Chapter 3:
The garage was an open space. Grey and white walls with the occasional spilled paint and scratches. The very back of the room was stuffed with bikes, sleds (In California? These kids were strange.) a few scooters and basketballs. A broken car was hidden underneath some equipment from who knows what, and the cliche baseball broken window was shielded by dirty polyester curtains that belonged in a Motel.
My brain laughed at their normal standards.
Abruptly, wind shot through the open door with a stinging texture. It just about knocked the breath out of me.
Although I pretended as if I was disappointed in the ongoing weather, I was glad to know that Joe was about to offer me a tour inside their home.
"This wind is insane. Do you want to head inside? I'll introduce you to my brothers and stuff."
Was I psychic?
I nodded as I already begun walking behind him through the doorway.
A TV hummed in the distance and it smelled like a fresh layer of Lysol. We had stepped inside the laundry room first, thus enticing the scent I encountered. He pushed another door swiftly, and we were entering a hallway. The walls were olive green, and the wooden floor squeaked under my weight. He gestured for me to keep up with his pace, and we entered a living room. That was the source of the TV, but now it was just background music. A light blue wrap around couch housed in a coffee table and a flat screen. Outside it's barriers was a kitchen strangely similar to mine. No one was present as he silently dragged me along.
With a sigh he lead me upstairs,. Obviously his family was doddling about up here.
I heard about 4 TV's whispering when I emerged into the glow of an overhead light and Joe made a quick turn to another hall. 3 bedrooms were awaiting a visit soon enough.
Joe tapped his fist firmly on one door. "Nick? Open up, it's Joe."
Ah, the young one...Jamie's favorite.
6 footsteps later, Nick opened the door quickly, creating a man made wind that shook his front curls.
He pursed his lips and stared at Joe, then at me, then back at Joe.
"Whatsup?" He questioned, running his words together.
"Meet our new neighbor, Kelly," I blushed and waved.
Nick's eyes lit up and he smiled.
Oh boy.
"Hi. Nice to finally meet you. We've been waiting for the new neighbors for a while now. I'm Nick," He put out his hand for me to shake.
They were such gentlemen.
"Why don't you guys come in? I'm just chillin. Kevin is...well Kevin is somewhere. He should be home soon."
Nick glided back towards the bed, picking up his laptop like a child and placing it in his lap.
I followed Joe's lead to Nick's floor while he leant up to flick on the TV.
Coincidentedly, one of their music videos came on.
I pretended like I didn't even notice it was them, and they did so as well. Joe was skimming around a magazine lazily and Nick was sucked into the internet too deep to even care.
Joe noticed my unattached gaze and he turned to pat me on the shoulder.
"Are we boring you?" His eyes weren't a faux pas, he looked sincere.
I harnessed that.
"No. I'm just kind of staring off into space. But I should probably go home. My parents are gonna call every stranger on the street to find me."
Nick laughed behind me. I couldn't tell if he was laughing at my attempt at a punch line, or some random thing on the Internet.
Joe stood up with his hand outreached. A beam of darkness shadowed his left face, and cast a sparkling drop of shine on the right side.
If I had a camera, it would be the picture that defined my life.
I let my fingers fall into his grip and he pulled me up with ease.
I heard Nick get off his throne and he began to walk me, as well, out the door.
His hand grabbed my shoulder and he spun me around.
I found it a bit odd, but kinda cute.
"Come over tomorrow so we can all hang. We've got a free day tomorrow." He smiled widely with his teeth. According to Jamie, if Nick ever smiled with his teeth towards you... you should be considered one of the luckiest girls on the planet.
I suppose I should be getting my award any day now...
Nick wrapped me in a hug and let go warmly.
Joe agreed and asked for my number so he could call me.
"Thanks. Uhm, so do you want me to walk you to your house? It is really dark.." His eyes wandered to an opaque sky; studded with stars.
"Sure, that would be nice." I answered.
When we stepped outside his house, Joe turned to me sharply.
"Thanks for talking to me today." His words were spoken carefully, almost as if he had been planning to say that since we met only 30 minutes ago.
"Oh, well you're welcome. Thank you for talking to me too. I needed a buddy." I cracked a smirk and nudged his shoulder.
"You seem different from my other friends. It's like you don't even care that I'm...well, famo-"
It was my turn to cut him off.
"Don't say it. I don't want to center a friendship on popularity. I mean, of course I knew who you were after a while. But there was a reason I didn't bring it up."
I hesitated.
"Are you going to tell me why you didn't wanna bring it up?" Joe questioned. We were already strolling to my house now.
"I didn't want to think that I was having a chat with 'Thee Joe Jonas'. I just wanted a friend. And you were here for me." I could have sworn someone was holding me by my feet, because all the blood rushed to my cheeks again.
Silence crashed like a wave.
Swiftly, Joe interlocked his fingers with mine.
Was this supposed to be romantic or friendly?
I felt the air breath around me. It was dancing in synch with our steps till I got to my door. His hand was still in a pleading grip, but I had to let go.
He frowned; thinking I couldn't see through the onyx night.
"I'll call you tomorrow. Nick and I will take you out, show you around our new home state. I know a few places I think you'll love," His eyes smiled lightly, and he gave me a hug goodbye.
"Thanks again for getting to know me so well. I'm glad that who I am won't affect who we are." He nodded and spoke one final goodbye.
I stood a bit confused beside my entrance.
We? We were already something? I hoped it was just friendship.
I cracked the door, letting out cool air to escape within the night.
My parents were dead tired from the long drive, but I was still in awake mode.
My room was only a pull out couch and 13 brown boxes filled to the brim with my belongings.
I guess I could kill time by using the internet.
As I plugged in my laptop, roaring to life, my cell phone was shaking in seizures on my floor.
Immediately, my mind went to the thought of Joe calling.
I let it sit for a few seconds, and then noticed the screen
INCOMING CALL: BLAKE <33
Oh right.
I had a boyfriend.
kayyy this is a prettty long chapter :D i figured i would update! i still gotta write a bit more before i post again, so i'll post maybe tomorrow night. kind of a clifffy too! hope you liked it!
