I finally made it stop.

The countless text messages and calls were driving me crazy to the point where I just shut my phone off. I wanted to text him back to tell him that I had a great night. I wanted to say that it was the best time I’d had in forever, but it would be stupid of me. I didn’t have the time or the energy for the likes of Josh. I wasn’t feeling good, and I needed to block everything out for a while. Plus, Fox had been up my ass since the moment Josh left my house. My parents were supposed to come home in the next day or so, and Fox was making it perfectly clear that he did not intend to leave my side. It was exhausting. The few minutes I actually had alone, were spent resting. For some reason I was extra tired and feeling drained. Maybe I was coming down with a cold or something.

My intentions were good. I really did plan to text Josh back last night once I was alone in the bed, but I guess I fell asleep when my head hit the pillow.

When I wasn’t preparing for classes, I was thinking about him. He was occupying every free thought I had. The way his hands felt on my body. My God, I couldn’t stop thinking about him even if I wanted to.

All I had to do was send him one simple message to tell him that I had a great time with him, but if I told him how much I loved it then I’d be leading him on, which I couldn’t do. It would screw up everything if I dared to make him a permanent fixture in my life.

But he deserved something, right? Just a few words to let him know I wasn’t completely ignoring him.

I slipped into the bathroom and turned on my cell phone to send him a quick text, just something simple, to get him off my brain for a while.

Me: Hey. Sorry. I’ve been busy. I can’t talk right now. Maybe later.

Once the message sent, I shut my phone back off, and took a deep breath.

That wasn’t so hard. I should’ve done it yesterday.

“Fox!” I yelled as I stepped back into my bedroom. Something was off. I wasn’t feeling like myself. Thankfully, he wasn’t ever too far away.

It was probably just stress of school starting back up, but I hated feeling bad.

“Yeah,” he called back as he stepped inside my bedroom.

“I’m not feeling good.” I told him, as I made my way over to my bed. I slipped off my house shoes, and climbed up on my mattress. “I think I’m going to lay down.”

“Did you take your medicine?” He asked.

“I think I took it this morning.”

“You think, or you did?” He snipped.

I looked at him over my shoulder as I was settling into bed. “I don’t know, okay. Chill out.”

“Dammit Bird! You have to take your medicine. You know you’ll feel bad if you don’t take it.”

“I’ve been busy. You’ve had me running all over the place for hours. It felt like we were in the bookstore for three damn days.” I argued. “I’ll be glad when Mom gets back, so you’ll get off my back.”

He growled so loud that it nearly rattled the windows.

I turned over so my back was to him and covered myself up. I was sick of seeing his face.

“I’m going to get your medicine, and you’re going to take it.” He told me, just before he stomped out of my room.

“Fine.”

The medicine was useless to me when I felt bad, so it was pointless. I’d take it anyway so he’d get off my back, but I don’t know why I had to take it in the first place. It wasn’t like I really needed it.

After taking my medicine and a much-needed nap, I felt a bit better. Not completely like myself, but better.

I got up, took a shower, and actually blow dried my hair for a change. I think I was just exhausted from running all over the place with Fox.

When I climbed back into my bed, I turned my phone back on to see if I had any new messages. A part of me knew that there would be a response from Josh, and I was giddy inside when I saw them. I wondered if he felt the same way when I texted him. You know, excited? But I was trying hard not to think that way. Glancing through the messages, I stopped on the last one. He sent four.

Josh: I’m sorry you’re so busy.

Josh: If you need a break, you can call me.

Josh: Or text.

Josh: I promise I’m not stalking. I just miss your face.

He missed my face, talking about lifting a girl’s spirits. He always had a way with words.

You know what?

I missed him too.

Why did it have to be so hard? Why did my life have to be so complicated? I hated it. I wanted things to be normal again, the way they used to be. It was surprising that I could even remember back that far.

Despite my better judgment, I texted him back. I couldn’t help myself. He was so easy to talk to, and he made me smile even when he was being over the top.

Me: I miss you too.

Well, so much for not leading him on. That lasted about five minutes. My hormones took over. It was the only excuse I could come up with. I couldn’t stand not having a life, so I was taking a big fat chance. It was probably going to come back and bite me. Luck was never on my side.

He texted me back almost instantly. I could see the moving dots on my screen.

Josh: Really?

Me: Yes really. Don’t you believe me?

Josh: Just surprised that’s all. I thought I wouldn’t hear back from you until next week. Lol.

Me: Lol. I deserved that. I can’t talk long, but I just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you. And…

Josh: And???

I couldn’t believe what I was about to say.

Oh, but I was still going to say it.

Me: I’ll be in the library at 8:30 in the morning. Only for about 30 minutes, but I was thinking that you might want to stop by.

Josh: I’ll be at our table.