Chapter 9:
Josh furrowed his eyebrows, but his dazzling blue eyes glinted. "Who?" he asked.
I sighed, a hint of red shading my cheeks. "No one. Nevermind." I said, staring at my feet.
"Should I be worried about this J?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
I scoffed, shrugging. "You might." I said, smiling up at him.
"Should I be jealous?" he asked, smirking.
I stepped away from him, batting my eyes. "Oh, definitely." I said, playing with the hem of my shirt. I felt awkward in the blouse; like I didn't belong. I felt ugly; I didn't feel like…myself.
"Can I ask you something?" I whispered, looking down.
"You just did." He teased.
I rolled my eyes. "I'm serious."
"Fine, fine!" he laughed deeply.
I shivered and it was moments before I could find my breath again. "Do I look…okay?" I whispered lowly, my voice cracking.
He didn't answer me for a while, and I looked up at him. He was gaping at me, his eyebrows raised. "Why would you ask me that?" he groaned, running his hands down his face.
"What do you mean?" I muttered.
"Because if I answer the way I want to, you'll get mad at me." he sighed.
I shrugged. "It doesn't matter. Never mind." I started off towards the door, but he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me to his chest.
His lips brushed my neck. "Do ya really want me to answer?" he breathed and inhaled a deep breath.
A shiver ran through me and I leaned back into him. "I don't know…" I replied, biting my lip.
"You look absolutely amazin'; you always do." He said, and I could feel his breath on my ear. He mumbled something, but I couldn't understand him.
I looked down, shaking my head. "No I don't." I said, disagreeing with him. I had never been pretty a day in my life.
Josh growled, or groaned, I wasn't sure which, and my feet left the ground as he swept me into his arms. I gasped, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck. "You shouldn't think like that." He smirked down at me.
I shrugged. "It is how it is." I whispered.
"But you're so much more than that." He said, his eyes gleaming.
"JOSHYWA!" a small voice screamed as little footsteps sounded. Josh quickly set me down just as a little one year-old showed up in the doorway. "Bweakfist's weady! C'mon, siwy!" she grabbed his hand, pulling him out the door. He caught her around the waist and pulled her up and onto his shoulders. She smacked his head. "Go horwsy, go!" she screamed.
He nodded down the hallway, his eyes locking with mine. "You comin' Danny?"
"Only if I get to ride the horse, too." I teased, following them out the door.
He raised an eyebrow, holding out his hand and smirking. "Well, a course. I can't leave one of my girls behind, can I?"
I blushed, taking his hand hesitantly and he locked our fingers together. "Yee haw!" Hanna screamed, clapping her hands together. "Wait! I need my hat! I cawn't wide my howse wifhout my hat!" she bent down she slapped Josh's cheek over and over again until he responded. "Joshywa!"
"What?" he asked, humoring her.
"I need my haaaaat!" she whined.
He took her by the waist and set her down. "Go get it, then." He said and she took off running into one of the rooms. He glanced at me, shrugging as he smiled. "She's very demandin'." He said, chuckling.
I nodded in agreement, grinning back at him. "I got it! I got it!" Hanna screamed, running in, wavy her hat around in the air. She leapt into Josh's arms and he put her back up on his shoulders, reaching down and wrapping his hand around mine.
"Get ready; you're about to experience the Miller's in the mornin'. Brace yourself." Josh said, his eyes glinting while his mouth was pressed in a firm line.
"Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeee!" Hanna screamed. "Go! Go! Ya! Ya!"
I smiled as Josh started down the stairs, pulling me along with him. I had just slept over at someone's house; a guy's house. A guy Destiny had her sights on, no less. She would be so mad if she found out. He had tried to kiss me, and I had rejected him. I felt so bad, but I was all so new to this. I didn't know how to date someone, or 'meet the parents'. I didn't know how to do anything like that. I had never really had a boyfriend—or a guy even really interested in me. Heck, this was like one of the first times someone was holding my hand. I loved it. I loved the way his strong hands completely enveloped my own. It made me feel…almost…safe.
But I wasn't. I knew that. Josh could try to protect me all he wants, but he couldn't protect me at home. And home was where I was in the most danger. It was where I was most likely to be beaten or sold. No one could protect me there. No one cared about me enough to do anything. I could probably call Child Services, but that would involve talking, and telling them what happened. I had never told anyone about my life. Not like I could now. I could tell Josh, but I didn't want to. I didn't want to see anyone's reaction to what I lived through. Either people would overreact, or they would underreact and not care. I was scared of both of them. People don't care about me; it's a fact. People overlooked me. I was invisible.
I glanced at Josh, thinking, Maybe that'll change. Half of me believed it, and the other half wanted to kick that half for being so stupid. I didn't even pay attention to myself. How was I supposed to expect someone else to see me when I didn't see myself?
The kitchen quieted as soon as we entered the kitchen, all eyes trained on us. "Gwood mowrnin'!" Hanna yelled to the quiet room, banging her hat on Josh's head repeatedly. "Let me down! Let me down! I hungwy!" Hanna demanded. Josh set her down, placing her hat on her head and rubbing the top of his head, smiling shyly at me.
Hanna tottered up to Levi, pulling on his shirt. "Wevi?" she asked.
"What?" he snapped, his eyes narrowing at her as he poked around his plate with his fork.
Hanna didn't seem to notice his attitude. "Awfter bweakfist can we go pway?" she begged, her eyes wide as she stared up at him.
"No," he retorted, getting up and heading out the kitchen, pushing past Josh as he did.
Josh glanced back at him, chuckling and shaking his head. "Mom, do you wanna go talk to him, or should I?" he asked, returning his gaze to his mother.
She shrugged. "You're the one he's jealous of." The corner of her mouth picked up in a smile.
"Exactly what I thought, so you should go." He smiled widely and innocently at her.
She rolled her eyes. "Fine, but you have ta finish cookin' breakfast for everyone."
"Alright," he nodded. He stepped towards the stove with a steaming pan on it just as his mother came out from behind the island. I lashed out to grab his hand and he looked back at me, raising an eyebrow.
"What, you wanna cook?" he asked in disbelief. I nodded eagerly; it just didn't feel right to be waited on. I wanted to cook breakfast for everyone like I did back home. It would make me feel better, thinking that I had helped them in some way. He shrugged. "Alrighty then, boss. Your call." He fell down into a chair at the table, watching me with trained eyes.
Quickly, I realized she had been making pancakes and I grabbed the spatula and checked the pancakes, flipping them over. I loved pancakes; but Father hated them, so he never let me make them for the family. I stirred the scrambled eggs around the pan and rolled over the sausages. I took a deep breath; it smelled so good. I stepped away from the stove and pulled my hair behind my back to keep it from getting in the food. Stepping back up, I slide the now finished eggs into a bowl she had had waiting on the counter and went over to place it in the middle of the table. I stared at it for a second, deeming that we needed more. I went back over and flipped the pancakes, letting them cook on that side a little more. Looking through the cabinets, I pulled out a bigger plastic measuring cup and placed it on the counter. I pulled out three eggs from the fridge and cracked them, the yolks sliding out and into the cup. I poured milk in, sprinkled shredded cheddar cheese in, and stirred it with a fork. I left the eggs there for a second and took the pancakes from the pan and onto a plate, pouring what was left of the mix onto the plate in three huge circles.
"Joshua, stop starin'. Goodness." Coffeeblue's voice split the silence, making me blush as I realized what she had said.
"Hm?" Josh said, obviously pre-occupied. "Shut up, Coffeeblue." He growled. She laughed as I poured the eggs into the pan that had already eggs in it, stirring it around with the spatula. I flipped the pancakes as soon as the batter started having bubbles popping out the top. I felt eyes baring into the back of my head as I rolled the sausages again, and then continuing with the eggs.
"Mmm…" a strange, but familiar voice hummed, "somethin' smells good. What's for breakfast?" I glanced over my shoulder, momentarily making eye contact with Josh, before I saw Kyler walking in, rubbing his eyes. I looked at Josh again before returning to the food, a blush creeping up my cheeks.
"You never told me you could cook," Josh said, leaning up against the counter.
I lowered my voice to where I could hardly hear it. "And you never told me you could sing, mister, so I guess we're even."
He chuckled deeply, smiling and glancing up at the ceiling. "Mhm… so I'm guessin' you liked it, then?" he said, emphasizing the work liked a little too much. He leaned in closer to me as I moved the eggs around the pan.
I blushed, glancing up at him before quickly returning my eyes back to the food. "Where are the bowls?" I whispered, poking the eggs with the spatula. He didn't answer, but instead opened a cabinet on the other side of the room and brought back a bowl for me. I slide the eggs in it, shooing him off to go put it on the table. I placed the pancakes on the same plate and turned off all the burners, making sure that the sausages were cooked through. I moved the pan to another burner that hadn't been used so it wouldn't continue cooking and grabbed a plate that Josh's mother had had set out. Luckily, everything I needed was already on the counter, or I would've been lost. I put two pancakes on the plate, spreading butter between the two and atop the one, pouring syrup on them. I made four of those; some with two pancakes, and some with only one. I put eggs and a piece of sausage on the side of each one. I turned, taking one in each hand to go set them on the table when I realized Josh was standing right beside me. I gasped, jumping back and he quickly took the plates from me.
He winked and rushed off towards the table. I sighed and closed my eyes, calming my beating heart and grabbed the remaining two plates. I set them down in front of Kyler and their father, who had shown up expectantly. He nodded in thanks, but I didn't know what to do in response. No one ever thanked me for cooking a meal. No one. In all my life, I had never been thanked for making breakfast or lunch, or dinner for my family.
I sat down in the only empty chair next to Josh and watched as his family dug into the pancakes. "Mm!" Josh's father approved, making my eyes instinctively flickering over to him. "This is good. I like this girl, Josh. She can cook, she's good with horses, and she doesn't nag. And she doesn't nag. Gail should definitely learn from this girl." He said, nodding at Josh with a smirk just like his son's across his face.
I smiled, blushing deeply. "I heard that, Peter!" I heard his wife scream from somewhere else in the house. He chuckled, shrugging.
"Danny," Josh asked, concerned. I locked eyes with him, raising an eyebrow in question. "You didn't make any for yourself." He noticed, frowning.
I glanced down at the empty place in front of me and shrugged. Usually I made enough for myself, but this family was just too big for me to include myself; I didn't want to make more for me. Josh swiftly stood from his chair and headed over to the counter. He reached up, pulled down a plate, and got out a fork from a drawer. I was shaking my head when he placed them in front of me, but a look in his eyes told me he wasn't taking an argument. Sitting back down, he took one of the pancakes from his plate and put it on mine.
"Eat," he demanded, pointing at the food in front of me. I sighed, glancing up at him, noting the concern in his eyes. I never got that look from anyone. But then again, I never really had someone caring for me either. I narrowed my eyes at him as he handed me the fork, closing my fingers around it.
"You take the fork; see, this thing," he waved the fork in my face, making me chuckle, "and you stick it in the food like this." He took the fork with my hand still wrapped around it and stabbed the pancake with it. "And then ya stuff it in your mouth like this." I squealed as I realized what he was going to do and pushed his hand away. He laughed, releasing my hand and letting me eat by myself.
"Iya's twwiirreedd." Peter teased, poking her head with his fork; she was lying with her face planted in the table.
She waved her hand aimlessly around her head as everyone laughed. "Shut up. I shouldn't be up this early. It's a Saturday!" she complained. "Saturday is the only day that I get to sleep in." she moaned, never lifting her head from the table.
Cormac, who was sitting right beside her, put his arm around her head. "Oh, c'mon, little sis'. We're going shoppin'."
"I will bite you." she threatened.
He only snickered deeply, but didn't remove his arm. She lifted her head momentarily and sunk her teeth into his arm. He cried out, instantly removing his arm from near her and shaking his wrist. Iya sank back onto the table. "I warned ya." she muttered.
"Ya didn't have to use your—" Cormac began, but Josh cut him off.
"Cormac," he warned, his voice was cautious like a mother scolding a child.
Cormac glanced up at him, then to me and back to his bleeding arm. "Sorry," he mumbled, even though he had to be at least a year older. He mumbled something else I couldn't hear before he stood, tugging on Iya's hair before dashing out of the kitchen.
"You buttface!" Iya shouted after him, lifting her head and glaring towards the door. "Ugh," she groaned, smoothing her hair before leaning her head into her hands. I glanced at Josh as I popped a piece of pancake in my mouth, questioning him with my eyes.
He looked over at me, but didn't acknowledge my stare.
"Omigosh, you're wearin' my shirt! Josh!" Iya groaned again, glaring at Josh. My head snapped towards Iya, stiffening and glancing down at the blouse. "You coulda told me before stealin' somethin' from my room. You're so lucky it looks good on her." She growled, her eyes narrowing.
Josh smiled innocently at her, shrugging. "Sorry. You were in the shower. I didn't think you'd mind." I glanced at Josh, my eyes wide. I didn't want to upset Iya. I didn't think that he wouldn't have asked her.
"No, it's fine." She mumbled, glaring at Josh. "Just ask next time, please?"
Josh shrugged. "Whatever."
She stood. "If it was anyone else…" she muttered, stuffing her eggs in her mouth before stomping off after Cormac.
I looked at Josh again with wide eyes, placing my hand on the table and beginning to stand. His hand wrapped around mine. "It's alright. Sit down; finish eatin'." He said calmly, shaking his head. I frowned, but sat down again, fumbling with my fork.
"Josh, did you finish that financial stuff I gave you?" His father asked as he took a bite. It was now only me, Josh, Kyler, Hanna, and his father at the table. Hanna was playing with a fork and spoon as if they were talking to each other.
"Dad." Josh said, glancing up at him.
He shrugged, taking about piece. "Well, did you?" he pressed.
"Yes," he sighed. "We've stayed in budget this month. But Iya's about to go shoppin', so she might blow it."
Peter scoffed, covering his mouth as he laughed. "Probably. Try to keep her under two hundred, okay?"
"Alrighty, boss." Josh said, getting up abruptly and taking his plate to the sink. I got up after him, stuffing my mouth with the last of my pancake. Josh stepped back as I stepped up to the sink, turning it on and reaching for the sponge.
Josh made a grab for my hand. "Ah, ah, ah, ah," he scolded, shaking his head and turning off the water. I glanced up at him, finding our noses centimeters apart, and furrowed my eyebrows at him. He glanced down at my mouth, parted slightly and in the shape of an o. His jaw clenched, but he returned his gaze to my eyes. "You're not washin' the dishes." He stated, frowning and cocking his head.
I swallowed harshly, dropping the plate into the sink and biting my lip. He closed his eyes and sighed. "You ready to go shoppin'?" he teased, his eyes opening as he smirked. I frowned, huffing in defeat. I reluctantly nodded, glancing up at his through my lashes. He suddenly pushed off of the counter, pulling me along with him as he left the kitchen.
"Coffeeblue! Cormac! Iya!" He called, irritated. "Are you guys through fightin' so we can go?"
"We're comin'! We're comin'! Gosh, stop naggin'." Iya called back as she bounded down the stairs. I felt my jaw clench and my heart plummet as I looked her over. She looked so much better than I did. She had on a white dress that looked as though someone had splattered neon paint all over it and tied a pink bow around the waist. She had on a pink long sleeved sweater the dropped down past her waist while the dress went down a little past her knee. She had French braided her hair from the left side to end on her right shoulder. Gosh, she looked so much better than I did.
"I'm reeaaadddyy!" Coffeeblue sang as she literally slid down the stairs on the railing, landing right next to Iya. She wore white skinny jeans with black furry boots. A short sleeved wool black and white sweater fell from her shoulders over a gray undershirt.
A whistle sounded through the house and I glanced over to see Cormac staring at Coffeeblue with a joking smirk on his face. He went over to Coffeeblue, holding out his arm. "Well, hello there." He flirted jokingly.
Coffeeblue took his arm, rolling her eyes. "You're so lucky I don't have a boyfriend, or he'd be super jealous."
He raised an eyebrow. "As well he should be." He laughed. He looked good too. He had on black pants with black converses on his feet and a buttoned up plaid blue and black shirt with a skinny black tie hanging from his neck.
Josh rolled his eyes. "You know, I'd think you'd get tired of wearin' a tie every week." He retorted.
Cormac looked at him with a fake shocked expression. "Well, I've got to look like I can actually be Coffeeblue's boyfriend."
"Why do you always have to act like my boyfriend whenever we go out to the mall or something?" Coffeeblue asked, frowning at him.
He smirked with a protective glint in his eye. "Because then no guy will try ta hit on ya then." He replied, chuckling as she smacked his chest.
"And that's why I got no boyfriend." She said, glaring at him.
He shrugged, smiling. "Guilty as charged." He confessed.
"Alright! Let's go." Josh urged.
"Oh! Can I drive?!" Iya asked with an excited smile.
"Josh?!" Gail called, suddenly coming down the stairs.
"Yes, Mom?" He asked, sighing.
She gave him the famous mother look. "I have to take the SUV today; I've got to get some stuff for the horses, so you guys'll have ta take the pick-up or the Prius."
"You are NOT driving my car!" Coffeeblue said, pointing at Iya.
She frowned, her eyes wide. "Bu—" she began.
"No!" Coffeeblue interrupted, her eyes narrowing
"Coffeeblue will drive!" Josh said, nodding at his mother and taking my hand. Gail raised her eyebrow, but didn't say anything as we strolled back to the kitchen.
Josh went over to the door and opened it, ushering everyone out. Why he was so eager to go, I had no idea. "Alright, alright!" Cormac glared down Josh as he escorted Coffeeblue out of the house. Iya shrugged, frowning as she followed the twins.
He rolled his eyes, but held out his hand. "Ya ready?" he asked, smirking.
"Of course," I whispered, looking up at him through my lashes and taking his hand. He closed the door after us.
His arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me to him so our steps were matching. He leaned in, his lips brushing my ear, making me shiver. "I don't think there's going to be enough…room…in the car." I could feel him smirk.
I froze, turning towards him, my eyes wide. "What?" I whispered furiously.
He chuckled darkly, a shiver running down my spine. My mind was telling me to run away, but something in my chest was telling me to stay. A red flag waved around; he could be dangerous. He could be very dangerous. But I kinda like that dangerous, mysterious side of him. "Baby, you're gonna have ta sit in my lap." There was a daring glint in his eyes.
I wasn't sure if the shudder was because of his pet name, or what he had actually said. "N-no, I-I ca-can't do th-at." I said, shaking my head.
He brushed my bangs out of my face. "It's alright. I won't hurt you, I promise." He lowered his voice. "I don't care what they say; I'm really not that mean." The corner of his lips pulled up.
I blushed, glancing down. "Alright, but no flirting, understand?" I smiled up at him.
"Hm… I give no promises." He replied, his fingers playing with my shirt.
I narrowed my eyes. "Joshua!" I scolded.
"Just kidding! C'mon." he laughed, pulling me towards the car. He opened the door and got in first. I glanced up at Cormac across the seat, noticing there was one of those pull down cup holders in the middle. Josh opened his arms, gesturing for me. He didn't want me to sit by Cormac; I knew it. But Cormac was his cousin. Sure, he was a flirt, and I didn't quite trust him, but that didn't mean I expected him to hurt me. I rolled my eyes, scoffing as I slid into Josh's lap. Josh pulled the seat belt over us, making my back press into his chest. His arms slid around my waist and he rested his head on my shoulders. Even sitting, he was still taller than me.
My heart hammered in my chest as I realized the position I was in. Gosh, this was awkward and amazing at the same time. Iya turned in her seat to look at me. "Pay no attention to the loud music and screaming. This is the only place Coffeeblue and I can actually sing." I smiled at her, turning my head towards Josh.
My lips were right at his ear, and I swear I felt a shiver. "You gonna sing too?" I teased; my voice was so low that I couldn't hear it.
He laughed deeply, the sound coming straight from his chest. "Only if you want me to, darling." He joked back, stealing a kiss on my cheek. I blushed, glancing from him to my feet. The car rumbled to life, a country song blasting from the speakers. Iya and Coffeeblue immediately started singing along at the top of their lungs. Cormac soon joined along, singing only the guy songs. Josh was singing them quietly in my ear, making me melt right into his chest. I loved the sound of his voice rumbling in his chest, singing so only I could hear. I bit my lip and blinked a couple of times. I didn't know why I was reacting so strongly to him or why I was feeling a pull in my chest towards him. But I knew I couldn't let him see it. It would only make his flirting ten times worse. I just wasn't quite ready for that yet.
But I felt his breath on my neck, and it was sending goose bumps up and down my body. His fingers' tickling my waist was almost unbearable. Remind me never to do this again. I thought to myself as I clenched my jaw. I wanted to give into him, but I knew I would just chicken out and leave him disappointed. And that would not be good for me.
The nearest town was about thirty minutes away, driving on a gravel road. The government didn't recognize us, so we never got new roads or anything like that. I had never really minded the longer drive; I liked it in fact. It gave me time to think and calm down. But this time I couldn't wait to get there.
We didn't have a mall anywhere near Sunset Valley; we called it the 'hall'. It was just a hallway with stores on both sides. The two biggest stores were on the sides, and there was a small movie theater sharing the same parking lot. The closest mall would have to be about an hour or more away; in another state.
I sighed and closed my eyes, leaning against Josh's neck. I felt him stiffen before relaxing. I could see that arrogant smirk of his. Faintly, I could hear the beat of his heart and the sound of his breathing. I tilted my head so my bangs covered my eyes. Hesitantly, I fumbled around my waist in search of his hand before entwining our fingers together. I hid my smile with my hair and breathed in his scent. Wait, wasn't I supposed to be—my mind blanked as his lips brushed my forehead.
The rest of the ride went fast, with his thumb drawing circles on my hand. I didn't realize when the car stopped, but that was normal. But I did realize when Iya and Coffeeblue stopped singing. I peeked out through my hair to see the sign. I sighed, pressing my face further into Josh's neck and tightening my grip on his fingers. I felt the seat belt slid off of us, but I still didn't move. "Mm…" Josh hummed. "Danny, you better get up." He warned.
I groaned "Or what?" I mumbled lowly.
"Danny," he threatened.
I grunted, shutting my eyes tightly. Suddenly, his fingers brushed my waist, sending shocks up my body. What was he doing? His fingers kept going around my waist like that; making me giggle with the feeling he was sending though my form. I pushed at his hands, but he kept coming back. Finally, I screamed, sitting up and glaring at him. He smirked, shrugging. "Hey, it's fair to say I warned you."
"What were you doing?" I asked, glancing around to see the other three were leaning on the car, talking.
He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? I was ticklin' ya, duh." He said, his eyes telling me that everyone should know that.
I blushed, feeling stupid. "What's that?"
He mouth dropped open before he smiled. "This, of course." He lashed out with his hands, his fingers dancing around my waist. I screamed again, jumping out of the car to get away from him. He laughed, jumping out after me and shutting the door. "How come ya don't know what ticklin' is?" he asked seriously, his eyebrow raising in question.
I shrugged as his cousins came back over, saying nothing more on the matter. "Are you lovebirds finally ready?" Cormac teased, raising a corner of his lips in a smile.
Josh's hand found mine instantly. "Don't hate, man." He joked.
Cormac held his hands up in defeat. "Whoa, calm down, buddy." He winked, laughing.
While they were play fighting, I was staring at the building. I hadn't been here since I was little, believe it or not. My father never liked bringing me out in public, and I was often left alone when I was around six or seven, while he always brought Destiny with him. She was pretty, and I wasn't.
When Josh began pulling me along after him, squeezing my hand, I was brought back to my original thoughts. I had never been tickled before. My parents never touched me except for punishment, so I had never known any affection from them. "Hm…Where do ya wanna go first?" Josh's voice snapped me back to reality, making me redden. I shrugged. Of course they didn't know that there were absolutely no dress shops here. But they sure were lucky that the two biggest shops were clothes.
"Uh…this is a mall?" Iya muttered, glancing around. A new candy store had been put in at the corner. I scoffed, rolling my eyes and tugged Josh to the fountain in the middle. I pointed to the better of the two stores at the end.
"What, is that like the best store here?" he asked, furrowing his brows, his lips shaped in an oval. His eyes were bright as he stared at the stores; I could practically see the gears working in that head of his.
"Well, what're ya waitin' for?!" Coffeeblue squealed, taking Cormac's arm and dragging him down the hall. Iya scurried after them, gesturing for us to follow.
I glanced over to see Josh playing with a coin. "Did ya wanna make a wish?" he asked, his eyes flickering to me.
"What about you?" I asked, holding out my hand.
He placed the nickel in my hands, folding my fingers over it. "I've already got mine."
I stared at him for a second before turning to the fountain and closing my eyes. I wish that he would take me away from my family. I thought before tossing it in. It splashed near the center, making me smile. I had never done anything like that before.
"You gonna tell me what ya wished for?" he asked, starting after the three.
I made a zipping motion on my mouth, shaking my head. "Nope. It's a secret." I teased, biting my lip as I smiled at him.
He laughed, his lips slowly forming a grin. "You can't even give me a hint?"
I shook my head. "No! Then it wouldn't come true!"
"Aw, c'mon, you know that's not true!" he pressed, his eyes gleaming. I shut my mouth and shook my head.
"Josh! Josh!" Iya screamed at us from down the hallway. "C'mon!"
I looked at Josh to find a slight blush covering his cheeks as he ran his hand down his face and through his hair. "Gosh, can they get any more embarrassing?" he muttered.
"Trust me, they could." I replied, chuckling as he looked at me with wide eyes.
"Don't give me those images." He moaned, sighing. His steps sped up unexpectedly and I hurried after him as he tugged me along.
Iya grabbed my arm immediately when we caught up to her, making me flinch slightly. "There's some really cute dresses! Over here! C'mon!" She whined, towing me along and right out of Josh's hand. She hauled me over to a corner of the store, where Coffeeblue was digging through the racks, and a dress already on her arm. Cormac perked up when he saw Josh come around behind me.
Coffeeblue glanced at me, throwing the dress over to me. "Here. Go try this on." Somehow I caught it, wincing before I stared at her. "Well? Go. Now." She said, her voice suddenly serious. Without a second thought, I scuttled off into the dressing room. I hung up the dress, staring at it.
It was cute, I'll give her that. It was a cream colored white, the top half blank, and the bottom ruffled with gold at the end of the ruffles. It had a golden belt tied in a bow at the hip, the ribbons flowing to mid-thigh. I vaguely noticed that it had cap sleeves and looked as though it went down to the knees. Sighing, I took off my shirt, telling myself that I didn't need to take off my jeans. I slipped the dress over my head, feeling the silky fabric underneath my fingers. Straightening the dress, I looked at myself in the mirror, frowning. It was beautiful, but it wasn't me. It had a square neckline the reached down a little too low for my liking.
I groaned at myself before opening the door, peeking out. Josh's eyes were wide as he looked at me. "Hey," I said shyly, coming out a bit more to show off the dress.
"Hey," he replied, his eyes beaming as he smiled. "You look great."
"I don't like it," I whispered, blushing and glancing down at it and ignoring his compliment. I wasn't normally allowed an opinion. No one cared about me, why care about my opinion?
He laughed. "Good, cuz I think Iya was getting jealous. She likes that one."
I glanced up at him and smiled. "Good! I'll go change!" I said, excited that I had a reason to get out of the dress.
He chuckled again as I rushed back into the dressing room. "Alright. I'll go see if Coffeeblue or Iya's got anything else for ya."
I bit my lip as I shut the door, watching as Josh left. I felt bad for saying I didn't like the dress. I was grateful, but it was just too much and too loud for me. But then again, I didn't think anything looked good on me. I slipped out of the dress, feeling the silky fabric run across my fingers. Just as I hung it back up on its hanger, another dress was thrown over the door. I gasped in fright and then rolled my eyes at myself. I pulled it down, studying it. It was bright yellow, but not quite neon. It had a U shaped neckline, dotted with sparkles. A simple black belt wrapped around the waist, and much like the other one, it was bunched up at the bottom. I chewed on my lip as I stared at it, frowning. I slipped it on, noticing again that it reached down to my knees.
"Well?" I sucked in a breath when Josh's voice called from the other side of the door. I sighed as I opened the door, the lock clicking. I stood there, staring at Josh's shoes, feeling heat reaching up into my cheeks.
But it was Iya's voice that rang out instead of Josh's. "Oh, no! That's way too bright for you!"
"Iya!" He scolded, frowning at her.
"What?" she said, shrugging. "It's just not. It's way too loud for her personality. I'm just being honest."
He rolled his eyes, but Coffeeblue interrupted what he was about to say. "I got it! I think I got the perfect one for Danny. Oh, and I got one for me too." She said, entering the dressing room holding up two dresses for us to see. One was a pink; the top was a hot pink with a black lace around the top. There was one stripe of pink underneath the lace. The bottom was the same pink with a black checkered lace covering it. It was a spaghetti strap, but she didn't seem to mind. She held up the pink one, shaking it. "This one's for me. With a little black sweater over it, it would be so cute!"
She glanced up at me and handed me the other one. "And this one's for you. I think it would look really good on you." It took it hesitantly, running my thumb over the cotton fabric. It was black and looked as though it had a sweater over it. It was plain black, bunching up at the waist with a red belt and a rose on the hip.
I nodded, smiling at her before going back into the dressing room. "Well? Try it on!" Iya squealed, talking about Coffeeblue's dress.
"Alright! Alright! Isn't it just so cute?!" She said and I heard the other door open.
"Omigosh, yes! That was probably, like, the fastest shopping spree ever!" I rolled my eyes as I slipped off the yellow dress and hung it back up.
Iya squealed suddenly. "That is like the perfect dress!" she said and I heard Coffeeblue laugh. I waited until I heard the other door close, telling me that Coffeeblue had changed out of her dress before putting mine on.
"Let's go see if there's some jewelry. There's got to be some that would look super cute with these dresses." Soon, I could hear their retreating footsteps.
"Those two are crazy." Josh muttered to himself as I fixed the rose on the belt, loving the spurt of color it gave. I opened the door, biting my lip and brushing my bangs behind my ear as I shyly locked eyes with him. He didn't say anything, but his eyes widened and his mouth parted open slightly. He was standing about a foot away from me, why I don't know. But I noticed when he took a step towards me. I wasn't sure if I liked the look in his eyes and I instinctively stepped back. I knew that look. And it scared me to death.
I was scared. I was terrified of him at the moment. He had the same look in his eyes that the gray wolf had before he attacked me. It was the same look that Jake had whenever he touched me. It was the look I so desperately wanted to get away from when the man forced himself on me. And now were we were in a dressing room. Alone. Josh wouldn't do that…would he?
I was hyperventilating. I knew it. I kept stepping away from him; it was the only thing I could do until my back hit the wall. My vision blurred with tears as he came forwards, placing his hands slowly on either side of my head. He leaned in until his mouth was close to mine. "Don't be scared, baby. I won't hurt you." He breathed, his nose brushing mine and sending shocks through my skin. I closed my eyes, my lips parting as I tried to slow my breathing. He stayed as he was, unmoving, waiting.
He was waiting for me. But I wasn't sure if I could catch up.