A Job With Him

Blooming Days

The next day, Joshua and I walked to school side by side. My sisters were shocked to see me injured yesterday and Joshua was about to tell them what happened but I quickly just said that I fell down. He eyed me suspiciously but just agreed and followed my plan. After that, they invited him to join my little birthday party and we enjoyed it. He met my best friend, Mildred and all of us got along really well. Although, Mildred kept whispering teases to me about us being a couple. Now, he is obviously waiting for an explanation to why I hid the bullying from my sisters.

"Okay so, it's not that my sisters are overprotective or anything but I was cyber bullied in primary school and they didn't want me to get bullied ever again. They also told me to stand up for myself if it ever happens again and I want to show them that I've grown and can stand against bullies. If they find out about this, they would be so disappointed with me and would call the school and talk to them. I don't wanna make this issue any bigger too," I explained my sincere feelings.

Joshua thought for a while and said alright. But if Wayne did anything again, he wouldn't let it slide and I agreed.

"By the way, why didn't you tell me your birthday was yesterday? I would've bought a present along the way to your house," he said with a pout. He looked so cute.

"I mean, we only met yesterday so... plus, just you helping me back then and being my friend was an amazing birthday present for me," I said with a bright smile. Joshua looked away for a second and grinned back at me. His ears were red. Ohhh, he must be embarrassed haha.

We reached school and everything went on as normal. I had completely forgotten about Wayne's threat and went back home with Joshua again.

The following day, Joshua and I were talking about random things on the way to school when Wayne appeared in front of us. Joshua noticed him staring intensely at me and instinctively hid me behind. I felt so protected. He was like my shield.

"What do you want Wayne? Aren't you done hurting Amber after what you did to her 2 days ago? Now she can't even walk properly so leave her alone," Joshua told Wayne in a calm tone. But I could see him ready to defend me in case he did anything and my heart fluttered again.

"She didn't listen to me and didn't meet me yesterday after school. So now, she will have to face me for the rest of her life here."

"Well you know, there's only a little bit more than 1 year here so I honestly don't care about what you do. Just stop harassing me and my friend," I retorted back, annoyed. I then took Joshua's hand and we walked past Wayne into school.

When we got far away enough from that annoying ass, I looked at Joshua. He was looking down at our hands and I immediately felt my face flushed. I quickly let go of his hand and apologized, saying that I just didn't want to stand there and continue talking to that idiot anymore. He chuckled and said that he didn't want to either. We then continued talking about life and went to class.

When we arrived for our first lesson, the teacher wasn't there yet. However, the entire class was staring at me and whispering to one another. Great now I'm being gossiped about? So much for a quiet junior college life.

Joshua and I went back to our seats and everyone settled down when our English teacher walked in. As she went on about writing a general paper essay, I could feel eyes staring daggers into me. I looked around and realised that my classmates were looking away and continuously whispering. Joshua saw how uncomfortable I looked and when our eyes met, he gave me a little smile. I smiled back then focused on the lesson again.

This went on until recess. Joshua stayed with me and we ate together since his friends would go out to play basketball.

"You alright Amber?"

"Yeah, it's just... I think Wayne spread a rumor about me and now everyone is irritating me by stealing glances at me," I answered poking the meat on my plate.

"Hmm maybe they just think you're so beautiful that they need to keep looking at you to please their eyes HAHA," Joshua said without thinking.

Awkward silence...

I looked away and blushed. What the hell. Why am I so affected by him calling me beautiful?

*cough* "Umm I mean, just look at the bright side yeah? Don't worry, I won't let Wayne do anything to you," Josh broke the silence and comforted me.

I looked back at him and said thanks with a grin.

When we finished eating, Joshua took his tray and mine and said that he would help me return them. I thanked him once again and sat down, quietly waiting for him so that we could go back to class together. However, that idiot came up to me and chuckled.

"Well well well, looks like your "boyfriend" isn't here to protect you now huh Amber? Shall we continue where we left off?" He said with a smirk and quoting "boyfriend" with his fingers.

"Get lost Wayne. I don't want to do anything with you," I said and was about to get up and walk away when he suddenly grabbed my wrist tightly. It hurt. And when I say that, it means that it REALLY hurt.

"Uh-uh. You aren't going anywhere. There is a rumor going around about how Joshua beat my girlfriend up for you. Didn't you realise the bruises on her body?"

Wayne said, tightening his grip on me. I thought back to class today and remembered that there really were bruises on Melissa's body. But Joshua wouldn't do that, he isn't that type of person.

"You really think I would believe you? Pfftt, get your dirty hands off me!" I screamed, I hated it when people accuse others, especially when they accuse my friends.

Suddenly, Joshua came and pushed Wayne off me. He didn't beat him or anything, just pushed him away from my body.

"Wayne, what the hell is wrong with you? Stop disturbing my girlfriend and leave us alone!" What Joshua said made my heart skip so many beats that I couldn't count. He called me his... girlfriend?

"Huh, I knew that you two had a thing! This just further proves that you would've beaten Melissa up for that witch."

Joshua was about to raise his fist and punch Wayne but I grabbed his arm and calmed him down. "Don't waste your energy on him Joshua." I then walked in front of him towards Wayne. "Joshua did nothing to Melissa. I was with him these past 3 days of school. So instead of coming here and blaming people, go take care of your girlfriend like you're supposed to. Leave. Us. Alone." I gave him one final glare and grabbed Joshua's wrist. We walked away from the scene towards an empty corner of the school.

When I stopped, I turned to find Joshua looking down at my red wrist. I let go of his hand and hid it. I didn't know why I did that, I guess I just didn't want him to get more furious. I sighed and went towards him. I wrapped my arms around his body. He was surprised at first, but hugged me back in the next second. It felt just right. Since he was taller than me, I felt so protected in his arms. I then spoke, "Thank you for everything Joshua. You stood up for me when nobody else did. You helped me when I was in need these last few days. You really are my savior." I pulled away from the hug and looked up at him. His eyes stared through mine so gently. "It's not a big deal. I'm glad you didn't believe what Wayne said. Yes, I wanted to kill him for hurting you, but I know you wouldn't like that. I'm sorry Wayne managed to hurt you again," he said then took my red wrist and touched it carefully. He then brought it up and kissed it. I blushed furiously and looked away.

"W-What are you doing? And what did you mean by g-girlfriend earlier?" I brought up my courage and asked him without looking. I waited but there was only silence. I turned to face him and his lips landed on mine instantly. It was so docile, so reassuring. His kiss made me feel like I was in heaven, like I was never alone. I kissed back instinctively. Butterflies were flying around in my stomach and my heart was thumping so loudly against my chest. After a long while, he pulled away and we both caught our breaths. He then asked while looking straight into my eyes, "So Amber, can I be your boyfriend?"