Natalie Miller

Wednesday 23rd February

7:30am Toronto

My day starts with me walking and seeing Josh sitting on a kitchen stool with a cup of coffee. Everything that happened last night, flashed before my eyes. All we did was kiss in the rain and walked home in awkward silence.

I close the door as he looks up at me and smiles, taking another sip of his coffee. I still wasn't used to seeing Josh's genuine smile.

"You alright?" He asks me as I sat down on the stool next to him.

"You kissed me..." I muttered, getting myself a cup of tea.

"You kissed me back."

"T-that's only because you apologised, and I-I didn't...whatever." I stutter before stop talking and look the other way.

Awkward silence filled the air once again and I could feel my insides begging for something. Anything to happen.

"So..." he starts again.

"What's...going to happen now?"

I take another sip of the peppermint tea. Still feeling awkward around him. What the heck am I supposed to do? What should I do? I hate Josh one week and kiss him the next.

"Wait..." was the only word that came out of my mouth.

"Sure. I'll give you time. I feel as if I gave you too much to handle in a day. Sorry for surprising you like that." He responds

"The hell are you apologising for? You've never apologised before and now it seems to be your catchphrase." I mutter once again, feeling the light blush on my cheeks.

"It's because I like you, Nat."

I choke on the warm peppermint tea and cough as he pats my back. It's only then I look back up as he still has hand on my back.

I hear my phone ring and immediately reach to answer the phone. Pushing Josh away as he leans closer towards me.

"Hello." I start still pushing Josh as he tries to listen in.

"Hey Nat, I need your help. Can we meet up?" Mabel asks, the tone of her voice lower than usual.

"Uh. Sure. Send me the location and I can meet you there, right now." I say ending the call and glaring at Josh.

"Was that Mabel? I couldn't tell." He questions me.

"Yes, it was. What's up with you?"

"I don't know."

Josh stands up and washes his empty cup. "Wherever the place is, I'll drop you off."

"Great. I wonder if the two set up a second date?"

Giving Josh my cup of tea, I walk to my bedroom and get ready to go out. Going to the bathroom, I shower and change into an outfit. A black, off-shoulder, short sleeved top and denim shorts. Wearing black flat shoes and a leather crossbody purse to complement. By the time I was ready, Josh was waiting for me at the door and seemed annoyed.

"What's up with the pouty face?" I ask him.

"You really take 5 years, huh?" He snarks.

"5 years?! It was like 10 minutes."

Walking down to the car park, we rant on about the average time that it takes me to get ready. He was ready to counter me at every turn, but I was prepared. This isn't the first time Josh and I have bickered.

"What's your job? All I know is that you work with Cory." I pondered as we drove off to a café nearby.

"I'm a graphic designer for a publishing corporation." Josh explains before going on a full rant about his job.

I nod in response listening to the words that came out of his mouth. It was only then he finished did the awkward silence ensue once again. Trying to think of anything, I remember the fact that Josh had gave me his handkerchief. Taking it out of my bag, I examine the handkerchief and smile.

"Should probably give this back to you." I start as Josh quickly looks at the handkerchief and back at the road.

"Nah. It's fine. Keep it, Hazelnut." He tells me, turning right at the intersection.

"You still call me Hazelnut?"

"Yeah. Just because I like you, doesn't mean I'm going to stop calling you by your nickname. It suits you."

"Is that so, I'll still call you Joseph then. It is still your name."

"Very funny, hazelnut."

The car pulls to a halt, and I bang my head on the air vent. I wince in pain as Josh takes a deep breath.

"That asshole. Who the heck, stops at the middle of the road." He stormed, seeing me rub my forehead.

Josh puts his head on my forehead, and carefully rubs it. Only before leaning over and kissing me on the forehead.

"We don't want this getting a scar. I'll be back." Josh whispers before stealing a quick peck and hopping out of the car.

That thief.

I watch as Josh talks to the driver of the car in front. Still red from the sneaky thief. I watch the conversation between them before Josh walks back into the car.

"The lady in front didn't have a good night sleep." Josh explains.

"Thief." I mutter as he drives around the car to the café.

"What?"

I don't answer and he looks at me confusion. I couldn't control the smile the spread across my face. Josh isn't that bad.

I mean, I could give it a try.

Dating Josh.

Wait no that sounds weird.

We arrive at the café, and I open the car door climbing out. I hesitate to close the car door and peer back in.

"What's up." He asks me.

Say it then run.

"L-let's date." I stammered before closing the car door and not looking behind me.

I'll just see him later tonight. Maybe I should stay in Toronto for an extra week.

I enter the café and see Mabel at the back on the far right. She was a mess more than usual with her curly hair, messily tied with a scrunchy, wearing a hoodie and flip-flops. The Mabel I know is much more composed... especially in public.

I sit at the chair across from her and she smiles seeing me.

"Natalie. Thanks for coming. I need to tell you something." Mabel started as I adjust myself on the café chair.

"What happened?" I ask her, since seeing her take a deep sigh.

"Nat, you know that I don't date people younger than me because of my exes. And yesterday was the double-blind date as you know. It went well since I met Cory."

"I thought Josh was your date?"

"He was but I had more chemistry with Cory." Mabel explained to me.

"Ah I see."

"Anyways, I remember Cory... now since we went to the same University. He was a freshman, and I was a junior. So, he's like two years younger than me and I didn't recognise him from the dyed hair. Last night, Josh got the call from you and left the double date along with Emily who had to go somewhere for work. Leaving Cory and me. We were bored so we headed to Cory's place with some beer."

"So, you drank with Cory?" I question with suspicion in my tone.

"Yeah. And that escalated a bit...because I woke up next to Cory...naked."

"What!"