"I Love You... As a Sister"

Chapter 2 - What's Worse Than Being Friendzoned?

It's already been more than 3 years since he told me that I was his 'friend'. And I can't even believe that I survived the friendzone that long...

I'm on my way too school when, I heard running footsteps behind me. "Yo, Danny! Wait up..." Joe was running towards me. I stopped so he could catch his breath. "Morning Joe... Why in such a hurry? It's only quarter to 7" I greeted. Joe was still panting. "I... I want to tell you something. I think my girlfriend and I are going to break up", he frowned. "But, why? Have you guys been fighting?" I asked. "We're not fighting. Last night, she gave me a text message. I couldn't reply because I got no load. Then, she got all angry and shit. Danny I'm so scared" Joe explained. It gave me a little heartbreak... Okay, A big heartbreak. I still don't want to tell him what I really feel about him. And I don't want to lose his girlfriend. She's the only one that makes her happy... Besides me, of course.  But still, I cared for Joe, even if it tears me down, piece by piece. I love him. And I don't want to see him miserable nor be sad.

We both talked about his problem and I gave him some advice on how to explain to her 'girlfriend' what happened, whilst we walked to school together. And I gave him some load to apologize, just in case his girlfriend doesn't want to see his face (you know how girls are).

During algebra, I turned to see what Joe was doing. His textbook was open and faced directly at his face. But inside the textbook was his phone. 

The bell rang and out came the students from different rooms. "Hey! Good news, Danny", Joe reported. "She's okay with it. I sent her an apology text message". I was so happy for him (but sad for me). I was too speechless. "Danny! You alright? You haven't been talking lately" said Joe. "Nahh... I'm fine. I'm just, ya know... happy for you guys" I faked a smile. "Thank you so much, Danny! I owe you... big time. Now, I can call you my... best friend". *Eye twitch* Best friend. Best friend. Best friend... Those words echoed inside my head several times.

After school, Joe and I decided to have a sleepover at my place (no dirty minds... don't think of it that way), since my parents are gone for the weekend. I told him to sleep on the floor. We orded some pizza, his favorite - Hawaiian with extra ham. Whilst we waited for the pizza guy, we played Uno cards, and The Walking Dead in Kinect. After dinner, we layed under the stars. Joe stared at me, smiling and sang "When the mon hits your eyes like a big pizza p..." *BUURRP* We laughed our guts out and he layed my head on his chest. His heart beat was so steady. I can feel my blood going up in my cheeks. Joe stroked my hair and kissed me in the forehead. He was so cuddly, I fell asleep so quickly. 

The next morning, I woke up, still on Joe's chest. I sat up and saw that he slept on my bed. Grr... I clearly told him that he would sleep on the floor. No matter. My stomach grumbled. I am SOOO hungry! Joe woke up. He must've heard my stomach. Joe's not much of a deep sleeper. "Aww... Is baby Danny hungry?" he asked as if I was a baby. Well, I do look like one. Cheeks are chubby and soft like a marshmallow. No pimples. "VERY!!" I replied. Joe got out of bed and headed straight down stairs, to the kitchen. I followed him. My stomach demanded food. I sat in the dining area. In a few minutes, I could smell something so delicious. Out from the kitchen, Joe served my favorite breakfast meal - bacon and   pancakes with scrambled egg. Joe was the best cook I've ever known. 

"MAN!! These are the best!" I complemented the chef. "It should be. Because, they were made by the best" he added. I was about to start an argue when I remembered that he slept on my bed. But, I was in such a good mood to start a fight or be mad, especially at him. 

BEEP BEEP BEEEEEEP!!, the phone rang. "Hello?" I greeted. There was a long pause, but I can hear the caller breathing. "Honey?". It was my mom. She sounded worried. "Mom? What is it? What's wrong? Are you okay?". Joe went beside me and started rubbing my shoulders. He knew I was worried, because of my voice. "We're might be here for a month. So, please take care", my mom advised. "Josie, come on! She knows what she's doing. That little bastard!" my dad said from the background. Mom hung up after that. Didn't even say goodbye. 

"What is it?" Joe asked as I put down the phone gently on the coffee table. He turned my body facing his. My face was all messed up. Hair covered my face, but Joe put it behind my ear. I no longer answered his question. Instead, I picked up my PSP and played NBA 2K12. "Dude, tell me. What's wrong?", he demanded. But his voice was soft. We both sat down in the sofa. He turned to me and held my hands. He pulled my head towards his chest. I burst into tears. "Ahh... It's your dad again, isn't it?", he guessed. "Uh-huh".

Since we've known each other for a long time, we know things about each other. I know whenever Joe's about to cry or if he's just hungry. We know each other's secrets. Even darkest of all. And he knows that I need to go some place, where I can relax. 

We drove off. Joe brought me out of town. I rested my head on my seat and opened the windows. The smell of nature reminds me of my not- so happy childhood.

~~~~~~~~~~ FLASHBACK ~~~~~~~~~~

Today, my friends (imaginary friends) and I are going to play in the living room. I set up the television and brought out a roll of paper. I pretended to sing as my audience cheered and applaused. I stopped because I heard some noise in the kitchen. Pans began to fall. "Uh! YES!! MORE!!!!!". It was my mother. I tried to peek. Dad saw me. "What the fuck is your problem, kid? Can't we get some privacy here?!". He grabbed my arm tightly and dragged my  to my room. My arm was so red because of his hand. "Now, you stay here and shut the fuck up!! We don't want you to get in the way o our happiness, kid", he said and locked me from inside. Dad went to the other room with mom. I heard the springs of the bed squeaking. "Uh-yes-HARDER!" 

One afternoon, mom commanded me to bring a pot full of water outside. The pot was so heavy I can even barely carry it any longer. The pot was so huge, I couldn't even see my way. I heard something drop from the coffee table. I laid the pot down for awhile and saw dad's favorite fountain pen. It was his favorite, because it was worth a fortune. It was broken to pieces due to the fall. Dad caught me. He thought that I broke his favorite pen ON PURPOSE. He was so furious, he picked up his hammer from the toolbox and went to my bedroom. I followed him, but all I saw was my only bedroom furniture - my bed in pieces. Because of that, I spent my whole life sleeping on the cold floor, till I was 11 and had my own money to buy my own bed.

~~~~~~~~~~ END OF FLASHBACK ~~~~~~~~~~

We arrived at our destination, I think. Joe parked a few feet away from a nearby cliff. We both stepped out of the car. The place look familiar. The trees are thrice as tall as me (which makes me feel like a midget). The grass swayed along with the cool and windy breeze. I touched every tree that I passed by as I roamed around. At the center stood an oak tree. I examines the tree and found carvings around it. "My Happy Place" I pronounced the words. I looked up to the sky - blue like the ocean. I didn't realized that I walked so far until I turned to look at Joe. He opened his arms and ran towards him and hugged him. He hugged me tight.

We stayed there all day. We played hide & seek. I would climb on the trees so Joe won't find me. Nighttime came. "Isn't it a bit late already?" he reminded. "But..." I was lost in words since I'm so exhausted. I didn't want to go home, yet. I started an argument. W kept on string at each others faces. He won. He held both of my hands. "I hate it, when we fight" he frowned. Joe opened the car door for me. He's upset and I didn't want him to be more upset, so I went inside.