-April 2021-
Josh's POV:
"This is funny, who knew both of our labels would send us to New York?" I laughed. We were in her new apartment in New York, hanging out. AS friends.
"Yeah, it is." She forced a laugh, turning her phone off.
"Wait, what's wrong?" I sat down on the couch with her.
"Nothing. Why?" She furrowed her eyebrows.
"Liv, I'm not the rest, I know something is out of place." I mentioned, moving to sit a little closer. "What is it?" I asked.
"Nothing! It's not like you would understand anyways. It's a girl problem." She shut it off harshly.
"I have five sisters, hit me." I insisted, but she wouldn't budge. "Are you scared of living without your parents? Are you disappointed about something? Do you have cramps? What is it?" I inquired.
"It's not that simple. Just drop it." She retorted, looking away.
"You're not okay, though. How do you want me to pretend you are?" I debated.
"I didn't ask you to! I said to drop it!" She yelled at me. That took me by surprise.
"O- okay, I will." I answered, ever so quietly. We both sat still, without saying a word to each other. I wondered what she was hiding, while she brought her knees to her chest and hid her face in them. "Liv..." I got closer and wrapped my arms around her.
"Can you come back later? I just want to be alone right now." She sniffled.
"Alright, call me if you need anything. I'll drive back immediately." I hugged her a little tighter and kissed the top of her head. Oh, wait-
Oops-
The muscle memory of doing that when she was sad, just because she would always feel better when I kissed her head.
"Okay." She nodded, wiping her tears away. I think she didn't notice...
"Are you sure you want to be alone? I can be, like, in the kitchen in you want." I offered, but she shook her head. "Fine, but call me. I'm serious." I stood up. "And don't forget to lock the door." I noted, before I walked out. I went to my car and stayed there.
Olivia's POV:
If you asked me two years ago how I felt about people commenting on the way I looked, I'd be fine, and I wouldn't pay much attention to it. Why am I paying attention to that now?
Why are people so toxic and full of hate? I've done everything I could ever come up with to fit in. When drivers license became what it is now, a bunch of celebrities, even the people I look up to, and the people who I wish I was, reached out to me, and I realized they all had a spark I didn't feel. They all had a unique touch that made them special. I didn't have that, or at least, I felt like I didn't.
I've always been self-conscious about my body, and having so many people talking about me and the way I look all at once is exhausting. Specially, when the comments are mostly negative. That shouldn't get to me, but it does.
Something snapped me off my thoughts, so I went to check on the door, remembering Josh had told me to lock it. "Hey, beautiful. You didn't think I would leave that fast, did you?" Cameron smirked, closing the door behind him.
"Get out of here." I fumed, although I felt intimidated. What was he doing here?
"Wait, just hear me out." He snickered, walking towards me. I took a few small steps back, watching his every move. He pushed me against a wall, pinning me.
"L- let m- me go." I trembled.
"Let me tell you a story first, it's really funny." He chuckled. I knew better than to try to escape.
"I- I do-don't care. Pl-please j-just lea-leave." I gulped, not knowing what was going to happen next. I was breathing heavily and shaking.
"We had love, Olivia. Remember?" He asked.
"T-that w-was nev-never love." I answered. I closed my eyes since I didn't want to see his face so close to mine.
Josh's POV:
I immediately rushed to the fifth floor to Liv's apartment. How did he know she was here?
I shoved the door open and found his gross and dirty hands on her arms. "Don't you touch a single hair on her head!" I pushed him off her. I was about to beat him up but something stopped me. Liv fell into my arms, holding me tightly; She was terrified. "Get out of here before I call the police!" I hissed, taking my phone out of my pocket.
"Alright, dude." He muttered. "You just got lucky this time." He walked out. I looked down at Liv who was shaking and crying.
"Did he do something to you?" I asked, observing every little inch of her body, from her forehead to the tip of her toes. She shook her head and I let out a breathy 'good'. "You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now...Shhh, it's okay, baby. You're safe now, I won't let you go." I whispered, as she fell to the ground. I leaned against the wall and sat her in my lap. I pulled her as close to me as I could, caressing her head. "Listen to my heartbeat and focus on that. I'm not going to leave you, alright? You'll never have to suffer by yourself again." I rubbed her back softly. "But you have to understand this is New York. Anything can happen here." I explained. She nodded, whimpering.
That whole night she cried on my lap. It was heartbreaking to see the person you love the most go through pain, any type of pain. I wished to take her pain away a couple thousand times throughout the night, until at 3:42 AM, she fell asleep. Her eyes were extremely puffy and her face looked tired, yet she still looked beautiful.
I picked her up and carried her to her room. We designed it together, painting the walls light purple with small black circles. I placed her on her bed and watched her move uncomfortably. "Can you please stay the night?" She faintly opened her eyes. "Please."
Could I say no? No.
"Alright." I smiled softly, sitting on her bed, leaning my back against the headboard. She placed her head on my lap and looked for my hand. A small blush rose up to my cheeks as she interlocked our fingers together. I used my other hand and ran it through her hair as she fell into deep sleep. Not long after, I fell asleep too. I missed this so much.
- · · · -
I felt a poke in my arm so I opened my eyes. "Joshy, I can't sleep. My mind has this scary capability of being dark and demented." She chattered. Oof, that nickname.
"Did you have a nightmare?" I chuckled, rubbing my eyes to see her better.
"Yes." She admitted.
"Come here." I beckoned, opening my arms. She snuggled on top of me, finding the spot we both felt comfortable at.
Olivia's POV:
There's something different about hugging someone who is taller because it makes you feel protected, but...
I knew I couldn't do this.
DU LIEST GERADE
The Past Is In The Past(Jolivia) Pt. 2
RomantikSequal to 'The Past Is In The Past.' If you haven't read that it may be hard to read this story without context, so make sure to read part one before this one!! Will Josh's and Liv's love last through new experiences?