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Save The Best For Last ~ Short JC Story
Part I ~ December, 1984
Josh couldn't believe he was going to have to spend his Christmas vacation inside. "A cold," he said aloud to himself as he flopped over in bed. "This stinks! I wish I could go play outside." Karen came in his room with a bowl of hot chicken noodle soup.
"Hey Sweetie! How are you feeling?" she asked while checking his temperature before he ate.
"Mom, I feel better, [i]honest[/i]! Can I please go outside?"
"No, you need to stay inside, but I have a surprise for you after you eat." Josh's eyes lit up like their Christmas tree as he asked what it was. "You'll see soon enough." Karen smiled. Josh ate quickly and as promised when he finished, she pushed open the door. Rochelle stuck her head in the room.
"Hi Josh!" she said quietly. "My mom and I made you some snow cream. I also thought you might want some company." Josh smiled at this wonderful surprise visitor and said thanks. He wondered why she wasn't outside building snowmen with the others. "So, I bet you're wondering why I'm not outside playing, huh?" Josh nodded. "Well, when I was sick last winter and mom wouldn't let me go outside, no one came over 'cause they were scared of getting sick...But not me, I'm not scared of anything, besides... " She paused. "I like you." The two eight year olds blushed; Josh reached out and held her hand and told her he liked her too.
Part II ~ December, 1990
"Alright Students, on page 523 start reading at [i]The Effects of the Civil War on America[/i]. Is that a note I see, Mr. Chasez?"
"No Ma'am, it isn't. It's just got homework assignments on it from yesterday." He said calmly.
"Well, I guess that means I can read it outloud and you won't be in trouble, or embarrassed, right?"
Josh thought about his answer a second too long, "Mrs. Miller, I..."
"Hey Chel! Whatz up, Girl? Not much here, just enduring History. Sheesh, this class is boring...agree? Anyway, I guess I'll get to the point so I can get started on this lousy reading assignment...The Winter Ball is coming up, and I was wondering if maybe you and I could sorta go together. Uh Oh, here she comes, dun dun dun dunnnnnnnnnn! PS--Write Back Soon! Later, Josh. Well Mr. Chasez, what do you have to say for yourself, before you are sent to the of fice?" Mrs. Miller asked in a biting tone.
Josh thought for a minute, and looked over at Rochelle and grinned, "So, you wanna go?" The class was in an uproar. ONLY Josh Chasez could get away with being that smooth. Chel laughed and mouthed the word 'yes.'
~*The Night of the Winter Ball*~
Josh rang the doorbell; It was answered by Rochelle's mom. Her mom said she'd be down in a minute. Chel raced around upstairs putting last minute touches on hair, make-up, and clothes. When she finally came down the stairs, she looked stunning. [i]Not that she doesn't everyday, but WOW! [/i] Chel smiled as she walked up to Josh. [i]God, he looks good tonight. What am I saying? He ALWAYS looks good.[/i] They bo th said good-bye to her parents and went out on the town.
First, Josh took her to dinner at a little place called Coral Cove. Over dinner, Josh told her about his audition for the Mickey Mouse Club. Chel was so happy for Josh. After dinner, they went to the Winter Ball. They danced, and chatted with friends, before they knew it, it was time to go home. When they reached Rochelle's house, Josh walked her to the door.
"Josh, I had a really great time tonight." she smiled.
"Yeah, me too Chel!" He looked deep into her eyes. "Well, I better get going before I miss curfew and get grounded. See ya!" Josh gave her a soft peck on the cheek and scampered down the steps to his car.
Chel sighed, "I don't know [i]why[/i] I let him do that." she said, caressing her freshly kissed cheek.
Part III ~ December, 1992
Chel's phone gave a shrill ring; she looked at her clock it was 2:30 AM.
"Hello?" she said groggily.
"Hey Chel, its Josh. Can we talk?" He said with a quiet whimper.
"Josh, its 2:30 in the morning..." Josh sighed. "Alright Buddy, lay it on me..."
"Can I come over?"
"Josh, I don't think my parents would appreciate you ringing the doorbell this early. But, if you want, I'll meet you at that little 24/7 coffee shop on Main."
"Thanks! You're the best!" He said.
Chel yawned, "Yeah, I know...I'll see ya in a few, I hafta put some clothes on...Later."
"Later Chel!"
~*Joe's Java and Doughnuts*~
Josh lived closer to the coffee shop than Chel, so as soon as she was in the door, he ran to her and gave her a tight hug. She knew something must be wrong, Josh was always a sweetheart, but she could tell something was up the minute she looked into his deep blue eyes.
"So what's up?" She asked as she ordered a [i]strong[/i] _mocha latt� for herself, and Josh ordered a cup of hot tea with honey and lemon.
"You remember my girl, Leigh Anne? You know, the one that I was with ALL the time when you came to visit?" Rochelle nodded. "Chel, she dumped me! I didn't do anything wrong and she dumped me! I can't make it without her! She was my life..."
"Josh, she's crazy for dumping you. And you're crazy for letting [i]her[/i] get to you like this. You survived without her before you met her and you'll survive now." [i]God, I wish he would open his eyes. I would never hurt him like he's hurting now...How could he give his love to someone else, and share his dreams with me? I love him so much.[/i]
They finished their drinks and talked some more. Josh thought about what she had said, and Rochelle was right. He survived before her, and he'll survive after her. [i]Chel always makes me feel better when no one else can...She's just got this special something.[/i]
The years rolled by and Josh's career was soaring. He was in a group called *NSYNC and they were at the top of the charts. Rochelle had moved to Washington, D.C. to attend Howard University but still came back to Bowie for Christmas. They both had kept in touch over the years, not as well as they used to, but Josh still came to her with his girl problems (the most recent being Danna) and she went to Josh with her guy problems. Still the best of friends, forever.
Part IV ~ December 1998
Rochelle had just gotten in from D.C. and was unpacking her stuff at her parents' house when the doorbell rang...and rang...and rang. [i]Ugh, I come home for vacation and I STILL have to play hostess (She was a hostess at a restaurant part-time while she attended school.).[/i] She pulled the door open and was completely speechless.
"Hi Chel...How have you been?" Josh, or JC as he was now more commonly called, asked as he shivered slightly from the winter wind.
"JOSH! I cannot believe it!! You're here! You're home!" She noticed he was shivering. [i]Smooth, Rochelle, real smooth...You see the guy of your dreams for the first time in six years and you leave him out in the cold. What a genius you are.[/i] "Josh, please come in. I'm so sorry, I was just really excited to see you and I didn't even think..." She blushed. "So, ar e you here visiting your parents?"
"I haven't seen them yet, for now, I'm here visiting you." he said with a smile.
"A special visit for me? Aww Josh!" She paused. "Can I ask a really dumb question?" He nodded as he warmed his hands by the fireplace. "Why did you come to see me first? Danna is in town for the holidays."
Josh stared into her eyes and held her hands. "Chel, I know Danna is here, but I'm not with her anymore..." [i]Not with her? He must need the friendly advice of the opposite sex...thats probably why he's here...[/i] "Chel, are you listening?"
"I'm sorry, what?" She asked coming from her thoughts.
"I said, I'm ready to tell you why I came here first. Rochelle, sometimes the very thing you're looking for is the one thing you can't see. That one thing I couldn't see, was you. You've always been the most important woman in my life. I love you." Josh said.
Chel stood on her tip toes and gave him a tender kiss, "I love you too."
[i]...But now we're standing face to face. Isn't this world a crazy place? Just when I thought our chance had passed, you go and save the best for last.[/i] |
