Living the Future

Chapter 17 - Why is it hard to believe?

We all gathered in the family dining room. Izzy talked about how amazing it felt to graduate, but that she didn’t plan on staying long. Half way into the party the door opened.

“Izzy!” Daisy yelled and they ran to each other and hugged tight.

“You’re late!” Izzy said poking her chest.

“I know! My dad caught me sneaking back in this morning and I had to sit through a few lectures.” Daisy giggled.

“Sneaking out!? Where did you go?” Izzy asked and I felt my nerves starting to rise.

“No where.” She said and giggled.

“You just ran off for the hell of it?” Izzy asked not fully believing it.

“Yeah, with Liam gone, I feel like I can go anywhere or do anything.” Daisy sighed. I walked over and sat at the table. Andy walked over sitting next to me.

“Having fun?” He asked.

“You know the answer to that.” I said looking up at Daisy as she talked to Izzy and Henry.

“Maybe you would have more fun, if you opened up more to people and tried.” Andy said nudging me.

“I would rather not. I tried that in Eclipse remember?” I started messing with the napkin in front of me.

“Not everyone is like that.” Andy said.

“I’ll wait for someone to prove that otherwise.” I stood up and left. I walked to the bottom of the stairs and knew if I went up to my room people would come looking for me. I went out the front doors and around to the garden. I laid down in the grass and put my arms behind my head. The sun on my skin felt rejuvenating and I started to feel the grass grow around me. I laid there for awhile listening to the birds and the wind. The relaxing feeling lulled me to sleep. I woke to the feeling of water start to drop on my face. I pushed up and saw clouds forming. It took me a moment to realize these weren’t normal clouds. I looked over at Lydia and she started to laugh. I jumped up and put my hands in my pockets and walked over.

“Couldn’t let me relax?” I said as I got close.

“Andy thought it would be funny and it was.” Lydia moved her hands dissipating the clouds that followed me.

“We got bored too, so let’s hang out.” Andy said putting his hand on Lydia’s shoulder.

“Where are we going to go hang out?” I asked.

“We can go to Andy’s house?” Lydia said and Andy shook his head.

“My mom is testing cake recipes for my birthday. She wants to make the cake and she’s been making dad and I taste test them. It’s terrible. It’s really terrible.” Andy looked horrified.

“What if she makes a good cake though?” Lydia said.

“Track record is not good. Anyways where to?” Andy asked looking at both of us.

“Let’s just go chill in my room, I don’t care.” I said walking past them and into the pack house. I waited for them to come in when someone grabbed me from behind hugging me.

“Joshy you disappeared!” I heard Daisy’s voice.

“I didn’t disappear. I was relaxing in the sun, but Andy and Lydia wanted to hang out.” I said as Lydia and Andy walked in. Daisy gasped and grabbed my hand.

“Let’s hang out!” She squealed and Lydia laughed.

“What about Izzy? I thought you were excited for her to come home?” Lydia said.

“I am, but she’s spending time with her family.” Daisy smiled and I shook my hand free.

“Let’s just go.” I said as everyone followed me. I threw my door open and everyone came in. Daisy ran and jumped on the bed while Andy pulled the chair close to the bed. He motioned for Lydia to sit down. Lydia sat down and he sat on the bed nearest to her. I sat on the floor against the bed.

“Soooo how are you Daisy?” My sister started.

“I’m good. I’ve been getting lots of good sleep.” She smiled. “What about you guys?” She pointed to Andy and Lydia.

“What about us?” Lydia asked.

“How are you guys?” Daisy giggled. She was so perky and upbeat.

“Oh I’m well aside from some sickness from my mothers cooking. She insists she cooks all the time now. My dad rarely comes home, and I’m willing to bet he’s hiding from her cooking.” Andy laughed and Lydia took his hand. Daisy watched their hands.

“Are you guys mate bonding?” She pointed at their hands and the room fell silent.

“They’re just holding hands.” I said.

“That doesn’t strike you as a mate bonding thing or weird?” Daisy asked me.

“No my mom holds uncle Arnold’s hand all the time.” I said and looked at her.

“Which isn’t normal for most people.” Daisy said. I looked from Daisy to Lydia.

“Is that abnormal?” I asked.

“I don’t know?” She said.

“If that’s not abnormal, then why won’t you let me hold your hand?” Daisy asked poking me.

“I don’t hold hands.” I said.

“You know my mom mentioned it once. That my dad holding your moms hand was abnormal.” Andy said.

“We are getting off subject!” Daisy said sternly.

“What subject is that?” Lydia asked.

“Mate bond! Are you feeling it?” She asked.

“Are you feeling the mate bond to Josh?” Lydia bluntly asked.

“Josh is my friend.” Daisy said in reply.

“That’s not true because Josh doesn’t have friends.” Lydia said.

“Thanks Liddie.” I said feeling somewhat hurt by her comments.

“I’m Josh’s friend.” Andy said.

“Other then you.” Lydia replied.

“That seems unfair. Why is it so hard to believe that I like Josh and I want to be his friend?” Daisy asked.

“Because he’s a jerk? He treats everyone like crap?” Lydia said and I didn’t say anything.

“Liddie!” Andy scolded her.

“Shhh!” She shushed him. “If you’re so interested, yes. Everyday our bond feels stronger and stronger. I have no doubt Andy is my mate. He has no doubts about it either.” Lydia said and I looked at them.

“Really?” I said a little surprised.

“What happened to not telling anyone?” Andy said looking at Lydia.

“Everyone knows anyways.” Lydia said. Oddly I felt a sudden ping of sadness.

“How exciting! See I told you Josh! Aren’t you glad you didn’t take that bet now?” Daisy said nudging me.

“Huh? Oh right.” I said.

“Are you ok Josh?” Andy asked.

“Yes yes I’m fine.” I smiled and everyone stared at me.

“He’s not ok, he’s smiling.” Lydia said.

“I’m fine really, I’m surprisingly shocked.” I said and then I felt Daisy wrap her arms around me and lay her head against mine.

“See that’s not normal!” Lydia said looking at Andy.

“Why is this not normal? I always hug my friends when they’re sad.” Daisy sat up.

“Doesn’t it upset you to throw yourself as someone that doesn’t return your affections?” Lydia asked.

“I feel like this conversation is starting to cross a line.” Andy said.

“Lydia that hurts my feelings.” Daisy said in a normal tone. I could hear the sadness in her voice.

“Well doesn’t it!?” Lydia said and the room filled with quiet.

“I think that’s enough Lydia.” Andy said.

“I don’t know why it’s hard for you to understand anyone would like your brother. Why I like him and want to be his friend. Do you ever sit there and ask Andy why he likes Josh? Probably not. If one thing is certain, it’s that we should go.” Daisy said getting off the bed.

“Go?” Andy said.

“Yes, go.” Daisy said as she grabbed my hand pulling me. “Come on Josh.” She said sternly and I stood up.

“You’re really going to go?” Lydia sounded surprised.

“Yes!” Daisy yelled at her as she pulled me out the door. She pulled my down the stairs and out the pack house door. We walked towards her house.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“My house of course!” Daisy turned to me and smiled.