Partners ≡ Nick Robinson

twelve

Nicks POV

"You're delusional."

"You'd have to be mentally unstable to think that DeMar DeRozan is a better player than Kyle Lowry."

"The Toronto Raptors would be an embarrassment without DeRozan."

"Pft nobody would even notice he's gone."

Parker and Kenzo argue in front of the tv. I invited them over to have somebody to watch the game with, not to annoy the hell out of me.

"Guys the game started two minutes ago. Don't tell me you're gonna be like this for the whole game." I whine.

"Hey you're the one that invited the two of us!" Parker says.

"I can behave. Not so sure about Parker though." Kenzo laughs.

I grab a slice of pizza from the table hoping it'll calm myself down. My mind is buzzing with too many thought right now, I thought inviting these two would be a distraction. But it's the complete opposite.

I'm not even into basketball that much anyways. Obviously if I had to choose, I'd watch football. Sadly, Canadians aren't really keen on football so its never on, while basketball is usually on 24/7.

Also, exams start in two days and its probably not the brightest idea to be watching basketball right now but hey whatever. I'm already accepted in college, all I need to do is pass my exams.

"When's your mom coming home?" Parker asks.

"Don't know. She's on another date."

"With her boyfriend?"

"Who else?" I groan.

I shove a handful of Doritos into my mouth as I try to avoid this subject as much as possible.

"Does your mom ever come home?" Parker laughs.

"I wouldn't be surprised if she didn't." I say. "She could run away with her boyfriend to France for all I know."

My mom and her boyfriend Carter have been together for more than two years now. Out of all her past boyfriends, Carter is the only one that's decent. That doesn't mean I like him though.

Not gonna lie, he's good-looking, charismatic, and rich. He always tries to call me nicknames like bud, pal, or sport? He never sticks to one because he can tell that I never respond to any of them so far. He showers my mom with flowers, gifts and dates to make her happy. That's the only thing I respect him for, making my mom happy. But just because I respect him...doesn't mean I like him.

Because of him, I rarely get to see my mom. It's like he brainwashed her and made her his pet, always following him. My mom never chooses me over him anymore. I've learned to grow with it though. It's come in handy over the past few years anyways, I get a ton a freedom.

"Do you know where they went to this time?" Kenzo asks.

I turn up the volume on the tv. "Uh, to this restaurant downtown I think."

"What happens if– you know." He asks, pointing at his ring finger.

I've been asked this question so many times and I still say the same answer every time.

"Then I'm moving out." I affirm with a serious face.

Both of them give me unconvinced looks, most likely thinking I'm lying.

"Listen, if they do get married I'll probably be 19 by the time they do. Which means I'll be legal and responsible for myself." I explain further, "I'm not gonna stop my mom from being happy. I'm not heartless. I just don't want some random guy to be forced into my life so I'd rather move out."