A Job With Him

The First Sign Of Pain

I waited outside of my house for Josh. He would usually come at 7am so that we could go to school together. But it was already 7.15am. If I waited any longer, I would be late. So I started walking to the bus stop while trying to call him. He wasn't answering or replying to my texts. Confused, I quickly got onto the bus and kept trying to contact him. "Maybe his phone broke or he couldn't charge it," I thought and decided to just see him in school.

I entered my classroom and saw Josh at his table, with his eyes closed and head on a book. I smiled and went straight to him. But as I walked, I heard whispers.

"OMG that's the girl who cheated on Joshua."
"What is she doing?"
"Why is she going near him?"

I felt really uncomfortable and quickened my pace. Upon reaching his seat, I poked his arm softly and he immediately opened his eyes. I grinned cheerfully at him but he just turned his head to face the other side. What the hell? I quickly went to where he was facing and asked what was wrong. He sighed then asked loudly, "What do you want Amber? Why are you disturbing me after cheating on me? Haven't had enough fun toying with me?"

My eyes widened in shock. What was he talking about? I never cheated on him. Heck, I never even liked any other guy other than him.

"Josh? What are you talking about? I never did anything, I swear! Hey, tell me what's going on," I shook him a little and asked back in a very worried tone. But Josh just ignored me and turned to the other side. I was about to walk around his desk to stand in front of him again but one of his friends, Matthew, came up to me and pushed me. I fell with a thud.

"Stay away from our friend you whore!" I couldn't move at all. Josh's friends liked me a lot. So why were they suddenly throwing hatred at me? I looked past Matthew and saw Josh's expression. He turned back to me and I swear, I saw his face looked apologetic for a second. However, his expression immediately changed back to emotionless and he turned back around.

Tears were threatening to fall from my eyes. I was so bewildered. I was not prepared for this kind of situation and had no clue as to what to do. I stood up and scurried out of the classroom to the girl's washroom. I sat in a cubicle and cried silently.

After calming myself down, I decided to talk to Josh privately after school. I'm sure that there was some kind of misunderstanding. I got out of the cubicle and went to wash my face. Suddenly, a girl shoved me and I hit the wall. I rubbed my head and looked up to see Melissa smirking evilly.

"How does it feel to be alone again Amber? Joshua will never help you ever again. Looks like we can finally continue from where we left off a year ago."

She was right. Joshua didn't help me earlier, why would he now? But I couldn't let her see me weak and I cracked out a laugh.

"Pfftt, I don't know what you are talking about. The only person who needs help is you who can't get over a small issue that happened over a year ago."

Melissa raised her hand and was about to slap me but I grabbed her arm and pushed her to the side. She fell onto the ground and I quickly rushed out of the toilet back to class. I didn't know what was going on but one thing was for sure. Something was up and I needed to figure it out.

The rest of the day was just me looking back at Josh. I couldn't focus on anything other than him and what happened in the morning. I was being criticized left and right but didn't know what for. He said I cheated on him, but with who? I never went out with another guy! Finally, the teacher ended her lesson and the class was dismissed. I hurriedly packed my bag and tried to catch up with Josh. But I was too late. When I got up to go to him, he had already left the classroom in a flash. I ran as fast as a lightning bolt down to the school exit. But there was no sign of Josh anywhere. I texted him that I would wait at the park near his house so that we could talk about what happened. He read it but didn't reply. It was fine, as long as he came.

It was 9pm. The night was chilly and it was super dark. Josh hadn't come out at all for the past 2 hours. I sighed and tried calling him for the hundredth time that day. "Still not picking up..." a tear left my eye and I covered my face with my hands. I didn't know why this was happening to me. Or what even was happening to me. I wanted to be in Josh's embrace again. I wanted his comfort. I wanted to hear his melodic voice again and forget about everything. But nothing. No replies, no explanation, no Josh. I stood up and decided to go back home. My sisters would get worried if I stayed out too late. I threw on my backpack and went home with the heaviest shoulders I've ever had in my life.