Burn With Me (updating slowly)

Chapter 2

We all have that one friend. The one who was there for you since you can remember. The one who has been there for a shoulder to cry on when times got tough. The one you had a secret crush on for years before realising that they didn't feel the same and moved on but still stayed good friends. That was Declan to me.

He had always been the golden boy of the school growing up, along with our other good friend Alex. The two of them broke hearts left, right and centre but they were also known as the duo who got the best grades in school. Even though they both broke hearts everyone knew from the start that they were the more, once they settle down that's it for them, the kind of guys the ones who you knew would get married.

Though they just turned eighteen, one-half of the duo are in a serious relationship. Alex and Sarah got together after we graduated Secondary school and have been together ever since. Now Alex works in one of the best music video companies in the UK and Sarah works at London Zoo and they couldn't be happier. We're all expecting Alex to propose soon though he's so in love with Sarah I'm surprised he hasn't asked her yet.

"Hey, Blue." Declan smiled, showing off his pearly whites and double-dimples.

"You scared me,"I say, holding a hand over my heart.

"Sorry, but I was calling to you from over there," he points to a bus stop on the opposite side of the street. "But you didn't answer, you seemed to be in a world of your own there so I came over to grab your attention."

"Makes sense." I smile.

"So... I saw you come out of that club... I didn't know you were into that sorta stuff, Blue." Stuffing his hands into his pockets he looked back at Craig's club eyeing it suspiciously.

"Er, yeah. I mean not all the time but I know some people who spend a lot of their time there... My roommate being one of them." I say grumpily, scowling at the doors to the club where Craig was lurking, probably having those girls continue... whatever they were doing, I don't really want to know.

Declan widens his eyes slightly but then recovers and shoots me a charming grin. "Well, how about you come with me for a non-club-escapade around town?" I shoot Declan a raised eyebrow. "I'll pay." He adds smiling sheepishly.

"Good choice." I smile, looping my arm through his while giving his arm a small pat with my free hand.

As we walk around Maredfair the walk is quite and calm as we watch families admire the street art, painted on the walls of buildings. I catch Declan watching children playing with the fountain leading down to the train station, a small smile on his face as their giggles and squeals hit our ears.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I ask, nudging him slightly with my hip.

He shakes his head smiling down at me. I decide not to push, Dec has never really been very good with his words when it comes down to deep, personal and meaning words, especially to family. It frustrates him and often leads to him getting angry and hurting himself in some way or another, so I leave the situation... for now. He will tell me eventually if I give subtle hints here and there.

I hope.

"So how have you been? It's been a while since I last saw you," he says, throwing an arm around me and flashing me a teasing scowl. "It feels as if we hardly talk anymore."

I know how he feels, with me devoting 90% of my time to tracking down some guys that Craig wanted to blackmail and getting pictures of them; 5% of my daytime job of being a concept artist and the last 5% sleeping, eating and procrastinating in my room. It seems that friends like Declan have hardly been involved.

"I know, I know, I've been slacking off the BFF Guidelines recently but I swear," I pull him to a stop and turn him to face me, my hands resting on his shoulders, "I will become more determined to interact with you, Alex and Sarah. Promise." I say, giving my best convincing smile and biggest puppy dog eyes I can manage.