Tell Me A Story

Chapter 20

Man, late again. I just stand there, in the Mid-January cold, waiting on this dumbass to finally show up. Jake was the one who asked me out her, yet he is always late.

"Hey, bro. Sorry I'm late."

"Any longer than this, and I would've stood your dumb ass for good."

"Hahahaha."

There he is. Showed up out of nowhere as per usual.

"Say, wanna go grab lunch, I'm starving."

"Thought you'd never ask."

We went to the usual place and talked about the usual stuff. Lastest episodes of our favorite shows. Video game streams online. Good food we've had lately. Just the usual stuff.

I haven't hanged with Jake in a long while, not since the incident with Sean and Ashley, but we managed to keep in contact through phone.

"So, how was England with your mom?"

"It was horrible. Fucking freezing even more than here. She didn't mind at all, that mother of mine. She's from there afterall. Which reminds me..."

He pulled out something from his jacket. A fake azure crystal, in the shape of a fang. Around the top, a small metal dragon coiled on it. A chain hanged from the dragon.

"Whoa, that looks amazing."

"I know, right? Found it on a street vendor in London, thought you might like it."

"It's really cool. Thanks."

He handed it to me and in the light of day, it shone so bright. He smiled at me.

"Happy birthday, Adam."

I smiled at him and chuckled.

"Thanks."

He patted me in the back and walked on.

"It's getting late. I'll go grab the stuff, you scope the place out."

I smiled and put the chain around my neck. Some things never change. And I hope to God they don't.

As I sat there, looking down to the city below, I felt so free. The wind on my face, the view of the never ending horizon as the sun set. It was probably 40 degrees out but I still spread open my jacket and let the wind embrace me.

"Hey, Falcon, hold up. You might actually try to fly now."

He showed up with the usual junk food and sat down besides me.

"How could you stand to open your jacket with this wind? You always complained about the temperature at 70, I can't imagine you doing this at 40."

"I dunno... I just felt too warm all of a sudden."

He laughed with the cookie in his mouth.

"Guess all that happened on your birthday must've put a spring in your step."

"S-shaddup."

"Hey, that's nothing to be embarrassed about. You're young. You should enjoy it while you still can. Don't wanna grow old with too many regrets, now do you?"

"Wise words coming from Mr. Party-All-Night-With-No-Commitment."

"Hey, even I can be serious from time to time."

"Yeah r--"

I stopped myself there when I saw him. He had his soda in hand, and was all flustered.

"Jake?"

"Remember I told you I knew a girl back all those years ago?"

"Yeah, pretty blond girl. You said she socialized with everyone."

"Yeah... her. I'm actually gonna go out with her tomorrow, but I got all nervous. She told me she'd bring a friend if I brought one of mine to make it much more comfortable."

"And you want me as your plus one?"

"I don't have that many friends, you know that. Especially not ones I can trust with this..."

Huh? Doth mine eyes decieve me? The usually confident, overly popular guy I call my best friend is getting shy and short for words? Is the world coming to an end?!

I tried to hold back my laughter so hard. My body must've been twitching so much, I thought I'd fall from that rooftop. I went to hit him but my hands gently patted him on the back.

"Dude, after everything you've done for me, it's the least I could do. You've been there for me so much, I can never repay you. You didn't even had to ask, y'know."

He looked at me surprised and smiled.

"Thanks, man. I owe you big time."

"If this girl is as important to you as you claim, seeing you happy with someone is reward enough for me."

We just laughed and joked our night out until the snacks vanished and the soda evaporated.

The next day, I was getting ready. Pulled my leather jacket and tried to look as good as I could, so as to not embarrass my best friend on such an important day.

As I looked into the mirror of my room, I felt a slight pinch in my chest. This isn't considered betrayal, right? I mean, she never thought of me that way. And I'm just going to be his wingman. Nothing will happen, so it'll be okay.

I looked at the time and panicked.

"Crap, I'm late!!"

I ran for it to meet up with Jake before hand outside the mall. He was so nervous.

"Dude, we're just going to get a bite to eat and then the movies, so it should be fairly simple. Relax, will you?"

"Yeah, I know. I know. Let's go."

The mall was a bit crowded, as you would expect from a Saturday night, and I lost track of Jake. I finally found him, talking to two girls, a blonde and a brunette. Seeing him kiss the blonde on the cheek comfirmed that she was his date tonight.

"Hey, almost lost you back... there?"

"Hey, great timing this is..."

"Ashley. Ashley Anderson. Pleasure to..."

I felt my heart sink. Her look of surprise must've mean she didnt expect to see me here.

"Oh, you guys know each other? Cool. Guess you know her friend Michelle. Adam?"

I could feel it. The despair. The quit swallowing abyss taking me deeper and deeper. My chest hurt so bad.

"Hey are you..."

"I-I uhh... I don't feel so good. Sorry."

I couldn't stop my feet. I just turned around and ran for it. I heard Jake call out to me and asking me to stop. But I couldn't stop. I just ran and ran. Not from something stupid like jealousy. But for fear. Fear at the thought that someone aftually showed up that will take my place by her side.