𝐌𝐘 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐎𝐘𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐃 | 𝒋𝒐𝒔𝒉𝒖𝒂 𝒃𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒕

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑. 𝟏𝟏

"Adeline Phillips this is going to be a disaster, I know you're like Bob Ross level good, and fast I won't be able to keep up!" he argued as I began setting it up.

"Don't worry we're going to follow a beginners painting tutorial so I'll be right with you" I replied to assure him. He sighed before turning his body so we were both sitting crossed-legged, and our knees were most definitely touching at this point. He had ➗ by Ed Sheeran on shuffle through his speaker and I opened up a Youtube tutorial on a simple acrylic art.

The next two hours were filled with laughter, stress and content as we worked together to paint on our canvases. He managed to paint a dot on my nose as I was concentrating so hard on the gradient sky, and he made fun of how I poke my tongue out when I'm in the zone.

Throughout the day I loved posting about it on my Instagram story, but I didn't tag him in anything because I didn't want that attention to be blown out of proportion. Because...well I don't know...I was just a friend he invited for a day at his place. And I didn't want to make it awkward by fans finding it and creating a whole other story. This fake story for the family dinner was enough. And I was just his friend...

But I didn't know why he seemed a little sad, when he wasn't able to repost my stories to his Instagram. It's not like he used the app that much anyway?

"I finally found something that you're not perfect at Allstar" I teased as I looked at his final artwork. He did the gradient soon enough, and then just started painting random things on my leg. I started working on a second painting and he was on his stomach facing me, trying to paint a zoo on my leg and I giggled so many times since it tickled.

"Painting is not one for my repertoire Adeline, yours are just amazing though" he replied as he laughed at his own work. I didn't even care that he stopped painting with me though, since his focus was more on me after that - wait what?

"Thank you, but I do love the artistry that you've displayed on...this part of my kneecap" I added as I pointed to the little birds he painted. I looked up to him and saw him gushing slightly but it only made me giggle more.

"Thank you I'm basically Bob Ross's other son. I call them 'the birds of Common Sense' " he replied and I shook my head as I laughed, "sun's going down though, you think we should head over to Blaire's now?" he then asked and I paused for a few seconds. The time was nearing, but I just didn't want it to.

"Y-yeah for sure, I'll just pack this up and I can drive us there," I replied without really looking at him. He then nudged my arm and I turned my head.

"Is everything alright, you prepped me enough for this and it's gonna be fine, plus you'll have Blaire with you," he assured and I smiled weakly for his attempt to make me feel better. He was really good at that. But that was only the surface issue.

"Yeah I know, I guess...I'm still just nervous if it goes badly and they don't like you or something. I've already warned you but I think you already know those women - particularly Aunty G - are very blunt with their opinions" I rambled and Josh laughed back.

"Oh yeah trust me I figured that out from our first meeting" he replied and we laughed together.

"Okay well, I'm definitely helping you clean up at least - my house my rules" he added with a wink.

"He's gentlemanly and yet somehow also misogynistic, ladies and gents" I jeered and he let out a loud laugh. It was so nice that I was the one who got that laugh out of him sometimes.

I was having so much fun with Josh, just him and me on his balcony - nothing else interfering. I don't think he understood how lucky I felt but overall how content I was getting to know him, on our own terms. And I knew he probably didn't feel how I was feeling, but it still meant something to me that he was the first boy I felt comfortable around after so long.

But once he walks into my house, where my family could interrogate him and poke into our lives like it's their job, it could all be over. The story of us ends right there.

What if he gets overwhelmed, he finally realises what a stupid idea this was, and he walks out for good? I found myself wanting to be closer to him than anything, but also holding myself back like my life depended on it. But my life almost did depend on that?

I couldn't deal with another boy hurting me. I didn't assume Josh could, but I would be breaking my own heart by thinking we had an actual chance together.

He was well aware that I knew about him before he knew about me, so I answered every question he had for me - so we could have an even playing field. Our conversations on Instagram - now via text and calls - was regularly beginning with a question about me. It's like I was a storytime channel for him. I found myself getting sick of talking about myself and I thought he did too, but he never once sounded disinterested. It was a good, new feeling.

But I also knew that he had plenty of female friends in his life, and I was probably just another one. I was just in a different world to that because I didn't have many guy friends growing up, so I was just the kind to crush on any guy that gave me attention and couldn't get over it for ages. Hence, Jordan.

So I stopped any thought I had about Josh that went into a phase of genuine affection, romantic affection. Because I didn't want to break my own heart.

We both got up to clear his balcony but as I started moving things around, I saw him text rapidly on his phone, like he just needed to get something down and he walked away from me as he did. "I'll just uh - be back" he muttered before he continued walking.

He didn't want me to see it. I chose to just ignore it again. But it happened quite a few times when we hung out. I wanted it to not bother me, but it was a weird kind of secretive.

But again, who am I to be bothered by that?

No matter what, he was someone who was helping with a ridiculous situation since he seemed to find it hilarious. I was starting to see that side of it too, but I just hoped he'd continue to see the bright side of it.

Because I couldn't think of why else he'd be doing this.

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

--- notes ---

this was just a lil build up chapter before the very much talked about dinner begins!

and for u to read into how addie was feeling through all this since we know where
josh is at

bye y'all, votes and comments about the story really help me out!! ❤️