My best stranger

4_tin

I wake up to the sound of my alarm buzzing. I decided to set an alarm so I could go to school on time now that exams is by the corner. Exams are sickening and draining but they remind you that your closer to the end of semester and closer to freedom from education. I had done well in the test and if I ace this exam, my GP is sure to be first class.

I toss the duvet aside and look around trying to 'boot'. I rake my hand through my hair and stand up. I do push ups and when I'm done I feel a burning pain in my heart, I hold on to my chest and seat on the bed, more like get pushed on the bed by the sudden pain. I take in deep breaths and hope it subsides. It gets bearable and I walk over to the bathroom to take a shower.

I take out a button up short sleeve shirt from my closet. It's a break from the casuals I have been relying on. I leave the first three buttons open exposing my chest and the silver chain around my neck

What? I can't be THAT decent

I pair it up with a cream colored fitted trouser and the classic white air force ones. I walk down stairs and hear noises coming from the parlor, I get startled and immediately remember I'm not home alone. Dylan is on the couch holding a bag of chips close to his bare chest. This guy really hates clothes. He has his eyes fixed on the tv. He's watching squid game.

It's now you watch squid game?

"I'm off to school" I seize his attention as I walk over to the front door.
"Your not having breakfast?" He asks pretending to care. Maybe he actually does
"I'll eat at the cafe"
He shrugs his shoulders and looks back at the tv. I leave the house and close the front door. I take a look at his blue mercedes again. It looks better in the day time. I get into my car and take a boring drive to school.

I walk into my first class and I'm the first one there. Lucky me. I rest my head on the back of my seat and enjoy the rear silence. Not long after I hear sluggish feets drag on the floor. There goes my 60 seconds of peace. I raise my head back up and examine the gloomy faces of people who really hate classes. The teacher walks in and gives us some areas to note when reading for the exams. Days prior to exams I make sure I note down every word the lecturer says cause I know they sell themselves out by saying some questions that are sure to come out.

We are done with the first set of le lectures and I have a two hour break before my 3pm lecture. I go to the cafe to get the breakfast, now lunch that I missed.
Erica meets up with me at the cafe and can't help but notice my change in fashion.
"Wow, did the versace fairy visit you today?"
"What's that?" I say and chuckle at her made up fairytale.
"I don't know just made it up. But I like the tease, you know the open buttons, the chain. Where are the line of girls that followed you here?" She says dramatically turning around to look for the so called 'paparazzi'.
I feel the vibration of my phone and take it out of my pocket. It's my right hand man, Lucas "what's up"
"Can you escort me to..."
"Sure, I'll be there"

"You'll be where? your having lunch with me"

"Do you want to go see Liya?"

"Wierd you ask but ya, it's been long"

"Can I meet you there, I have to meet Lucas"

"Uhmmm, your acting sus right now"

"I promise I'll be there just go"

She looks a little hurt as she stands up to leave but I know it's for the best. I get up and walk over to my car then drive to where Lucas says I should pick him up.
"Let's pick up some flowers first" I suggest, planning to stall until Erica gets there.
"Sure, thanks for the reminder"
We go to a nearby flower store and he picks brightly yellow butter cups. We get back in the car and I slowly drive to the cemetery.
"You look really fond of this road?"
"It's not that hard to find, it's a cemetery" I reply with a nervous laugh. Hope it isn't obvious that something is up. We get out of the car and walk into the serene scene of the cemetery covered with lush grass and well spaced grey colored stone structures. We make our way over to Liya's grave and I breathe a sigh of relief when I see Erica seating by it.
We finally arrive and I take the time to look at their mortified faces as they stare at each other then at me.
Erica goes first "I told you not to tell anyone, why did you bring Larry"
Then Lucas"How does she know about Liya? And my name is fucking Lucas"

Oh poor things.

"You both might hate me now but I am the bridge that joins you both together" I say dramatically spreading my arms in the gloomy air.
"Erica, remember the donut shop guy Liya couldn't stop talking about?"
"Ya"
"Here he is"
The look on her face is fucking priceless, shocked and happy and I see tears forming.
Then I turn to Lucas " not that much explanation, she's Liya's bestfriend"
"Damn" he says and runs his hand through his coffee coloured curly hair then seats on the floor next to Erica.
A gleeful smile appears on my face, I feel like a platonic cupid.
"You both are the ones that made Liya the most happy before she died. You should thank each other. I seat next to Lucas and watch as both of them try to figure out what's going on.
"Did she really talk about me that much?" Lucas asks as he places the buttercups on her grave.
"She was freaking obsessed with you. But she never said your name" she says and laughs.
"We had a deal not to tell our best friends I guess she broke it. But I don't blame her".
"She made you sound like a god. Your not so bad Larry"
"Oh Lord. Let's agree to disagree."
"I know your name is Lucas. But the name stays"
"Alright then"
I start to feel a little left out. I look on the ground for a anything to fiddle with. A pebble, stone, stick. I find a tiny pebble laying next to the grave I pick it up and examine it's smooth surface like it was the most fascinating thing I've seen. They keep on exchanging memories of Liya. My phone buzzes reminding me we have 3 pm lectures.

"Uhmmm guys. Sorry to spoil this beautiful moment but we have classes"

"Ugghhh" they both groan and we get up and walk back to the car. Erica takes her car back to school and Lucas and I use my car.

"How long did you know Erica was Liya's bestfriend."
"A long time"
"Thanks bro"
"Sure"
We arrive back at school and go for the last lecture of the day after that the three of us meet up at the cafe and eat the missed breakfast and lunch which is now dinner.

"Larry,did Noah tell you Dylan's here?" Erica says and sips her milkshake.
"Are you serious? The almighty Dylan" lucas replies and laughs at me. I roll my eyes, pick up a french fry then munch on it.

"You guys don't understand cause your both the finest siblings"

"I'm sure my real siblings, if I have any are way hotter than I am" lucas points out. Erica has a confused look on.
"he's adopted"
"Oh" she says now aware. She's about to put on the pity face that Lucas hates but then says "nah, they can't compete with you"
She's so emotionally intelligent knowing what will make someone feel bad and avoiding it.
Lucas turns to her and smiles. They are sitting next to each other with me opposite them.
"You should talk to him. You guys are both adults now" Lucas suggests and Erica nods in agreement.
They were right I might as well patch things up to make this week a lot less cringe.

Seven's note
The cat is finally out of the bag. May Liya's soul rest in peace. Pls don't forget to vote and comment, it doesn't require energy, time rocket science or money so why not give it a try🙂. Love y'all

P.s who else is an overthinker, I know I am