-April 2020-
Josh's POV:
I woke up earlier than I expected, so I called Liv. She didn't answer, she was probably sleeping. I checked my calendar, it was full of work up until July. I sighed, knowing I didn't have a lot of free time.
I let my playlist roll as I went to take a shower. As I came out of the bathroom Hey There, Delilah came up, and it reminded me a lot of Liv. I got the best idea. I would sort of dedicate this song to Liv, telling her I loved her and then, just wait until I'm free again to talk to her.
I fixed some lyrics and set up my phone to record. I sat on my chair and started playing my guitar.
Hey there, Olivia
What's it like in stuck in your bedroom?
I'm a thousand miles away
And, girl, you're always looking pretty
Time square can't shine as bright as you
I swear, it's true
Hey there, Olivia
Don't you worry about the distance
I'm right there if you get lonely
Give this song another listen
Close your eyes
Listen to my voice, it's my disguise
I'm by your side
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
What you do to me
Hey there, Olivia
I know times are gettin' hard
But just believe me, girl
Someday I'll pay the bills with this guitar
We'll have it good
We'll have the life we knew we would
My word is good
Hey there, Olivia
I've got so much left to say
If every simple song I wrote to you
Would take your breath away
I'd write it all
Even more in love with me you'd fall
We'd have it all
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
A thousand miles seems pretty far
But they've got planes and trains and cars
I'd walk to you if I had no other way
Our friends would all make fun of us
And we'll just laugh along because we know
That none of them have felt this way
Olivia, I can promise you
That by the time we get through
The world will never ever be the same
And you're to blame
Hey there, Olivia
You be good, and don't you miss me
Two more years and you'll be done with school
And I'll be makin' history like I do
You'll know it's all because of you
We can do whatever we want to
Hey there, Olivia, here's to you
This ones for you
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
Oh, it's what you do to me
What you do to me
Oh, whoa, whoa
Oh whoa, oh
Oh, oh" I smiled at the camera once I finished. "I love you, princess." I grinned, ending the video.
I looked at the time and noticed I had to get to work. As I was signing into the computer my phone rang. I smile at the text
Livvy💖:
Olivia:
what did I do to deserve you?
i'm going to be sleeping to that the rest of my life
Josh:
😁😁😁😁
not the rest of your life
when we get back i'll actually sing to you so you don't have to replay a video
Olivia:
i just realized you had a voice crack in the song😂😂
Josh:
it's 7 am😐
Olivia:
don't worry it was cute🤣
Josh:
why you laughing?😒
Olivia:
because i can😁😁😁
Josh:
haha....
😑
Olivia:
i love you💗
Josh:
i don't not love you😏
see what i did there
Olivia:
yes josh, i'm not stupid😃
Josh:
i didn't say you were😥
Olivia:
....
Josh:
exactly😌
Olivia:
WAIT-
YOU CALLED ME?
Josh:
you didn't answer
Olivia:
i just woke up😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Josh:
don't worry
I'll try to call you tonight
Olivia:
i'm mad😞
Josh:
don't be, beautiful
i promise you, I'll call you tonight
even if its the last thing i do
Olivia:
okay😊
Okay, now all I have to do is remember to call her before I doze off. I couldn't let her down. I made a promise and I need to keep it.
"Joshua! Good morning!" Joseph cheered. I greeted him back and set up the tiny studio I had. "That won't be necessary. A dear friend of mine let you guys record in his studio, it is located at Joshua Tree." He informed me.
"You guys?" I asked, puzzled.
"You and Sabrina will drive there together and record." He answered.
"Oh, sure. When will we go?" I questioned.
"Today." He responded. Wait? TODAY?! Why does this man like to surprise me with things like that? "So, get ready. You'll pick her up and drive there. 11 AM sharp. Don't be late." He added before he dismissed me.
I rushed out the door, grabbing my guitar. "Dang it, the mask." I groaned walking back to my apartment. After I was completely ready, I ran to my car. Yep, it's only 7:20, but I'm not going to Sabrina's house. I'm going to Liv's.
Once I got there, I walked out and knocked on the door. I was met by Liv's mom. "Josh! What a surprise!" She hugged me.
"Hi, Mrs. Rodrigo." I hugged her back, smiling.
"Josh, call me Jenn. I don't want to sound like an old lady. At least not now." She laughed. I nodded and laughed with her. "I'm guessing you're here to see Liv."
"Yeah." I answered.
"Good, she's in her room. She's taking it one day at a time." She sighed, inviting me in. I took my shoes off and put my mask away.
"Wait, what does that mean?" I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.
"Well, she really misses you." She answered. "I'm sure she would get really happy if she saw you." She smiled softly. I nodded and walked upstairs to her room. Her door was open and she was playing the piano. I quietly made my way to her bed, and watched her play from behind. Her voice was beautiful, but the lyrics struck me.
"Long blonde hair, daddy's a millionaire
Nobody knows her, but everybody wants to
That's what I see
Europe trips, kissing the dream boy's lips
Successful with a smile
She's everything that I'll never be
Twenty-first century girls are perfect
And I know it isn't real, it's all so stupid
But digital love, it still feels real to me
She looks like an angel, it's what they'll believe
Twenty-first century girls are flawless
And I say I didn't care, but if I am honest
It's hard not to feel like I'm never enough
Yeah, I want that twenty-first century love." She finished. She stood up and turned around, freezing when she saw me. "How long have you been there?" She asked.
"Long enough to know you need a hug." I walked up and wrapped my arms around her. "What's bothering you?" I asked softly, rubbing her back with my palm.
"Nothing." She answered. "You'd think it's stupid anyway." She mumbled the last part, but I was able to hear. That broke me.
"Look at me." I tried to catch her eye. "Liv." I tugged her chin so she had no other way to avoid me. "Nothing you feel or say is stupid." I assured her. "It matters to me. Now, what's the problem?"
"Why are you with me?" She asked. Huh? "There are so many actual pretty people in the world, you shouldn't be with me out of all them." She explained.
"Olivia, what?" I walked a few steps back. "When did all of this happen?"
"I don't know. I just- those girls are pretty." She sighed, sitting on her bed.
"Those girls?" I asked, walking closer to her.
"Yes, those girls. The ones with the pretty smile and the slim body and everything." She answered, frustrated.
"You have a pretty smile and a slim body and everything too." I sat down next to her. "Why are you feeling so insecure?" I placed my hand on her thigh.
"Look." She showed me her phone. I was met by a picture of a model. "This is not this." She pointed to the model and then herself.
"Maybe because you're not a model. Olivia, honestly, it's like comparing apples with bananas. They have nothing in common other than being fruit." I chuckled. "If you want that so much why don't you go for it?" I turned to look at her.
"No, I don't like modeling." She shook her head.
I scoffed with a laugh. "Do you hear yourself?" I asked. "You're literally bringing your self-esteem down for some person you don't want to be." I explained. "Those people are on a screen, they're not truly like that. It's all about filters and makeup. I have the real version in my arms. No filter, no makeup, and she still manages to look gorgeous." I sat her on my lap, her back was pressed against my chest. "I love you." I kissed her neck.
"I love you too, Joshy." She giggled.
"Yes, we got her to smile!" I exclaimed, turning her around. "But, umm, I think you owe me something." I pouted. She rolled her eyes and interlocked our lips together.
"How long do you have?" She asked, when we pulled away.
"About 3 hours." I looked at the time. She grinned and hugged me.
"Thank you for being here." She buried her face in my chest. Her voice was light and sincere. I smiled and caressed her hair.
"I'll always be here, through the highs and through the lows too. And I will protect you." I kissed the top of her head. We cuddled in her bed as we talked about anything that came up.