My Boy Best Friend

Chapter Five

Jordan

I sat at the dining room table, staring into the distance deep in thought. It was hard to process what had happened just outside, and what was happening with Liam and his friend group right now. The situation was incredibly awkward, but I had to give the guy credit for doing that in front of his new friends.

Was I going to text Trent? Probably not. I don't know. I didn't get his number, I only gave him mine. But if he were to text me, would I text him back? He was cute, that's for sure. But again, I didn't know who he was, he just got here! 

I guess there's no harm in getting to know a new guy?

Sure, I've dated guys here and there, but they NEVER lasted. It's because with each and every one of them, I realized none of them were anything like Liam. It was like I was trying to date Liam through these other guys, and I felt bad for using every one of them.

Maybe it was time to give another guy a chance without thinking about Liam. The only problem is, he's friends with Liam.

 I need to remind myself that it's been 2 years and I need to stop including Liam in everything. I should start to think for myself for once. I had never really done that before, and I'm still learning how to do things for myself and to be on my own. 

Sitting up from the dining room chair, I headed upstairs towards my room to gather my homework. It was only Friday, but I wanted to get it done today so I could have my weekend free. 

I dug through my backpack that was propped up on my desk chair, I half-glanced at my window from the angle I was at but I didn't expect to see Liam sitting outside on his porch. He was observing his surroundings, and my heart leaped from my chest to my stomach when his eyes wandered and anchored to my window.

My window was closed and of course tinted, but even still I ran across my room to hide. My heart was beating out of my chest, my hands were shaky as I held my books, and my breathing quickened at the pace of my heart. It felt like we made eye contact, and we hadn't done that since the day he told me he couldn't be my friend anymore. 

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Later that night as I sat, curled up on my bed in my pajamas, my mom knocked on the door frame.

"Hey, what are you up to?" She asked warmly, tightening her cardigan. 

"Not much", I responded, sitting up a bit.

"Honey, it's a Friday night and you're already in your pajamas at 8pm?" My mother laughed softly. "I didn't realize I was raising an 80 year old."

"Wow, mom", I laughed in disbelief. "Yes, you are correct, though. I prefer this lifestyle over partying and drinking my life away."

"That's great", my mom nodded. "But what I meant to ask was where is Noelle? Maybe you guys could have a girls night or something?"

"She's probably already asleep", I shook my head. "And if not, she's probably taking care of her million siblings while her parents go and make more if you know what I mean."

"Okay, okay", my mom held up her hands defensively as she came over to my bed to sit down. "Well, surely Liam is free. I see lights on in his room." She leaned to the side to get a better look at Liam's window. You could definitely tell the light was on, but he had curtains covering his bedroom.

"He has friends over", I waved it off. "They were out there playing basketball earlier."

My mom sighed. "I never see him anymore. Are things okay between you two?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "Uh, well, of course. I was just talking to him in the yard today with his friends."

My mom nodded, then gasped as if she had a realization. "You know what? We should all have dinner one night! Me, you, him, Janet, Kassie. We haven't done that in years. It's so sad but it always seems like we're so busy!"

I played with the nails on my fingers but glanced up at my mom. "Mom, do you still see Janet?"

 My mom sighed. "Definitely not as much as I'd like to. Janet is never home. I am proud of her though, she's always wanted to be a traveling nurse. Actually, I'm pretty sure she's home this week."

I nodded, looking back down at my fingers. My mom tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. 

"What's bugging you?" She asked me softly.

I shook my head. "Nothing. It's nothing."

My mom pursed her lips. "Has there been trouble at school?"

"No, not at all", I assured her. "Mom, I'm fine, promise. I'm honestly just kind of tired. End of the week, you know?"

She nodded, a smile appearing on her face as she stood from my bed. "Well, in that case, get some rest or watch a movie or something."

I returned the smile. "I will, love you."

"Love you more", she challenged, closing my door behind her. My mom is the sweetest ever. I wouldn't have been able to do anything without her. Losing my dad, wherever he is now, was one of the hardest things in my life that's ever happened to me. It was for the best, though. He spent most of his time drinking and always had late nights at sports bars. And if he wasn't there, he was at home picking arguments with my mom. If you asked me, I wouldn't even be able to tell you my father's favorite color. Because I don't know the answer, he never talked to me enough for me to know. The only conversations I remember having with him were about school and if I agreed with him or my mom more.

No wonder my mom kicked him out of the house and cut off all contact with him.

I felt at a loss losing my father, that was a given. But, since his absence, I don't dread coming home as much, I don't use my noise-canceling headphones as much as I used to, I don't feel tense and worry about whether one of these days my dad is ever going to physically hurt my mom. He never touched her, but the thought flooded in my brain sometimes because of the way he spoke to her.

Through all of that, Liam was there. After my father left, Liam would constantly come over with food or games or movies for me, my mom, and my sister. But then soon after, he was gone too.