Page 6 of Faking Forever 1
FAKING FOREVER
cheeky giggle.
My feet are swept from the sandy floor almost instantly as he throws his arms around my frame, picking me up into the tightest of hugs. The hold on me is tight, enhanced with a spin as he holds the embrace. By the time we stopped moving, I waspractically dizzy. Even then, he wasn’t letting go. Even when my toes landed right back in the sand.
His fingers wither their way through my hair as he holds my head.
“My god—I can’t believe it.” he breathes.
“Believe it, it’s real.” I hum, locked against his chest.
Letting me free, he takes a step back, taking a look at me. Agoodlook.
“Look at you…” he marvels.
“Me? Look atyou.” I insist, laughing, “Thanks for not popping my head off just now.” I continue.
He fixes himself, now more aware of his appearance than before.
“I look like shit. I would’ve put myself way more together if I knew you were coming home.” he babbles, then pauses,
“Wait—whydidn’tyou tell me you were coming home?” he asks.
Funny. I love a challenge. I had a few questions myself.
“I’ll tell you. As soon as you tell me why you never texted me back. Or called.” I interrogate him.
He lifts his cap to run a hand through his hair, trying to play it cool.
“Well—it’s actually funny. You’re gonna laugh.” he rambles with a guilty conscience.
“I bet it’s hysterical.” I petulantly comment, leering, “How 20
SEASIDE
about this? Go surfing with me, plus frozen yogurt, and Imightgive you a chance to explain?”
Without question, he nods before I can even finish talking.
“Gimme ten minutes. I’ll see if I can close up early—I get you whatever you want.” he expresses, smiling widely.
“Okay then. Ten minutes, fish boy.” I clasp my hands together behind my back, tilting my head as I elongate the last word.
His smile was doubly contagious. Worse than I remembered it being. Wasting no time, he rushes out of the store. I watch him run to the boardwalk and soon out of sight, leaving me alone in the little shack.
Now, my summer can finally begin.
21
2
hey lover
JOSHUA
Ultimately, to say that I’m excited is an understatement. I don’t know what I am, but it’s definitely more than that. I am probably going to suffer a real talking-to later on when Pop finds out about the two hours of lost business, but honestly, I was willing to take those future consequences. There’s nothing right now that could take this moment away from me.
It’s as if the universe said, “Joshua, lemme give you somethingspectacular.” I’ll tell you what, though. I’ve never been happier about something in my whole damn existence.
