Neighbors

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Okay, so the other night, things got pretty weird between Lauren and Zach. I got weird around Kyle and whatever, I don't know, that night just got weird.

Lauren filled me in about her little love affair with Zach that apparently has been going on for about a month now. Because all this time, I've always thought that she had a thing with Jake!

Oh no Jake... Jake's gonna get heartbroken and upset about this. Awe men.

And tonight, Sunday, is Jake's dad, Henry's birthday. And he's cooking steaks and burgers and he invited my family, Lauren's family, Zach's family and Kyle's family. Oh boy.

And damn it right now, I'm riding in Jake's jeep heading to the mall to pick up the gift he got for his dad.

"Thanks for coming with me." He said. "Oh you know, what else was I gonna do at home? I could've just read and slept but instead you forced me to go with you ." I said sarcastically. "I appreciate the enthusiasm but the reason why I asked you to come with me is because I really need to talk to my best friend, and she just so happens to be you." He said awkwardly.

"Okay, what do you want?" I asked. "What's up with Lauren recently? I tried to talk to her but she's not her usual self. When I talk to her it's like I'm talking to a zombie or something." He said. "I... I don't really know." I lied, I had to. "Well, I just want her to be back to her usual self because I'm finally gonna tell her how I really feel." He dropped the bomb on me.

I pulled the emergency break and looked at him. "Oh my god! Are you really gonna tell her how you really feel?!" I exclaimed. OH MY GOD. Do I tell him about Lauren and Zach?!?! Ugh my inner conscience tells me not to tell him but I feel like I should but it's also not my secret to tell but he's also my best friend ugh I don't know what to do. "Yes!" He shouted and resumed driving. "That's amazing! Why? Why now? What made you want to tell her?" I asked.

"I figured that it's time, y'know. I spent all these years pining for her, getting close to her, getting to know her and I want to take the chance to finally get to be with her. Look, we just get each other and we enjoy hanging out together. When I see her, my day just gets better and not only that, when I'm with her, she makes me a better person. And I'm finally ready to ask her to be my girlfriend. You don't think it's too late to ask her, right?" He said with passion.

What am I supposed to say?! I'm sorry, Jake but Zach beat you to it?! Shit.

"What took you so long?" I asked.

"To be honest, I don't really know." He said. "Maybe I was scared she wouldn't feel the same way about me as I do about her." He added and I just nodded as I stayed silent.

"C'mon, Em say something." He said while tickling me on my stomach. We both laugh and I look at him. "I think it's about time you told Lauren how you really feel about her. I've always been Team Jake!" I said enthusiastically with a little sarcasm. God I feel so bad. I feel like such a shitty friend for not saying anything. "And that's why you're my best friend!" He exclaimed and smiled while his eyes were on the road.

We finally get to the mall and he wraps an arm around me and I'm guessing, he's smelling my hair or something. Then he whispers, "Thank you, Em." And we go inside the mall.

As we head to the store where Jake had to pick up his gift for his dad, I look around nonchalantly while Jake is busy describing the gift.

When we finally got to the store, Jake picked up the gift and showed it to me. "So what's this supposed to be?" I asked. "It's a football ball that has been signed by the New England Patriots Players." He said. "Wow that's cool." I said sarcastically. "I know you're not into sports but can you at least be excited for me?" He asked and I do my best to be excited.