Not Like Her

5

I strode up to the front door of my house, my backpack heavy on my back. Macy complained about hers getting heavy, because of the "super long walk" we had to take to come back to mine. She didn't seem that upset in the morning as we walked to school together though.

Both Jake and Andrew fought about who was going to take her backpack, a stupid decision, really. I would have fought to not have to carry an extra backpack. Macy was giggling the entire time, but I could tell that something serious was going to happen if we didn't do anything. I had nudged Macy while Jake and Andrew began to form their hands into fists, at the exact same time. Macy had whispered to me, telling me not to worry about it. 

But I just took her backpack, took out her lunchbox and her laptop and shoved it into mine, along with some other random bits of pieces.

Andrew had looked at me with distaste, so much that I nearly rolled my eyes. 

I definitely didn't like him anymore.

Jake had sort of stood there, staring at Macy's then light backpack, something was wrong with him. He was upset, but it wasn't my problem. I had tried to help and he had shrugged me off.

So, whatever.

Anyways, we walked up to the door, I pushed it open and nervously walked into the hallway. I didn't know how to feel about having random people in my home, people from school that would probably judge me for my home.

Macy has been here before, too many times to count. So I wasn't worried about her judging. As I spotted Andrew gazing at my house with some form of wonder, I realised he probably assumed I was poor.

Ouch.

My family wasn't extremely wealthy, but we had enough money to go around. My house was pretty large too, it was continually getting renovations and parts being added to the house. We had smooth wooden floorboards, and sparkly clean white walls. 

We passed the photo wall, which I immediately wanted to die after realising both the boys were looking at the photos. 

Various photos were of my family and I, and I was dressed up really nicely. Not how I usually dressed for school, most of the photos had a little bit of makeup sprinkled on my face, my hair properly done and not frizzy at it normally is. As it is right now. 

One particular photo is of Macy and I, in our matching bikini's from a few weeks ago. Jake's cheeks pinkened as he looked away. More photos that included Macy were the ones that Andrew stared at. I cleared my throat, gaining both of their attention and turned around, continuing to walk through the house.

"Hello Mrs Malcoy." Macy said, walking up to my mother as she swept her into a hug. 

I stood there awkwardly in the kitchen, with Jake and Andrew beside me as Macy began to chit chat with my mother. Usually, I appreciated it. But then...

"Hello Macy love!" My mother then scanned me, right before she realised we had brought home two boys. "Oooo, and who do we have here?"

She raised an eyebrow at Macy and I, then stalked forward to shake their hands.

Jake had been to my house once before, and he smiled genuinely to her as she reminisced.

"Oh Jake! It's been such a long time since I've last seen you... how is your mother doing?"

"Good, I'll tell her you asked about her."

My mother chuckled, "Oh good!!"

Then she came face to face with Andrew. He stared at her, no smile on his face whatsoever. How rude.

My Mother stared at him back, her warm smile from before replaced with a thin line.

Before anything could happen, I asked Macy, "What do we need?"

I grabbed her arm and gestured for the boys to follow. We walked through the kitchen and around to my living room. An inviting brown couch stood against the wall, facing a tv which was propped in the centre of the wall opposite the couch. Next to the tv were too window slidng doors, leading to the backyard. From which you could see my pet dog, Cindy and our small chicken coop. 

Macy plopped down on the couch, Jake on one side and Andrew on the other. There was no more room on the couch so I just stood there, my arms plastered to my sides.

"You don't think we are actually going to do the work, do you? Let's just say your dog ate it, or that you lost it." Andrew said, crossing his arms.

He glared at me, and I was so very confused on why this boy hated me so bloody much.

"We are doing this, it's a group task. Come on Andrew." I tried to force a bit of excitement into my voice, even though I wanted to walk up the stairs to my bed and cry. 

Andrew wrinkled his nose, I spied Macy staring at his lips, "Ew. Don't say my name. And I'm definitely not doing this."

I tried to catch Macy's eyes, to help her convince me. I then turned my gaze on Jake. But he just sat there, staring at Macy's hand as it lingered near Andrew's thigh.

Yuck.

"I'm not doing this myself, it's a group project. And if you not going to help-then just get out!" I couldn't push my anger down fast enough.

Who did Andrew think he was? First he goes and practically steals my best friend since forever, then he turns Jake silent!! Why was he even here? He's the sort of guy that makes up excuses, why didn't he make an excuse to not come to my house?

Oh.

Mandy.

That was probably why both of them were here, and while I had a small kindle of hope that Jake was here for the actual group project, I realised they were both here for Mandy.

I attempted to shrug of the hurt, of the pain that it caused to my heart. I felt like nothing. 

I was nothing. Not to these boys, maybe not even to Mandy.

"Jakey boy will help you." Was all Andrew said.

I could only see red, it blurred my vision, I could feel tears threatening to burst.

"Then leave. Go on," I pointed to my couch, "Get off my fucking couch and leave! And Jake won't be the only one helping, because Macy will too!"

I didn't really believe my own words, I stared at Macy. Tried to stare into her eyes, into those beautiful brown eyes of hers. My best friend. My platonic soul mate. My non-blood sister. 

Andrew abruptly stood, his face unreadable. But I could detect a small but of satisfaction in his eyes.

He looked to Macy, who has been watching us like a tennis match. Jake began to watch us too, his eyes... blank.

Andrew walked out, but as he made it to the door and looked at Macy again.

Like he was asking her to follow...

No!

"Macy." I said, my hands trembling.

Please don't...

But she whispered, "Sorry." And followed Andrew out the door.

Leaving me with Jake, in complete and utter awkward silence.