I Can't Be Without You

"It's so nice you could stay over for dinner Josh." My mom said, setting out an extra plate for him.

"Oh, it's my pleasure Mrs.Jaulby." Josh smiled.

"Perkinson, dear." My mom corrected. Josh looked confused.

"My parent's aren't actually married." I said, sitting down in a chair. Josh followed suit, nodding. The door opened and we could hear Airin complaining about his job.

"Some people just have no respect!" Airin said, his arms flailing around. He stopped in the dining room, seeing Josh. "Hey man, what's up?" He asked casually.

"I could ask you the same thing." Josh chuckled. "I'm staying over for dinner tonight." Airin smiled.

"Cool. Ah, just a rough day at work. Snotty brat-nosed teenagers who think they know everything, and think that there "shouldn't be any chunks in their smoothies". Airin flopped down in a chair next to me. I laughed at his over-dramatic ways. But then again, I was like that too.

Dad walked in from his office upstairs, sighing heavily. "Dad...? What's wrong?" Airin asked.

"Oh, nothing. I just thought I could relax for a few days. But nooo, I have to go to Toronto for an interview with Much Music in 2 weeks." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. My face fell from it's usual happy smile.

"Aww, dad. You just got home!" I said, getting up to hug him. My dad hugged me back,heaving another great sigh.

I had always been so upset when my dad left to go somewhere, even if it was just for a few days. I had an emotional closeness to him that Airin didn't even have. Airin was more of a mommas boy. I was a daddy's girl. Of course Airin would be sad when dad left, but he wouldnt be as sad as I would be.

"Don't worry Jaw's...I will only be gone for four days..." He paused for a moment. I felt his head move. "Hey...how about you come with me?" He asked. I looked up at him.

"Dad, I just started school. I don't think that would be a good idea." I stated, letting my arms fall down by my sides. "And what about Airin? You're not going to ask him?

Airin put his hands up in a defensive sort of way. "Hey, I'm fine if he doesn't want to ask me. He calls slash texts me every day when he's away. I don't ever miss him that much. Unless he's gone for about 9 months at a time." Airin explained.

"Well, you have two weeks to think about it kiddo." My dad said, helping my mom bring out dinner. I sat down again, a frown on my face.

"Well, that was a great dinner Mrs...uhh..." Josh looked at my mom. She smiled at him.

"Just call me Chloe dear." She said, picking up everyones plates. Josh nodded. I noticed his cheeks went a slight shade of pink. I giggled to myself and got up, leading Josh to the door.

"Wow, your parents are really nice." Josh said, once we were outside. I shrugged. "I mean, your dad is so cool. I kind of pictured him a little bit differently."

"Differently, how?" I asked him, folding my arms as we continued walking to his house.

"I don't know. I pictured him as being...older." He chuckled. "He's only 34? He looks so young!"

"Yeah,he's turning 35 in...3 months I beleive." I smiled.

"Wow...just wow..." Josh muttered. His face was a wonderous shade of pink that made me giggle. He looked at me, his eyes soft.

"So, what about my mom? Everyone always say's something about my mom, especially if my company is male." I snickered.

"Was your mom a model before she had Airin?" I shook my head, "Seriously? She is SO pretty. I can see where you get it from." This time it was my turn to go red in the face.

"My sister looks more like her though." I said quietly.

"You have a sister?" Josh asked.

"Yeah. She's 19. Her name is Evangeline." I explained. Josh gave a quick nod. We walked in silence for a few minutes. I jumped when something warm touched my hand. It was Josh's hand. My face most likely turned entirely red. His fingers laced through mine. It was like they were meant to be there. The countours of his hand just fit perfectly with mine.

"You have cold hands." Josh said, laughing.

"You have...big feet!" I retorted back. It was the first thing that came to mind. Josh's hand left mine, and he put on a mock-hurt face.

"Oh, that does it Jaulby. I've had enough of your insults!" Before I could even react, Josh had swung me over her shoulder.

"Josh! Let me down!" I said through fit's of laughter, lightly hitting his back.

"Never Jaulby! Never!"

"Joshua Ramsay. Let me down right NOW!" I said. He stopped walking and set me down. I frowned and folded my arms at him. "Thank you." I giggled.
I felt so much better being around Josh than I did John. I think Josh and I had way more in common than what me and John did. I really did like John, but Josh and I had more of a connection on a deep, emotional basis.

Josh took both of my hands in his, making all of my fingers tingle. "Hey Jaws...Do you, maybe want to...you know, go out with me sometime, just the two of us?" He scratched the back of his head, going a little red. I smiled at him.

"Well, of course.When?" I asked. Josh put on a I'm-trying-really-hard-to-think face, which made me smile.

"How about Friday?" He smiled proudly at me. Friday's were my day off. I worked at the local truck stop restuarant, which, by the way, made really good veggie burgers. "You don't work that day, do you?" He asked. I shook my head.

"Nope. Friday sounds good. What time?"

"How about 6?" I smiled warmly at Josh.

"Perfect."