Thirty five
Rick's POV
It was Sunday and everyone, well almost everyone, was sat on the sofa and were waiting for Josh to get back as most of them hadn't seen him since he went into the youth offenders. Jessie was sat next to me, gripping my hand tightly as if she let go her whole reality would fall apart. She still couldn't believe her brother was getting out. She thought it was a dream but she had moved her stuff into Tee's room. Tee had been shocked by how little stuff Jessie actually had: just a few clothes, books and her phone. Tee and Jessie had been sharing for three nights and seemed to be bonding really well now they were sharing. Jessie seemed happy in Tee's company as much as she did in the older ones company. Well all except Blake's. She and him just weren't seeing eye to eye. To be fair to her, he was saying some pretty unfair things to get her to lash out at him but she had managed to keep her calm and not hit him. Unlike Elektra who had pushed him down the stairs. Luckily he'd only got a few cuts to show for it and learnt not to steal Elektra's extensions. Me. I didn't like him either but I was at least making an effort not to show it.
We heard the front door open. Jessie gripped my hand harder and I glanced over at Faith, who Jessie was also gripping. From the look on Faith's face Jessie had gripped her harder too. Everyone else just tensed up and were hardly breathing. Well except Blake, who like I said earlier was not interested as he flicked through the TV guide.
We heard footsteps gaining towards us, then the squeak of the door handle and the brushing of the carpet as the door opened. Josh walked in and I saw him for all of five seconds before he was crushed by everyone running and jumping at him to welcome him back. Blake rolled over on the floor to get away from the crush and Faith, Jessie and I stood up and walked closer towards Josh. When everyone had let him go I took a long look at Josh. When he'd been in the youth offender's he's always seemed gaunt and haunted but back here he looked more muscular and more determined. He also looked slightly more weathered which I assumed was from spending time outside in the cold doing community service. I pulled him into a hug and hit him on the back. "it's great to have you back mate," I told him. He smiled at me before hugging Faith and then turning back to Jessie.
"Jessie," he said opening his arms. She grinned and ran at him. He grabbed her round the waist and spun her round. I looked on stunned. I knew he had always been strong but I had never realised he could spin Jessie round like that.
"Josh," she whispered caringly. He let her down and she turned back round to face everyone. "Josh they are two people you need to meet. This is Floss," Jessie said pointing to the red-haired girl clutching Jeff and hiding behind Harry. "who has giraffe-napped Jeff. And this is Blake," she added sullenly. Josh looked down at his sister's face and saw her intense dislike of Blake.
"it's nice to meet you Floss. You too Blake. I'm Josh," he said bending down towards Floss. "Can I see Jeff, Floss? I haven't seen him in a month," Josh asked kindly. She crept out from behind Harry and handed over Jeff. "Hi Jeff. Do you like staying with Floss? Is she nice to you? Is she nice to Harry?" Josh asked. He listened to Jeff's answers. "Well that's good then," Josh said. He turned to Floss. "Jeff says he likes you and he says you're usually nice to Harry and so that's good. Why don't you ask Jeff what he thinks of me?" Josh asked. Floss took back the giraffe and listened.
She smiled and then hugged Josh. "Jeff says you're nice too and that you are like Jessie and will play with us," she said smiling sweetly. Josh nodded.
"that's right," he said as he stood up. "Well then, I'll take my stuff up to the attic then," Josh said. We'd managed to tell him he had to move rooms but Josh didn't have an issue with that. What he'd actually said was he could have his own room after spending almost three weeks with Daniel. Jessie and I led him upstairs. My arm was out of its sling but I was still holding it awkwardly and couldn't yet move it completely and wasn't allowed to do PE. "that looks really painful still Rick. Have you not done anything about it?" Josh asked as he started unpacking his stuff in his new room. I shook my head.
"Couldn't be bothered," I said as I sat on his bed. He shook his head. "there are some painkillers in my bag if you want them." I looked in his bag and found them. I glanced at the label.
"these are anti-depressants" I said reading the label. Jessie snapped her head up towards her brother. Josh bit his lip.
"Yeah I had a small patch on depression. I'm fine now though. That's the truth," Josh told Jessie seriously. She nodded and relaxed. "So why don't you like Blake, Jessie?" he asked.
She scowled. "He's just the type of person who irritates me by talking about things they don't understand and kicking you out of your room and sitting in your old chair. He just knew how to wind me up. We've got a new seating plan now though. You're now next to me," she said smiling happily. Josh nodded, pleased to have some good news to hear.
A/N: Long overdue I know but Josh is finally out :) Indigo :)