Josh #8: Violet
Jun 28, 2016 6:47:11 GMT -5
Post by pete on Jun 28, 2016 6:47:11 GMT -5
[Off-Camera]
Hey, buddy… been a while.
The grass under his hands feels cold, even on a warm day like this. Josh rubs the back of his neck.
I’m sorry… sorry I've not been around. There’s no excuse, really. I mean, Jamie has been getting more gigs, she says the agencies are really interested because I have a unique look, or something…
He tries to suppress a chuckle.
Oh, right, I never told you. Has it been that long since I came round? Damn… I’m a model now. Yeah, laugh it up, my football playing ass is now a model. Hey, there’s a reason the girls always preferred me… Come along way from the time we locked those guys in… No… That’s not something I want to think about…
Eyes dart down to his foot.
Don’t get me wrong, those memories are… but I’m not that person anymore. Neither of us are, right? And… well. I’m kind of ashamed of who we were. There. I said it.
Absent mindedly, he starts pulling up blades of grass, distracting himself.
Look, I’m not the one who made it awkward.
He shakes his head, tossing the blades of grass high up into the air.
It’s not just the modelling, you know. Beginning to make more contacts in the business, more friends, all over… Did I tell you I finally visited somewhere out of NC...? I feel bad that I can’t remember if I did or not...
Sadness.
I’ve been all over, now. Miami. LA. Texarakana. Cleveland… Heh, yeah, I know, the last two aren’t exactly great. Man, I remember I used to be so jealous of you because your family used to holiday in Virginia Beach… now look at me. Jetsetter.
He chuckles.
Only some was for modelling, the rest to see my friends wrestle…
Quizzical look.
What? No…
Another chuckle.
Fine. Yes, there’s a girl. Damn, you always know... She’s cool, real cool. Hey, her dad’s White Phoenix. You remember that guy? I KNOW, RIGHT?
He practically breaks down laughing.
Nah, early days yet. I mean, I’ve liked her a while, just, you know, convinced she wasn’t interested. Which was fine. Annoying, but fine. But yeah… She got hurt… Real bad, although she won’t admit it… and… well… guess I just thought about… you know. And I couldn’t not say anything any more. Well, I guess she thought the same. Liked me, didn’t think I was interested… That’s all there is to tell.
Raised eyebrow.
That is all there is to tell. We had a beach day… that was nice. Suddenly everything was less awkward… Right, you know? So we’re giving it a go, but we’re taking it slow. I’ve not told the others… God you know Annie would never shut up about it if she knew. So
anyway, now I’m here, getting ready for another match.
Small grin.
It’s going well… Think I’m finally getting the hang of it. Really high profile win recently, so that’s good. This week though, not sure what to think. The girl I’m facing, Stoney Nymph, haven’t seen her around a couple of months, I guess she must be back though.
Head shake.
Yeah, I know. She used to called herself Wayward Nymph… Don’t ask me. Something to do with her friend or something, they all belong to this “combat sports brand”, whatever that’s supposed to mean. She’s small, nimble, and quick though, all the things I’m having trouble to getting to grips with, what with, well, you know.
He taps his prosthetic leg.
But Candy-sensei says she’ll be a good opponent for me. Challenging, because of what I just said, but within my capabilities, or something. You’d like Candy. She’s nice, but not afraid to push you when you need it. Remember Coach Pushkin from Pee-Wee Football? Like him, only Japanese and about a quarter the size. She’s even said about maybe entering me into some tournament she knows of… I know, right? Huge! But she’s sure I’m ready. And you know what?
Faint smile.
With every passing match, every passing day… I’m beginning to think that maybe I am. I’ve lasted way longer than I thought I would. I beat Keegan Hightower and, I know you’ve never heard of him, but trust me, that’s huge! So I think, if I can keep on winning, justify that confidence in me… get in that tournament… then we’re one step closer.
A faint jingle sounds in his pocket.
Half hour already? Man, I’ve got to get back, or Dewey will kick my ass. I won’t leave it so long this time, I promise.
He stands, placing one hand on the headstone for balance as he does so.
Good chat, man.
He gently pats the headstone before walking off, limping slightly a moment, before slipping into an easy stride.
Hey, buddy… been a while.
The grass under his hands feels cold, even on a warm day like this. Josh rubs the back of his neck.
I’m sorry… sorry I've not been around. There’s no excuse, really. I mean, Jamie has been getting more gigs, she says the agencies are really interested because I have a unique look, or something…
He tries to suppress a chuckle.
Oh, right, I never told you. Has it been that long since I came round? Damn… I’m a model now. Yeah, laugh it up, my football playing ass is now a model. Hey, there’s a reason the girls always preferred me… Come along way from the time we locked those guys in… No… That’s not something I want to think about…
Eyes dart down to his foot.
Don’t get me wrong, those memories are… but I’m not that person anymore. Neither of us are, right? And… well. I’m kind of ashamed of who we were. There. I said it.
Absent mindedly, he starts pulling up blades of grass, distracting himself.
Look, I’m not the one who made it awkward.
He shakes his head, tossing the blades of grass high up into the air.
It’s not just the modelling, you know. Beginning to make more contacts in the business, more friends, all over… Did I tell you I finally visited somewhere out of NC...? I feel bad that I can’t remember if I did or not...
Sadness.
I’ve been all over, now. Miami. LA. Texarakana. Cleveland… Heh, yeah, I know, the last two aren’t exactly great. Man, I remember I used to be so jealous of you because your family used to holiday in Virginia Beach… now look at me. Jetsetter.
He chuckles.
Only some was for modelling, the rest to see my friends wrestle…
Quizzical look.
What? No…
Another chuckle.
Fine. Yes, there’s a girl. Damn, you always know... She’s cool, real cool. Hey, her dad’s White Phoenix. You remember that guy? I KNOW, RIGHT?
He practically breaks down laughing.
Nah, early days yet. I mean, I’ve liked her a while, just, you know, convinced she wasn’t interested. Which was fine. Annoying, but fine. But yeah… She got hurt… Real bad, although she won’t admit it… and… well… guess I just thought about… you know. And I couldn’t not say anything any more. Well, I guess she thought the same. Liked me, didn’t think I was interested… That’s all there is to tell.
Raised eyebrow.
That is all there is to tell. We had a beach day… that was nice. Suddenly everything was less awkward… Right, you know? So we’re giving it a go, but we’re taking it slow. I’ve not told the others… God you know Annie would never shut up about it if she knew. So
anyway, now I’m here, getting ready for another match.
Small grin.
It’s going well… Think I’m finally getting the hang of it. Really high profile win recently, so that’s good. This week though, not sure what to think. The girl I’m facing, Stoney Nymph, haven’t seen her around a couple of months, I guess she must be back though.
Head shake.
Yeah, I know. She used to called herself Wayward Nymph… Don’t ask me. Something to do with her friend or something, they all belong to this “combat sports brand”, whatever that’s supposed to mean. She’s small, nimble, and quick though, all the things I’m having trouble to getting to grips with, what with, well, you know.
He taps his prosthetic leg.
But Candy-sensei says she’ll be a good opponent for me. Challenging, because of what I just said, but within my capabilities, or something. You’d like Candy. She’s nice, but not afraid to push you when you need it. Remember Coach Pushkin from Pee-Wee Football? Like him, only Japanese and about a quarter the size. She’s even said about maybe entering me into some tournament she knows of… I know, right? Huge! But she’s sure I’m ready. And you know what?
Faint smile.
With every passing match, every passing day… I’m beginning to think that maybe I am. I’ve lasted way longer than I thought I would. I beat Keegan Hightower and, I know you’ve never heard of him, but trust me, that’s huge! So I think, if I can keep on winning, justify that confidence in me… get in that tournament… then we’re one step closer.
A faint jingle sounds in his pocket.
Half hour already? Man, I’ve got to get back, or Dewey will kick my ass. I won’t leave it so long this time, I promise.
He stands, placing one hand on the headstone for balance as he does so.
Good chat, man.
He gently pats the headstone before walking off, limping slightly a moment, before slipping into an easy stride.