Fire

I looked at the radio for a second to see what song would come up next. A small smile transformed onto my lips as I looked away from the radio and onto the snowy road. I frowned my eyebrows forward-looking and squinted my eyes to see a guy walking on the side of the road with his thumb out. I straightened up in my seat and looked in my rear mirror to see if anyone was driving behind me.

I sighed "No one. I'm going to have to help him or I'm going to feel guilty."

I honked at him once and he turned around. I unlocked the door and glanced back up at him. I waved my hand so he could open the door and come in.

"Hey, thank you for helping me." He said with a very beautiful smile and pleasant face.

I smiled and asked "So, where you heading towards?"

He put on his seat belt and I pulled away from the side of the road.

"I actually don't know the street name but I know where I live." He said blushing.

I chuckled and asked "You're knew?"

He scratched the back of his neck and said "Yeah! I just moved around here and that's why I missed the bus."

I kept my eyes on the road but I could feel his gaze on me.

"I'm sorry to hear that but tomorrow should be a better day." I said cheering him up.

He asked "Could I ask you a favor?"

I looked over at him for a second and looked back at the road. I thought wasn't the ride enough for a favor but I guess not.

"Sure." I replied.

"Could you not tell my parents that I missed the bus or they will freak out." He pleaded.

I confusingly asked, "why?"

He said "They wanted me to go to the private high school that's around here but I convinced them of letting me go to a public one instead."

I didn't want to be more involved with this guy so I just agreed and said "Ok."

It was silent for awhile as I drived through the curves and he held out his hand for me to shake.

"Sorry, I forgot to tell you my name. I forgot my manners but my name is Josh." He informed me.

I let go of the steering wheel but held it with my other hand. I shaked his hand and said "Wren and it's ok. I forgot my manners too."

He let go and I continued to drive.

"You're very close to my house. It should be in this turn coming up." He said pointing out with his index finger.

I made a turn and looked at the house.

"Uh, this is no house. This is a mansion." I said looking at him crazy.

Josh looked out the window and said "And it's only me in that house. Usually, my parents are out."

I looked away a little as I judged him before letting him speak. Maybe, he's those guys that throws secret parties and ends up in jail.

"Thank you for the ride." He said holding out twenty dollars.

I gasped "Oh, no it's fine!"

He nodded his head sideways and said "Accept it, please. It's for all the gas you used up on me."

He stretched out his hand more with the money in his hands for me to grab. I pushed it away gently and said "I live like two streets down and this car doesn't really use up gas. So, you're good to go."

I couldn't resist hearing his contagious laugh.

"Fine but I'll see you around ,Wren." He said before getting off the car.

I drove away and got home. I took out my things to do homework and looked up at a picture frame of myself.

"I think you're going to get attached to Josh and it won't end well. He may leave and I'm going to be all sad if he moved away. Usually, everyone left. It was like if people were sent for a mission and when it was accomplished they left without wanting too. The good thing out of all of this was that I learned to let go of these helpful humans."

I smiled and thought what was to come from him.

I walked up to the bus stop and waited for the bus to arrive. I looked at the others how they trembled every time wind hit against their bodies. I wasn't going to lie, I was cold too but soon winter would be over. The small crowd started to create a line and I headed to the back. The bus came to a stop and we all made our way in. I sat in the very front as I didn't want to be disturbed and put my ear buds in. I laid my head against the window and looked out as the bus took off. The school wasn't far away but the bus drove carefully as the roads were sometimes slippery. I pulled my beanie over my ears as I could feel the tip getting very cold. When we finally arrived to school I pulled my sleeves of my sweater over the tips of my fingers. A hand waved infront of my face and my eyes widen. I pulled out my ear bud and looked over at him shocked.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I was calling you from back there but you didn't even turn." He explained exhausted with a hand over his heart.

I softly smiled at him and said "I was listening to music, sorry."

"It's fine but I didn't know you rode the bus." He said confused.

I started to walk towards the building and said "My parents didn't use the car yesterday. So, I used it. Sometimes, I come in car and sometimes I don't."

He nodded his head as he understood what I was saying.

"I thought you would drive a car to school." I assumed as I remembered his mansion.

"If I'm going to come to a public school then I'm going to act like it. I want to know how it feels to have friends from here." He said smiling. He got ahead of me to hold the door for me and I walked in.

He asked "Are you getting breakfast?"

"I'm going to tutorials." I said. Waving goodbye to him.

I showed my pass to the security and made my way upstairs. I just sat in class and took a nap before the bell rang. I felt tired of studying so much last night that I barely had sleep. Even though I studied hard, I still managed to get a not so good grade. I only laughed about it. I mean what else could I do? Getting mad at myself wasn't going to change nothing but make me get unhealthy.

I woke up to the bell ringing and I sat up. I stretched out my arms and left my things on my desk. I headed to the bathroom to wash my face. So, that I could get rid of the sleepiness that I still had within me. Whenever, I walked out of the bathroom I saw Josh down the hall with a bunch of football players. I made my way back in class and took a seat in my desk. I crossed my fingers that he wouldn't be in my class but it didn't work.

"Hey!" He said taking a seat next to me.

I looked over at him and said "Hey, uh that seat is taken."

Josh asked "Is it? I'm sorry. Who's seat is this?"

Emily answered "It's mine but you can keep it. I'll move over here."

Josh asked "You sure? I can move if you want."

Emily winked at him and mouthed "keep it."

Josh gave her a thumbs up and I looked away, recalling when I met him.

The teacher came in and asked "Have you guys met, Josh? He's our new student in the building. So, be nice to him!"

I took out my journal and thought about if maybe I should be a little nicer to him. Maybe, he wasn't that bad like I thought. I mean he didn't go sit next to Emily. Instead he's sitting by me. Once, in awhile I would look at him to see what he was doing. He was so focused in class and didn't even look at the others. The bell rang and we headed on out.

"Where you going?" He asked from beside me.

"I'm going to art class." I answered.

"Me too." He replied with a smile.

I asked "May, I see your schedule?"

He handed it over to me and we had every class together.

I surprisingly looked up at him and he asked "What? Is something wrong?"

I blinked away a couple of times before handing back his schedule.

"We have the same classes." I informed him.

He looked at me surprised and asked "Really?! That's crazy. Well, I don't mind."

I put my hands in my pocket and took the sign as a yes. I smiled at him and didn't know why he was sent to me. The only thing I knew was I was going to make the best out of it. I continued to walk beside him and we made it into art class.

"Hello, class! We will be learning how to draw human faces! We'll start very simple. So, don't worry! Just pay attention to my examples I draw." He said looking at the board.

We all got what we were comfortable drawing in and I just got a plain pencil. I didn't really care as long as it drew well.

Josh whispered "You don't have friends?"

I didn't look at him and whispered "They all moved away. So, I'm starting fresh like you."

Josh patted my back and whispered back, "It's ok. I'm your new friend."

I couldn't help but to chuckle. The teacher gave me the look and I blushed.

Josh said "Sorry! It was my fault."

I looked over at him shocked how he took the blame and didn't let me get in trouble. I looked down at my paper and softly smiled. I began with some eyes and the teacher kept talking as he drew. After, awhile I got done with the two eyes and I looked over at Josh's paper. His was a masterpiece compared to mine. Josh looked at mine and I asked "Isn't it bad?"

Josh tilted his head and I said "I know. They're uneven."

He wanted to laugh and I asked "You think this is funny?"

Josh looked into my eyes and zipped up his lips. He nodded his head sideways and I whispered "Liar."

He left laughter come out of his lips and he apologized.

I said "It's ok. Yours is beautiful."

He looked at his drawing and said "Thanks! Actually, I took lessons when I was younger."

"Oh, that's why you're so good at it." I said admiring his unfinished sketch.

He nodded his head and said "Practice makes perfect."

I chuckled and said "Thanks for the motivation."

"You're very welcome." He said with a big smile on his face.

We got some of the nose and lips done before the bell rang.

Even though we had all classes together it felt like we didn't because the rest of the classes, the seats were assigned to us. We were so far from one and another. Yet, I liked that we were apart because I felt very distracted near him. I didn't want to get a more lower grade for admiring, Josh. We had to take a test and he still took it. Even though he wasn't there for the lecture and he finished before all of us. The guy was pretty smart because the teacher didn't even have to write on it with red ink. He got a hundred and I was embarrassed. I looked back at him and he showed me his thumbs. Like saying "Good job! You can do it!"

I was sitting in the lunch room and talking to some girls. I stood up to head to the snack bar to buy some chips. Josh tagged along and I didn't even know until he paid for my chips.

"Thank you. But why did you do that?" I asked opening up my chips.

"You helped me yesterday and I won't ever forget it." He said opening up his ice cream.

"Whenever, you need me just call me." He said before departing from me.

I went back to my seat and continued to eat my chips. When the bell rang I went to class and continued my day. When I went to the bus I literally thought he would come sit by me but he didn't. A stranger sat by me and he sat in the back talking to other guys. I could hear his laugh and it made me smile. The bus became more emptier and that's when he came to join me.

"Hey." He said as he pulled out my ear bud from my ear. I smiled and said "hey." He got my ear bud and sticked it in his ear. We listened to music until we got near his street.

"This is my number. Please, text me when you get home." He said before leaving and giving me a piece of paper. I grabbed it and asked him why but he left.

I got home and looked at my phone.

"Should I?" I asked myself kind of nervous.

I texted him.

He text me back "Come to my house, please."

My eyes wondered around in my room and I didn't want to go. I knew Josh but then I didn't know him very well.

Another text popped up and it said "Or I can come over to yours. I just want to meet up to go somewhere."

I don't know why but I had that big smile on my face that I wanted to hide under a bush. I got my phone and told my parents I would go out for awhile.

I went walking towards his house and text him "I'm on my way." Honestly, I started to feel nervous because what if I got hurt in all of this. I saw him standing by the bus stop and I tried not to gaze at him. He made his way to me until we met up half way.

"So, are you down to go with me?" He said smirking.

I smiled and asked "To where?"

Josh said "To the beach with some other people."

I looked down at my outfit and thought about it.

He patted my back softly and informed me "Ah, don't worry! Look at me. I'm not prepared either. It's just for awhile. It'll be fun!"

I glanced back at him and smiled at him.

"Let's go!" He shouted excitedly.

I said "Wait, it's pretty far."

Josh said "I got a bike."

I chuckled and nodded my head. We headed towards his big house and he took out his bike. I got behind him and put my hands over his shoulders. He paddled his feet and put his hands on the handles of the bike. We headed towards the beach and I thought about what would happen.

We got to the beach and we headed towards a campfire that was set up by our school mates. Some were in pairs and others not.

"Get some." He ordered pointing at the bag. I looked in it and it was marshmallows, crackers and chocolate. My eyes widen and looked up at him.

"Don't like it?" He asked frowning.

"No, I love it!" I said sticking my marshmallow through the stick.

He held my hand and said "Come."

I blanked out a few seconds to his touch and walked with him towards the fire. He pulled a chair for me and I took a seat. Everyone was warming up their marshmallows and having so much fun. Their laughter, their smiles, their vibes and energy were making me feel what they were feeling. Him sitting next to me so close and caring for me was something I didn't want to end. I wasn't even cold because of the warm fire. No wonder he said it didn't matter what I wore. He was absolutely right. It felt so wonderful and peaceful out here. I started to eat my hot sandwich and he was too.

"What?" I asked as I caught him gazing at me as I took my last bite.

Josh nodded his head sideways and said "Oh nothing."

I didn't look away and asked "How did you manage to make so many friends in so little time?"

He shrugged and said "I don't know. Usually, when I move it isn't hard for me to make friends but between you and me. I thought no one would like me."

I rolled my eyes and said "Oh! Whatever!"

I began to laugh and he said "No, I'm serious. I really thought it would be hard but you guys are really amazing people."

I nodded my head and said "The poor and the rich will end in the same place one day."

He looked away, into the fire and said "You're right."

He smiled and looked towards a guy that was calling him from the circle. Josh was waiting on the marshmallow to warm up but it already had been awhile. He kept swinging the stick in the air like if he was casting a spell on someone. He finally stoped moving it around and I touched it. It was pretty warm and near death. I slid it off of his stick and began to eat it. He continuously kept laughing so loud and when he finally remembered his marshmallow it was sadly murdered. He looked on the sand to see if it had fallen and I looked as well.

"Is everything ok?" I asked concerned.

He looked over at me and asked "You ate it? Didn't you?"

"Ate what?" I asked dumbfounded.

He chuckled and said "It's ok. I'll make myself another one."

He digged in the bag for another one and luckily he got the last one. I raised my eyebrows as I couldn't believe the luck he had and how happy he got. The marshmallow caught on fire and he quickly blew it out. He waited for it to cool down before stuffing it into his mouth. I sticked my hands out to warm up my fingers and he looked over at them. He copied me and I showed him a side smile.

"You're a really cool person." He said out of the blue.

I frowned and asked "How? You barely even know me."

He looked down at my jacket and said "I can just tell. You are a very special person."

"Just like that?" I asked.

Josh nodded his head and his eyes sparkled a little brighter as he did.

"You guys dating or just really close bestfriends?" Manuel from the football team asked.

Josh laughed and said "We're just friends."

I looked over at him as he didn't even let it get awkward or nothing. I chuckled so it I wouldn't look awkward or get awkward.

My phone ringed and I looked at it. I looked ahead at the sky and saw it was getting pretty dark.

"I need to go." I said getting up from the chair.

Manuel gushed and said "Sorry! I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

I said "Oh no! It's just I have to go already. I was only coming out here awhile."

Manuel said "Oh ok. Well, have a goodnight."

Josh stood up and I grabbed the side of his arm. I said "Stay."

Josh said "Oh no. I brought you here. So, it's my responsibility to take you back."

I chuckled and said "I don't want you to leave because of me."

He said to me, "don't worry."

"Goodnight, everyone!" He said as he waved goodbye to the group of people around the campfire.

We walked towards his bike and he said "I won't have fun anymore if you aren't part of the group."

He sat on the bike and I stood by him.

"Why?" I asked curiously.

"You make it fun and I just want to be with you all the time." He said softly smiling at me.

I nodded my head and said "Thanks."

I walked behind him and got on the bike. He paddled away and felt soft rain drops hit against me.

"Oh my! I think it's raining!" I shouted.

He laughed and said "We better hurry up before we get sick and get in deep trouble."

I laughed and said "I worry for the people at the campfire!"

Josh informed me "Oh yeah. They were going to have a sleepover there. They had the camping tents in Manuel's truck."

"Oh! Really? I want to do that but then I don't." I said insecure.

"Why?" He asked as he made a fast turn. I hugged him from behind and he slowed down.

"Sorry! I'm just trying to beat the rain before it gets you sick." He said.

"What about you?!" I asked confused.

"I cherish your life more than mine." He simply said and that was enough for me to fall for the guy.

"Don't say that." I said letting go of him and putting my hands over his shoulders again.

Josh chuckled and said "The heart says the bare truth."

I didn't say anything as he was right and I liked it.

"Where do you live?" He asked as we were about to pass up his street.

"I'll walk from here." I encouraged him to letting me down in his street but he insisted in taking me all the way home.

We made it to my house and I said "You better not get sick."

Josh laughed and said "Yes ma'am!"

I blushed and said "Thank you."

"No problem." He said admiring my smile.

I took out money and he asked "What's this for?"

I asked "For bringing me all the way back home."

"But I didn't use gas." He said glancing into my eyes.

I chuckled and said "But you used your feet and you must be tired."

Josh said before paddling away "Goodnight!"

I laughed and shouted, "goodnight!"

I went inside my house and took a shower. As I did I could hear the rain hitting against the rooftop and making me wonder if he was ok.