JOSH'S POV:
Maddy and I were walking along the beach hand-in-hand when we saw Andy walking towards us...
"Alright, lovebirds" he greeted us "any news on Page yet?"
"He's okay. But Dr. Cooper said that whoever did it knew what they were doing" Maddy informed him "hang on, how come you knew?"
"Josh told me when I rang him the other day, didn't you, little bro?" he inquired
I nodded my head, signalling yes…
"Oh" Maddy replied "yeah, well he's stable but critical so"
"How come you went to see him?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow at Maddy
"I wanted to know whether he'll still be punished for what he did to me" she explained
Nodding his head in understanding… "Well you'll both be seeing me around here a lot more"
"How come?" I asked
"My community service is based here" he replied "so see you around, little bro"
Chuckling, he ruffled my hair and walked off up the beach…
"You okay?" Maddy inquired, raising an eyebrow at me as he walked away
I nodded my head, signalling yes… "Are you?"
"Yeah" she replied, smiling at me warmly "can we get home though?"
I nodded my head, signalling yes, both of us making our way back to the house…
MADDY'S POV:
Josh and I were busy organising ourselves some dinner when there was a knock at the door. Turning the hob on the cooker down, I made my way to it, opening it to find a police officer stood there…
"Can I help you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him
"Is Mr. Barrett here?" he questioned
"Josh?" I called, him appearing from the kitchen, walking to the front door
"How can I help you?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow at him
"Have you seen your brother today?" he questioned
"Not since earlier this afternoon" he informed him "he told me his community service is based here. How come?"
"He's wanted on questioning with the Matt Page car accident" he replied "if you see him, let him know we're looking for him, okay?"
Josh nodded his head, signalling yes, the police officer saying his goodbyes and leaving the house, me shutting the door behind him…
"What're you thinking?" I asked, moving to stand opposite Josh
"That I need to find Andy" he informed me, kissing my lips quickly "I'll be back later"
"Josh" I called after him, but he was out of the door before I could say anything else
JOSH'S POV:
I must've searched the Bay for Andy twice, having no luck whatsoever! Deciding to give up and start again tomorrow morning, I made my way back to the house, shutting the door quietly behind me as I saw Maddy was asleep on the sofa…
MADDY'S POV:
I awoke as I felt myself being moved. Opening my eyes blearily, I saw Josh carrying me as he made his way into our room. Settling me down on the bed, I watched as he went and shut the door before changing into a pair of tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt, climbing into bed and pulling the covers over us both…
"I am awake" I informed him
"I know" he replied, kissing my forehead softly
"Did you find Andy?" I questioned, turning to face him, snuggling into him
"Nope" he sighed "I'll look again tomorrow. Do you think he could've done it?"
"I don't wanna say" I admitted "because I honestly don't know. There's a part of me that thinks yes he could've but there's a part of me that thinks no"
He smiled at me weakly and kissed my forehead again… "If he did, that's it, we're no longer brothers"
"Do you really mean that?" I questioned, sitting up abruptly, shocked at his admission
"Yeah I do" he replied "I'm trying to turn my life around and whenever he gets himself into trouble, he comes running to me and I stupidly help him. I can't do it anymore. Not if I wanna make something of myself"
Wrapping my arms around his waist, I hugged my body to his… "I've missed this"
"What?" he inquired
"This, being so close to you" I admitted
"Are you okay?" he questioned, running his hand through my hair
I nodded my head, signalling yes… "It's nice to feel safe again"
"You don't have to worry about not being, I'll do everything and anything I can to protect you" he informed me
I looked up at his face and smiled at him warmly, kissing him softly but passionately… "I love you"
"I love you too" he mirrored "let's get some sleep, yeah? School tomorrow"
Sighing heavily, I smiled at him and nodded my head in agreement, reaching over him to switch the bedside table light off, snuggling down into his embrace…