Laramie's POV:
*3 months later*
Ever since the move from the trailer park, I feel like I'm in space, trying to learn how to function without air and the one thing that keeps me sane.
Losing Shawn was detrimental to my life, leaving me emotionally bruised knowing the person who knows most about me wouldn't even want to change, or continue our friendship. Then again, maintaining a bond like we had wouldn't be possible with me living hours away in a suburb.
I don't know what made him so upset, if our roles were switched I would understand maybe the jealously he could've felt, because living where we were wasn't beautiful or fantastic but being around each other made it that way, eventually though I'd get myself past the jealousy and be happy for him.
Finding out my mom finally found a stable job I cried, because living with the cops in the neighborhood wouldn't be existent if we moved somewhere nice, and there wouldn't be kids smoking pot on every corner, I would find more people like Shawn to love and support me, but since the move I realized quickly that there was no one like Shawn.
None of the new life I was living was worth it without Shawn, I'd be willing to move back and deal with the same old conditions than have to go through everyday with this taunting hole in my heart.
Glancing over at my phone my heart stings with hurt seeing that there isn't a call or even a text message from my friend, or even notifications from the new friends I have made.
All the new kids don't understand me, their life was handed to them, all of it is so easy, so when I try bringing up a memory of when Shawn and I got wasted at a party and he had to carry me home, they looked at me like I was insane, and it hurt.
I never did realize how different my life really was from theirs, but I quickly learned, and eventually taught myself to stop talking, that I didn't need the image of being that weird kid at school with the broken home and the weird financial situation.
Just as I was losing hope, my phone lights up with the familiar number that used to blow up my phone all the time.
Shawn.
My heart skipping beats I quickly answer with a shaky, "h-hello?"
For the first time in my life I was scared, nervous even, to talk to Shawn, and I felt incredibly stupid feeling this because this is the boy who knows everything about me, and has been through every thing with me, there's no way someone could just change and learn to hate me.
"Laramie?" He sounds out of breath and shocked, almost as if he wasn't expecting me to answer but there couldn't be anything that could keep me from hitting the "talk" button.
"I miss you," I let out, with tears swelling in my eyes, because I thought for the longest time I'd never be able to hear his voice again and the thought was heart breaking.
"I miss you too and I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stop talking to you for so long but life got busy and I was still acting bitter over what happened even though I had no reason too, I'm happy you're finally okay," he sounds sincere and as happy as I do and that mini speech almost made me lose it on the phone.
He's sorry, and that's all I wanted.
"It doesn't matter now, how did life get busy?" I begin jumping to conclusions, like maybe his dad decided to reappear in his life for the first time since he was 7, but I quickly brush the thought off.
"Well," he trails off, probably thinking of all that has happened, "I haven't picked up a cigarette in 3 months, and I took your advice and started working on making my mom sober and I have no one else to thank for helping me turn my life around but you."
I can hear the smile in his voice and it makes one spread across mine.
"Shawn the only person you can thank for changing your life is yourself, I just merely reminded you of what you already knew needed to be done," I love telling the truth to him, especially because I don't feel weak doing it, but the opposite.
He laughs, maybe out of pride, but it was a laugh I've been dying to hear for the longest time.
"I like your house by the way," the nonchalant tone confuses me until I realize he's never seen my new home.
"H-how would you know what it looks like?" I grab my chest and start breathing heavy.
"You really think I didn't remember your address? You probably texted me it a million times, it just took a while to get my money together."
Tears well up in my eyes as I drop my phone and run down stairs, waiting to embrace my best friend, and when I get out my door and into my yard I see the beautiful boy that only looks more radiant than the last time I saw him.
"I can't believe you," I begin to cry, falling into his arms and holding on as if it will be the last time I'll see him.
Letting out a sigh of relief he squeezes me tightly, breathing in my scent and taking in who I am, "I can't believe you actually answered the phone."
Laughing we continue to hold each other, neither one of us wanting to let go of each other.
"Only you Shawn would do something like this, but I am so proud of you that you stopped smoking, and your mom too."
I look up from his chest to see his eyes glossed over and his white teeth beaming at me, and it's almost as if I'm home again, sitting on that bench looking into the lake we used to hang around. This is beyond comfort for me.
"I love you," He hugs me tight again and I close my eyes remembering the first time we said that in third grade to each other, and I decide to relive that experience.
"ew," I say in a sarcastic tone, "you'll give me cooties."
Throwing his head back he begins to laugh, "so nothing has changed huh?"
"I love you too,"I cling tighter, not wanting to risk it, feeling the world get a bit brighter.
"I know Laramie, I know."
_____________________________________________________________________________________ my bud redd_rosie and Shawn are pretty cute I ship it.
~Leah
