Chrissy Moone

Chapter 19- Justin

Mitchell sways softly on the swing next to me, his toes lightly touching the tarmac beneath him.
"So Justin," He begins, "I have a question. It's about Casper."
   "Sorry Mitch, boy advice is not my area. Why don't you go ask Karissa?" I suggest, nodding at the dark haired girl on her phone while lying down in the basket.
   "Mm, I will later. Have a swinging battle?"
   "Hell yeah,"

My feet push off the ground, causing the swing to go backwards with great force. My legs swing back and forwards, gaining speed.
   "SPEED IS KEY!" I yell, quoting my favourite youtuber, jackscepticeye. Mitch laughs, his legs moving quickly.
I look up. The swing is nearly going to go around the bar on top.
  "Time to jump, Mitch."
  "3,"
  "2,"
  "1,"
  "JUMP!" We yell simultaneously.

My grasp on the chains loosen as I prepare to leap. Once the swing is on its way to go forwards, I release and fly through the air.
My feet hit the ground with great velocity. The soles of my feet tingled in pain, and my whole body collapsed onto the floor.
Mitch landed seconds after, standing up immediately.
  "C'mon Justin, get up. I wanna see who won," Mitchell says, as he extended his hand for me to grab onto. I hoisted myself up, keeping my feet in the position as they landed.

Looking at our feet, it was clear that Mitchell had won by 30 cm. He whooped loudly running around laughing. He grabbed Owen (the skinny stick) and swung him around. He released Owen, before running over to Anthony and embracing him in a bear hug.
  He walked over to me, smiling from ear to ear, and shook my hand.
"Well done," I praised.

"Guys!" Crystal shouted, "We're going back to mine to Netflix and chill!"
  Cece and Karissa emerge from texting in the basket, as do Anthony and Owen from the climbing frame. We all walk out of the playground towards the bus stop.

We load onto the back of the 145, singing songs loudly, pressing our faces up against the glass of the windows.
It's great to have fun, I just wish Chrissy was here to join in.
  "Karissa?" Cece asks.
  "Yes?"
  "Y'know that guy you snogged last week, what was his name?"
Karissa's face turns a dark shade of purple. All of us laugh and Anthony nudges Karissa's elbow playfully.
  "Well? Tell your old chums the details!" Anthony laughs.
Karissa sighs loudly.
  "His name is Josh, and we've been going out for a few weeks."
  "WHAT? You never told us!" Crystal yells, outraged. Karissa shrugs.
  "I never thought it would last that long."
The bus halts at Crystal's estate, so we all get off and walk towards her house.

Once we're inside, Crystal's dog, Paprika, comes bounding over to us.
He slams me to the ground, slobbering all over my face.
  "Paprika? That is the funniest name I have ever heard!" Owen and Anthony say, neither of them have been to Crystal's before.
  "Anyone want a drink?" Crystal offers.
  "Yes, please!" All of us say in unison.
  "Get it yourself," Crystal smirks. We all share a laugh before loading into the kitchen. Cece gets the Coke out of the cupboard, knowing her way around the kitchen. She pours six glasses with Coke, then gets orange juice for Crystal, being aware of her dislike for fizzy drinks.

  Crystal leads us outside, towards her den. Her den is so cool. It has an Xbox and sofas and WiFi and heating and a bathroom and a phone, its just awesome.
  We plonk down on the sofa, Mitch, Crystal, Cece and I on one, Karissa, Owen, and Anthony on the other.
  Crystal switched on Netflix, and White Chicks appeared on the screen. We laugh at the appropriate times, otherwise being silent.
  Once the movie is finished, one by one people start to go. Soon enough, I'm the only one left, for one reason: I don't want to go home. I love my family, I really do, its just... I'm sick of the arguments, and the bills coming in constantly, and us kids having to do everything.

  "Justin," Crystal breathes.
  "Yeah?" I reply.
  "I have a confession."
  "Go on,"
Crystal takes in a deep breath before answering.

  "I like you. I've liked you for a very long time, and when you started hanging out with us, it was amazing. I know your Chrissy's boyfriend, and I know I don't stand a chance, but I just wanted you to know. We can still be friends though, right?"

It takes me a while to take in everything and just said.
"I'm sorry Crystal, but I don't like you in that way. But if course we can still be friends, we'll just forget about it. Kay?"
"Yup. Thanks for understanding." Crystal swallows.
"I... Better go. Bye," I wave.
"Bye."