I don't need you

Sitting on the bed with my legs crossed I continued staring down at my hands, something I've been doing for around half and hour. I don't really know what to do with myself, I'm hungry but I think it's a bit rude for me to go and help myself even though Joe said it was ok. Speaking of Joe I've been debating with myself on wether to go speak to him or not. I've heard him go in and out of his room a few times, occasional he's walk past the door and each time I hoped he'd come in. You'd think I'd be used to sitting alone in a room but this isn't my room, so I feel uncomfortable with the idea of just making myself at home.

Hearing a knock on the door I looked up, watching as it opened slowly "Hey, just thought I'd check on you." Joe smiled as he came in "And I made you a sandwich." I was quick to reach out for the plate he held out for me as he sat on the mattress.
"Thanks" I half smiled before taking a bite, my eyes widening a little. This has to be the best sandwich ever! Either that or I'm just really bad at it.
"If you don't want to go to school tomorrow your welcome to stay here." Joe said, I looked up at him and swallowed.
"I've gone to school with worse injuries. Besides I'm going home tomorrow." I shrugged
"What are you talking about, you can't go back."
"Joe I'm not going to start living out of your guest room, I really appreciate you letting me stay here for the night but thats all I'm staying for."
"Erica your stepdad could have killed you"
"Your being a little dramatic." I laughed as I took another bite
"Am I?" he sighed "Look it's obvious your uncomfortable about being here but I can talk to my parents about you staying a little longer and I'm sure they'll be ok with it."
"This isn't about wether your parents are ok with me being here." I sighed
"Then what's it about?" he asked as he crossed his legs, making himself more comfortable.

Putting what was left of the sandwich back onto the plate I scratched my head, how do I put this nicely. I don't want to hurt his feelings, especially as he's being so nice to me. "It's just weird ok, like you said i'm uncomfortable being here. I met you just over a week ago and I'm already staying the night in your guest room. That and the fact we don't exactly get along." I tried to explain shifting my position slightly
"The only reason we don't get along is because you keep pushing me away."
"I don't want you being sucked into my life." I muttered pulling small pieces of bread and putting it in my mouth. Looking back at Joe I noticed he was still staring at me.
"And what if I wanted to be in your life."
"Then you need help because your crazy." I answered
"Then call me crazy because I'm getting in." he laughed
I briefly shook my head, he's really not getting it, I guess I'm just gonna have to say it. "Look Joe I appreciate your help, but I don't want you interfering with everything I do."
"So basically what your saying is you only want my help when you ask for it, and then you want me to leave you alone." he sighed
"Exactly." I nodded
"Ok fine, I'm willing to agree to that, but only because it's progress."
"What is this obsession you have with progress?" I asked finishing off the remainder of the sandwich
"It's not an obsession, it's a goal." he smirked
"Explain this goal to me, because I really don't get it."
"I just want you to accept me as a friend and learn that the world isn't as bad as you think it is." he shrugged
"But why? You've already made friends at school why do you want to be mine?" moving across the mattress I leant my back on the wall
"Because I've never met anyone like you before, and I'm intrigued." I watched Joe as he copied me by sitting with his back to the wall and lightly nudging his elbow against mine.
"Your intrigued?"
"Yes I'm intrigued" he laughed "Why is it so hard for you to accept that maybe I just like you?" he asked crossing his arms
"But I'm being such a bitch."
"Your not a bitch, your misunderstood."
"No, I'm just a bitch." I repeated
"Because you've had a hard life, you keep people away so that they can't let you down."

Letting out a sigh I looked down at the empty plate in front of me and brought my knees up to my chest, I guess this is the time for an awkward silence....... Would it be weird if I told him that I liked the shirt he gave me to wear, and that I'm suddenly aware of the fact my legs are showing. It's actually a good thing I shaved them recently. What the hell is wrong with me?! I'm alone with Joe wearing his shirt staying the night at his house and I'm thinking about how glad I am that I shaved my legs. It's not it matters anyway, yea I guess he's kinda cute but I'm not-
"It's getting pretty late, so I guess I'll let you go to sleep." Joe brought me back from my thoughts as he got off the bed and picked up the plate.
"Oh ok, I'll see you in the morning..... Thanks again Joe, for letting me stay here, and for the sandwich."
"Don't worry about it." he shrugged leaning forward and giving me a hug.
I don't know if I more shocked at the fact he's hugging me or that I'm hugging him back.