Do Best Friends Last Forever?

Chapter 4

Hunter

Friday… last day of the week.

I was in seventh period, reading “Romeo and Juliet” for English. Filling out the vocabulary sheet and answering questions about the plot.  I had just read “act I scene II”, when my phone beeped, signaling a new message. I unlocked my phone to see a new snapchat message from Chase. It was a picture of her all bug eyed with her eyebrows disappearing into her hair. I sent a picture of me making the same face. We still had another 30 minutes until class got out. I knew Chase was practically itching to get out of class to get to her new job at the morgue. She has always been fascinated by stuff like that, so I knew she was really excited. 10 minutes before class ended. I started a countdown to the bell, texting Chase every time the minute hand on the clock moved.  When the bell rang, I waked across campus to my locker, and put my books away. As I was walking away I saw Alex, one of my best friends walking toward me smiling. He doesn’t go to our school so I automatically wondered what he was doing here. But at the same time I didn’t really care. I hadn’t seen him in what felt like forever! So since he wasn’t that far away from me I dropped my bag, and ran to him, screaming his name in the process. He stood there and waited with his arms wide open. I ran into his embrace and hugged him tight. I loved his hugs so much. He may be skinny but he was 6 inches taller than me, just about Chase's height, and his arms wrapped all the way around me, making me feel small and protected. People were starting to stare at us so I pulled away and grabbed my bag, Alex following me.

As we walked to my car, he put his arm around my shoulder and I asked him, “What are you doing here?”

He hesitated, looking at me and raising an eyebrow. I then understood why.  “No! It’s not that I don’t want you here! I was just wondering why you came…? And I’m going to shut up now because I’m not helping.” He just looked at me and started laughing. I felt kind of bad for wording my question like that, but I couldn’t think of any other way to ask. Once he could calm himself down and stop laughing, he answered my question saying, “What? I can’t come visit my beautiful best friend at school?”  I’m sure that any other girl who didn’t know Alex would blush like crazy and think he was flirting. I mean, he was really attractive. But, that was just his personality. Plus he is EXTREMELY gay! I’d actually been asked multiple times if we were dating because we were so close and no one at our school knew he was gay. Chase says that he is the only guy that I ever act normal around. I seem to be a little shy when it comes to boys.

We had gotten to my car by then and I just decided to invite Alex over since I knew that my mom wouldn’t care. She loved Alex! It would be a nice surprise for her to see him. He was 2 years older than me so when we got to my house, I had him help me with my homework, since he had already learned it all. He stood on the other side of the island in the kitchen and asked about Tate. AWKWARD! The last time I’d seen Alex, I liked a guy named Tate. I was explaining everything that Tate had said and done to me when he interrupted and asked “Do I need to kick his ass? And do I need a shovel?” I giggled at his silly questions and told him thanks, but no. Tate was a pretty big guy and he could take down Alex in a split second. Tate also wasn't an asshole, we were just not right for each other.

 I had just finished my work when, as if on cue, my phone rang with my text message ringtone for Chase.  She just said to meet her at our usual fro-yo place in 15 minutes since she had just gotten off work.  I decided to just reply with a simple “potassium” an inside joke between us, seeing as she was studying to be a doctor, and not tell her about Alex.  She was friends with him also and I knew she’d be happy to see him as well.

We had gotten to the fro-yo place and were waiting for Chase to show up.  She was 15 minutes late so I decided to go actually buy something before they kicked us out for just sitting there. I bought Alex’s yogurt and then went to get mine. I was just ready to hand the cashier my money when I saw a hand reach around me and heard a deep voice say “Let me get that for you, Angel.” I don’t know what it was about his voice, but I had butterflies going crazy in my stomach. Actually, forget butterflies, I had the whole zoo on the loose. I turned around, expecting to see someone that I knew, but no… All I saw were beautiful, bright green eyes. Ones that I knew for sure, I didn’t know.  All I got out was a stuttered “T-t-thanks.” And then he was gone. I looked over to Alex who was already staring at me with his mouth hanging wide open. I walked over to him and sat in my seat. Turning to face him I said, “Who the hell was that?” Alex just stared at where the mystery guy was standing 30 seconds ago, and shrugged signaling that he didn’t know either. 

 About 10 minutes later, I got text message from Chase asking to meet at her house at 7, and apologizing for not being able to make it. Still focusing on what had happened very recently, I texted her back telling her that I understood and that I’d see her soon and that I had a surprise for her. I also attached a photo of me shoving a huge spoonful of yogurt into my mouth. I tried to make it seem like I was normal so she wouldn’t know that something was up. I know that I’m supposed to tell her everything and not keep secrets, but I wanted to figure out who this guy was before I told her what had happened.