Billionaire's Childhood Love

LVI. A Crowd

Joshua's POV:

Nope.

Not going to think about that right now.

I fell asleep with Crystal in the lobby that night.

Today is the day into town.

Hailey presses her red nose against the cold window and sniffles lightly. "It's like a Christmas town!" She bounces in her seat. I laugh, and steadily my arm rolls around her shoulders. Her body froze, but it quickly relaxed.

I exhale a light breath and pull her inward. Lately, Hailey had been spending too much time with other people, much to my displeasure. But I know better. I don't have any right to stop her from living her life.

When the bus stops, her smile only widens. She slaps my arm continuously, encouraging me to move. That only made me want to annoy her. So, I stayed in my seat and blocked her with my legs until the last person left the bus.

By now, Hailey was pouting and slightly enraged.

I got up and blocked her with my body.

She went on her toes and peered past me. "Hurry up! Hurry up! People are leaving." One by one, students left in packs.

I walk even slower.

"Anytime now, kids," the bus driver said.

Hailey hit my back harder.

"Come on! We're going to leave without you two!" Crystal screams.

Good.

Leave.

I stop walking and turn around. Her face hit my chest. "I forgot my bag."

Hailey's brows crunch together. "Wait-" I turn her around and push her towards our seat.

"We're leaving!" Crystal shouts.

Leave already.

Hailey and I stop at our seats. "You didn't bring a bag."

"Oh," I said. "I didn't bring any bag."

"You don't even use bags."

"I must be thinking of you."

Haily put her bag on my face. She pushes it further into my cheek. "Come on! Come on!"

Finally, we made it outside. It's snowing, but it wasn't too cold. I push my scarf down while the bus rolls towards a parking lot.

Hailey pouts, "Everyone left us!"

Yes!

"Not everyone."

No!

We turn our heads to see Jasmine. She smiles, "I'm still here."

"Why are you here?" I attempt to keep my lethality at a minimum.

Her smile didn't fade. "I saw something cute and went inside the store." She points a thumb beside her. "And it seems that everyone left." She heads towards us. "Mind if I join you two?"

Yes, I do mind. Very much actually.

"Sure," Hailey responds.

Sometimes I wish Hailey can be mean.

Jasmine looks at me. "Is it okay?"

I forced a smile, "Of course." Not.

The three of us headed down the street. I can feel Hailey squishing on my left. Jasmine on my right. I kept my face straight on the road. How uncomfortable.