Part 7

Justen's POV

"I… I don't know what to say," Josh said, speechless.

"You don't have to say anything," I said, pulling my sweatshirt back over my head. "I shouldn't have even shown you."

I got up to walk away when I felt Josh's hand wrap around my wrist. I turned to look at him and saw that he wore a sad face.

"If I had the words, I would reassure you," Josh said. "But I can't say them because then I would be lying. What I can say however is that you have to be strong, you can get through this, and I believe in you."

Tears started forming in my eyes. "Thank you," I said. "I needed to hear that."

Josh saw that I had tears in my eyes and he too had tears. His grip tightened around my wrist and he pulled me over to the oak tree. Josh let me go, looked me right in the eye, and sat down in front of the tree. Still looking me in the eye, Josh patted the ground next to him. I sat down without saying a word.

As soon as I sat down, Josh wrapped his arms around me and held me close.

"Everything will get better," Josh whispered.

I didn't say anything as I snuggled into the crook of Josh's neck. "I hope it gets better," I said.

"It will," Josh said. "Have faith and everything will get better."

"How can you be so optimistic?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" Josh asked.

"Your parents beat you too," I said. "How can you still be so happy?"

"My little brother," Josh said, smiling at the thought.

"You've got a younger brother?" I asked.

"Yeah, he helps me out a lot," Josh said.

"It's great that you have someone like that," I said.

"Yeah," Josh said.

"To be honest, I'm kinda jealous," I said, trying to make light of the situation.

I felt Josh start to chuckle.

"Don't be jealous, you have me," Josh said.

A smile spread across my face and, as much as I wanted to stop it, I couldn't.

"I'm glad I have you supporting me," I said. "And know that I will support you too."

"Really?" Josh asked.

"Of course, why wouldn't I support someone who supports me?" I asked, looking up at Josh.

"You make a fantastic point," Josh said as I started smiling again.

"You know, I do have someone else who supports me," I said.

"Is it your mom?" Josh asked.

"No, it's my sister," I said.

"Does she still live with you and your dad?" Josh asked.

"No," I said. "She went out of state for college."

"Oh," Josh said. "Does she know what your dad does to you?"

"No, I can't let her know," I said. "If she knew she would freak out. My sister would take me away and I wouldn't be where I am now."

"But you need to tell someone," Josh said.

"And so do you," I said, looking up at him.

Josh sighed. "I know," he said.

"You know," I said, changing the subject, "I like this."

"Like, us being together like this, or…?" Josh asked.

"Just this," I said. "Being with a random guy I met yesterday spilling my whole backstory to him while being in my special spot."

"I like it too, it's calming," Josh said