Gift of a Lifetime

V

After that day, things had changed. The three of us bonded, and I got to know Jayden -and the new, stoner Ryan (he was addicted to weed and pot, something that Jayden didn't know of until he was too late). Jayden was a really good to me -he was so inclusive, generous, and funny in an awkward way. He was a bit of a nerd, which I enjoyed, because that gave us a way of bonding. (Ryan, you really don't know how to do this? Jayden said to Ryan in a teasing voice, he looked at me and we laughed, resulting in him getting a shove in the face. Guys, seriously, help me! Ryan was stressed about the state test, but we couldn't help but laugh about it. I need to know how to do this. We didn't take school all that seriously, seeing as it was our only resource of fun.)

I could go on and on about how good of a friend Jayden was. He was even native to NYC, so he was able to help us with the people there, and don't forget the maze of a school. And the kids -the short friend in that group of older boys that messed me up was named Wes Elman, a name that sounded innocent and vulnerable all the while being the kid that ruined your middle school experience. But Jayden was always there to rescue us from the dark days, and somehow always knew how to help us no matter the cause -whether it was a nose bleed or a scrape, a bad thought or a bad day, he always knew. I really liked him. I never thought there could be someone as good as Jayden.

And Ryan, though my endearing feelings for him had vanished (which I'd figured was simply a phase), and he was addicted, we clicked together again. I'd sometimes find him going for my mom's drinks in the fridge, but I couldn't let that happen. He was a young boy. He was the same height as me, the same skinny, frail body (which the three of us all shared), the same heart with great intentions, a great future ahead.

Though they both had no idea what I'd been through, I still had the time of my life with those two. We were friends, the three of us. Best friends. Us against the world.

We were together for the first time in a long time.