the boy on the bridge ✔️

17. caught boy

Josh decides to take control of that situation and turns to her, "Hey, Josie," he cringes internally at the crack in his voice and clears his throat before continuing, "What are you doing up so late?"

"Umm, shouldn't I be the one asking that?" Josie catches onto his attempt, crossing her arms across her chest and raising an eyebrow challengingly.

"Heh," he lets out a humourless chuckle, "Good question," and that's all he's going to say about that.

He turns away from her, and starts to walk past her, hoping to get away from her without having to actually answer her question, but fat chance for that.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"To my room," he doesn't stop to answer her question, but that doesn't stop Josie from asking either — she follows him up the stairs.

"Where'd you come from?"

"Mother's womb,"

Josh feels a heavy thud land on his back and he holds back a yelp lest he wakes his parents up. He turns around and there Josie stands, looking up at him with a dry look, holding a water bottle in her hand like a weapon — he's certain that she hit with that.

"That hurt, stupid," he whisper-yells, reaching over his shoulder to rub his back.

"You're stupid, stupid," she retorts, "So, where've you been?"

"On a walk," that's not a complete lie really — he did walk to the bridge and then walked back.

She starts to open her mouth, but Josh beats her to it, bringing his voice to a whisper, "We should go to sleep before dad wakes up and catches us,"

"You're the one who's sneaking out, not me. So, you're the one who will be in trouble here," she reminds him.

"Yeah, yeah, I get that. But he will lecture you anyhow too. Do you want that?"

"No, thank you,"

"Exactly. So, goodnight," and with that he takes his leave.

He has managed to elude her this time, but that doesn't mean she's going to let this go. He has to find a reasonable excuse by then.

⋘⋙

Knock knock.

Josh freezes, hearing the knocks on his bedroom door. He stands still, not making any movements at all to prevent himself from making any noises that could give off his presence, even going as far as taking slow, deep breaths. The door knob rattles, but Josh locked it beforehand, so the door doesn't open.

Knock knock knock.

The knocks are louder and faster this time, but the blond remains impassive. And then just as suddenly they stop. But he knows he's not out of danger zone just yet — he can still see the shadows under his door, and it's another few more minutes before he hears a sigh and the shadow disappears. Even then just to be safe, the blond presses his ears to the door and listens. He is met with complete silence, and only then does he risk unlocking the door and creaking it open a little.

So far good. He takes another step outside his room if only for a moment. His stomach his rumbling in hunger. He hasn't gotten out of his room since that morning, not wanting to face his sister and answer her questions. He does love her, but sometimes she can be really annoying.

He reaches as far as the top of staircase when he notices that Josie has hidden on the other side. They connect eyes at the exact same time and Josie reacts first, coming barrelling right at her brother; Josh tries to dodge her but it's too late.