Chapter Three: Walking On Seashells.
"So, let me get this straight? You just pulled yourself out of the water?" My uncle asked again.
"Yeah, the water's wasn't that deep," I said, wrapping the towel around me tighter.
I missed Josue's heat.
"We should start heading home, go get Justin," James told Jamie.
Jamie went running towards Justin, shaking his wet hair.
My uncle went to start the car, leaving me alone.
I got up, shaking the sand off. I started walking towards the car, looking towards the trees that fenced the beach.
I sat in front, waiting for the boys to come.
"Any guys here interest you?" James asked, popping his hands.
"No, not really," I said, clutching the towel.
"Really? Not even- what's his name? Ah, yes. Josue Townhigh, he seems to fancy the ladies."
"He's alright, I doubt he'd ever look at me."
"You never know."
"Uncle James! It's so early," Justin complained, getting in the car.
"Yeah, but we're going out to dinner , tonight," James said.
Joanne's birthday.
I went home to shower, and change.
I settled for a simple velvet dress, knee high, with silver pumps. I crammed my hair with moose, making it stay.
I put light make-up, powerding my fcae, making it darker.
We started driving, the air was one. Stupid humidity.
We went to one of the restraunts here, it was small.
Diego worked here.
Diego.
A smile creeped across my face.
"Mom? Is Diego's working tonight?" I asked, getting out of the car.
"Mm, yeah. I take it you're exited to see him?" She questioned.
"He's-he's my friend," I defended.
We sat down, taking up one of the biggest tables. This place had small tables.
Everyone started heading to the buffet, leaving me.
"Jasadey," Diego's voice boomed, when he sat beside me.
"Hi," I said, clasing my hands together.
"What brings you here?" He smiled.
"Joanne's birthday," I said.
"Oh, I forgot," he smiled.
Something caught my eye, I turned.
Nathan was here, he was watching me.
His stare was hard, focused, and dark.
Was he angry?
I haven't even spoken to the guy.
I looked away, resuming the conversation with Diego.
I started biting my lip, feeling Nathan's stare.
Why was he here?
I saw a woman, and a little boy. He looked like them, they were probably family of his.
"You look pretty , tonight," Diego smiled.
"Thank you," I blushed.
I smiled at him, taking in his caramel eyes.
"You have pretty eyes," I said.
"Not as pretty as you," he smiled.
I smirked.
Nathan was watching us. Is it really big news that I'm new?
I think not.
"I'm gonna go get my food," I said, standing up.
"I'll go with you," he said, getting up.
"Okay," I said, walking towards the buffet.
Dinner was akward, Nathan didn't leave until I left. Every movement Diego and I made, Nathan would track it.
I liked Diego, he was attractive. Just a simple little crush.
Surely, Diego saw me as a little kid. Even if I was 16.
Sunday, it was boring. I turned into a computer zombie all day, staying in my room all day.
Then Monday came, it was cloudy. A shocker. I changed for school, heading out as normal. I got into my Ford, driving through the ugly weather. I parked in my normal spot.
When I got out, I saw it.
The shiny Camaro, it was parking next to me.
That was Josue's car, such a nice car.
I shut my door, walking towards the building. I heard the door close, then I felt a warm hand on my shoulder.
"Hey, Jenna. It's just me," Josue said, putting a little strength on his grip.
"Yeah, okay," I said, turning to face him.
He looked unhappy, angry, and his defense was up.
It was always up, he never let it down.
"What can I do for you?" I asked, feeling his hand warmer and warmer.
"I just wanted to walk you to 1st period, you already missed homeroom," he pointed out.
"Okay?" I said, starting to head for the door handle.
He blew out a frustrated breath, pulling me back.
"No, Jenna, wait. Look, it's that... I- I like you," he said, not loosing focuse.
"What? What! What?" I asked.
"Yeah, you're having lunch with me , today. You better be there," he said, serious.
"Having?" I demanded.
"You heard me, Jenna," he said, opening the door.
He held it open for me, then closed it behind me.
He walked to my side, brushing my arm. Was it happening on purpose?
I looked over at him, he was looking straight ahead.
We got to 1st block, he stopped me before I went in.
"I won't be in class today, but I'll be at lunch, and I'll be waiting for," he said, smiling before he walked away.
Who the fuck did he think he was?
You're having lunch with me.
I had to hope, 1st and 2nd period would last forever.
I walked in, sitting next to Freddy. He was texting under the desk, not paying attention to me.
The first half went by fast, to fast. Then there was a video, before I knew it, 1st period was over.
"Jenna? What's wrong? You're so tense," Monica said, walking in the hall beside me.
"I-I'm fine," I said, cluthing my text book.
"Really?" She asked.
"Yeah, it's just that J-josue, he invited me to sit with him at lunch," I said, looking at the passing students.
"You're nervous," she smiled.
"I'm not."
"You like him, he makes you nervous."
"He does not!"
"Deny all you want, you know it's true."
"No, I'm just imagining what he wants."
"Pff. Sure."
I rolled my eyes, walking in Language.
I looked over at Josue's seat, it was empty, like he said.
80 minutes turned into 80 hours, without Josue, I didn't like this class. It was lonely, boring, uncomfortable.
Josue.
Ugh, lunch.
I looked at the clock, 5 minutes left.
What could he want with me?
To tease about Saturday? Huh, I didn't doubt it.
Monica grabbed my hand, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Jenna? Lunch time," she said, walking outside.
"Hey, you left me beind," I said, catching up with her.
"Yeah, but you looked lost there, staring at Josue's seat," she teased.
"What! No," I defended.
She shook her head, "Deny."
"Whatever," I said.
"Really? Prove it, walk to the lunch room. Alone," she said, walking off, leaving me.
"No! What! Wait!" I shouted, to late she'd already taken the short cut.
Ugh, great.
I took the long way, the staires.
I could see the lunch room coming up, I could see Josue leaning against the wall.
His head snapped up as soon as I turned the corner.
"Hey," he smiled.
I smiled back, biting my lip.
"Well, let's go inside," he said, taking my hand, leading me inside.
His hand felt warm in mine, but they fit perfect.
We walked inside, meeting many staring eyes.
I felt my face grow hot, boiling. I looked over at Josue, he didn't look the bit concerened.
"A-a-re we s-s-i-t-t-t-ing alone, or with your friends?" I asked Josue.
"Alone," he smiled.
He led us to the same booth, Amany and I had sat in.
He got in the right side, so I started making my way over to the left.
Josue pulled my arm, sitting me with him on the right side.
He was so warm.
"You didn't really think I was going to let you sit over there," he smiled at me.
"I-I," I didn't know what to say.
"Jenna, Jenna, Jenna," he smiled.
"What?"
I started biting my lip.
He leaned in close, no wonder he had chosen a seat in the back.
"Do I make you nervous?" He whispered.
"What? N-no," I said, pushing him back.
"I can see the effect I have on you, you can't lie to me," he smiled, grabbing both of my hands.
"Did you just invite me to harrass me?" I asked, trying to free myself from his death grip.
"Um, no. Actually we're gonna spent 4th period here too, I need to talk to you. This is just a bonus," he smirked.
I nodded , looking down.
"Jenna," he smiled, using his free hand to hug my waist.
"Josue-," I began.
"What? You honestly can't say you don't like it, because if you didn't then you would've pulled away from me by now," he laughed.
I didn't know what to say.
"Okay, babe. Listen," he began, settling back, pulling me a little closer.
I settled back, I was comfortable, and it was so wrong.
"You're mine, got that? Listen, listen. Now isn't the time to explain , right now I just want to be with you, I've had to stay away from you. I can't anymore, I can't. I know you feel the same thing for me, you can't deny it, babe," he smiled, entwing our fingers.
"What? What! What?" I began.
"I'll explain later? Okay?"
"You better, and everything," I hissed.
"Never took for the fiesty type, Jenna," he chuckled.
I started biting my lip, looking at our hands.
"I like you, I like you alot. You mean alot to me, so I want to clear everything up, things can't happen anymore. Things like Diego," he said, tighting his grip on both arms.
"H-he's just my f-f-riend," I threw back.
"Really? Baby, baby. I know you like the back of my hand, that isn't just friendship you like about him," he hissed.
I bit my lip again.
"Look, let's not talk about that, there'll be time for that later. I want to talk to you right now, just get to know you, that's all," he smiled, his smile!
His defense was down, with me.
"W-hat do y-you want to know?" I asked.
"Mm, everything."
"Like?"
"What's your favorite color?"
"Blue."
"What's your favorite animal?"
"Dolphine."
"Pets?"
"No."
"Your favorite thing about me?"
"Your eyes."
He went through my defense, I didn't even see him coming.
"My eyes? Really?" He teased.
"Josue, not fair," I laughed.
"I could say the exact same thing," he smiled.
"Are you hungry?" He asked me.
"No," I said.
"Mm, really? I doubt that."
"I'm not, trust me."
He smiled.
"You have to trust me, first," he smiled.
I half smiled, taking in his eyes.
"My best feature," he smirked, when he saw where my eyes were.
"Their pretty," I smiled.
"Not as pretty as you," he said, softly.
"People are staring," I pointed out.
"I don't care, do you?" He asked.
"No, but it bothers me," I said.
He thought about it for a minute, pouting his lips.
"I know, c'mon," he said, pushing me out of the booth.
He kept my hand, leading me outside.
I tried not to meet people's eyes, I focused on Josue.
He led us to the football field, towards the bleachers.
He sat down, sitting me in his lap, wrapping his arms around me, and finished by resting his chin on my shoulder.
He smirked.
"I like how you get nervous, it makes me feel like I can over power you," he joked.
"Mm," I said, I liked feeling his heat.
"Okay, we can talk now," he smiled.
We talked, alot. Mainly he did, but I didn't care. He told me about his life, how it wasn't for perfect. His family, his mom, who was hooked on painkillers, then his dad, the man he couldn't stand anymore, but the only part he liked were his cars, his father's money.
My life was easy, it was simple.
He didn't say much when I talked, just smiled and blew hot air on my neck.
He liked making me nervous, but I liked making him happy.
He led me to my car after school, telling me that tomorrow we were ditching school. He was going to "talk" to me.