My Love Standing Next to Me

Chapter Four

Lately, in our school, there has been distinct rumors spreading, that my friends and I have been discussing. From backstabbing friends to secret crushes, it was the usual teen drama. There was one rumor however, about someone liking me. My girl friends notified me the moment they heard about it and of course they were much more excited than I was given I was the only one in the group without a boyfriend. They said his name was Matt, and shockingly it turns out that Matt was my closest guy best friend. We grew up together in the same neighborhood and our families were close friends. It's too bad he wasn't into K-Pop, because if he was we would've been closer. I tell Matt everything, all my problems and concerns. But he was just a good best friend and nothing more. My girl friends also mentioned that he just didn’t develop feelings for me recently, but he has always liked me, ever since we were little. I remember when we were about seven or eight, we were playing in his backyard sandbox. His sandbox was huge and I remember making sand castles, pretending to be royalty and pirates and all of that crazy stuff that wasn’t weird when we were younger. We would keep playing until the sun went down and I didn’t want the fun to end and I could tell that he wanted the same thing. Then after days of bliss, which seemed like the highlight of my entire childhood, before I left one day he asked me to pinky promise him to always be his best friend and always be there for each other. We pinky swore and we got even closer than ever. Of course at the time, it was nothing but a silly act of friendship, I mean we were kids! But I know that we will remember that moment forever. Ever since that day we always kept in touch from our parents. Until, we got old enough to actually own cell phones and we would always text each other all night. I helped him with his girl problems and I couldn’t say that he helped me with mine because I didn’t have any, which is again sad. I didn’t want to confront him and or hurt his feelings so I just moved on with my life, acting as if I didn’t know he had feelings for me.

The bell had rung and half of the school day was over. As I was walking, all I can think about was if he really liked me. What if it was just a rumor? And what if it wasn’t? This could not happen because I destined for a K-Pop idol. As sorry as I am for Matt, It just couldn’t work. I know that I have to confront Matt at one point but I’m worried that he’ll be devastated. I would never do anything to hurt him, but he just needs to know how I feel. So, I decided to meet Matt. I wanted to meet him after school at a Starbucks a few blocks from our neighborhood. So I searched for him through the halls during lunch and I was headed to ask him.

“Hey, Matt can we meet at Starbucks after school? It’s like really important!” I asked trying to not sound suspicious.

“Yeah, sure but why? Is there something wrong?” He wondered.

“No there’s nothing wrong, I just wanted to casually talk, you know?” I said while I was being unintentionally awkward. And before I could get a reply I interrupted him.

“Please come, okay? I know you have football practice, but can you just bail for this one time? Okay? Um, I need to go, sorry! Be sure to be there early, don’t leave me hanging!” I hurried away. I looked back only to see his confused face that was still processing. But I knew he got the message.

I had to hurry because I know my other friends would be looking for me. They would poke their nose into my business like always and suspect something. I saw them with sad faces and I approached to hopefully cheer them up.

“Hey, what’s up?” I said with heavy breathing from running off.

“Whoa, are you okay? You look like you ran a marathon or something.” Min said before being nudged by Katherine, another one of our friends.

“Did you hear about the rumors about Tyler and Naomi?” Min announced.

“Why? What happened?” I was worried, Tyler and Naomi was an epic couple, that started dating since freshman year.

“They broke up last night because Naomi saw Tyler with another girl.” Katherine started tearing up. She was the one closest to Naomi.

“What!? How can this happen, I mean like why?” My eyes widened, and I was the only one in shock since I was the last one to hear the news.

“Is that why she didn’t come to school today? How is she taking it?” I knew at least one of them would check on her.

“We’re actually going to visit her after school today and possibly go to the mall. You know, some retail therapy.” Min was implying that I should go.

“I would love to go and all but I can’t, I have to be somewhere.” I felt guilty inside.

“What could be more important than your best friend needing you when she needs you the most?” Min was questioning my friendship loyalty and Katherine agreed.

“Okay, Okay. I’ll be there, I promise.” I said and I faked an incoming phone call and I told them I would be right back.

I went to the girl’s restroom and I pulled my phone out. What was I going to tell Matt? I texted him explaining the situation and saying how sorry I am but no matter how many times I texted him he wouldn’t reply. Was he avoiding me? I tried calling him too but it went straight to voicemail. I failed to conceal myself when I saw Katherine, who was followed by Min, saw me when my phone to my ear. I put it down quickly as I can and I pretend as if I was fixing my hair by looking into the mirror.

“Who are you calling? Naomi?” She questioned.

“Yeah, Yeah I am.” I nodded.

“I tried calling her multiple times too but she just won’t answer.” Min was saying as she was re-applying her mascara.

“Why couldn’t you just tell us then?” She added.

“I…” I stuttered.

“Or maybe she wasn’t calling Naomi.” Katherine said as she was slowly approaching me. She searched me and took out my phone.

“Katherine!” I shouted.

“Oh, so it was Matt! I bet you guys have a thing or something.” She said with an attitude.

“How can you seriously be flirting at a time like this?” Min said with the same tone.

“What are you hiding? You keep secrets from us now?” Katherine bolted at me.

“No, no, no. Nothing like that, I was going to tell you guys but…” I was cut off.

“But what? We’re not supposed to keep secrets! We’re best chingus remember?” She went on about the importance of secrets and friendship. I was being lectured. I didn’t realize the effect it would have on my friends. It did look really bad though.

“Okay, okay. I’m really sorry guys. I didn’t mean it, so please don’t make this such a big deal.” I interrupted.

“We’re just saying, what if it comes down to really important stuff? Are you going to tell us then?” Katherine asked and they both settled down.

“Yes, of course. You guys know me, I would always tell you if something’s up.” I assured them.

The bell rang as soon as I told them and they forgave me. We all said our goodbyes and exited the restroom towards our next class. As always, the day seemed quick and it was time to go to Naomi’s house.