The forgotten key

Chapter three

There we are. We moved a few weeks ago to Boston. It's so weird being in another state without anything I'm familiar with. I have to get to know everything. But at least our house is cool. We have a little yard and my room is really cute. Mom, a workaholic, threw herself back into work. Gavin, of course, made friends and is hanging out with them. And I'm here with zero friends, bought five new books, and am reading them in the garden. That's really cool, I have to say, but sometimes I wish I already had friends to hang out with.

Mom:I'm home in 10 minutes. Please be dressed.

Me:OK, where are we going?

I'm curious where we are going and why Mom is home so early today...

...

"I'm home, honey. Come here, we have to go."

"Mom, where are we going??"

Now I'm sitting in the car and still don't know where we're going. The car stops, and now I know where we are. "Mom, are you for real??? Are we getting a cat?"

"Yes, Julee, you can pick a cat. I know it's been hard for you and you've always wished for a cat."

This is so crazy! We're standing in front of a shelter. I've wanted a cat forever, and now I'm gonna pick one. "Thanks, Mom, that's so kind of you." I picked an orange one. He's 11 years old and a little diva, as it says on the sign. I can't believe it. I'm so happy right now. "But we have to buy things like litter before he moves into our house."

"Don't worry, I already bought everything. You just have to unbox it at home."

After I placed everything for him, I cuddled with Nemo, his new name. He's so cute and fluffy.

"Since when do we have a cat?" asked Gavin.

"Since today. Mom and I went to a shelter and brought him home. His name is Nemo. He's so cute, look."

"Wow, how ironic that his name is Nemo. But he's really cute, I have to say."

---

In this moment, I really wished my dad was here. It's 2:34 a.m. and I can't sleep. I mean, we have holidays and I'm just lying here the whole day without any friends. So I lay in my bed staring at the ceiling. Maybe Penn is still awake.

Me:Still up?

No response. Maybe Nolan?

Me:Are you still up?

Nolan:Yeah, you OK?

Me:Yup, just can't sleep. And you?

Nolan:Same, wanna talk?

Me:Yeah, would be nice.

"So how is Boston? Already miss me?"

"Ha ha. We've got a cat and we have a cute house, but I don't know, it's so different."

"You've got a cat??? That's so cool. What's its name?"

"It's Nemo. I can send you a pic, wait a sec."

"Aw, he's really cute, I have to say. So, how are you doing?"

"I mean, we've been here for just a few weeks, but I really wanna go back, you know what I mean."

"I get what you mean. It's so different without you, and I want to apologize to you for my confession. I really overwhelmed you and I hope this didn't mess up our friendship. And yeah, I think I have feelings for you but I still don't want to lose you as a friend. I hope you can forgive me for that, Julee."

"Uhm, oh, that came out of the blue. But I get you and of course, I forgive you. I'm not mad or anything, but I see you just as a friend, like a best friend. And you know the last year was wild and I don't have the mind for that. I really, really love this friendship."

"OK, that's good. I'm glad you can forgive me. But please, new topic hahaha. Did I tell you that Dad and I are going to Europe next week? He said that I need this or something."

"Wow, that's cool. You have to send me many pics!!"

"Of course... Oh, it's 3:12. I have to sleep. Mom wants me to help with the garden at 6 a.m. Man, so early."

"Oh, OK, of course. Good night and sleep well."

"Good night. I'll write you tomorrow."

It's such a relief that this is over. I try to sleep because I'm so tired now...

Yeah, didn't quite work. Here I am wide awake in my bed. This is so dumb, why can't I sleep? It's 3:40 and I just can't sleep. I think I need a snack. So I get to the kitchen. Standing in front of the fridge. Bro, there are just ingredients but nothing I'm craving for. Yesterday Gavin had friends over and they made a big dinner, but damn, nothing left?! I really have to go grocery shopping tomorrow. OK, so no snacks and I can't sleep, what should I do?

Maybe a little air will help. I put my shoes on and sit on the porch. Wow, it's really breezy but not too cold. Shit, I forgot my phone in my room. Music would be nice now, but not without my phone.

Ah, shit, Mom told me we have to go to the neighbors for dinner tomorrow. The last few times I was able to find excuses, but not this time. I really don't wanna go. But I think it's good for Mom to meet her new friends. And maybe they have a kid my age like how I met Penn back then. The house is really pretty from the neighbors, maybe they're really rich. I don't know, but tears are coming from my eyes and I cry. I can't stop. This is ridiculous, why am I crying? I didn't even think of anything sad. I mean, the last weeks were stressful but I normally can hold it in. Hopefully, I can sleep well after this cry.

I heard something from the left. As I'm looking to the house left of us, there is a boy trying to get in the house. Maybe he has a curfew and has to be really quiet. I'm just sitting without saying anything so that he doesn't know I'm here. Man, I can't imagine how uncomfortable it would be if he sees a stranger crying her eyes out in the middle of the night. Must look so pathetic.

"Ah shit, I forgot my keys."

Okay, I think he forgot his keys. Man, just climb in the window or something. Didn't he watch movies? They do it all the time there. He pulls his phone out and types something. I think like his brother or sister.

"C'mon, go on your phone..."

He says and looks around. Ah shit, directly in my eyes. Okay, where is my phone so I can fake texting someone? Motherfucker, I forgot it in my room. Man, this is embarrassing.

"Are you new?"