It was the first time in my life I’d ever said something so blunt.


    Josh paused for a moment, then coldly replied, “You’re overthinking.”


    I just stood there, speechless.


    He turned around, sliced the apple into perfectly even pieces, and arranged them on a te, each slice lined up like soldiers at attention.


    As I looked at the apple, I suddenly had the urge to sneak back into his room.


    “Not eating? Does just looking at it satisfy your cravings?” Holly teased.


    I realized she wasn’t just any ordinary old woman. She could scold someone with her hands on her hips, be gentle and caring when the situation called for it, and tell a dirty joke without a second thought.


    “I’m waiting for you,” I replied yfully, handing her the biggest slice.


    She took it without hesitation and bit into it. “Sweet, but my blood sugar is high, so I can’t have too much.”


    I took a slice for myself, but Josh had already gone back to his room and didn’te out again.


    At dinner, he was gone again. I really wanted to ask him if he wasn’t going to eat, but he left so quickly that I didn’t even have time to speak.


    Holly let out a little hum from the side. “Josh is really distant. He only acts like this with you because you’ve caught his eye.”


    ‘Acts like what?’ I didn’t ask, but I couldn’t deny that his massage worked-after a nap, my feet didn’t hurt anymore.


    The next morning, when I woke up, the courtyard was eerily quiet-so quiet it felt like no one was around.


    I opened the door in my spaghetti strap nightgown and noticed Josh sitting at the stone table outside staring at me.


    Josh’s gaze lingered on me for a few seconds before he quickly looked away, and I noticed his ears turning red again.


    I nced down at my outfit, and my face instantly turned crimson.


    I quickly turned and went back inside, but Holly cheerfully called out to me, “Zoe, why are you running back to your room? Come over here and have some oatmeal.”


    By the time I changed and came back out, Josh was already gone. I peeked into his room and asked, “Why isn’t he eating?”


    “He got scared off by you,” Holly said with a mischievous grin. “Looks like you’ve got some moves.”


    She raised her eyebrows and gave me a knowing look. Of course, I understood what she meant, but I wasn’t doing anything like that.


    “Holly, with your age, and all those dirty thoughts floating around in your head, do you really think you can handle it?” I


    teased her.


    She looked at me with a grin. “What did you say? Dirty thoughts? Have I been too nice to youtely that you’re insulting me behind my back?”


    I couldn’t help butugh. “No, no, I wasplimenting you. At your age, you’re still sharp as a tack. Nothing gets past your


    So, are you and Josh really not a thing?” Holly asked.


    I looked down at my pale feet and thought of Alvin, who had once massaged them. “Holly, right now, I’m not thinking about love. It’s just too painful.”


    “Too painful, huh?” Holly clicked her tongue. “The best way to heal a broken heart is to find someone new.” Her ideas were pretty modern for someone her age.


    I bit my lip. “Not right now. I just need some time to be by myself.”


    Holly sighed deeply. “Some things, when you miss the chance, it’s gone forever. Do what you want.”


    With that, she got up to wash her bowl, leaving me to finish my oatmeal in peace.


    After dinner, I rode my bike out, unsure whether Josh had left or was still holed up in his room.


    When I returned in the evening, Holly was humming a tune, looking very cheerful.