Chapter 24 - Where’s my sweet Josh?
1295 Words
I watched the water as the sun danced on the surface.
“I can hear you guys.” I said turning back seeing Andy and Daisy. “Let me guess, you’ve been sent to fetch me?” I turned back.
“Kinda.” Andy said.
“They thought a friend should come get you. Me and Andy couldn’t decide who, so we both came.” Daisy said as Andy came and sat down by me.
“That’s not true. I said I would go and you punched me and said you would go. I started to walk and you followed me.” Andy said in a annoyed tone. I shook my head and laughed, I then felt Daisy put her arms around my back and put her cheek against mine.
“Are you ok Joshy?” She said. I took a deep and exhaled.
“No.” I said.
“Wow, he admitted he wasn’t ok. Either it’s because he’s amongst friends or he’s finally opening up.” Andy nudged me.
“If I said I was fine, you would tell me that people don’t run off when they’re fine and hide in the woods.” I said and Daisy kissed my cheek. “Stop that.” I moved away from her.
“So, what’s wrong?” Andy asked.
“Dad was trying to investigate what was wrong with me. Gave me sh*t because of this one.” I lifted my shoulder where Daisy was. “Then he brought up eclipse. I think I lost it, I don’t remember exactly what I said after that.” I said.
“Your family is worried about you.” Andy said softly.
“I don’t care.” I said.
“Oh Josh.” Daisy said hugging me tighter.
“I just don’t.” I covered my face.
“You do care Josh, you’re trying so hard to hide your emotions right now.” Daisy said and I just concentrated on breathing.
“Maybe you should tell Daisy about what happened in Eclipse? Maybe that would help.” Andy said.
“NO!” I dropped my hands and looked at him quickly.
“I think eventually you’ll have to.” Andy grabbed my arm lightly. I looked away as I felt my anger build. Daisy started planting sweet kisses along my neck and jaw line. I turned and looked at her smiling face. I put my hand on her cheek as she leaned her head into my hand.
“Why were you so sad today?” I asked and her smile fell.
“I don’t want to talk about that.” She said.
“Was it because of me?” I asked and I could see Andy watching us.
“No.” She smiled.
“Then why were you sad?” I asked again.
“Josh I don’t want to talk about that. We’re here for you.” She said and I sighed.
“It would make me feel better if I knew.” I said and she sat back and looked at Andy. Then she looked back at me.
“It was something Henry said.” She said.
“What did he say?” I asked her.
“That… well.” She looked very uncomfortable. I looked at Andy.
“Are you uncomfortable because I’m here?” He said.
“No it’s not that. He just, he… he said you were not good enough for me. That you were.. Um weak.” She looked down. “He said you don’t treat me well and I deserved someone like him. Then he said some other things.” She continued to stare at the ground and part of me knew he said these things because he was jealous she had been spending so much time with me.
“Maybe he’s right.” I said and they looked at me. “Maybe you deserve better.” I said feeling like garbage as the words rolled off my tongue.
“Josh!” Daisy looked at me like I was crazy.
“Ok I’m telling her about the last years in Eclipse.” Andy said.
“No! I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t want anyone to talk about it! I don’t want to hear about it again!” Briers started to sprout from the ground as my anger grew and I couldn’t stop them. Andy grabbed my arm and I suddenly felt woozy. Everything stopped growing around us. I looked at my hands.
“It won’t last long. I haven’t perfected it yet.” Andy said looking from me to Daisy. Daisy looked at the new growth around us.
“You drained me?” I asked.
“Yes.” Andy said. “Josh, I think she will be able to understand why you are the way you are now if we talk about it.” Andy looked at Daisy.
“Well, you have me curious now of course. I also don’t want to push him into anything he doesn’t want to do.” I felt her hand on my back.
“Fine, tell her.” I laid down in the grass close to the briers.
“I’m sure he’s told you about the fake people.” Andy said and Daisy nodded her head.
“He told me everyone wants something.” Daisy said reluctantly.
“Yes, and Josh started to see through the other peoples facade after awhile. When they realized they couldn’t use him anymore. They got mean.” Andy said and I started to feel uncomfortable. “There were a few kids that found out that Josh really wouldn’t retaliate. They were always picking on him for something. Then they found a way to get at him.” I sat up really wanted to leave and Andy paused.
“Continue.” I said trying to stay and listen.
“Well, they found out that when you told Josh how worthless he was, how his place in his family was nothing, that the royal family didn’t need him, and stuff like that. It got to him, they were kinda relentless and Josh didn’t really tell anyone this was going on. Not until one of the kids, Finn, finally made him snap.” Andy stopped.
“Snap? Like what’s that mean?” Daisy looked at me.
“It means I beat the sh*t out of that kid until he couldn’t walk home.” I crossed my arms. “He said nasty things about Lydia! He said things about mom!” I started to get mad thinking about it.
“You what?” Daisy asked looking confused.
“He got into so much trouble, with the pack, with his parents, with the other kids…” Andy trailed off.
“They all thought it was my fault! Then everything got harder. Then I’M the assh*le.” I felt my hands shaking. “What ever happen to my sweet Josh? Where’s my sweet Josh? Is my sweet Joshy coming back?” I started mocking the things my mother said all the time. “When is everyone going to realize that sweet Josh is dead!” I blurted out and the words even stunned me.
“Josh…” Andy said shocked. Daisy tried to hug me.
“Don’t.” I said holding my shaking hand up. She grabbed my shaking hand and held it tight.
“If sweet Josh is dead then who put all those flowers in my yard this morning?” I heard and my heart started to hurt.
“I think it’s time to go back.” I said standing up.
“Are you ok? You don’t seem ok, in fact worse then before.” Andy said.
“I just want to be alone.” I said as I started back.
- Writer
