Introverted Hearts // Josh Dun

chapter twenty nine :: i feel like i'm drowning

"We definitely do."

"Here," CJ put a bit more sunscreen on his face. "Extra protection."

Josh stifled a laugh at CJ's wording.

"Stop," CJ giggled. "Don't say things like that. There's other people here."

"Oh, what," Josh stood up, pulling CJ with him. "Are we gonna get in trouble?"

"No," CJ played with his hands, a small smile on her face. "I just don't like to do that in front of other people, y'know?"

"Mhm," Josh nodded. "I know how you are."

"How's the water feel?" CJ led him to the edge of the pool, dipping her foot in a bit as she held on tight to Josh.

"You tell me." Josh grabbed her shoulders and pretending as if he was about to throw her in.

"Josh!" CJ yelled at him, her heart thumping in her chest as she held onto him tighter than she previously was.

"Hey-" Josh giggled lightly.

"It's not funny." CJ pulled away from him and crossed her arms across her chest.

"CJ," Josh hugged her, though she would not hug him back. "It's okay. It was just a joke. I would never throw you in. You know that."

"I know." CJ pouted as she uncrossed her arms, letting her hands rest on his bare chest.

"Sorry I scared you." Josh kissed the top of her head.

"It's okay."

Before Josh could even stop her, CJ slammed her hands on his chest and pushed him into the pool. He toppled over the edge and tried to grab CJ as he did so, but he fell in alone.

She covered her mouth and giggled as Josh came up.

"You're not getting away with this," Josh told her. "You're gonna get in this pool with me one way or another."

CJ shook her head. "I'd like to see that happen." She sat at the pool's edge, letting her feet dangle in the water.

Josh swam up to the edge and rested his arms on her thighs. "You look so cute in your little bathing suit." He reached up and tugged at the hem of the shirt.

"No," she shook her head. "Everybody would see all my scars if I took the shirt off."

"I spend all day with you and I hardly notice it." Josh told her.

"Still," she pulled the shirt over her knees. "I don't wanna take it off."

"Don't worry about it. Nobody's gonna make you do anything." He assured her.

CJ stood up and dusted her hands off.

"But you know what you do have to worry about?" Josh started.

"What?"

Josh put his hand in the water and began splashing her.