Page 55 of Faking Forever 1
“What—Paisley, hold up!” he shouts back in my direction at the back of my head.
The sound of footsteps formed behind me, and then suddenly, they stopped, leaving me sitting on the other side of the door to weep.
After avoiding any interaction in my house for the remainder of the day, I was lucky enough that everyone had some plans arranged, leaving me to get ready in an empty home. Without knowing when they would return, I got ready as fast as possible and went straight to Josh’s house. Had my chest not been burning with anxiety, I could’ve been able to pick out a better outfit than a baby tee and jeans. I went for pinning half of my hair up, aiming for everyone to focus on that part of me instead. There’s probably a justifiable reason for her wardrobe, but it’s nice to know that Darcy would probably still look the most foolish out of the two of us. I’ll never find the 127
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will to figure out why she treats every event like Coachella.
Rich was sitting on the porch with a newspaper on his lap and ankle propped over his knee while his glasses steadily slid to the tip of his nose. He always smiled when I came around, even when I was small. Now that I’m paying more attention, it reminds me of Josh. They both have the most infectious smiles I’ve laid eyes on. Granted, Josh has gained most of his charm from Rich, which was always apparent to me. Except as Josh gets older, he’s seemingly morphing into Rich as we gradually get older. That has to make his father feel like he’s doingsomethinggood.
“Paisley. How are you doing, sweetheart?”
He chirps up, backing the newspaper from his face. He seemed tired in the face, as if he could benefit from a nap or two.
“I’m good. How are you? How’s the campaign?” I lean on my toes, smiling back at him.
“It’s a doozy, but when have I ever complained, right?” His smile spreads wider across his face.
Always facing the world with not one negative outlook. I wish a certainsomeoneI know would take notes.
I smile more. “That’s why you’re going to win. I feel pretty strongly about it,” I say.
“As long as you kids keep spreading the word, I have nothing to worry about.” He straightens out his newspaper, nodding at me, humming out some laughter.
As he finishes talking, the screen door opens and fish boy emerges in a black ball cap with a Yankees logo. He’s dressed casually, like I am, validating me without even trying. I will say he’s gotten better at his style choices since he’s been leaving the flannels behind, though it’s probably because he 128
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has muscles to show for now. The more steps he took closer to us, the wider his grin got.
“What’s funny? I wanna laugh, too,” he beams.
Rich sits up, looking at both of us. “I’m just gabbing about the election. Are you kids going somewhere?” He looks at Josh only now, questioning him.
“Uh, yeah. With Darcy and Nick. We’re going to the boardwalk.” Josh scratches the back of his neck apprehensively.
“It’s only the four of you?” His dad probes at him.
“Yeah. Is that not good?” Josh’s thick brows slowly start to furrow in confusion.
“It’s great. You two—great.” Rich smiles suddenly, lifting his newspaper to read again. “Have fun.” He glances at us one last time.
Josh flicks his newspaper as he responds, “Have fun reading your news.”
Josh looks at me and raises his arm around my shoulder, leading me off the porch to his shiny Jeep.
“Your hair looks great like that. I love it,” he says, sliding his palm down my back as I feel his lips collide with my head.
“Gorgeous, doll face.”
He’s so sweet; it gives me a fluttering sensation throughout my body. I can’t behave like a level-headed person when he’s not bullying me or constantly poking at me like he used to, but I’m also not going to fight it. It feels so casual and suitable for me.
I missed how loud the rides sounded when walking down the boardwalk. Everyone has the time of their lives and nothing else exists. It’s colorful and smells fantastic. For everyone who lives here, it’s a giant escape from reality. Seeing it all makes me forget that I won’t get to keep enjoying it soon. I 129
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keep trying my hand at living in the moment, but it’s much more challenging than I expected.
