Page 10 of Faking Forever 1
HEY LOVER
smirking.
“What exactly are you trying to say, Joshua?”
“Nothing bad, I swear. You look—insanely good.”
She fully smiles now. “I know.” She closes her eyes, tossing a slew of hair behind her back.
She’s doing it on purpose. Shehasto be. That, or I need to control myself.
The sound of waves fills the silence between our conversation for a moment.
“So, you think you’ll join me this fall in Denver?” she infers.
The dreaded question.
“To be real with you, I haven’t given it as much thought. I mean—what is it even like? You haven’t said a word about it.”
I say, quick with an excuse.
She sighs, shrugging as if she was ridding herself of any evil thoughts.
“It was okay. It snowed way too much, and it rained when it didn’t snow. The school felt like an episode of ‘Chopped’
every single day. And the people?” she turns her head to face me, “Let’s just say.. they aren’t like us.”
Not one exciting thing?
“No friends made?” I ask.
“Not really.” she purses her lips.
“What about like—hookups?” I hesitate to add.
“Josh, c’mon.” her cheeks become flushed with red as she veers her eyes down at the water.
I had to ask. I wouldn’t be shocked, but I’m afraid I have to say I’d prefer the answer to be none.
“Just asking, just asking.” I raise my hands in surrender, giving her a warm laugh.
“No, guys are weird out there. I was lonely in a way. Most 29
FAKING FOREVER
days, I was so anxious about being scolded by my teacher that making connections seemed impossible after hours. They mean business, Josh. Not like when you were teaching me…”
She sounds defeated when she talks about it, as if it weren’t her idea to go since we werefifteen.
“Pea, you’re an amazing cook—and overall, just an amazing girl. For years, I’ve watched you work for this. Hard work, too. It’s not for nothing. I promise. Don’t sound so glum.” I reassure her, tugging gently on a long strand of her hair.
Rolling her eyes in response, she shakes her head.
I wish that I wasn’t too pussy to use more than my words, but my sincerity would just be physical touch. I think it would be in my best interest to keep my hands to myself at this moment.
Or any given moment in the future, for that matter. I sense myself not being the only one feeling a bit nervous right now.
“I just regret not going together…” she whispers as if she didn’t want me to hear that comment.
