Hard To Love (a Josh Hutcherson Fan Fiction)

Chapter 9

Stella's POV

Its been three days since the accident with Beatrice. I haven't cried much, but I feel somewhat empty. Josh has been great.. everytime I think about it, he knows exactly what to do to make me feel better. Not good, but better. My anxiety attacks have subsided, I haven't had one in two days, which before I had them every day, at least twice. We haven't left Josh's apartment because it's snowed and it takes too much to get out of the building. I did more school so that I won't have any for a month or two, mainly to keep my mind busy, and Josh has been studying a script for this upcoming movie, Journey 3, that he will begin filming the minute he goes back to acting. His manager sent it to him in the mail yesterday.

I open my eyes and immediately smell bacon and pancakes.. I decide its time for me to get up and find out what Josh is up too.

"Goodmorning, how are you today?" he asks as he flips a pancake in the pan.

"I think I am okay. Better then yesterday, worse than I will be tomorrow." he sets the pan onto the stove and comes over to me.

"day by day, things will get better, Stell. Remember that." he says, brushing down my bed-head with his fingertips. I nod my head and sit at the bar counter.

"I know, I need to get my mind off of things. I think it may be the area, everything reminds me of it." I say, making myself comfortable on the stool.

he nods, "I am really glad you are saying that because my mom called me this morning, asking what day I was coming home for christmas, I told her two days before, but we could always go up there earlier, since you finished your school."

"Wait, meet your parents? Josh, I am not good with people." I shake my head, "or families," I mumble the last part.

"They don't know about you yet, but I bet they will love you. I know families are new to you, but mine is really welcoming.. Stella, you are a part of my life now, you have been ever since you introduced yourself at that football game, Its going to be fine!" he says, placing the dirty dishes in the sink and placing a plate full of food in front of me.

I stare at the plate, "I've never celebrated Christmas before, you know. I mean, we put up a tree at one of the homes I stayed in like 4 years ago, but thats all I have ever done for christmas. I don't even think I know the true story of christmas, I don't want your family to think I am weird." I take a bite of the pancakes.

"You haven't?" he looks at me with wide eyes.

I shake my head no, "Lucille doesn't believe in giving us presents or taking us to church.. I mean I would love to learn about it all, its interesting to me, but I was never given the chance."

"Then come with me! We go to church every Christmas Eve for the Christmas service, please come, they aren't going to judge you." he insists.

I sigh, "fine, but promise me you won't tell them that this is all new to me? Don't mention me not having parents either, maybe someday, but not this time."

He nods his head and smiles at me, "deal, we'll leave tonight."

We finish our breakfast and then we get to packing, "Josh, I have nothing nice to wear to church or anything. My whole closet is pretty much jeans and v-necks."

"Don't worry about that, we can stop by the mall on the way out, we'll just leave around lunchtime, no more excuses!!" he laughs.

"you are not spending money on me. No way, I won't let you." he walks into my room and leans on the wall.

"you really are difficult, you know that?" he says smiling.

"and you're too nice to me.." I say and continue to pack the little necesities.