Always Out of Reach

Just A Friend

Things were bad at home. Something had changed within Jet. He was quiet most of the time and the slightest thing could make him angry. He started to lash out too, hitting things (sometimes even me). Didn't my parents notice that their constant arguing and fighting was causing Jet to shut down? It had already happened to me, I could not let this destroy Jet.

"Can I come in?" I knocked on Jet's door.

"Hmm." He wasn't really paying attention. All he was doing was staring at his screen....that's all he did these days.

"Have you done your homework?" If no one else was going to make him do it then I guess it was up to me.

"No." He replied.

"Well why not?" I said gently.

"Can't be bothered." He shrugged. This was not the Jet I'd known a few weeks ago. The old Jet was bright and happy. Now he was lost and sad.

"Jet you have to do it at some point."

"Why?" He looked up from his tablet. "There's no point. There's more important things than homework..... like mummy being sad."

"Jet." I ran over to him and gave him a hug. "Mummy's not sad.... she's just a bit angry at dad." He said nothing. "You can't let them affect how you're doing at school." I told him seriously. "You have to ignore their arguing and go back to being the funny, clever person you are."

"...ok" He said quietly.

"Come here." I pulled him into a hug. "Now, I have to go to school. See you later. "

I ran to school and arrived just as the bell rang.

"Joey Graceffa you are late." The teacher said.

"Well done for stating the obvious." I muttered under my breathe. I caught Daniel's eye and he grinned at me.

"What was that?" The teacher said

"Oh nothing. " I sighed. "Can i go and sit down now?"

"I'm not liking your attitude, Joey."

"Sorry....." I muttered.

"Go and sit at the back next to Daniel."

I made my way to the back.

"So why were you late. Starting to turn into a bit of a rebel aren't you?  Hope I'm not having a bad affect on you." He smirked.

"I was talking to Jet, actually." I mimicked his smirk. He instantly stopped messing around.

"Why? What's wrong with Jet?"

"Nothing." I sighed. "He's just a bit...off. I talked to him though and I think he's ok now."

"Good." He smiled. "Do you want to finish our project after school? "

"Err....." I really didn't want him coming to my house again.

"We can do it at my house." He said as if he was reading my mind.

"Ok. Thanks." I smiled.

****

"Here we are." Daniel gestures to his house as we turned the corner into his estate.

"Wow. It's impressive. " I stared in awe at the house that was before me. It was a huge house with a huge drive and 3 cars. I grew nervous. What if his family were really posh and looked down at me?

We made our way down the drive. Daniel opened door.

"Well come in then." He laughed.  I hadn't realise I'd been stood at the door staring inside.

"O-oh sorry." I hurriedly entered the house and stumbled over the step.

"Woah, slow down. " Daniel caught me and laughed.

"S-sorry." We made awkward eye contact before I picked myself again.

"This way. " He beckoned me up the stairs to his room. It was amazing. He had all the latest technology and the room itself was enormous.

"Make yourself comfortable" He said before sitting down at his desk. I perched on the bed. I didn't want to look too comfortable.

"Right where were we up to?" He pulled out his laptop. He looked over at me. "What you sitting over there for?" He laughed. I shrugged. "Come sit over here." He pulled up a chair.

"You alright? You're very quiet." Daniel asked.

I hesitated. "I don't know....... I just feel insecure right now. Your house is perfect, your life is perfect. Mine's nothing compared to yours. I can't imagine what you must think of me and my life." I looked down.

"Ok, firstly, my life is not perfect. My parents are always working and barely have time for me. Secondly, I'm not judging you Joey. It's not your fault your parents fight or your brother is a.....criminal. You are amazing. "

He put his hand on mine. We made eye contact. There was so much chemistry. Do I go for it? Do I kiss him?

"I really like you Joey. You're a great friend. " and just like that the moment was ruined. He turned back to his laptop and began to work. Maybe that was all I was to him. Maybe I was just a friend.

Authors note:

Will they ever get together?

Thanks for reading
Erin xx