When I'm with you

Chapter 16

GABRIEL CLARK

I was lazily lying on my bed thinking about what to do, since Anne rejected my invitation to watch the football game. I had also asked Chad but, unfortunately, he was going somewhere with Jane. I didn't want to go and watch the football game alone. Well, technically, I wasn't alone; Cindy would've come with me. It wasn't a very comforting thought, frankly.

So on Friday evening, I called her to tell her that I couldn't come to the game. She said that she was disappointed, since she was looking forward to it.

"I'm sorry, I forgot that I had something important to do tomorrow. As much as I want to come, I can't. I'm so sorry." I lied. It wasn't in my nature to lie, but this time I didn't have a choice. I heard her disappointed sigh on the other line.

"No, it's okay. I guess we could watch another game together next time?" she said.

"Sure. I'm really sorry that I can't make it tomorrow. Hope you enjoy the game."

"Yeah," she answered. Then she hung up.

I stood up and went to Chad's room. He was busy choosing what to wear. He had told me that his appointment with Jane wasn't a date, but here he was, digging through all of his stuff trying to find his "cool" clothes.

"Busy?" I asked teasingly.

"Yeah. I just realized that I don't have a lot of clothes. Wanna come and go shopping with me next time?"

"Sure," I said.

"Oh wait, I should ask Anne instead. She'll be way better company than you since she's like, you know, a girl. She knows a lot about fashion and stuff. Probably." He said, with a grin on his face.

I grimaced, letting him know that I wasn't pleased with his joke. How did Anne suddenly get into the conversation?

"Wait, did that piss you off?" He asked.

But instead of answering, I glared at him and walked away. I heard him saying "Sorry, dude!" as I slammed the door to my room, but I just ignored him.

I threw myself onto the bed again, put on my headphones, let the music blast through my ears and closed my eyes. Because of my stupid brother, suddenly mentioning Anne's name, I could think of nothing else but her face. Random images of my times with her suddenly popped into my head: my first encounter with her, when I thought she bumped into me on purpose just to get my attention; that time we were trapped in the stock room because of her clumsiness and she accidentally twisted her ankle.. we had to stay there overnight and wait for someone to open the door; her scared face after Michael tried to drag her somewhere; and her brave but angry face when she slapped Paul at the mall.

It made me wonder.. what would our  relationship have been like if I hadn't moved to Canada? Would this awkwardness between us still be there? I kind of felt jealous of Jane. Anne cared for her so much she'd beat whoever hurt her bestfriend to a pulp.

I wanted us to be back the way we used to be. I missed the Anne who always defended me from the kids who tried to pick a fight with me, the same way she did for Jane. It was a silly thought, I knew, but the last nine years had brought a huge change in me. I always felt empty, like a huge void had formed in my heart. I spent most of my time alone, and somehow I forgot what it felt like to have a friend beside you. Lately, the void was starting to disappear; meeting Anne again had made feel hopeful. I wanted to feel safe again; I wanted know how it felt like to have someone who could protect you. Someone you could trust. And someone who would never leave you.

These thoughts made me blush. I sat up and covered my face with my hand. I mean, I wasn't the emotional type. It was absolutely embarrassing. Mortifying, actually. I shook my head to bring myself back to reality. I took off my headphones and heard Chad saying goodbye to Michelle. I stared at the door, still unsure of what to do. Then I remembered that since Jane would be with Chad, Anne was probably at home. I didn't hesitate, quickly changing my clothes and driving straight to Anne's house.