Me Before You
Chapter 17

Joshua Spencer started packing things little by little, because tomorrow he had to go back to Wellington. It's a pity that Joshua only has a short time in Gibbston Valley, but there's a lot he wants to do with Monica. But if he continues to be here, most likely his feelings will be deeper in Monica. Joshua felt that he had made too many mistakes with the girl, indirectly. It is not his will to be surrounded by the situation as it is today. Joshua is still unsure of his feelings, though clearly yesterday he hugged Monica when he first met after not talking for some time.

Ah, maybe this feeling of tightness will last a while. In the future Joshua can control his feelings.

Right now, Joshua still harbors hope for Monica. He hopes the girl can come to his fan meeting, as a thank you, because Monica has been helping a lot. Yeah, it could be said that Monica has helped Joshua to find his true identity again.

Joshua remembered, last night he wrote something on paper. He approached the study table near the window and found a fold of paper. He smiled at a glance. Even though Joshua wasn't sure if what he was doing was going to happen, he wanted to try. Joshua knew that magic was only in fairy tales. Even if there were, it would be only one of a thousand possibilities. And Joshua hopes that one possibility can come true, even though he is also not sure.

The man let out a sigh of resignation before he went from the room to somewhere. This time his goal is no longer Monica's house or garden, but rather to a place he believes is full of hope.

He now travels the Gibbston Valley alone, without Monica. He remembers very well, the first time along the streets with Monica Frances. He also remembered how the girl's face was like the morning sun. Her smile was like a flower in the spring. Joshua was happy to see Monica so happy. The girl has grown into a sweet girl, even she made Joshua fall in charm.

After crossing a bridge under which flows a small river with the rustling of water that washed away the soul, Joshua Spencer arrived at a large tree, a pine tree, where Monica had always made hope. Joshua did not really believe in anything beyond reason like this, but for this time alone, he would eliminate all his logic and exchange it for something outside the mind, like believing in this pine tree. No, he believed in the miracle that this tree could do. If it's true, in December he wants to exchange all the hopes he has for Monica. Whatever Monica could be smiling at, with or without Joshua.

When the man was about to put a piece of paper that had been in his grasp, he found something in the tree. Right on the sidelines of his tree bark, Joshua found another fold of paper. The color has not faded, chances are someone just put this paper on the tree. Could it be Monica?

Joshua took and replaced the paper with his own. He slowly opened the letter and read it. It turns out that the letter was indeed true of Monica. The man did not continue reading the letter, choosing to keep the paper in a bag of pants. Then he sighed violently and raised his head, looking at the end of the tree that was now being illuminated by the summer sun. For some reason after finding out who wrote the letter, Joshua's heart grew chaotic. More and more uncertain. More and more not knowing where it's headed.

Anything about Monica always makes her unable to think clearly. There is even one space in his heart that still cannot accept reality until it is tucked into excessive desire. Suddenly his chest felt tight.

For now, he should be able to get away from Monica's life before anything bad happens.

...-οΟο-...

Upon his return from the tree of hope⸻yeah, Joshua began to call it that, Joshua did not return to the room. Suddenly Angela appears in front of Monica's house and calls Joshua to chat for a while in front of the inn. As a result, they sat on a bench looking at each other, because none of them started the conversation.

In the end, Angela let out a sigh of resignation and looked back at Joshua to open up the conversation. "I heard you were leaving tomorrow."

Joshua just nodded slowly. Not intending to open the voice. His mind was too complicated to talk to.

"I had invited Monica earlier, but she chose to lock herself in the room." said Angela.

This time Joshua breathed. "I know, she definitely won't see me." she replied. "My feelings became more uncertain, especially after she expressed feelings for me."

Angela looked at her friend, pity. Why is her cousin Joshua so complicated? It seems easy, but when it comes to each other's feelings, everything will feel complicated.

"Don't say that, you still remind me? I will always support your decision." Angela smiled briefly, then she continued again, "it seems Ferdinand always told you to listen and feel your feelings. You can decide if it's what you feel."

"I know." Joshua replied. As if he did not want to add any more words because his mind had already branched out. "I was planning to give Monica a special invitation for my fanmeet, but it seemed impossible to see the condition was not possible."

"Omong empty!" angela Protest. "I'm going to take her to town and make sure you guys meet" he said.

"I gave him an invitation not to give his feelings a chance, I just wanted to make his wish come true, to meet his favorite writer."

"Just tell me the date and I'll make sure she's there." Angela said.

"Adrian said at Christmas, for the place you can ask Adrian." Joshua said. "You sure you can take her away?"

"certain. I'm going to persuade auntie that she'll give Monica permission."

"Thank you" Joshua said as he gave a faint smile.

Although he is not sure, but he hopes a lot in Angela is also his hope for Monica

Joshua shrugged both shoulders. "Just take a walk, get wind." he said.

"Only?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Usually you're going to take Monica." said Angela, then she continued. "but I knew it wouldn't be possible at a time like this."

Joshua laughed short. "Please tell him, tomorrow before leaving, I'll wait for him in front of the house."

"Sure, I'll tell him." murmured Angela. "Hopefully he'll see you." then the girl suddenly stood up, making Joshua look up at Angela. "Looks like I'm bothering you, you should get ready to go home tomorrow. Happy packing."

Then Joshua saw Angela slowly move away from her place and finally disappeared as the girl closed the inn fence. Joshua let out a heavy sigh, then he also stood up and went back inside the inn.

...-οΟο-...

Monica raised her head when she heard the knocking sound of her bedroom door. Since then he was so comfortable in his position, bowing his head between the knees. His thoughts were filled with echoes of Joshua Spencer who was about to leave. He can't stop thinking about Joshua even though he knows that Joshua is asking Monica to stop thinking about him. But unexpectedly, the feeling was getting wider, so Monica could not control the feeling.

Because Monica did not make a sound, someone behind the door opened the door to Monica's room. It turns out she was Angela. The girl smiled at a glance, then walked into Monica's room.

"You okay?" angela asked, as she sat on the edge of Monica's bed.

Monica shook her head, then she leaned her head against Angela's shoulders. Angela gives her hug to Monica. "It's okay, honey. Its alright. Don't give up, Joshua didn't really leave you."

Monica took a heavy breath. "I know, but why doesn't my heart stop feeling this tight."

"Because you love her, your heart is not ready to accept the fact that she's leaving and you're going to be apart."

Hearing Angela's words, Monica grinned bitterly. "i didn't know that falling in love could hurt this much."

Angela tight-lipped. He chose to stroke Monica's back, calming her cousin who would be left behind by the idol. He no longer knows what to say. Can't he tell you about his secret meeting with Joshua? He wants to prepare a gift for Monica

"You want to meet him?"

Monica shook her head. "I'll get even more crowded if I meet him."

Angela sighed. "Tomorrow he'll go."

"I know."

"And he's still worried about you."

"I also know that." then Monica keeps her head away from Angela. "I want to meet him, but I can't."

Angela stroking Monica's hair. "Don't be afraid, I'll go with you. I've said a lot, don't let you regret it, Monica." then Angela lowered her hand and switched to stroking Monica's back. "So, do you want to see Joshua tomorrow?"

Angela's right, she mustn't waste the opportunity. If not tomorrow? When will he meet Joshua? He must not regret. Without thinking any longer, Monica immediately nodded, agreeing with Angela's invitation, before she finally hugged her cousin.

...----------------...