It's A Funny Story, Really (HOSIE)

Chapter 18: Talk

Hope's P.O.V

Sitting on the hood of Josie's car has never made me feel as anxious as I was in the very moment. School ended half an hour ago and still no sign of Josie. I called and texted her a few times but my calls went straight to voicemail and my texts to delivered.

Josie would of told me if she had after school activities. There was no soccer practice or anything that would require Josie to stay after school. The longer I sat here, the more worried I became.

A part of me thought about what happened at school today. I was pretty rude and mean to Josie. Though, Josie did react in her same old Josie ways. I couldn't help but feel some sort of guilt. She continued her flirtatious way. And countered everything I threw at her. It was like a game between the two of us. Josie was having fun teasing me, it made me... think. Maybe to Josie this was all just a game to her. She didn't like me, she just thought of as us being friends and just having a close friendships. Like those friends you have where you can't be nice to each other. Where the group insulting each other is just their way of showing they care and like one another.

Hey look there goes your best friend, one would say to a friend as they point to some one they hate. Or when you see your friend during passing period and you hit them with the 'EW' remark and they just flip you off, but you both laugh. Perhaps, this, to Josie was those moments.

She didn't know my true intentions, and I didn't like it one bit. I wanted her to fall in love with me, but how can I do that if she thinks I'm just messing with her for fun and friendly banter.

After a while I got tired of waiting. I decided to go and look for her. When I walked into the school I searched everywhere for her. The soccer field, gym, library. It was then I finally found her sitting alone in one of the empty class rooms. She was sitting in a desk chair looking out the window with a far out look. She had her hand pressed to her cheek, lost in thought.

I walked closer to her, placing my hand on her shoulder when I was right beside her. She suddenly jumped, looking frightened. She relaxed when she saw it was only me. Her once scared expression was now replaced with a tight lip smile.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" She asked sweetly.

"I could ask you the same thing. And well you're my ride" I told her. She nodded her head, standing up and pushing her chair in. Before she can get passed me I stopped her. "Hey are you okay?" I asked worryingly. She looked so... tired, defeated almost.

"Im okay" she said giving me a gentle but cheerful smile. How fake can a smile get. Her smile said she was fine, but her eyes gave it away that she was obviously lying. You can easily smile and put up a strong façade, I have many times. So I know you can't fake the way your eyes look. And her eyes were screaming Help Me Please.

"Jos—"

"Everything's fine". She cut me off giving me a curt reply.

"Come, let's go for a walk."

"A walk... seriously?" Josie raised a brow.

"You seem like someone who can use a walk... or someone to talk to. So why not choose the latter" I shrugged my shoulders. Josie look as though she was think hard bout my proposal. When a few seconds passed she nodded her head and we both walked out of the school and into the forest.

We just walked. At first she didn't talk. She was still lost in her own head space. I didn't want to push her if she was feeling upset over something. So I would occasionally squeeze her hand to let her know I was still by her side. She would squeeze back a little tighter.