Girl Get Rid Of That Jerk (Williams and Shawn)

Allison had never seen Joshua looking so worn out.

A lump formed in her throat, her feelings a tangle she couldn't quite name.

Before she could think twice, she rushed over and hugged him from behind, holding on tight.

"You're here." The words came out soft as a sigh.

Joshua froze, startled by the sudden closeness.

It had been so long since their last hug-God knew how much he'd missed this.

The sky was painted with a gentle orange glow, like a splash of color from an artist's brush. Morning light crept in, smoke curled from distant chimneys and tangled with the mist, as if the whole world was wrapped up in a gentle embrace. Trees slowly took shape in the dawn, and dewdrops slipped from the leaves, sending ripples through the calm like secrets whispered to a lover.

Everything felt so perfect, it was almost unreal.

With Allison's arms around him, time seemed to stop for Joshua. He didn't even dare move, afraid the moment would vanish if he did.

Neither of them spoke; they just stood there, letting silence say everything.

It felt like forever before Joshua finally turned around.

Allison noticed first the way his Adam's apple bobbed with nerves. Then she met his eyes-deep, dark, and full of emotion. The intensity was too much; she had to look away.

She mumbled, "I told you not to come. Why'd you find me anyway?"

Joshua gently cupped her face, turning her back to him. "Because I wanted to see you." His handsome features softened, his voice warm and easy. "So I came."

Allison's eyes shimmered, bright and glassy. She stared at him, completely caught up in the moment.

"What?" Joshua teased with a grin,

brushing her nose with his fou

hasn't been that long, has it?!

forget what I look like?"

Allison's gaze was tender, her voice still sleepy and soft. "It just... doesn't feel real. Like I'm dreaming."

"It's not a dream." Joshua smiled, gentle and reassuring. "If you don't believe me, go ahead-pinch me."

She let out a little huff. "Even if I did, how would I know if it hurt?"

He laughed, eyes bright. "Then what should I do? If you pinch yourself, I'll just feel worse."noveldrama

That made her laugh, and she gave his chest a playful tap. "Alright, enough with the cheesy lines."

Joshua caught her hand in his, his tone turning serious. "I mean it, though."

Her wide, clear eyes reflected his face-so close, so real.

She hesitated, then asked, "Did you eat anything this morning?"

He shook his head. "Nope. The

roads were way worse than I thought. didn't even get to

Havenbrook until three-thirty. It was better in the city-the water had gone down – but the closer I gorout here, the worse it got. Once I got to the county, the roads were flooded. The last five kilometers, I had to walk."

Allison's face tightened with worry. "You walked five kilometers?" Joshua nodded.

She tried to hide it, but he could see the worry in her eyes.

Five kilometers, on foot, through muddy country roads-slipping, sliding, one wrong step away from falling. Out here, in the middle of nowhere with rough roads and mountains all around. If it started raining again... she didn't even want. to think about it.

A shiver ran through her, but she pushed the thought away.

Then something else hit her, and she asked quietly, "Did you stay up all night?"