Page 132 of Faking Forever 1
“Soberoutburst, Beau. My outbursts were fully sober.” I slide over to face him. “I’m so glad you think this is a laughing matter. You could’ve butchered my relationship, Beau. For once, could you take some accountability—take something seriously,” I lash out.
“Josh, man…I can make it up to you,” he says, unable to process my displeasure.
“I don’t want you to. I don’t even know if I want to forgive you, bro.” I sigh. “You’re turning into an awful person,” I add, sitting back.
His unresponsiveness was enough.
“I’m leaving in two months,” I say, turning a head to look at him again. “I care about you, Beau, but I have to do it from a distance. If you don’t want to contribute any good to my life, I’m sorry, but I can’t afford you being a distraction.” I purse my lips and shake my head before standing up from my place.
“Get some help. For yourself.” I pat his chest, replicating his gesture, and turn to take the high road.
I took a stride back to the truck, leaving behind the plans of ever getting a chance to be by myself. It was getting later, so at least I would see Paisley and drown myself in her gorgeous hair and soft touch. In a little bit, I won’t have that option anymore.
What a crippling thought.
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JOSHUA
It was nearing nine o’clock and my house had been emptied of my father. I found the dining room table cleaned as if nobody had sat there earlier today. The emptiness in our home was another reason I wasn’t keen on wanting to be there often. It reminded me that I’m an only child, that my family wasn’t well-knit together. On a surface level, you don’t think about it much, but it was nights like this that I did. Going through the emotions is tiring when you do it every day.
Pushing the door to my room open, I take my cap off my head, shake a hand through my hair, and toss the hat on the bed. I click on the lamp on my nightstand and look around as if something would’ve shifted or changed while I was away.
Aside from the basketball and hockey magazines scattered on the bed with different tee shirts tossed around from getting dressed for the day, it wasn’t anything new. Looking at my clock that sat next to the lamp, it reads 8:56 p.m.
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I could probably head over there now.
I walk to my window, which is a few feet up from the ground, but much less of a fall than it was when I was younger. I open the curtain, looking straight ahead at Paisley’s balcony. The door is wide open along with the curtains. Light music is playing, a song I don’t think she found alone. It wasWorldsApartby Wallows. Something she must’ve stolen from one of my playlists. I played it a lot when it first came out. She was folding clothes and putting them into suitcases. Pulling my pants up a tad, I open mywindow and step out foot first, getting both legs out and turning my body around to jump down, thumping on the grass once I drop. When I hit the ground, I take a deep breath, put my hood up, and walk over to the tree beside the pillars of her balcony.
As I climbed up the tree, each branch and sliver of bark slipped into my hands like clockwork. Once I reached the top, I moved towards the balcony. Throwing my legs over the railing, the music starts to sound louder, but still at a relatively low volume. Taking the quietest steps, I peek in and catch her menacingly staring at her overstuffed bag with crossed arms.
“You aresogoing to close you stupid, ugly bag,” she spurts.
“I hate you,” she adds quickly.
It doesn’t shock me that she’s now talking to inanimate objects. I’m not far behind her.
Walking in slowly, I knock on the door’s glass. “It’s not gonna close if you keep calling it names,” I say with pride.
She claws at her chest, startled by my appearance. “Oh my God!” She stomps her foot, whining. “Josh!”
I buckle in laughter, letting myself in to get closer to her.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t creeping this time, though, I swear.”
“Yeah, right. How long were you standing there?” She 321
FAKING FOREVER
FAKING FOREVER
