"Would Josh Parker please report to the main office. Would Josh Parker please report to the main office. Thank you." The sound of our annoying and quite creepy secretary's voice rang throughout the lunchroom, and I received several glances from the guys at my table. Shrugging my shoulders, I slowly got up from the table and walked towards the doors of the cafeteria.

Many thoughts ran through my mind as I tried to figure out why the hell I was being called to the office. I had finished my necessary detentions over a week ago, and I have been attending classes regularly. Heck! I've even been tutoring other students during my study hall. Was I going to get an award or some shit?

Pshhh...yeah, an award. Nice one, Josh.

My hands began to get clammy as I neared the big office window. Peering into the window, I noticed a familiar man standing next to the secretary's desk. The guy had that distinctive dark brown hair, with a neck tattoo peaking from under his shirt near his left shoulder blade. No...he wouldn't actually have the balls to come into her school.

Well, I mean he did have the balls to ra-

God...I can't even think about that. I already was clenching my fists in anger of seeing the bastard standing there. There was no way in hell I was letting him go near her. I made a promise to Zoey, and that promise still stands.

With a bitter scowl on my face, I made my way into the office, walking right up to the front desk. Our school's overly flirtatious secretary switched her gaze from Warren to me. Her long - and most likely fake - eyelashes batted in my direction, and her plump, pink lips formed the creepiest smile. I would compare it to the Joker, but that'd be insulting my favorite villain.

"Josh...there you are. Your mom dropped off the house key for you. She left a note as well," Savannah said to me, pushing her chest up more as she handed me the key with the note attached. Did this lady not get enough attention from her man at home or was she really that much of a hoe? She literally is trying to seduce a minor. Joke's on her because it's not working...bitch.

"Oh hey, Josh. How have you and Zoey been?" Warren said, acting as though we were the best of pals. I must have done something wrong to be punished by having two people I actually hate in the same room with me.

I snatched the key from Savannah and gave my best fake smile to Warren. "Warren. Zoey and I are doing great, actually. Thanks for asking." I curled a fist around the key, trying not to punch him right in the nose. I'm not really a violent person, I swear, but knowing what this bastard did to Zoey made me want to become violent.

His eyes narrowed, but his creepy-ass smile still stayed on his face. "Good good. Well, I'm just here to let them know I'll be picking up Zoey after school. I'll probably take her out for some ice cream then drop her off at home. " Okay, first of all, was she like five years old? Taking her out for ice-cream...yeah uh huh. I could see right through his facade. I knew I had to tell Zoey.

So, putting on an emotionless face, I simply nodded. "Nice. Well, I better get going. Bye." Once I exited the office, I released my clenched fists and relaxed slightly. I felt more tense in there than I usually do taking my psychology quizzes, and that's saying something.

I took out my cellphone from my pocket and began to text Zoey.

Hey, um Warren is in the office. He says he's gonna pick you up after school.

After about a couple seconds, she sent a reply.

WHAT. WTF! WHY IS HE HERE?! There is no way I'm going with him!

I walked back into the lunchroom, knowing there was only about five minutes left of lunch. I walked over to the table that Zoey and her group always sit at. I sat down next to her, tapping her shoulder. She stopped talking to Margo and snapped her head in my direction.

Her eyes were wide with fear.

"Um...what is he doing here?" Bryan sneered. Obviously, he was still butt-hurt from me punching him a few weeks ago. I rolled my eyes, ignoring him. I really hope Margo doesn't fall for this jerk. He's no better than Ryan in my opinion. Maybe they should just hang out.

"Bryan, shut up. Josh and I are cool now," Zoey snapped at him, making him shut his mouth with a frown. I smirked at him while he only glowered at me, then turning his attention back on Margo again. She turned to me again and gestured to get up.

We both rose from the table and walked out of the cafeteria, into the hallway. A few underclassmen lingered around the hallway, so we turned a corner to have a more private setting.

"Zo, do you want me to bring you to my house after school? Because if he had the nerve to come into this school, I know he won't hesitate to go to your house." She gave me a confused face as I asked.

"But don't you have practice? I mean, for volleyball we have our practices in the morning on Tuesdays and Thursdays since our coach has work later on those days, so like I'm free, but I know for a fact you're not," she replied back. She leaned on one of the lockers, casting her gaze down towards the floor tiles.

"Yeah, but I can skip. I'll tell coach I have something urgent going on." I mean, I was sorta a favorite of coach's, so I'm sure he would let me off this once. Honestly, if I don't start the next game, it's not the biggest deal. Zoey is way more important to me than a measly game.

Wow...I guess I really do care about her.

"Are you sure? Won't your coach get mad? You're basically lying to him, and I don't want you to get in trouble with him just because of me..." she trailed off, rubbing her arm. She, then, bit her lip in an anxious manner.

"Zo...you're more important than a stupid football practice. Honestly, I'd rather be in trouble with coach than have you in actual trouble with the bastard," I said making her bring her gaze back up to mine. Her big, hazel eyes shone, and it looked as though she were about to cry. She then gave me a huge hug, and I hugged her back.

"You have no idea how thankful I am to have you in my life," she whispered, her breath fanning my neck as she spoke. Her arms around me loosened as she pulled back and looked at me. "seriously, I don't know what I would do if you weren't here."

I smiled at her. "I can say the same. You've definitely made my average life much more...interesting to say the least." Her smile seemed to get wider at that comment.

She laughed before fully letting go of me. "Yeah, I make things pretty crazy sometimes. Life would be boring without a little craziness though." I guess she was that little craziness I needed in my average life.

We both laughed, and then the school bell rang, indicating that lunch was over.

"Well, better head to class. Text me where to meet you after school," Zoey said. I nodded and just as I was heading in the direction of my locker, she said, across the sea of students, "Thank you so much again, Joshy."

I felt my cheeks flush at that damn nickname. I smiled back, though, sending her a small wave before walking towards my locker. I'm pretty sure I had several people look in my direction, one being Skylar who, of course, gave me that stupid, creepy grin. He then, proceeded to hip-thrust the air with a wink, causing a few people around to snicker. I rolled my eyes at his immature gesture and headed towards my locker.

Once I got to my locker, something just hit me. I was bringing Zoey to my house, and my family wouldn't be there. It was just going to be her and I. I felt my body heat up in excitement. I shook the thought away because I was really only bringing her to my house so she could avoid Warren as much as possible not for any other reason.

-----------------------------------------

"Dude, coach isn't gonna be too happy with you skipping, but I'll for sure tell him about your family emergency. Hopefully all is okay with your brother," Charlie exclaimed as he walked towards the locker room. I had said that my brother got in an accident. It was a lie, but I couldn't think of anything else better on the spot.

I gave him a small wave as I walked in the other direction towards my car. "Yeah, thanks man." I had texted Zoey to meet by my car, which was in the back parking lot. Warren, just in case if he would be here, would most likely park in the front parking lot where the parents and visitors usually go.

Once I got to my car, I saw Zoey leaning against the passenger side, texting someone on her phone. "Hey, you ready?" Her head perked up at my voice. She nodded eagerly.

I unlocked the car doors, opening her car door for her. Yes, I know, I'm such a gentleman.

Once we both were in the car, I started the engine and headed out of the parking lot. I looked over, briefly, to see Zoey sink lower in her seat.

"You embarrassed to be seen in a car with me?" I asked jokingly, and she shook her head with a serious look.

"No, I just saw Warren get out of his car. I'm taking no chances." I felt my grip on the steering wheel tighten at the mention of the bastard's name. "Wow...I think I found someone who hates him even more than I do..." I realized I was glaring out the front window of the car in the direction of Warren, who happened to be waiting near the front doors of the school.

Asshole.

I tried to think of something else to change the subject, otherwise I would have parked the car and go punch the shit out of him. Or even worse, drive my car into him.

Wow...what the hell, Josh. I really need to calm down.

"Um...how's Zeke been?" Asking about her brother seemed like a safe topic to discuss and something that wouldn't anger me more. Once we I took a turn towards my side of the town, Zoey sat up in her seat, her eyes taking in each house we passed by.

"He's doing fine I guess. He's been over by his friends a lot lately, so I don't get to talk to him much. Hey, I didn't realize you lived so close to Charlie. He literally lives only a few houses down from you." We passed Charlie's house as she said this. His house was considerably much larger than mine since both his parents worked higher-paying jobs.

"Yeah, for the first few football practices he would drive me home, but now that my brother is at college, I get the car," I said with a smirk, pulling into my driveway. I watched her as she hopped out of the car.

"You really do have a nice house, Joshy," Zoey stated as we proceeded up to the front door.

"Yeah, it's a lot nicer than my old home, that's for sure," I said while rummaging for the keys out of my pocket. Once I retrieved them, I opened the door, ushering for Zoey to walk in. She gave me a small smile before walking in with me trailing behind while I held on to both of our backpacks.

"Dang, this is really nice... " She began to wander around my house, and I dropped our bags off in the living room.

I met up with her, wandering around in my family's dining room. "You were here before though?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't remember much. I just remember asking Charlie where you live, not even connecting the dots that you guys lived so close to each other, and walking into your home. Well, I mean, your mom answered the door, and I just asked where you were." I nodded along. What puzzled me was the fact that my mom never asked me about Zoey. Usually if a girl or any person would ask for me, she'd be super nosy, but why wasn't she like that when Zoey randomly showed up at my house crying?

"I'm surprised my mom didn't ask you a bunch of questions that night, to be honest. She didn't even ask me anything..." I remarked.

She gave me a smile. "That's because I met your mom before. When I went to your second home game, I bumped into your mom and we talked beforehand. She's really sweet!" she exclaimed.

"Oh makes sense," I muttered before strolling back into the foyer with her. "Wanna tour of the rest of the house you haven't seen yet?" She nodded eagerly, so I took her upstairs where our bedrooms and spare room were. First, I took her into Sarah's room which was decorated with a lot of blue and lime green. Her room had a bunch of posters up with glow-in-the-dark stars. Zoey seemed to really like Sarah's room.

Next, I just casually showed her my parent's room; a simple black and white bed and essential furniture were in the room. It actually is probably the dullest bedroom, but, it's not like my parents use it much anyway. My mom's always off at doing what typical suburban moms do, and my dad works a lot.

Then there was the spare room or "Ben's room" whenever he would come home. His had all of his old memorabilia from high school up, and a dusty computer sat in one corner. It wasn't as decorated like it was in his old room at our old house, but it still amazed me that he even got his own room. He doesn't even really live here anymore.

The last room was mine. Once we stepped in, Zoey's eyes seemed to light up, taking in the whole scene. Thankfully, I had picked up last night, so my room wasn't too messy. My bed was made sloppily though since I was running late to school this morning, and I had my pjs scattered on the floor, but other than that, my room was fairly clean.

"I like the royal blue and cream colors you went with. And-oh!- is that you when you were younger?! Aww...you're so little!!" She cooed as she picked up one of my old peewee football pictures that sat on top of my dresser.

"Yeah, I was about six in that picture. I look angry because Ben told me that I sucked at football," I said with an uneasy laugh as I picked up my pjs off the ground and placed them in my laundry basket. Her lips formed a frown as she placed the picture back on the dresser, scanning the other pictures. Most were of my family and I or random school pictures with my old friends. Nothing interesting.

"Oh...you have a picture with Brianna and her brother?" she asked, pointing to a picture hanging on my bulletin board. I had a few pictures on there, and recently, Brianna gave me a printed picture from when we went to the movies and ice cream. It was a selfie of all of us at the ice cream parlor. I hung it up since we had, overall, a decent time that night. Plus, I consider Brianna a good friend.

"Oh yeah, we got ice cream after the movies, and she took a selfie and printed it out for me," I said nonchalantly. I could tell by the look on her face that she was upset, but she remained calm as she walked away and flopped down on my bed.

She then proceeded to kick her shoes off to the side and snuggle up on one of my pillows. "Your bed is super comfy. Much more than mine."

"Really? Because I slept like a baby in your bed..." I stated, and Zoey only gave me a smirk before she closed her eyes fully, sighing.

"How come you asked Brianna to homecoming?" Oh shit. Thankfully, she seemed really sleepy, so I'm sure she wasn't asking in an upset manner.

"Uh I don't know. She's my friend, and I guess I felt pressured to by the guys to ask someone. Plus, with how Cameron has been treating her, I thought she should go with someone she feels comfortable with," I replied back, hoping what I said sounded okay.

She yawned before saying, "That makes sense. You know...I was hoping you'd ask me." I watched as her body began to relax more and more as she snuggled more into my pillow.

"Yeah?" She actually wanted to go to homecoming with me?

"Yeah...who wouldn't want to go with you? You're sweet, charming, humble, and good-looking. Literally, all the girls love you. I...lo....ve....y.." her words near the end died down as she fell into a deep sleep.

Was she just going to say she loves me? No....I definitely was hearing things.

Shaking that crazy thought, I took my shoes off and contemplated whether or not I should cuddle with her. She looked so peaceful that I didn't want to disturb her, yet she was only laying on one side as though she were waiting for me to snuggle up next to her.

It took me a good five minutes, but eventually, I had made my choice.

*****************************************

(Zoey' POV)

I awoke to a warmth enveloping me from behind, and so, without a second thought, I turned around to be nearer towards the embracing heat-source. As I did so, I was met with a somewhat hard surface as my nose slammed into it. Wincing slightly in pain, I fluttered my eyes open to see a boy. I trailed my eyes up to his face, seeing that it was not just a boy, but Josh, peacefully napping as his whole body encased me within his strong arms.

I felt my cheeks heat up, and I quickly shut my eyes again, pacing my breathing as I did so. I can't believe I just passed out on his bed like that...and OH MY GOD! I think I said something right before I passed out. D-did I tell him that I loved him? HOW HUMILIATING!

I prayed he didn't hear that as I barely even remember how the words just freely came out of my mouth. I guess a tired Zoey is also a very honest Zoey. But still, I wanted to flick myself on the head for my idiocy. How could I admit something so deep and vulnerable to him so soon. Like for goodness sakes we haven't even kissed or done anything for me to open up to him like that.

Ughhhhhhhh. 

"Zo...I won't....leave you....ah! Get away! s-she...is...mine...mine..." Josh mumbled softly in his sleep, squeezing me closer to his body. I stared at him, taking in all his facial features. From the small stubble starting to form on his chin to the mole above his left eyebrow. He wasn't someone as hot as Cameron or even adorable as Skylar, he was simply a good-looking guy with a heart of gold, and that's something much more attractive in my opinion.

WAIT...WAS HE DREAMING ABOUT ME?! AWWWWWWW

God, I really wanna touch his face. Is that weird? Should I not? Eh...it's not like I'll wake him up or anything.

I began to lightly trace a finger from his forehead, down his nose and his cheeks, and around his lips, until...

"AH!" I squealed as his eyes snapped open. OH GOD he probably felt me practically petting his face.

"What?! What's wrong, Zo? Shit! I didn't mean to cuddle you. I...I'm sorry," he exclaimed as he let go of me, and my body felt cold without his touch.

"Oh gosh...no no I didn't mind you cuddling me. It was nice to be honest...you just opened your eyes so fast and unexpectedly it threw me off," I said, laughing hesitantly. I sat up slightly noticing I somehow managed to get under the covers. I looked over at Josh who cocked an eyebrow before smirking.

"What were you doing right before I woke up? It felt like you were tickling my face with a feather..." he asked me with a playful curiosity. He sat up, leaning his torso on the bed frame as he studied me. I felt my cheeks inflame. Why am I like this?

"Uh...what time is it? I should get going probably..." I said trying to dodge my way around from answering the question.

He gave me a curious look before reaching for his cell on the bedside table. "Ugh...it's like only about four-thirty...we only slept for about an hour. Want anything to eat? I'm kinda hungry," he said as he rolled out of the bed. As he stood, he stretched his arms above his head, yawning. I soaked in the whole image because it was freaking sexy. Even his shirt rode up and I could see his toned stomach.

Mmmmmm

"You coming?" he asked since I just sat there on his bed, gawking at him.

I nodded, hopping out of bed. I quickly slipped on my shoes, following him down the stairs and into his kitchen. I'm not sure what air fresheners his mom uses around the house, but it smells of apple cinnamon and vanilla. It was so cozy, and - wait- is that a hint of men's cologne. Oh god...I smell just like Josh! His scent is all over me.

Woah...Zoey, calm down. This isn't some werewolf novel...

"We have some leftover fruit salad, a variety of chips and pretzels, and there are some lunchables, but I'd advise not to eat any of those as my sister will probably kill you," he said with a hint of amusement glimmering in his eyes. I decided to just have a small bowl of fruit salad.

As he got me a bowl, as sat down on one of the stools that lined there large kitchen island. I noticed how at ease he seemed to be, and it helped me feel at ease even though all that kept creeping up in the back of mind was Warren. I swear if he is at my house I will either call Margo to sleepover ...wait...shoot...her parents don't allow sleepovers during the week. Maybe Amira? Yeah I'll message her. Last case scenario would be Charlie. I could sleep with his sister or something considering we are all cousins.

"Here. You know...if you ever need a place to stay, you are more than welcome to stay here. We have my brother's room which is pretty much a spare room since he's never here, or we have a pull-out couch in the basement. I'd even let you sleep on my bed since you liked it so much...I would, of course, take the spare bed. Don't want my parents thinking anything weird," Josh said to me, smiling lightly. It was as though he were just reading my mind beforehand. Like I can't believe he offered me a place to stay.

"Wow...it's like you read my mind. I was trying to think of the different people I could ask to stay over for a couple nights...just until Warren goes back to school," I admitted as I popped a couple grapes in my mouth. I began to pick through the fruit, avoiding the cantaloupe since I absolutely hate cantaloupe.

Josh began to shovel fruit in his mouth like a typical boy. "Yeah...that bastard needs to leave." He then looked over at my almost empty bowl, only filled with the uneaten and quite frankly, gross, cantaloupe. "You don't like cantaloupe?"

I shook my head no. " It's the only fruit I won't eat. It has like no flavor at all."

"I like cantaloupe. Do you mind if I eat those pieces?" I pushed the bowl towards him, and he began to finish up the remainder of the fruit in my bowl.

"You know what I don't like?" he asked me studying me closely.

I shrugged. "Hmm...not sure. You seemed to eat all the fruit in both bowls." He laughed as he took both bowls and began to wash them in the sink.

"I don't like pickles. I think they're disgusting. Like, who seriously thought of them? Ugh" He scrunched up his nose as if a plate of pickles were presented right in front of him. I laughed at how funny his face looked in that moment.

"Well, how about we make a deal? You eat my cantaloupe, and I'll eat your pickle," I said with a smile. Josh stared at me for a couple seconds with wide eyes before laughing hysterically. What did I say?

Wait... Oh crap.

"You can eat my pickle anytime, Zo." He winked at me before continuing his laughing. I covered my face with my hands in embarrassment. Oh my god. I can't believe I said I'd eat his pickle. Of course he'd take it in a sexual sense.

"I didn't mean it like that...my god. You boys and taking everything in such a sexual sense," I said, exasperatedly. I got up, fetching my backpack from the living room.

After a few moments, Josh followed me into the living room. "Hey, now I didn't mean it like that. I'm pretty sure you're the one with a dirty mind here..."

"Yeah mmhmmm it's definitely me," I stated with an over exaggerated eye-roll.  I walked over to the front door, turning around towards Josh. His smirk from earlier was placed with a look of concern.

"You sure you don't want to stay? I know my mom won't mind."

I looked into his chocolatey brown eyes and nodded. "I'll be fine. I'm going to go over by Charlie's place. My aunt will be ecstatic that I'll want to stay over for the night."

He smiled and then did something completely out of ordinary. He gave me a huge hug. It was warm, and I circled my arms around him, hugging him back.

"I'm always here if you need me, Zo." I squeezed him tighter, internally thanking myself for opening up to him about what happened three years ago. After a couple more moments of hugging, which I could literally do until the end of time, we let each other go and I began my walk towards Charlie's house.

As I almost got to the end of his driveway, Josh yelled, "Oh Zo! Yes! I''l eat your cantaloupe and you can eat my pickle any day!" He gave me a huge, cheeky grin, and I couldn't help but to laugh as I waved goodbye to him.

*******A/N******

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~Madelyn Joy

PS this chapter is by far my longest with about 4600 words! :) YAY!