The Difference Between You and Me

Chapter 21

Josh and Ammie stood in the parking lot waiting for Jade. They were all supposed to go to the animal shelter today. Josh had decided to switch volunteer projects to hang out with Ammie even though she told him not to.

"You know you are very tiny"

Ammie looked up to see Josh smirking down at her

"Excuse me? I'm of average height," Ammie scoffed

"Tiny," Josh retorted

"Average," Ammie countered

"Stop being stubborn"

"I'm telling you things as I see them," Josh shrugged

"You are speaking only from perspective simply because you are taller than I am. That's not facts," Ammie bit back

Josh rolled his eyes in response. "I literally just said. Of course I am speaking from perspective and in my perspective you are TINY therefore it is true for me," Josh finished smugly

"Flip off Ferguison"

"Wow, I'm hurt Brians...truly," Josh held his chest and pouted

"You two lovebirds ready?" Jade asked appearing behind the two causing Ammie to narrow her eyes at her

"You take that back"

"What? The truth," Jade asked pointedly

Josh stood there watching the banter in silence with a smile plastered on his face.

"Let's go, shall we?" Ammie said not wanting this awkwardness that suddenly entered the air to last any longer

---

"Hey Brian," Ammie said getting out of Jade's car as they pulled up to the shelter.

"What's good Brians?" The middle-aged man dressed in plaid, faded jeans covered in dirt and mud and boots that look like they've seen their fair share of bad days, carrying a pail of water.

"The usual," Ammie shrugged

"I feel you. I see you brought food for the animals," he said leaning to the side to glance at Josh. Ammie furrowed her brows in confusion but followed Brian's gaze and smirked.

"Yeah, about one hundred and fifty pounds of organic meat. Enough to last them two days", she remarked deciding to play along.

It was Josh's turn to be confused, "are they referring to me?" he whispered to Jade

"Yeah and I suggest you run," she answered seriously giving Josh a light pat on the back, a hint of amusement in her tone.

"Jaaaade," Brian called out

"Briaaan," Jade mocked

"Good to see you," Brian offered a smile

"Always a pleasure Brian," Jade deadpanned, "So we're here to work, if you don't mind I'm gonna put a lid on the small talk and well we'll be in the back," Jade said forcing a smile and walked off. Ammie and Josh looked at each other then at Brian who just gestured for them to follow and left with his pail.

---

It's been half an hour and Jade has not said anything to Dr. Lopez despite her string of questions.

"Jade? Jade?" Dr. Lopez pressed

"Hmm?"

"You know I get paid whether you say something or we sit in silence, right? So, might as well just talk"

"I don't want to be here," Jade said gruffly

"Then why are you here?" Dr. Lopez questioned

"My grandmother forced me to come"

"And how do you feel about that?"

"I stopped feeling anything a long time ago" Jade said in a monotone

"Hmm. Tell me about your friends, uh...Ammie and Josh," Dr. Lopez spoke up desperate to find something that will keep Jade talking.

Jade quirked a brow as if wondering why Dr. Lopez decided to go there then slowly lowered her head and focused on the tiled floor.

"Ammie looks like she is falling for Josh," She began. "She hasn't said anything to me and tries her best to hide it. But I can see through the façade she puts up and when she's unaware, I do observe how she acts and reacts when he talks to her, looks at her or how she gets when he's giving other girls his attention, for example his ex-girlfriend. Josh on the other hand is not as he appears to everyone. He has depth and like everyone, he has baggage which he doesn't share with anyone including Ammie. But I've known Josh for a long time so," Jade finished shrugging

"Do you think they'll end up together?" Dr. Lopez asked. A hint of excitement in her tone

"God I hope they do they seem to be putting off the inevitable for whatever reason, I don't know. The chemistry is obviously there and everyone sees it, except them or I guess they do but just choose to ignore it and focus on being a good friend to the other. It seems like a waste of time to me though but it's their life I don't pry"

"Well look at that," Dr. Lopez smiled. "I got you talking after all".

Instead of saying something sarcastic, Jade remained silent.

"But our time is up. I hope to see you again soon Jade," Dr. Lopez said closing her notepad

"Don't count on it," Jade replied and left without another word

Dr. Lopez shook her head in sympathy. She knew she couldn't make Jade feel better because well she had suffered a great loss and as if that wasn't enough her grandmother made sure she felt guilty about what happened every waking day. There was nothing she could do and they both knew it but she could try.