Letting Go

One

Tanner.

"Get your legs moving!"

I winced as Coach Sanders's voice boomed in my left ear, leaving an annoying buzz in its wake. I forced myself to run further, burning my lungs in the process. We were up on early Saturday morning again, doing Death Rounds in the school gym. Death Rounds were a series of conditioning we usually did before a big game; it consisted of two laps of jogging, followed by a series of push-ups, sit-ups and whatnot for the remaining time, non-stop.

I finished the last set of sit-ups before collapsing on the ground, clutching my stomach in pain. Mikey crashed next to me, his forehead lathed in sweat. "I am never drinking before Death Rounds again," he croaked out. Mikey and I have been best friends ever since we started shooting hoops together during recess in elementary, so naturally we stuck by each other until this very day.

"You say that every time."

"No, seriously, I'm going to hurl," Mikey exclaimed. He abruptly stood up and rushed to the locker room, calling out behind him, "Don't go home without me!"

After hitting the shower and listening to Coach's little speech about victory, Mikey and I made our way to the parking lot. I threw my bag into the trunk of my grey G-class before sliding into the driver's seat next to Mikey. I reversed the car and exited the schoolyard.

A soft fog misted the streets; a typical Tuckett Drive morning. Mikey sat back in his seat, rubbing the tip of his nose. I could tell that he was nervous about something.

"Just say what's on your mind," I exclaimed. "By the way, do you mind if I stop over for a drive-thru coffee before I drop you off?"

"Actually, I was hoping that I could stay at your place tonight," replied Mikey sheepishly. "My parents were at it again, and I really don't want to clean up after them."

"You do realise how gross that sounds," I chuckled, trying to make a light joke out of the situation. Mikey's parents were constantly screaming and throwing dishes at each other every night, which usually resulted in Mikey's father spending a couple of nights at the motel and his mother sulking off crankily for the remainder of the week. Mikey had learned to practically take care of himself. He didn't dare ask for more allowance or help on his homework when he needed it; instead he delivered pizza for extra cash and got some free tutoring from here and there, which for him was better than his mother yelling at him.

"Ew, man," he laughed. "So, can I? If I can't, that's cool, I can just crash somewhere else."

"Don't be ridiculous," I said. "You're welcome any time. I don't think no one will be home away."

And I was right. After getting crappy, sour black coffee from McDonald's, Mikey and I headed over to my house, and we found it emptier than ever. The housekeeper left a note saying that she had an emergency family thing, along with some cash in the kitchen drawer for dinner. Mom promised that she would be home by last evening, but as expected, she was nowhere near sight. I was used to it, really. I spent my weekends playing basketball or partying or going over to Viv's house. It felt like I didn't even have real parents anymore, just benefactors that happened to be related to me and showered me with expensive things to replace their absence in my life.

"Sweet, we could totally throw a party," I stated, trying to look chill in front of Mikey. I was a bit disappointed in Mom, to be honest, but I didn't want to spill my sorrows to Mikey. He already had a lot of burden.

"Are you sure? Won't your mom flip?"

"I'm sure a small get-together will be fine. I don't think she'll be home until Monday anyway," I replied, taking a bag of chips from the kitchen cabinet. "Just us boys and Xbox, how does that sound?"

"Awesome, we should get started right now," said Mikey, pumping his fist in the air. "I'll text the team and tell them to bring some beer."

"It's only nine," I laughed. "I was thinking of giving Viv a call."

"Man, you're so whipped! What did you do to get into the dog house this time? You never call her before eleven AM."

"I feel like she might be mad at me about something," I replied, taking out my phone from my pocket and walked out to the patio. "Make yourself at home, Mikey!"

"Don't I always?"

Viv was number one on my speed dial. I pressed the button and waited for her to pick up the phone. The line was connected, so she must be already up. She always kept her phone on airplane mode every time she went to bed, it was one of her habits that I had memorised so well. After all, we've been together for the past year.

"Hello?" Viv's voice croaked from the receiver. It used to send chills down my spine, in a good way, but whenever I heard that voice, all I could feel was dread. She sounded ticked off. A bit mad, even.

"Good morning." I greeted her casually. "How long have you been up?"

"For a while."

"I see." I could practically see her jaw twitching in annoyance. "Okay, I'm gonna cut to the chase. Are you mad at me? You've been rejecting my calls and replying my texts with one-word answers."

"Took you long enough," she snapped. "I am mad. You totally ignored me at that party last night, and spent the rest of the evening playing stupid drinking games with your friends."

"Viv, I only played for like, one round. You got drunk and nauseous and I had to drive you home, remember? I didn't even get to kiss you because you kept pushing me away."

Viv sighed. "Yes, now I remember you taking me home. I'm sorry, Tanner."

"It's okay, baby. I guess shark week is coming soon, huh?"

"I just finished two days ago," said Viv, irritation back in her voice. "I am so not PMS-ing. It's just that... I feel like I could never get along with your friends. I guess I felt left out last night."

"Hey, I always try to include you in my conversations."

"I'm not saying you don't," she quickly said. "I think it's me. I just don't belong in your circle."

"What circle?"

"You know, the popular kids. I think I like hanging out with the drama geeks better," she replied glumly. "I just don't fit in. I can't wrap my head around the bullshit Meredith and the others talk about, which are boys, who fucked who, and Marc Jacobs Fall 2016 and shit."

"Baby," I cooed. "Come on, try to get along with my friends. I want to be able to hang out with them and you at the same time. Can't you do that for me? Please?"

Viv sighed again. "Fine, I'll try. But it doesn't mean that I like them, okay? They will forever be mindless airheads to me."

"Got it," I said exasperatedly. She was getting on my nerves again. "Hey, I'll call you later, 'kay? Mikey is over and I feel bad for leaving him alone."

"Alright. You better call me tonight, or else."

"Yeah, bye."

Mikey smugly smiled as I made my way into the living room. "Trouble in paradise?"

"Shut up," I replied. "But yeah, I think so. I'm getting a bit tired of her. She's so..."

"Clingy?"

I smirked. "That's the word."