Hello Beautiful

I walked down the hall and found Joe’s room. It had “Danger,” on it. I laughed lightly at his nickname.

I knocked on his door lightly, “Get lost, Nick,” he shouted.

I laughed, “I’m not Nick, dork,” I said opening the door to his room.

He was laying on his bed, “Oh,” He said not looking at me.

I hadn’t been in his room since he left so I was looking around it. It hadn’t changed. I saw a picture of us on the beach, I was kissing his cheek and he had a dorky grin on his face.

“I remember that day,” I said, “We made that really bad sand castle.”

He laughed, “And then you got mad at Kevin because he stepped on it,” he said.

I grinned, “Oh yeah,” I said walking over to his bed, “Scoot over.”

“Why?” he said looking at me.

“Because I said so,” I said
.
He grinned and moved over.

I laid there next to him, “So, why’d you get all mad downstairs?” I asked.

He sighed, “I figured that’s what you wanted to talk about it,” he said.

I laughed, “You know me to well, Joseph,” I said, “So, spill.”

“I don’t know, I just did,” He said.

“There has to be a reason.” I pushed.

“That’s not how I wanted you to find out I liked you,” He said quickly and turned over so that his back was toward me.

Back up, did I hear that right. Joe just told me he liked me? Wow.

I put my hand on his shoulder and pulled him back so that he was on his back again.
His face had gotten red from embarrassment.

“Well, I would have never found out, because knowing you, you wouldn’t have told me,” I said.

“I would have,” he said looking at me, “Eventually.”

I smiled, “My point exactly.” I said.

“Are you mad?” he asked.

“About what?” I asked.

“About me liking you,” he said looking at his hands
.
I shook my head, “No,” I said, “Because the feeling is mutual.”

“What does mutual mean?” he asked.

My mouth dropped, “You seriously don’t know what it means?” I asked.

He nodded, “I’m serious,” he said.

“Look it up, and when you find out what it means, come find me, I’ll be in my room.” I said standing up and walking out of his room and into mine.

I sat on my bed and laid back.

Two minutes later my door flew open and I saw Joe with a smile on his face.

He walked over to my bed and laid next to me.

“What’s with the smile?” I asked with a smile.

“I know what mutual means,” he said looking at me.

“Oh,” I said as I felt my cheeks start to burn.

“So, you like me too, huh?” he asked.

I nodded softly.

“How long have you liked me?” he asked.

I shrugged, “I don’t know, for awhile now,” I said honestly looking at my hands.

“But you were with Devyn,” he started.

“So, what does Devyn have to do with anything?” I asked.

“If you like me, why were you with him?” he asked.

“Why were you with Chelsea?” I asked.

“I didn’t think you liked me, Jewel,” Joe said.

“Well, I didn’t think you liked me either.” I said.

“Why didn’t you think I liked you?” Joe asked.

“Why didn’t you think I liked you?” I asked him back.

He sighed, “Because, we’ve known each other forever, and I figured you only saw me as like your best friend," he said.

“You are my best friend, all three of you are,” I said referring to his brothers.

“My point exactly,” he said.

I laughed, “Joe, just because you’re my best friend doesn’t mean I can’t like you,” I said.

“I know, but I just thought…” he started.

“You thought wrong,” I said with a smile.

“Well, you thought the same thing,” he said defending himself.

I thought for a moment, “So,” I said. Oh wow, great comeback, I thought to myself.

He smiled and entwined our fingers together which made my cheeks start to burn again.

He noticed my face and laughed.

“What?” I said softly.

“You’re getting red,” he said, “how cute.”

I looked down with a smile.

“Shut up,” I said nudging him.

“Can I ask you something?” he asked.

“You just did,” I said, he hated when I did that.

He made a face, “I hate when you do that,” he said.

I grinned, “I know, okay, go ahead,” I said.

“Will you be my girlfriend?” he asked softly looking down.

“Joe, I don’t like you like that,” I said with a serious tone.

His head shot up, “But you just said-,” he started.

I laughed, “I’m joking, Joe,” I said, “Yes, I’ll be your girlfriend.”

He grinned, “That wasn’t funny,” he said.

“Yeah, it was. You should have seen your face. Priceless,” I said with a smile.

“You’re mean,” he said faking a pout.

“Oh, whatever,” I said rolling my eyes and moving towards his cheek so that I could kiss it but he moved his face and his lips touched mine.

I can’t explain what I felt at that moment but it was an amazing feeling. I couldn’t believe I was kissing my best friend and I was enjoying it. Well, I guess he wasn’t just my best friend anymore, he was my boyfriend. Gosh, saying that feels weird.

After a few seconds I pulled away and smiled at him.

“Smooth move,” I said looking at him.

He grinned, “What can I say, I’ve got mad skills,” he joked.

“Let’s go downstairs, I’m sure everyone’s wondering what we are doing up here,” I said sitting up.

He nodded, “Okay,” he said getting up.

We both got up from my bed and walked out of my room. Joe grabbed my hand and was about to walk downstairs but I pulled him back.

“What?” he asked.

“If we go downstairs holding hands, they are going to think something’s up.” I said.

“Something is up,” he said.

“Do you really want them knowing Joe?” I asked.

He nodded, “Of course, don’t you?” he asked.

“Of course, I just don’t know how they are going to take it,” I said honestly.

“They all love you, they are going to take it fine,” he said kissing my cheek.

“Alright, if you’re sure,” I said looking at him.

“I’m positive,” he said as we started going down the stairs with our fingers laced together.