once. Julia contemplated on her choice.

He's Joshua.
When could she ever turn him down twice in the same week? The first time was already making her life worse. "We could watch some movies and eat some popcorn." Joshua continued.  "If you want to... I could come over after we-I mean I take a shower."

"Okay. That sounds nice. I'll get going now." Her trip back home felt wondrous. She quickly took a bath and tidied her living area straight to the kitchen and the bathrooms. Just as she switched the air freshener into a new one, a knock on the door brought her into dashing.

Joshua was standing against her, his hair a bit damp, a bowl of popcorn and soft drinks in his hold. The wave of mint-shampoo hit her nose, making her tummy jumpy. Both of them directly sat on the couch next to each other.

A blanket covering the two, each with their hand on the bowl of popcorn. "What are we watching tonight?" Joshua asked. It was unspoken but their minds were flashbacking to their old habit. Watching movies together was one of their favorite things to do, that is, next to every other activity there is available for them to do together.

"You wanna pick the movie?" Julia offered him the remote. "Nope, it's your turn to choose." He was mazed with his own words. It took a second for him to realize what was wrong in his sentence. "I'm sure you know a few good movies..." He gulped. "There is this movie I haven't watched yet. I heard it's pretty nice." Julia switched her view to the screen.

Joshua opened a can of coke and chugged it, leaving only half left.
They used to take turns picking movies. It used to be super easy remembering who's turn it was since movie night was a regular thing. But deep inside his memories, their most recent movie night felt like it was a day before. He recalled the box of pizza they had and the way they laughed at the comedic lines.

His thought got interrupted with Julia's squeal. "I found it!" She clicked it, sinking two of her fingers into the bowl to pick up a piece of popcorn. Through the movie, their bodies got even more closer. Sometimes their hands would meet when they tried to grab some popcorn, leading them to laughter. A can of soda later turned into three, then four.

The atmosphere was so comforting, both would agree. Unwittingly, Julia and Joshua dozed off to sleep, his head on top of the other. His arm holding her close as the can of sodas cried in extreme joy, watching the pair embraced each other.

"Hey Jule, I noticed your door was unloc-" And that's when another figure stood still, paralyzed at what he saw. Junhui slammed the door and walked away, displeased with the sight.
"Fuck you." He was angry. Though he wanted to leave the building ever so quickly, he looked at the same trash can that he threw the -now not so- fresh flowers into. They were still there, actually making the trash can smell nice.

"You're gonna throw those flowers again?" The receptionist lady asked. Junhui stopped to look at her. "You can have them, I guess." He handed the orchids to her. The bright yellow and orange colours matched the pin she was wearing. "If you don't want them, you could give 'em to someone else and... maybe you'll make their day." He smiled unconvincingly before walking away.

"Wait!"

Junhui turned his body around to meet the receptionist, her hand stretched out, giving back the flowers. "I'm giving them to someone else just like you said. I hope this made your day." She reached his cheek. "And this too." She pressed her lips unto Junhui's. It took a few seconds for him not too pull away before giving in. His hand cupped her chin, pressing down roughly. Their lips started syncing together.

She moaned into his lips, savoring the sweet moment. Her hand gripped Junhui's hair, pulling him closer. It didn't last that long as he opened his eyes, realizing who he's kissing. "S-shit! I didn't mean to..." He took a few steps back. "I... I didn't mean it... too. I'm sorry... Let's just forget this happened." She speed-walked to her desk and continued working, acting like she didn't just kiss a stranger.

Junhui grinned and placed the orchids in front of her arms. "I want you to have them. Take it as um... a sorry, for kissing you back... nothing more."

*