I lie on the floor, curled up in a ball, crying hysterically and hiccupping in between. And the worst part is that I don’t even know why I’m crying anymore. It started with the Marco and Kyle dilemma, but that just triggered this reaction and I’m pretty much just sobbing because of everything. My dad, my mum, my lack of friends, Jason, my entire miserable life.
Both Alex and Kyle are sitting next to me, trying to calm me down, asking me to tell them what’s wrong, but I can’t even form a coherent sentence right now, all I can think is how horrible my life is, over and over. Alex gets up to search for tissues, which knowing him and how messy he is will take him a while and Kyle wraps his arms around me, hugging me tightly to his chest.
“It’s going to be okay” He murmurs soothingly while rocking me back and forth slowly and even though I’m still crying, I feel a bit calmer than before. But then Alex comes back and all it takes is for him to say the words “It’s almost 8pm” and I’m sobbing into Kyle’s chest again. “It’s okay” He strokes my hair and finally I manage to speak.
“He’s going to kill me” I whisper through tears and choke up, but they both hear it. “You’re not going home then” I look up at his words and there is a strange determination in Kyle’s eyes, but I shake my head frantically, trying to stop crying. “He’s right, Liz. Call your mum and it will be fine. You don’t need his shit today” Alex pipes in just as I am about to protest. Looking between the both of them, I realise it’s pointless to argue, so I nod. “Come on then” Kyle stands up and offers me his hand with a warm smile, but I refuse to show any more weakness today.
“I’m okay” I get up, ignoring his hand and wiping my cheeks. Both of them give me sceptical looks, but finally Alex nods and Kyle gently grabs my wrist, pulling me out of the door behind him. “Where are we going?” I ask confusedly and he chuckles. “We’re going to have a sleepover”
About fifteen minutes later Kyle parks his car in front of a nice two story building and gets out. I sit in the car for a few seconds, trying to gather the courage to open the door. Even from the outside I can already tell that I won’t fit in here. Kyle makes the decision for me when he opens the car door and ushers me to get out and walk to the front door.
The second we enter the house, a middle aged woman practically runs out of the kitchen, smiling brightly at Kyle. “Hey sweetie, how was your day?” He mutters something that sounds like ‘okay’ and then she turns to me, her green eyes warm and vivid. “And you must be Liz. I’m Lauren, so nice to finally meet you, he hasn’t stopped talking about you” She winks at Kyle who blushes and looks down trying to hide it.
“Nice to meet you” For once I don’t have to force a smile and extend my hand, but she engulfs me in a bear hug. “Caitlin, dinner is ready!” She calls up the stairs and I hear the thudding of footsteps. “Kyle!” A little girl, Caitlin I presume, flings herself into Kyle’s arms and he catches her, laughing loudly. “Hey little sis” He kisses her cheek and then she runs off to the kitchen.
I can already smell the food from the kitchen and automatically start walking towards it, Kyle following closely behind me. “I hope you like lasagne” Lauren says while putting the food down on the table and my mouth waters. Sitting down, I realise how much I missed this. It’s been ages since I’ve had this kind of family dinner with everyone chatting and laughing and I feel a pang of jealousy. I wish my parents would be like this, I wish I wouldn’t be afraid to go home, a place that’s supposed to be my safe haven.
Once we finish, Kyle and I get up and he turns to his mum. “Is it okay if Liz stays the night?” She raises her eyebrows at him and he quickly goes on. “We’re just friends, no funny business” Lauren nods with a knowing smile and as we head up the stairs, I hear Caitlin’s high pitched voice. “But they look like you and daddy when they’re together”
“You can wear this” Kyle hands me a shirt and boxers and I nod while he walks out of the room. His room is nothing like I expected it to be. It’s neat and organised, with white walls and dark blue furniture. There were a few books on the bed side table and some pictures on the wall of him and what I guess are his friends. I change quickly and then open the door again, Kyle walking in with a pillow tucked under his arm.
“So, you can have the bed and I’ll sleep on the floor” He smiles sweetly and I almost protest, but the look he’s giving me tells me that he won’t budge no matter what I say, so I close my mouth again and just lay down on the bed. I snuggle into the covers, engulfed by his smell, but when he turns off the light all the events from today come crashing down on me and I begin to worry about my dad. I called mum on the way here and she said she’d talk to him, but what if he got angry and took it out on her?
I was starting to freak out and I guess Kyle noticed because I heard him turn around and ask “Are you okay?” I am tempted to lie, to say that everything is fine and just let him sleep, but somehow I can’t. I don’t want to be the strong one anymore, I want someone to take care of me for once. So I’m honest.
“No. Can you come here, please?” Only when I hear my voice do I realise how broken it sounds and that I’m crying. He gets up immediately, lifting the covers and wrapping his arms around my waist. “It’s okay. I’m here” I lean on his chest and for the first time ever I believe that, maybe, one day, everything is going to be okay. “Why are you doing this? Being so nice to me?” The question is spoken before I can stop myself and it’s barely a whisper, because I’m already half asleep. I don’t think he heard it, but just before I fall asleep, Kyle mutters something under his breath. “Because I’m falling for you”
~~~~~~
Next chapter!!
Hope you enjoy, let me know what you think :)
I wasn't really sure if I'd be able to finish it because this weekend was really busy, but then I had this idea and BAM new chapter ^^
Also, almost 300 reads!!!! Thank you so much (even if it doesn't seem like much it is to me)
- Love, Jess
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Friends are just known enemies
Roman pour AdolescentsLiz, a book and band loving girl is the outsider of her school. Besides problems at home, she is bullied at school and has no friends. But with the arrival of a new student, Liz finds herself with very unlikely friends. But is she really better off...
