My Best friend's Boyfriend

Project Date

Chrissy

When I got into Cole's car that morning, he seemed tired and he was really pale.

"Are you okay?" I asked him, genuinely concerned.

He shook his head and put a hand on his forehead. "I'll be fine."
He was silent on the drive to school. He clearly was not okay. I was not usually one to pry, but I decided I would.

"What happened?"

Cole looked at me, and I realised he had eye bags. "I don't wanna talk about it."

I understood. I knew that feeling- talking about it would just make it worse sometimes.

Bianca was waiting for us at the front steps of the school. She grinned when we got out of the car. "My two favourite people!"

"Hey, Bee." I said.

Cole waved to her and took her hand without a word.

"Uhm, Cole? Are you alright?" Bianca asked him.

"I'm fine." He said. He was started to sound annoyed now.

"You don't look fine. What happened?" Bianca asked, looking more concerned now.

"Nothing happened." Cole muttered, avoiding her eyes.

"Clearly something happened!"
"I said I was fine!" Cole shouted. He looked really angry. "Stop pushing!" Cole let go of Bianca's hand.

"Hey! Don't talk to her that way!" I shouted at Cole. I probably should have stayed quiet. But nobody talks to my best friend that way.
"Stay out of this." Cole growled. His eyebrows were knit together and his upper lip was curled up. That man was angry!

"You know, Bianca cares about you Cole. She's just trying to help you." I told him, straightening myself up so I did not look too pathetic.

"I don't need her help."

"Are you sure?" I raised my eyebrows and scoffed.

Cole starred me down and walked into the school without another word.

I glanced at Bianca and she looked pissed. At me! "Why did you butt in?!?" She asked me.

"I was not gonna let him talk to you that way." I told her, shocked that she was angry.

"Just mind your own business." Bianca said, walking away.

I was flabbergasted. What was up with them today? I made my way to English Literature class. I always liked to come to class early, that way, I could study a bit beforehand. When I took my seat, I noticed that Cole was already there. That was rare. The only people in class were Cole and I. He looked really tired and I was suddenly hit with guilt. He must have had a bad night. I felt like I should say something.

"Ellison." I called for his attention.

He looked up and greeted me.

"I'm sorry."
He nodded. I decided to move to his seat. I took the seat beside him and sighed.

"I know you've had a bad night. If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to. I am sorry if we pried."

"No- Chris, I shouldn't have gotten mad." He sighed and leaned back in his chair.

I checked my watch- ten minutes till class and still, nobody was here.

"Chris."
I looked up at Cole.
"My sister. She was in surgery. She's okay, I think. But it's just scary. She hasn't been doing well." Cole told me.