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[indent][indent]While Emilia had wandered off to deliver the last of the drinks in her hand, Josie decided to stay put a little further away. Far enough to not crowd the wounded man, but close enough just to let AJ know that he had another friend in her. However, standing alone wasn’t in her fate for long, before she was joined by a certain someone. 

[color=AD5050]“Quite the tumultuous morning huh?”[/color]

You could say [i]that[/i] again. Josie, like Nate, let out a burst of nervous laughter. This was their first time talking since prom and… she didn’t know what to say or do. So when Nate decided to continue, Josie listened.

[color=bd8c7d]“You’re right,”[/color] She nodded. [color=bd8c7d]“I’m sorry for making things weirder than it has to be. I don’t want to lose your friendship either…”[/color] Nate was a handsome man, and a sweet one to boot, so [i]why[/i] couldn’t she feel the same way? The leather jacket around her shoulders sat heavily, reminding her why. 

Nate eyed the jacket that the girl had now thrown over her shoulders and was now practically smelling. He let his face fall for just a second too long before he composed it back into a somewhat pleasant smile. But really it was a weak attempt. Of course, he couldn’t measure up to someone like Sami. The guy was built like a fucking tree trunk and he cooked, for god’s sake. And who was he? A hermit who knew his way around a camera.

[color=AD5050]“Well I’m glad that we’re on the same page finally…”[/color] he lied looking around for something to change the subject. When he came up short he settled for: [color=AD5050]“So… uh… Addie told me to say ‘Hey’”[/color] he lied again, Addison had not spoken to him for the good part of a week. 
 
Josie had noticed Nate’s expression, but it [i]had[/i] to be because of how much she had been avoiding him, right? At least now they could rekindle their friendship, and Josie was very much willing to admit that she missed Nate’s company. When he mentioned his sister, she perked up. [color=bd8c7d]“Oh, really? I’d tell you I say hi back but, er,”[/color] She left it hanging with a sheepish smile. [color=bd8c7d]“How is she doing anyway? I haven’t been at the inn for a hot minute, so I haven’t been able to check up on Adds myself.”[/color]

[color=AD5050]“Uhm…”[/color] the boy hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. [color=AD5050]“Well, she’s kind of mad at me right now actually.”[/color] he kicked at some more rocks on the ground. [color=AD5050]“You know, leaving her alone at home for… the summer.”[/color] he wasn’t sure if he was ready to let it be known that he and the van were not returning with the rest of the gang. 

Josie remained silent for a moment, chewing on her bottom lip. [color=bd8c7d]“Is that so… Well, I hope she knows she’s always welcome to crash at my place. Mom loves you guys, probably even more than me.”[/color] Addison working at the Pet Inn part time was more than enough for the Durham matriarch to consider her part of the family. [color=bd8c7d]“Plus, it’s not like we’ll be gone [i]forever[/i].”[/color] Josie let out a nervous laugh that she couldn’t hide. A great journey across the country only to return right back home… what a disappointment. 

[color=AD5050]“Yeah…”[/color] he chuckled grimly. [color=AD5050]“But you’ve met my dad. Not the most fun to be around. So I think she’s gonna pick up a few extra shifts I’m guessing.”[/color] he smiled at his regained friend.

But, Josie couldn’t let herself remain glum for long. She’d finally made up with Nate! [color=bd8c7d]“Oh, before I forget.”[/color] Josie took a step closer to Nate, extending her arm in between them to offer him a look at the small drinks tray she was holding onto. [color=bd8c7d]“Got you something special,”[/color] Josie kept her eyes trained on his expression, hoping to make him feel better with a little cold treat. 

His eyes lit up at the sight of the golden brown liquid in the plastic cup that Josie was holding. She had remembered his favorite drink order: a large ice tea with mint and lemon. [color=AD5050]“Oh you remembered!”[/color] he grinned as he grabbed the ice-cold drink from her. Slurping down the drink he noticed that he was actually parched so he downed most of it in one go.  

[color=AD5050]“How do you think that’s going?”[/color] Nathan asked pointing to the small group consisting of Chris, Sami, and Valeria all hugging together. [color=AD5050]“Think they were able to wrangle the stubborn bull back in? If so we should be good to get going. You riding in the RV?”[/color]

Josie pursed her lips as she watched the scene from afar. [color=bd8c7d]"Well, based on that smack to the head I'd say so. Think he got off easy compared to AJ."[/color] She glanced at AJ's direction briefly again, only to realize he was gone. Understandable, she'd mourn the loss of her future children too if she were in his position. 

[color=bd8c7d]”I think Emi is going to choose the RV so I gotta look out for her. Y’know, just in case someone says the B word.”[/color] A promise was a promise, and the pink-head had no intention of earning the wrath of Nana Hedvig. She wondered what Sami would choose ([color=bd8c7d][i]'N-not that she was trying to follow him around!'[/i][/color]) 

[color=bd8c7d]“How about this, we hang out once we reach Vegas. Make up for all that lost time, deal?”[/color] She didn’t want to abandon her newly rekindled friendship either. Friendship was hard to maintain when you could barely string a sentence together without sounding like a complete nonce.

[color=AD5050]“Oh…”[/color] he tried to hide his disappointment, but again was probably doing [i]the[/i] worst job at doing that. [color=AD5050]“Yeah, no of course.”[/color] he rubbed the back of his head again. [color=AD5050]“Vegas it is!”[/color] he gave her a thumbs-up not really knowing what else to do.[color=AD5050] “Speaking of Emi… maybe you should go check on her. I’m… uh going warm up the old van so she’s ready to go. Talk to you later yeah?”[/color] he spun around quickly and headed to the van.

[color=bd8c7d]“Bu...t..."[/color] Before Josie could finish, Nate was already gone. She had noticed the disappointment and immediately felt like that nonce again. It was like prom all over, and here she was hurting someone she thought was dear. [color=bd8c7d]“You're a fucking idiot Josephine. Got one hottie into you but you gotta go for the one that probably only considers you a friend."[/color] Josie muttered, sighing to herself. At least she understood how Nate felt at prom because damn did that hurt...

Clicking her tongue, she tore her head away from Nate's van and towards the RV. [color=bd8c7d]“Focus on Em, she needs you right now. Your bullshit can wait."[/color] A quick pep talk to herself later, Josie returned to her best friend's side.
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