Holding Down the Laughter

Josh decided to come back to my dorm with me, even though I had homework to do. He was pretty adamant about it, actually. He wouldn’t take no for an answer.

He was laying on my bed and I was sitting on the floor, trying desperately to study for AP Psychology. No matter what, I just couldn’t seem to focus on anything.

“You know, I don’t see how you’re only sixteen and a senior in high school. How does that even work out?” Josh said, playing with the ends of my hair.

“It’s because I’m brilliant, duh.”

“And beautiful. But, you won’t be so brilliant if you’re failing a class, so keep studying.”

“Psh, you’re the one who distracted me, loser.”

Josh just stuck his tongue out at me and I rolled my eyes at the older boy before finished reading through the chapter. As soon as I was finished, I had my book closed and I was sitting on top of Josh, who was literally taking up my entire bed.

He was groaning about me sitting on him while I was smiling and laughing.

“Get up, Josh! Let’s go do something.” I was hitting the actor on the back lightly, shaking his shoulders every once in a while.

After a few minutes, he rolled over and knocked me off of his back. Now, I was just sitting with my legs across his stomach and my back against the wall.

He placed his hands on my leg and slowly started moving his thumb in circles against my skin.

“Let’s go on a date.” Josh said, still lightly stroking my skin. “Let me take you out, Lyssa.”

I groaned at the older boy, who just kept smiling. “Ew, I don’t go on dates, Joshua.”

Josh lightly slapped my leg, making me glare at him. He laughed at took my hand from its position on my lap and held it. “Too bad, we’re doing this all the traditional way, Alyssa. That means, I’m taking you out on a date or two. Go get dressed.” I groaned again as the older boy stood up and dragged me from the bed. “Oh, we’re going to dinner first so look nice.”

I flipped the bird in his direction and knew he saw it when his laughter filled the room. I walked towards my closet and smiled as I heard Josh singing along to whatever was on the radio.

The only reason I don’t go on dates is because I never had my first one. I’ve never ever been asked on a date by a guy before, so I was nervous. I always skipped that part the older I got and just moved right in to the messing around with a guy.

I stood in front of my closet for five minutes, contemplating on what to wear until Josh reminded me that we had to get going. Closing my eyes, I reached into my closet and grabbed the first dress I felt. I could hear Josh laughing, which made me blush a deep shade of red. The dress I grabbed was super gorgeous, but I didn’t want to feel overdressed.

“What are you gonna be wearing, Josh?”

“Well, it’s a bit more formal of a place so probably something nicer.”

I nodded and decided to go with the dress I had chosen. I grabbed a pair of black heels as well and walked into the bathroom. I quickly curled my hair and pulled it back into a messy bun so the curls were spilling out. Since I hadn’t been wearing makeup, I had to start fresh. I applied dark eye shadow to my lid and made sure it looked smoky enough. Mascara covered my top and lower lashes and eyeliner was present on my upper lid.

Satisfied enough, I walked out of the bathroom and right into Josh’s chest. I stumbled only slightly and his hands held onto my waist to keep me from falling.

“Look at that. Our first date hasn’t even started yet and you’re falling for me.” The smile on Josh’s face brought a blush to mine, which became even darker when his eyes skimmed over me. He held me close to him for a few minutes before saying, “Damn, you look beautiful.”

I blushed once more and barely managed to utter out the words, “Thank you” to the older boy before he whisked me out of the room.

--

Before we could really head on to our date, Josh needed to stop at his house to change clothes. Since we were hurrying, I decided just to stay in the car. When he walked out of his house, he was wearing a pair of black jeans that were tight, but not too tight. A black dress shirt covered his torso and hugged all of his muscles just right while a simple cream colored tie was around his neck.

His short hair was styled into a faux hawk in the front. He looked handsome, as always.

Josh is just such an amazingly beautiful person, both inside and out. He’s just so carefree and doesn’t care at all what people say about him. Every time I talk to him, a smile is plastered onto my face and I couldn’t get rid of it if I tried. He just has this way of making me feel so good about myself, like I actually matter to someone in the world that isn’t my daughter.

His smile is stunning and so absolutely contagious. I really couldn’t stop myself from smiling back at him.

The drive to the restaurant was a bit longer than I was expecting, but Josh held my hand the entire way. Every once in awhile, he would glace over at me and smile, leaving me with butterflies in my stomach and a blush on my face.

When we finally arrived, I couldn’t help but gasp at how extravagant the place looked. You could simply tell from the outside that it was expensive. Like the gentleman he is, Josh opened my door once he parked and helped me down from his truck.

We walked right passed the hostess at the entrance, despite the room full of people waiting to be sat

“Don’t you have to put your name down or something? Do you do that in Kentucky?” Josh chuckled at my statement, making me blush once more. He just kept our fingers laced together as he led me to wherever.

Things kind of clicked when I saw his little brother sitting at a table, along with both of his parents. My eyes got wide and my legs stopped working, keeping me from walking.

Josh stopped as well and just looked at me. “Oh yeah, this dinner is with my parents. Did I not mention that?”

“No, you didn’t mention anything about your parents, asshole.” I whispered to him. Josh sighed and took both of my hands in his. He kissed my forehead and made me blush.

“I’m sorry, baby. I just, I wanted all the awkward things over with. Plus, they already know all about you and my mom literally begged me to bring you tonight and I can’t say no to her.” I couldn’t help but blush at the pet name and whispered, “Okay.”

Josh smiled and kissed my cheek before leading me over to his family. After the usual introductions, he pulled out my chair for me and then placed himself in the only seat left.

“It really is so nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Hutcherson. Josh always talks about you guys and I was actually looking forward to the day when I’d be meeting you.” I said, smiling at the adults.

I could feel Josh’s gaze turn upon me, and I smiled even wider. The older boy reached under the table and placed his hand on my knee, rubbing the skin softly.

“Oh honey, you can just call us Michelle and Chris. Trust me, I’ve been begging my son to bring you over the day he met you. Really, he just can’t stop talking about you, either.” Mrs. Hutcherson, or Michelle, said.

“Oh, he can’t stop talking about me?” I smirked, turning to the older boy who had a slight blush on his cheeks. “I sure hope it’s good things.”

“Not all of it.” Connor said from his seat on the other side of me, making Josh glare at him.

“Don’t mind Connor, Alyssa. He’s just pissed because even girls his age are attracted to me.” Josh said, still glaring at his brother. I just smacked the older boy lightly on the arm, making him groan at me.

“Apologize to your brother, Joshua.”

“Your motherly side is showing, love. But, I’m sorry Connor. You know I’m just messing, man,” Josh said, winking at his little brother. Connor just rolled his eyes, but smiled back at the older Hutcherson. I couldn’t help but smile at the exchange between the two.

“So Alyssa, tell us about yourself. Josh says you go to the nearest boarding school?”