4. golden boy

                                    

                                          
Chapter 4 — golden boy
"Took you long enough," the boy Josh came across the previous night comments, running a hand through his long curls, pushing them back. 
He doesn't even turn around to look at Josh, but somehow guesses correctly it is him. Maybe it his heavy pants gave him away.
Josh thought it better to wait until midnight before sneaking out. He wanted to make sure both of his parents went to sleep before leaving although they usually go to bed by 10 pm. No, he isn't anxious or anything; he is just being extra careful. Or at least that is what he tells himself. 
He isn't sure what the boy meant when he said, see you tomorrow, golden boy, all smugly and just walked away. 
What in the stars is that supposed to even mean? 
Is he trying to be some kind of psychic and foretell that we are going to meet again? 
Why though; why should or why would meet again? 
Josh had paced around his room, all kinds of questions popping into his answers, but never any answers. 
At last, frustrated with himself, he dug out the same clothes he had worn when he met the boy — you know, in case the boy isn't able to recognise him, and put them on before sneaking out. He made sure to check that his sister was sleeping, as well, not wanting to be caught by her once again — she will never let him hear the end of it. 
And then he took off running, not caring if it made him seem like a madman, lest the boy left the bridge before he can show up. 
Josh also still quite hasn't let go of the idea that he is losing his mind and is making all kinds of stuff up, so he pushed himself to run even faster, before his mind can burst from all the overthinking he has been doing. 
By the time Josh reaches the bridge, he is half-convinced that the boy he met the previous day was probably just his own creation and that he is really losing his marbles. He has even started thinking about which mental health facility he will be admitted to once his parents find out that their son has officially lost it. 
So, to say he is surprised when he sees the same boy at the bridge again will be an understatement. He rubs his eyes hard and looks again to make sure that his head isn't playing any tricks on him, but there he still is, on the bridge. 
It turns out to be a good thing the stranger boy doesn't turn around to acknowledge Josh — it gives him enough time to collect himself, to not appear so surprised. He doesn't know what exactly to say to him though, and remains quiet. 
He is real. The boy on the bridge is real. Josh didn't make him up. 
When Josh's silence continues for a little longer, the boy does turn around and when their gazes meet, he gives him a small smile. Josh doesn't know how to describe it but that smile, it calms him so quickly, it feels like a dirty trick. 
He pats the floorboard to his right, "Come, sit,"
He is sitting at the edge of the bridge like he did the day before when Josh was being a little out of it. 
It takes Josh a few seconds, but he regains his bearings, and goes to sit beside the boy. He isn't sure why but he feels a little anxious and edgy. He can't sit still and keeps fidgeting. 
It doesn't help when the boy doesn't say anything either and is just looking straight ahead quietly. Josh is rigid beside him, sitting straight, his posture very much stiff and his back is actually staring to hurt a little. 
Unable to take the silence any longer, he asks, "How did you know I will be back here?" 
He glances from the corner of his eyes at the boy beside him and sees that he is already looking at him, his lips curved up. Josh quickly averts his eyes away, mentally face-palming. Unlike the previous time, this smile flusters Josh.