𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐘 𝐌𝐄

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐎

I sighed as I reached the end of the street.

I was too busy focusing on getting out of the house I didn't even tie my shoes. I knelt down and did my laces, stood back up adjusting my shorts and shirt, then continued walking.

I also forgot my sunglasses, as the blaring sun was burning my irises. This heat was almost unbearable. I'm glad I at least put on some sunscreen.

I finally made my way to the treehouse, it was me and my friends go-to hangout spot. It was lovely and cosy.

I climbed up the ladder and knocked the special knock on the trapdoor. The special knock that only we know. The next thing I know, the trapdoor opens. Climbing inside, I see Chris and Teddy sat opposite each other, playing a game of cards, cigarettes hanging from their lips.

"Y/N! I see you've finally joined us" Teddy exclaims with a goofy grin. "Hey guys" I huff as I sit beside them. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to relieve the stress and annoyance my mom has put on me. I'm pretty sure Chris noticed my distress, as he said,

"You good?" he furrowed his brows. I inhaled "Yeah, i'm good. My moms just driving me up the wall" I forced a chuckle. "But i'm fine" I gave him a reassuring smile.

He looked unsure whether to believe me or not, until he finally nodded and looked back to the cards in his hands.

Teddy took a drag of his cigarette. "Well, if she ever gives ya a tough time, you know who to call and i'll be there in a jiffy" he grinned cockily, trying to cheer me up.

"Who says I'd call you?" I joked, smirking. Chris let out an "ooooo" followed by "she shut down your ego quick, Duchamp!". Me and him giggled as Teddy shook his head slowly in disappointment.

"Oh cmon. You know i'm only kidding" I playfully nudged his shoulder, smiling. He glanced at me, a smirk forming "Aha, so that means you would". I just shrugged in response.

Thing is..he was right. I definitely would call him. But he doesn't have to know that yet.

"Anyway. You wanna play?" Chris asks, gesturing to his cards. I shook my head "Nah, I'm good. I'll take one of those cigs though"

He reached into his pocket and tossed me the packet of cigs and his lighter (technically his dads). I took one from the box and lit it, taking a drag, and put the materials back in Chris's pocket.

Suddenly, we heard a knock coming from the trapdoor below us. It was the secret knock, so we instantly knew it would be Gordie. Chris moved the table they were playing cards from, opened the trapdoor, and Gordie climbed inside.

We all greeted him as he came and sat down in between Chris and me. Chris and Teddy continued their game, and this time Gordie joined.

I'll give you a little background on these losers I call my best friends.

Gordie Lachance was a quiet boy around locals, but with us, he comes out of his shell way more. He's sweet, and has an amazing imagination. He has a passion for writing, he comes up with stories in an instant and he tells them brilliantly. Me and the others love it when he tells us stories. He wants to be an author when he's older, and we couldn't agree more because he would be an amazing writer, and I personally would 100% read one of his books. Although, over the past few months he's not been quite himself. His older brother, Dennis (or Denny) died in a tragic car accident earlier this year in April. The two were really close, and Gordie was devastated. I guess that's what makes quite a strong bond between me and him, as we can relate and understand each other about the loss of our brothers. I feel bad for the kid, as he's rejected by both his parents, as they were more fond of his brother rather than Gordie. Denny paid Gordie much more attention than his parents ever did.