Stage Fright

Chapter 18 ~ Rescue Mission

Josh

Another normal Friday night at Owen's. Tonight we went for dinner first and picked up some snacks before getting ready to head back to his garage. Tonight I was planning on numbing all of my pain over Heather in as many bags of chips and grams of pot possible. 

While I'd be sitting in Owen's garage watching one of the Star Wars movies for what had to be the tenth time, Heather would be out on a date with Zeke. I couldn't think about them going out, he was an absolute monster and she didn't even see it. Whenever I thought about him kissing her or holding her I got sick. But I'll bet they'll be doing a whole lot more than that tonight, and that was the worst thought of all.

I hated thinking about her this much, I knew I was wasting my time thinking about her and praying she'd come around one day. I was a hell of a lot closer now than I had been in three years, I'd actually kissed her too. But I knew what kind of spell Zeke had over her and the type of toxic relationship she and he had, it was terrible.

For now, I wasn't going to ruin my chances with being her friend. If I was to tell her how I felt everything would be ruined. I had to wait for the right time, if Heather ever did give me a chance I wanted to do it right.

We come in the door of Owen's house. The garage wasn't anything more than a hang out space so we had to go in through the house. It was climate-proof, had a fridge, ping-pong table, a few couches and a television set. In the winter it could get a bit chilly, but usually we'd just smoke out there and hang out in the basement.

I try and shake off my sadness, if you weren't in a good mood, smoking could be a little dangerous. We toss the snacks on the counter of the garage and I watch Colin and Owen go through the drawers finding the TV remote among other things. 

I sit on the couch in the garage and suddenly the image of his hands all over her is in my mind again. It left a bad taste in my mouth, I really cared about her and she didn't even know it.

Just when someone brings over the baggie and a pack of papers I feel my phone vibrate. I pull it out of my pocket seeing it was from Heather, I immediately stand up off the couch and read it. The three words on the screen make me sick.

*I need help*

I panic instantly, what did he do to her?

"Josh, is everything good? We're going to start, do you want episode four or five-"

"I need to go." I tell them quietly.

"What? Why, we do this every Friday." Owen says and I sigh.

"I know, and you guys know I wouldn't skip out if it wasn't important. But someone's in trouble and I have to go." I say. "I'm sorry, smoke twice as much for me and eat my food." 

"Who is it?" Colin asks and I sigh.

"It's just my sister, she's home this weekend and it sounds serious." I quickly lie and they all nod, looking between each other.

"Yeah man, go it sounds important." Owen says and I thank them, heading out the door and down to my car. I quickly dial Heather's number as I climb into the seat hearing it ring.

"Josh?" I hear in a quiet voice and I feel my heart shatter.

"Heather, are you alright?" I ask starting my car and I hear a small sob followed by a sniffle.

"Um, yeah." She whispers.

"Okay, sit tight. I'm coming from Owen's, so I should be there in about fifteen minutes." I tell her.

"I forgot it was Friday night." She breathes. "That's your guys' night, I'm s-sorry for bothering you. I'll be alright, go......go have fun-"

"Heather, I'm not going to leave you alone." I tell her quietly starting the drive. "Not when you're this upset, I'm on my way okay?" I ask and I hear another sniffle over the other end. "What happened?"