＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊
𝑫𝑨𝒀𝑺 𝑳𝑨𝑻𝑬𝑹
Chloe's POV
"𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓'𝐒 𝐀 𝐂𝐔𝐓 for today guys! Rest up you all did amazing - and we'll see you after the weekend!" Tim yelled through his megaphone and we all cheered in harmony. The cast spent about 5 minutes hugging one another for our team effort; another long day dusted.
We had shot a couple scenes however the most rigorous part was shooting Truth, Justice and Songs in Our Key. Dara got injured yesterday and Julia and I had to help Larry learn the steps in about 15 minutes. He absolutely nailed it and danced next to Jules with no problem. I was obviously behind the main cast as we danced, but it was particularly heart-warming to see Josh nail the moves after his initial struggles.
I finally started to feel like it was bliss to be on set. There was nothing weighing me down as much, of course I was still processing my pain but by having that chapter close, but it also allowed me to embrace where I actually was. I was tired of my personal drama so I buried it, I was instead hanging out with the cast everyday, rehearsing and helping others. This was what I imagined it to be like. And I think Josh agreed with me.
He was finally the old Josh everyone was obsessed with: the one playing music everywhere he went, bringing in a speaker on blast everyday: the light of the cast. We were talking like normal - but this time for real - as everything was said and done and we were in a good place. Of course I wished things could've gone differently but he was now happy, and I never wanted to ruin that again.
Everyone was talking amongst themselves as people started packing up, I was chatting to Sofia before looking around to see Josh get seemingly peer pressured into something by Frankie. Josh then saw me and dramatically shrugged his shoulders whilst Frankie typed on his phone ferociously. I raised my eyebrow to question it before my phone chimed, as did Sofia's.
_________________
GROUP CHAT
_________________
Wildcats be Wild HOES 🤠
frankie - beyoncé 👸🏽
sofia - smylie wylie ☺️
chloe - tiny dancer 🕺🏼
julia - act 2 power ballad 🎵
joshua - baby kangaroo 🥺
olivia - oblivia 🥵
larry - sappy tapper 👞
dara - ghost hunter 💀
matt - chad 🤡
beyonce 👸🏽
MOVIE NIGHT AT JOSHY'S PLACE EVERYONE BE THERE
AT 9 I LOVE FORCING JOSH
TO DO THINGS 🤪🤧🎉
sappy tapper 👞
THIS IS WHAT DREAMS
ARE MADE OF
baby kangaroo 🥺
do not quote my queen
in this troubling time 😭
chad 🤡
wow bro u don't wanna
see us for another 7 hrs??
thought we had something
special 🥺
ghost hunter 💀
y'all better not start
making out during this
movie boys
tiny dancer 🕺🏼
wouldn't be surprised tho dee
2 boys sittin in a hot tub
oblivia 🥵
sittin on each other
coz they're so gay
smylie wylie ☺️
omg lemme know if that
happens so i can
get it on tiktok
baby kangaroo 🥺
ugh okay everyone bring
food i ain't making shit
and frankie i hate u
beyoncé 👸🏽
bitch i never liked u
it's just that you
have the biggest tv
__________________
Sofia and I started roaring with laughter before looking over to Josh with utmost pity. Frankie then ran around to make sure the cast could make it and Josh rubbed his eyes in defeat.
"This is going to be eventful, oh my god we should watch a horror movie!" Sofia exclaimed. My mouth parted slightly in distress. Yeah no horror was not my thing.
But before I could veto that she looked behind me and held my shoulder, "Oop Matt's bringing you something" she said and I nodded slowly, mostly in confusion. So?
I looked behind me and saw him walking over with a smile, I returned it before looking back, "Uhh okay cool, I - " I stood there feeling dumfound as Sofia just ditched me.
I then slowly turned back around, my expression showing how awkward I felt and Matt laughed before standing opposite me. Matt and I had started talking more these past few days, he was such a stand up guy.
"I don't know what just happened but okay, how's it going Matty?" I then asked with a chuckle.
"Eh, maybe she's allergic to me. I'm going good, that scene was amazing I just thought you'd want some water" he offered and I smiled warmly. I took the bottle from him and thanked him.
"So are you excited for tonight then? Sofia's thinking horror" I asked after I took a huge gulp of water. I had no idea just how much I needed that water until he gave it to me.
"Oh for sure I love horror movies! I saw IT a solid 5 times in theatres" he said proudly and I winced at even the thought of doing that. He noticed my expression and chuckled.
"Awww is someone gonna be a lil scared" he said with a fake baby accent. He then pinched my cheek and I laughed before swatting it away. As I pushed his hand away I looked to the side, and I saw Josh looking at us but I thought nothing of it.
"Okay listen tiger I saw The Shining when I was way too young and I just - I can't come back from that" I retorted, my tone was exasperated and Matt laughed at me.
"It's okay Chlo the trick is this - if you're with friends you just make fun of the movie so you don't feel scared, just act like it doesn't bother you" he replied jokingly and I tilted my head and thought about it.
"Hmm that's actually interesting, but I think I'd still fail at that besides you guys are the talented ones that can act, I can't do that"
"Hey come on don't say that, I know that we're the leads with some lines but don't forget you're on the show too, and you're here for a reason" Matt said with kind eyes, he walked slightly closer to me as he said it. I couldn't help but smile shyly at his words.
"Th-thanks Matt, that's really sweet" I replied and he shrugged whilst smirking. He then kept walking closer to me, but only to go meet someone behind me - he quickly waved goodbye and I saw him rush over to one of the ensemble cast members.
I then stood by myself for a few moments and I told myself to shake that buzzing feeling off. I didn't like the guy per say, but he was just charming as hell . My gaze then met Josh again and he was looking at me whilst Larry spoke to him. His eyes showed an ambiguous emotion, as if he simply tried to process what just happened.
I quickly smiled at him, I was about to walk over but then I saw him head the opposite direction. I mentally shrugged before going over to Dara and giving her a fat hug instead.
Josh's POV
I genuinely wasn't thinking. Things were going so well between Chloe and I, there was no awkwardness between us and we were pretty much in the same place we used to be before we dated. She was free and happy, as was I - so why was I rushing over to Matt in a blind craze after seeing that?
I tapped his shoulder to get his attention, his other friend walked over to someone else and Matt looked at me with slight confusion. Josh, maybe you shouldn't -
"Were you um...were you just flirting with Chloe?" I blurted and Matt's expression screamed bewilderment as well as slightly offended.
"Uh dude of course I wasn't...what's going on with you? You're the one who told her you just wanted to be friends" he pointed out and I felt my brain start to catch up with my emotion. Oh my God what am I doing?
"Yeah I know, but...okay never mind"
I replied with zero confidence. Matt's expression turned from pissed to sympathetic really quickly.
"Josh, you can't expect no one else to like her after you ended things. It was your choice, and clearly not a good one" he added before taking a sip of his water, and my breath hitched.
"You really think so?" I asked. My whole body felt heavy, as I was thinking the same thing this whole time but I was pushing it down since it was going so well with her. She believed we were over, and since then she had truly been herself.
The girl I fell in love with. There was too much painful irony there.
"I wasn't even flirting with her, especially because hello - I mean I know we're on a break right now - but me and my girlfriend are still gonna be a thing. And you forgetting that and getting so pissed is telling, that you want her" he lectured.
"We're on a break, okay Ross Geller" I retorted.
"More like Ricky Bowen" he snapped sassily and I nodded as I rolled my eyes. I then sighed heavily and looked over to her, all eyes were on her as she was telling a story.
But I only focused on Chloe's laugh, her hair bouncing from side to side, her mouth was opened wide with glee, as she let herself succumb to true enjoyment with her friends. I wanted to make her feel that way again.
Ugh. of course I still wanted her.
"But I remember telling myself that I ended things for a reason, that has to still be valid" I said in an tired tone. I hoped that Matt would remind me, as I was starting to forget it myself.
"You said that a while ago man, and I'm pretty sure fear was what convinced you into that, scared that she doesn't care as much and she'll hurt you again" he continued. I was just overwhelmed at this point. It's like he practiced this, or more like the rest of the cast discussed this behind our backs.
"Dude, why are you my therapist?" I joked after we went silent for a bit. Matt stifled a laugh and he rubbed my back to comfort me.
"I know I haven't known you forever, but I can just tell this isn't what you want. And Chloe - well, let's just say after we've talked the past couple days...she cares about you a lot more than you think" he said with a sense of mystery in his tone. He patted me on the shoulder and walked away just like that.
I looked down to my shoes and I couldn't help but smile to myself. I could tell that almost everyone was getting frustrated with how we couldn't work things out. But I couldn't help the euphoria I felt knowing that even though she was talking to Matt recently, she would've been talking about me.
I mean it was no secret everyone knew he was fucking gorgeous. Everyone clearly included me.
And honestly, I was getting frustrated with this cycle too. I pressed my hands together firmly, mentally hyping myself up before I found myself walking over to Chloe and the girls.
The girls noticed me approaching and they whispered over to Chloe, and then they all spread out. Chloe sat there awkwardly but then smiled as I sat next to her.
"Hey Josh, sorry I don't have any Milo on me today, maybe try drinking water for once" she said with a fake pout and we both had a small laugh.
"I'm working on it trust me, but no I was just asking if you were coming to the movie night?" I asked eagerly.
"Of course! I wouldn't miss it, although I'm a bit concerned it's going to be a horror film" she said anxiously. I laughed sadly as I remembered the time she tried to watch one with me.
"Oh God yeah can't redo the scream fest that was The Conjuring" I replied with a cheeky smile and she groaned with embarrassment.
"See! I don't want people having to deal with a baby like that," she complained with her hands pressed against her cheeks. My God she was so adorable without even trying.
"Listen you can always use me like a human shield like last time, although I still guarantee that nothing will come out of the screen to kill you" I joked and her laugh turned shy.
"I'm always up for a friendly human shield" she countered and I grinned back. She emphasised the word friendly though, like she wanted to remind me of our place now.
"Of course, friend, so I'll pick you up at like 8:30?" I offered, the movie was literally at my place and I was meant to organise it but I offered anyway. I cringed at how I repeated 'friend' but I guess we made a deal.
But I missed taking car rides with her; we would shriek the lyrics to songs to the point where no one could even guess I was a singer. There are only a few people in the world you can be that comfortable around, and she was that for me.
"I mean I've got the Mini Cooper - but no I'd love that thank you" she quickly added. I laughed nervously as did she. Something about her felt so controlled however.
"I uh, gotta call Jane quickly and say I'll be late, but I can't wait for tonight, see ya later" she said simply, before moving a curl away from my face. A flash of guilt then crossed her face and she smiled before walking away.
We were so fucking complicated, I just needed to express how I truly felt. And then it finally hit me, her birthday was almost here, and I knew what her birthday present was going to be.
.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
--- notes ---
easy to say that josh is a full on mess when it comes to his feelings - but like actually same
my friends hate me for how i can't sort my feelings out so this all hits home 🤪