Distress

Twenty-One

AVERY

I lay my head on Shawn's firm shoulder as we make our way to their flat. He told me it wasn't permanent until they purchased the lease fully despite the fact that they were actually from Canada. It could not be impossible though he can actually settle for his living. And the news also made me glad that it's only a few blocks away from the Grier's. So seeing him won't be a bother anymore.

"You sure you're not going to stay longer bro?" Nash raises his eyebrow, eyes bluntly focused on the road.

"Yeah, mom called and she said Aaliyah misses me a lot so I really have to be there." He mutter every word with such warmth and sincerity. And just as a thought entered my mind of how gentle he is as a brother, or a son. Seeing him care for his significant others made me think that he never gave up the responsibility as a child to treat his family well, especially to what happened to his father. I just adore how he is well-raised.

My phone startles my whole reverie and the whole car. I dig into the pocket noticing Shawn's stare at me.

I nod at him regarding the call as he silently look on the other side of the window, turning his back from me.

Well, when I glance down the caller I.D., it took me a second before my mouth gape open.

Thomas?!

Should I answer this? Oh no, I haven't talked with the guys about him so how are they gonna react?

I press the green button, contemplating if I should really talk to him or tell him to text me instead, considering the fact that I'm in a vehicle and that it is awkwardly not so spacious.

I clear my throat, "Hello?"

His deep chuckle welcomes my ears, I can never forget his voice when he just woke up. He sounds like he just drank ten bottles of vodka. And yes, it's kind of horrible. Believe me, living with him from the past 6 years still makes me wonder how he got those famous plastic girls attracted to him, I even asked him if he used such spell or what, but hey when he promised he won't date any of them, he really did not. But right now, I am stunned to see him contacting me. We haven't talked since my sweet sixteenth.

Who is he anyway? Yeah, that's Thomas aka my guy best friend who lives so close to our home, when I mean so close, there's actually a tree supporting both of our windows and that's what keeps him entering my room without my permission disturbing my sleep just to show me every single girl that flirted with him through messages and talking about it non-stop so, we are ending up stumbling through the school due to talking up all night. He has quite reputation so whenever they see me with him, there is no single day I won't receive a threat.

Yes, he was my first crush. But that changed when he kissed Heather in front of me when we were 13. I don't know why we remained friends after that, in fact, we became closer than I ever imagined.

That, I actually depend my life to him. He used to be the hero of the day in my life. When I moved to Australia, I kind of lived in transition considering the adjustment I used to have in L.A. and yes, he is the first friend that I made. And he lives next door.

Not long after, as a girl who doesn't know the instances of complications being an adolescent, I started to develop some little tiny feelings for him. He was really cute, and the fact that he literally makes everyone smile was a plus. But I did not tell him that I liked him, and then some stupid dare was given to him, and that was to kiss the prettiest girl in school, Heather Brooks. It was a one-second kiss that shocked every kid in my class, and note that the scene was actually in front of me. Front. Of. Me.

And so, without him knowing that I had a crush on him, it slowly vanishes until it completely disappeared. My little crush on a guy left my world and I was quite happy because I am finally able to talk to him without any hesitation of what he might think of me. He was still really nice to everyone growing up, not even changing except the maturity we've been becoming.