When Worlds Combine - A WWC Sequel

21; Museums, Declining calls, and Forgiveness

Violet

"I don't know what it is," I say as I sit across from Josh in our shared office in the newspaper room. "Zayn isn't usually like this."

"I wouldn't get too worried about it, Violet," Josh replies, leaning back in his chair and chewing on the end of a pen. "It's a typical guy thing."

I turn to look at him. "Do you feel the same way?" I ask him.

He hesitates. "Hypothetically...or?"

"Well, if you were Zayn, would you feel the same way?"

Josh gulps. "You're asking me if I'd want to have sex with you?"

"If you were Zayn," I clarify.

"I think I would," he replies. He looks a little nervous, avoiding my gaze. "If I was Zayn."

I sigh. "It's me isn't it then? It's my fault?"

Josh sighs too, but it's different from mine. "I think you're getting too worked up over it," he says simply. The tone in his voice sounds similar to Zayn - a hint of annoyance. "If you want to do it then do it, if not then don't. It's as simple as that really."

I spin my chair back around to look at the current article on my computer screen. Maybe Josh is right, maybe I am just getting too worked up over it. Is it really that simple though? The whole idea absolutely terrifies me. How can I just so easily lose my virginity? But then again, what exactly am I waiting for? Marriage?  It's just sex. That's all it is. So then why am I so scared to do it with someone I love?

"Anyway," Josh speaks up, realising I've finished speaking and trying to change the subject. "We still need a piece for our column." He taps a page of a magazine that's sitting on his desk. "And I was thinking we could take a look at this."

He hands me the folded over magazine and I study the page. "A museum?" I read aloud.

"Not just a museum," Josh cries, "it's a vintage art museum that creates replicas of old classic pieces and kind of makes them different. For example, their Mona Lisa painting has Mona in a Victorian era."

I chew on my lip as I read over the article. "Huh. Sounds interesting."

"I thought so. I thought it was quite a humorous play on art. We could talk about interpretations and how art can just be for show rather than feeling."

I look at Josh. Somehow he always knows what to say. He's incredibly smart that sometimes it just blows my mind. I smile. "Sounds good."

He grins, his perfect teeth gleaming. "Great! It's not too far away actually, I thought maybe we could visit it?"

I raise my eyebrow. "Really? Whereabouts?"

He looks down at the page. "About an hour out of London. You keen?"

"Yeah, of course!" The museum sounds absolutely fascinating and I'd love to go check it out with Josh.

"Does this weekend suit you?"

I hesitate, thinking it over. I don't have anything planned and I'm pretty sure Zayn and I won't get to see each other much. "Yeah, that's fine. Saturday?"

"Saturday it is." He grins. "Looking forward to it."

I smile back at him. "I am too. Now, this website here, I have to link you. Best article on Jane Austen."

I hear him laugh. "Send it my way already!"

-----

The rest of the week draws itself out slowly. I barely see Zayn all week, and if I do it's only for a few fleeting moments. If I didn't know any better I'd feel like he was avoiding me, but I know he's just busy. He's making heaps of new friends and wants to hang out with them in his spare time. I tried to get him to join me for lunch yesterday but he said someone else had already invited him.