"Stop staring at me." Josie mumbled as Renee continued driving.
"What happened back there?" She asked as Josie brushed her hair out of her eyes.
"Nothing." She shrugged dumbly, watching the passing landscape. Sighing heavily, Renee glanced at her once more.
"Are you and Ben still together?" Renee questioned as Josie shook her head.
"I don't know... I'm supposed to see him tonight. He's coming by my house after work. I don't think I wanna see him. Maybe I'll just stay out and not go home. It'd serve him right." Josie said quietly as Renee drummed her fingers absently.
"Look Josie. I haven't known you for that long, but we've become good friends, right?" Renee asked, not waiting for an answer as she continued. "I've known Ben for years now, and I know what kind of person he is. He doesn't exactly have a good reputation with girls, but, I know he cares about you. I know he'd do anything for you, and would never hurt you. I also know how you feel about him." Renee said, her gaze fixed on the road in front of them.
"What are you talking about? How could you know how I feel? He doesn't love me, and I don't love him. We've been together all of two weeks. It's a stupid crush and that's it. He kissed someone else, and it's probably best. This way it's over before anyone gets too attached." Josie stated firmly, crossing her arms to stress her point.
"Josie, if Ben says she kissed him, then she kissed him. If he says he didn't like it and he loves you, I believe him." She said just as convincingly, groaning as two fat droplets of rain splashed onto the windshield. Two quickly turned into two-hundred as the sky opened up and poured down on them.
"Great.... there goes our day." Josie sighed sarcastically, saying exactly what Renee had been thinking.
"You want me to drop you off on my way to Chris'?" Renee asked as Josie nodded silently. The car ride was silent, Josie thinking about what Renee had said, and Renee thinking about what Josie had said.
"Thanks for the ride." Josie mumbled, glancing at her watch. 7:30, she read, slamming the car door, and running for the shelter of the porch.
"I'm Home!" Josie yelled up the stairs as she walked into the empty house.
"Josie!" Nathan smiled happily as he ran up to her. "You're home early. I'm going out with Amber." He said throwing on his raincoat. "There's a surprise for you upstairs." He grinned cryptically as he rushed out the door, leaving her alone in the house.
"Great." She mumbled. "Just what I need today, more surprises."
"You always talk to yourself?" Ben's voice caught her off guard as she looked up quickly.
"You said eight." She said tiredly as he held onto the railing.
"I know, but I needed to set up. Come here." He whispered, walking to the top of the steps to meet her. Groaning inwardly, she dragged herself up the stairs and up to him.
"Set up for what?" She asked boredly as he led her towards her room.
"Well, I wanted to have a picnic under the stars." He grinned widely as she stared at him blankly.
"It's raining." She said, stating the obvious.
"I know, that's why I switched to plan B." He whispered, placing his hands over her eyes. "Just trust me." He said, opening the door and leading her into the room. "And don't be mad." He breathed, finally letting his hands fall from her face.
"Oh my God..." She said softly, glancing around the darkened room.
"The stars couldn't come to us, so I figured I'd bring them to you." He explained, shutting the door silently as Josie stared in awe at her room. It looked like Ben had spent the better half of the day decorating her room in a mass of glow in the dark stars and moons. Spelled out in the center of the room was what Renee had been telling her all along. Written in stars just above her bed were the words "I love you Josie."
"Ben... I..." Josie stumbled as Ben walked to her slowly.
"Shh." He ordered, placing a finger to her lips. "I wanted to tell you that for a while now, but after today I wasn't sure that you'd believe me. I didn't kiss her Josie." He said softly, staring at his feet as if they were the most interesting things in the world.
"I know Ben. I don't know how I know, but I do." Josie said just as softly as Ben quickly met her stare.
"So you forgive me?" He asked hopefully.
"Yeah Ben, I forgive you." She smiled. With a relieved sigh, Ben threw his arms around Josie and kissed her happily.
"Good, now." He grinned seductively. "Let's get this party started." He laughed, arching his eyebrows in suggestion.
"Nice try Gillies." She said, shoving him off of her, smiling despite herself.
"Ah, it was worth a shot." He laughed, wrapping his arms around her once more, simply happy to be with her again.
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