Being a dork is a full occupation.

The next chapter in the joshaylex adventure. haha

Alex

I walked silently, handcuffed, as the two officers took me into what looked like to be an airport "jail" I guessed I would be staying here until I was transferred or when the miraculously decide to let me go. "You're allowed to make one phone call, I suggest you use it wisely." the officer grunted, as he closed the iron bars and locked them. I let out a breath and sat down on the cold, cement bench. It smelled funny in here.

"Can you call 867-2301?" I asked the officer, who clearly looked like he didn't want to be here.

He nodded once and grumbled again, walking back to his desk.

I ran a hand through my knotted hair and tried to remember what day it was. I looked at my watch, the only thing that wasn't taken from me. It was a little after midnight, which meant it was now Christmas Eve. I had planned to take Hayley on an extravagant adventure, to show her how much I really did love her and make the biggest decision of my life...but I fucked it up. Big time.

I couldn't even remember why I decided to get wasted. I guess you couldn't get rid of old habits easily. Once I took one sip I couldn't stop. Hayley was only being cross with me because she was worried, and I had hurt her bad. I could see it in her eyes. I didn't have time to explain when she burst through the door, not realizing I was making a deal, not shooting up heroin. It was too late now. She was gone.

"Phone." The officer grumbled, handing the reciever to me through the metal bars.

"Jack?" I asked when I took the phone.

"What the fuck is going on Al?" he hissed on the phone.

"I'm in the NYC International Airport Jail right now." I didn't even bother to sugar coat it. "They wouldn't let me get to Hayley..." I trailed off.

I heard him let out a long sigh. "I'll be there in 20 minutes." He said through his teeth. "and don't think I'm doing this because I feel sorry for you. You deserve it." I heard a click and the line ended. I chuckled and handed the phone back to the officer, who gave me a glare.

"Consider this your christmas present." Jack muttered as we walked into our house he walked over to the couch and kicked off his shoes. I walked over to the christmas tree silently, picking up the small red box that was hidden in the back. I was going to give to Hayley tonight. I undid the bow and opened the box slowly, letting out a breath as I pulled out the ring box and snapped it open to take one last look at the ring. It was simple, and unique. It was Hayley in every way.

"She would have said yes." Jack suddenly commented in a low voice.

"What?" I said, before understanding what he meant. I looked him in the eye and got his cold glare. He was still on her side, which was understandable. "I know." I said quietly, before snapping the box shut and throwing it across the room.

- - -

Hayley

I woke up to the smell of bacon and what I thought was waffles. My eyes fluttered open as I stretched my body, still stiff from sleeping in an weird position on his very comfortable couch. I pulled my hoodie over my head, wishing I had brought Alex's red hoodie. God, why was I still thinking about him? He didn't love you like you thought he did Hayley. Get over him already. The scent of bacon got me out of my conversation with myself once again and I got up and went to investigate the kitchen.

Josh turned his attention away from the stove and smiled at me. "Good. You're awake. You slept so hard I swear you were dead to the world." He joked. I laughed lightly. "Now sit." He scolded me playfully. "This is my special Christmas Eve Morning treat, including my famous smoothies so you better like it." he told me as he took the bacon out of the pan and onto a plate.

Within minutes everything was done and set out in front of me. Homemade waffles with blueberries, smoked bacon, fresh cut fruit, and a smoothie in a large glass and some orange juice. Talk about southern hospitality. "Wow Josh...you didn't have to do this for me." I stammered. I didn't mean to say it like that, I wanted to say thank you but it just popped out.

He wiped his hands and took a seat across from me. "Yes I do. Free lincoln-continental breakfast, remember?" he smirked as he took a bite of his waffle.

I pursed my lips, not having an answer to that. "Anyways... thank you for letting me sleep on your couch." I said before taking a sip of my smoothie. "and this smoothing is amazing."

"No problem, it wasn't like I was going to sleep on it last night anyways. Besides, it's the season of giving and helping one another." he shrugged, still making it seem like it wasn't a very big deal. I thought it was, but maybe it's because I feel guilty when people want to help me out. "and thanks, it's my secret recipe." he said with a small smile, moving onto his bacon. "so where does your Grandmother live? I can give you a ride to her house when we are done." he offered politely.

Now I felt like he was doing too much for me. I barely knew him for two days and he was being so nice to me and was willing to help me out. Franklin was definitely different from New York. "Um, she lives on Oak Ridge Blvd." I said, picking at my waffles. He had made too much food.

"My parent's house is on that street. I have to go over for Christmas Eve celebrations anyways, so I can just drop you off." He suggested, taking his and my plate to the sink.

"Perfect." I agreed.

"I don't see any cars in her driveway." Josh observed as I tried to see through the snow when he stopped in front of her house.

"It might be in her garage, I'll get out and knock on the door anyways." I decided, opening the door. It had finally stopped snowing last night, but the cold still chilled me to the bone.

"I'll come with you." Josh muttered, getting out as well. I wrapped my arms around me tighter as we walked up to the doorstep. I knocked on the door twice, and waited silently for any sound of footsteps. I knocked again, still nothing. "Maybe she isn't here."

I shook my head. "She is always here around christmas time." I argued.

"She isn't there." I heard someone yell.Josh and I turned to where the voice was coming from. It was a neighbor shoveling snow out of the driveway. "She went on some holiday cruise for two weeks. She'll be back next Tuesday."

I threw my head back and groaned. "Crap. I knew I should've never left New York! I can't believe I was this stupid to not call first, or--"

"Hey," Josh cut me off, placing his hands on my shoulders. "Calm down. It was a good thing you left New York. It was bad-timing, but then again you didn't expect to not be spending christmas with your ex."

I let out a long sigh. "Well what the heck am I going to do now?" I whined, putting my face into my hands.

I heard him clicking his tongue, his eyebrows furrowed in deep thought. "You are going to spend christmas with my family." He decided. I gave him a look. "No, you can't get your way out of this. It's decided."

"I feel like a charity case." I sighed, puckering my bottom lip slightly.

He chuckled. "No offense Hayley, but you kinda are a charity case." He joked. I let out a sigh. I hated being taken care of. I wasn't familiar to it. "Let's go." He said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders to keep me warm.