nightstand

chapter 5

 ⠀⠀Josh Hyland didn't believe in much. He didn't believe in God or in miracles. He didn't think Heaven existed or that good things happened to good people. He didn't really think about stuff like that much, but if there was one thing he was a hundred percent sure didn't exist, it was love.⠀⠀

⠀⠀His father was something of a town hero. He coached little kids in baseball and had lead Riverdale's senior team to national victory. He was happily married and the couple were always regarded as something like the 'perfect pairing'. Josh didn't agree. The again, he knew things the rest of Riverdale didn't.⠀⠀

⠀⠀When he was nine he was sent home early from school. He had thrown up so the nurse had sent him to wander home when his mother didn't show up. Josh had walked in on his mother and a man who most definitely wasn't his father. After that everything shattered.⠀⠀

⠀⠀His mother said it was their secret, something his father shouldn't know about. Ever. Josh had listened to her. But over the years as his mother continued to 'entertain guests', he found it harder and harder to keep quiet. So he took refuge in his new next door neighbors.⠀⠀

⠀⠀The residents of Riverdale had all been surprised when a moving truck pulled into the drive of one of the biggest houses on the estate. Josh hadn't really bothered with all the gossip about the new arrivals. They were probably going to be old and boring and to his ten year old self there was no point in being excited. But two days after the removal men had finished their work, a car containing the new people arrived.⠀⠀

⠀⠀And Josh knew he had been wrong.⠀⠀

⠀⠀There was clearly nothing boring about the girl who stepped out of the car. Nothing boring with her dark brown hair that rippled down her back and caught the sun. Nothing boring with her almond colored eyes that reminded him of Bambi, his sister's favourite film.⠀⠀

⠀⠀She had smiled at him and since then they became inseparable. When Josh found he had yet another secret rendezvous to keep quiet, it was Kalani he went to for comfort. He never told her what was going on and she never pushed him for answers.

Instead she would show him the woods she had found while doing homeschooled biology lessons. He hated the subject in school, but the way Kalani spoke about ecosystems and the way she showed him tiny little beetles in their natural habitat, made him find it enjoyable.⠀⠀

⠀⠀They would come back from expeditions, covered in dirt and leaves and Kira, Kalani's mom, never minded. She just said that "dirty children were happy children," and cleaned them up before allowing them anywhere near the white Persian rugs.⠀⠀

⠀⠀It was strange really that Josh felt more comfortable in Kalani's home. More cared for away from his family. He slept better in her room, the pair always used to make beds out of cushions on her floor, it was the only way to stop arguments over who got the kingsize bed as both wanted the other to have it. Occasionally though they would top and tail, the only part of them touching was their hands, interlocked in friendship.⠀⠀

⠀⠀Josh Hyland didn't believe in love. He though it was fickle and that two people never really could exist as a couple, yet still, more than anything, he loved Kalani. He just wasn't quite sure in what way.⠀⠀

⠀⠀One thing he did know was that he couldn't stand it when she was annoyed with him, like she was now.⠀⠀

⠀⠀"Tell me." He said quietly making Kalani sigh and pause the film they were settled in front of. Movie nights at the Hilliker's house were a regular occurrence. Kira and David were out that night and Kalani's little brothers were in bed, leaving the pair alone.⠀⠀

⠀⠀"What do you see in her?" She asked suddenly, taking Josh by surprise.⠀⠀

⠀⠀"Who?" He asked, baffled. He had no idea what Kalani was talking about.⠀⠀

⠀⠀"Chloe. For god's sake Josh you had sex with her, the least you could do is remember her name."⠀⠀

⠀⠀"Kalani, how the hell do you know about Chloe?" Josh asked in surprise. He didn't normally talk about his many flings with her, it just felt wrong somehow. Weirdly it made him feel sort of guilty.⠀⠀

⠀⠀"I called you last night. You didn't answer, she did. I may not be a genius but I can still come to a correct conclusion." She folded her arms and scowled at him. Josh hated it when she did that. It was almost as bad as when she drummed her fingertips against something. That was always a sure sign she was close to murdering someone.⠀⠀

⠀⠀"She's hot and likes me and likes, well, doing me." Josh said with a cheeky grin. Kalani narrowed her eyes, scooting further away from him on the couch.⠀⠀

⠀⠀"But you hate Chloe!" She protested. "If it was someone like Ava who you actually knew."⠀⠀

⠀⠀Josh frowned, his forehead creasing in confusion. "Ava? No way would I ever sleep with Ava."⠀⠀

⠀⠀"Why the hell not?" Kalani snapped. "She's pretty hot don't you think?"⠀⠀

⠀⠀Josh shook his head, confused. This seemed so strange. He never spoke to Kalani about crushes or girls, just like how she never spoke about the guys she liked. "Why do you care so much, Princess?"⠀⠀

⠀⠀For a moment she looked utterly perplexed, then baffled. She shook her head, carelessly tossing her hair over her shoulder in a way that completely side tracked Josh. "You're an asshole." She snapped, before unpausing the film, clearly signalling that the conversation was over. Josh stared at the TV but didn't see anymore of the film. Why was Kalani suddenly so interested in, well, all that? She'd never cared before, so why did she all of a sudden? Unless... Unless maybe it had been in front of him the whole time and he had just been too stupid to realize it.⠀⠀