Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2004 01:07:48 +0200 From: jerichoholic #1 Subject: Paul & Josh / chapter 8 DISCLAIMER: The following story is completely FICTIONAL is does not imply anything concerning the private life of Paul walker or Josh Hartnett. I don't know them and I don't know anything about their lives. This story is only meant as fiction and does in no way describe real occurrences, situations or facts. All other persons mentioned in this story are fictional. Any resemblance to an existing person, company or business is totally coincidental. Author's note: Just want to stress again that this story is complete fiction. In this chapter there's some talk about their families and childhood. That's all made up ok. I have no idea what their real lives look like so please keep that in mind. For the rest: Enjoy chapter 8 and please let me know what you think ok? I know this chapter is quite short, but I've been really busy lately. I'll do my best to get chapter 9 up by the end of the week end make it a bit longer. Paul & Josh: chapter 8 After they had finished eating, had some coffee and desert they decided it was time to go home. Paul paid for the both of them and left a real generous tip on the table. During the drive home they talked about the good time they had and other stuff. About an half hour later they entered the apartment. They hadn't even entered as the phone began to ring. Paul walked to the ringing phone and answered... ... "...oh, hey mom" Paul said when he answered the phone. "It's my mother" He whispered to Josh who was standing just a few feet away. "I hadn't realized that." Josh laughed. Paul ignored Josh's joke and started talking to his mother over the phone. He had put the conversation on speaker so Josh could hear what was said. He didn't know exactly why he had done so but he didn't give it any thought. "I've been trying to call you all evening." Paul's mother said. "I've been out for diner." Paul said, "I've only just gotten back." "So how have you been?" His mother asked. She would call once every week just to check up on how her son was doing. "I've been alright." Paul replied, "The movie is a lot of fun, hard work, but fun nevertheless." "That's good" She said. She had always been very proud of her son and his achievements and she was happy whenever she heard he was making something of his life. "Listen Paul, it's been months since we've seen you, and your father and me were hoping to see you again soon. Can you find a space in you schedule to come home for a few days?" "Sure I can,...that won't be a problem." Paul spoke, "I've missed you guys too." "great" she said, her enthusiasm was obvious and both guys smiled when they noticed. "Mom..." Paul spoke, "There's something I have to tell you". He looked over at Josh and nodded his head to ask Josh's permission, just to make sure. Josh knew what Paul wanted to do and nodded his head back to Paul, to let him know it was all right. "What is it son?" His mother asked. "Well, I'm seeing someone." Paul said. "You are?" His mother asked surprised, "that's great! Do I know him?" "Not personally, but you should know of him" Paul grinned as he looked at josh who was smiling to. "What do you mean?" His mother asked confused. "Well...you've seen pearl harbour right?" Paul asked. "You mean that guy you've had the hots for...like forever?" His mother asked. The surprise in her voice was obvious. Paul looked over at Josh who had a big grin on his face. "This is getting interesting" he whispered at Paul while he tried to control his laughter. "What was his name again?" His mother asked. "It's..." Paul tried to answer, but he was interrupted by Josh. "It's Josh, Mme" Josh interrupted. "Was that him?" Paul's mother asked. "It was" Paul answered. He looked at Josh faking a look of anger. Josh put his hands up while laughing at Paul stupid expression. "Well Josh, we'd sure like to meet you." Paul's mother spoke over the speaker. If you can, you're welcome to come along with Paul next time he comes this way. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind" Josh answered over the speaker. "Could I possibly have my mother back?" Paul laughed at Josh who had overtaken the conversation. Josh laughed and nodded his head to signify she was all his. Paul talked to his mother for a while longer while Josh had turned on the TV. Ten minutes later Paul hung up the phone. He, Josh and his mother had agreed both guys would head over to Paul's folks next week-end. Paul walked to the couch Josh was sitting in but was stopped in his tracks by the phone ringing again. "I got to go downstairs" He spoke after the phone conversation had ended. "The landlord needs to see me. Shouldn't take to long." With that he walked out of the door. Josh meanwhile turned his attention back to the TV. He thought back to the evening he and Paul had spent at the restaurant and to the phone call just a while ago. Suddenly his attention was brutally pulled away. Even though he was sitting in the couch it felt like he was falling over. His thoughts seemed to become a rollercoaster, rolling fast into the depths of his mind. ... "You know Josh, you're about the only friend I have. I don't know how I could go on like this if it wasn't for you. Everybody seems to be out to get me, safe for you. Thanks for being my friend man." ... Josh violently jerked his head back as if he literally wanted to pull himself back to reality. He breathed heavily and a cold sweat sent shivers through his body. "Man...where did that come from?" he wondered as he tried to regain control over himself. He looked around, as if he wanted to make sure he was still in Paul's apartment and everything was as it was supposed to be. When his eyes fell on the clock, hanging on the wall, he was shocked to notice fifteen minutes had passed since Paul had left the apartment. "What the fuck?" He whispered to himself. Suddenly he heard the door open behind him. "I'm back" He heard Paul's familiar voice say. Josh tried to stand up to face Paul but immediately fell back into the couch. He hadn't noticed he was quite dizzy while sitting down, but when he stood up his legs seemed to give away underneath him. Paul saw Josh falling back and immediately rushed to his side. "You all right man? What's wrong?" He asked concerned. "I don't know" Josh replied, holding his head with one hand. "My head hurts like hell and I feel really dizzy." "You want me to call a doctor?" Paul asked. He was obviously very concerned about Josh. He ran his hand over Josh's face while he examined him with a look that gave away the same concern. "No...I don't think that's necessary." Josh replied. "but could you get me some water please" "Sure" Paul said as he speeded to the kitchen. In no time he was back with Josh watching him slowly drink from the glass he had just brought him. "Are you sure you're all right?" Paul asked again. Seeing Josh fall back in the couch had spooked him. He was really scared something might be seriously wrong. "I'm fine..." Josh tried to assure him, "Just a bit tired I guess". Josh felt his stomach twist as he said this. This was the first time he deliberately lied to Paul and he hated doing so. But what else could he do? He was so happy with the love that had grown between them that he couldn't risk destroying that by letting Paul know what he thought was happening. Hell, he wasn't even sure himself. How could he tell Paul about the `ghosts' that haunted him without scaring him away. How could he explain to Paul what he didn't understand himself...This could not be happening. There was no way! There was simply no way! "I think we better go to sleep" Paul said. "It looks like you could really use some rest". He kept his eyes on Josh as if he was afraid something might happen to him again. His concerns only grew when he realized Josh wasn't even able to make it to the bedroom by himself. Paul grabbed his arm and supported him while they walked to the bed. Paul remained awake for several hours. What had happened a with Josh this evening had scared him and he didn't want to fall asleep. He was scared something might happen to Josh while he was asleep. He looked at Josh, who was lying next to him and who was fast asleep. The rhythmic sound of Josh's breathing finally assured him Josh was ok. He put his arm around Josh's chest and pulled himself close to Josh. He felt the warmth of Josh's body and he felt Josh's chest push against his every time Josh breathed. Finally Paul drifted away into sleep as well. Josh was awoken the next morning by the first rays of sunlight falling on his face. He extended his arm trying to find Paul but noticed he was alone in the bed. When he opened his eyes and the last bit of sleep had worn of a shock went through his body when he realized he wasn't in Paul's apartment. He was lying in a he bed under a green velvet blanket covered with grey dust. The room seemed familiar but he couldn't remember where he had seen it before. The windows were boarded up but some sunlight fell in between the planks. Josh examined the room he found himself in. It appeared like it had been totally abandoned for years. The wallpaper was coming of the walls on several places and big spots of mould covered the walls. Slowly he stepped out of the bed and walked to the door, hanging out of it's hinges just in front of him. As he walked he left footprints in the thick layer of dust on the floor. He noticed there was grass growing through the cracks in the wooden floor. When he tried to open the door it immediately fell to the floor causing a huge bang to echo through the house. He froze...He remained completely still for several minutes as if he was afraid the bang might have attracted the attention of someone in the house. When everything remained completely still he stepped through the door. He found himself in what appeared to be the remaining of a living room. There were a couple of chairs and a couch, all covered with dust and mold. Webs were hanging on the walls and from the ceiling and every window was broken and boarded up. He couldn't understand where he was and how he got here. Where was Paul? What was he doing here? How did he get here? Suddenly he was pulled out of his thoughts by a noise behind him. He turned around...On the other side of the room, in a corner well covered by a dark shadow he saw a figure. He couldn't recognize the person standing there because the corner was to dark to see anything but the dark outlines of a person standing there. He took a step towards the shadow but immediately stopped when he noticed the bright shiny eyes staring at him from the corner. He recognized them immediately. "NO!" He screamed as the figure emerged from the shadows. "No!...It can't be you! It can't be...There's no way!..." Josh screamed. Paul was awoken abruptly by Josh's screaming. He turned around to see what was wrong. Josh was still asleep but was screaming in his sleep. The expression on his face was, to say the least, disturbing. Paul, realizing Josh was having a really bad dream, tried to wake him up. He pulled Josh closer to him as he called his name, trying to wake him up. Josh awoke with scream. He struggled to get out of Paul's embrace, not realizing where he was and that he had just had a bad dream. "Josh..." Paul spoke loudly, trying to grab Josh's attention. "It's ok...you just had a bad dream...it's ok!" Josh turned to face Paul, still not fully aware of where he was and what had happened. When his eyes met Paul it began to dawn on him it had just been a dream. He felt Paul's arms around him. He pulled Paul closer to him, placing his head on Paul's shoulder. Tears were rolling down his face. "Its ok" Paul tried to comfort him, while he stroked Josh's back with his hands. "You just had a bad dream, that's all." Paul tried to let go of Josh but Josh pulle his arms tighter around Paul. "Please don't..." Josh asked. The fear and confusion where still obvious in his voice. "Don't let go" Josh asked again as he pulled himself closer to Paul. Paul was surprised to see Josh this upset. He put his arms back around Josh's shacking body as he tried to comfort him. "Are you all right?" he asked "Just a bad dream" Josh replied, trying to regain his composure. "What about?" Paul asked concerned. "I..." Josh hesitated, "I... don't ...remember". As soon as he said it Josh realized this was the second time he had lied to Paul. ... -- to be continued -- well that's it for this instalment, keep an eye out for chapter 9 which should be up soon. Let me know what you think: beer4myhorses@hotmail.com. Till next time folks