I yawned as I got out of bed, getting ready for school drowsily. I hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before because I waited until the last minute to do a bunch of homework. It was just my luck that I missed the bus too. I ran after it, finally making it to school out of breath. “Miss the bus again?” An arrogant voice said from behind me. I clenched my fists in frustration, taking a deep breath before turning around. “Yes, that’s quite obvious!” I snapped, my bad mood made worse just by seeing his face. Wrong move. Jonathan laughed. “Woah, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” I huffed, turning and storming off I couldn’t deal with him this morning. I was already going to be late for class. Unfortunately, he bounded after me, a huge smile on his face. I whirled around again. “Go away! Don’t you have someone else to bother??” “Nope!” The bell rang and he laughed, turning and walking into the classroom next to us. I groaned, turning and trudging to my locker. I was already late, there was no need to hurry. A couple of minutes wasn’t going to kill me.
After school ended I walked home. I didn’t want to take the bus. Jonathan rode it home with me. He lived next to me too. We used to be best friends, but he said some really awful things about me to a couple of his jock friends when he thought I wasn’t there to hear it, and we’ve hated each other since. Because, of course I got my revenge by spreading rumors, surprisingly successfully. Ah, the wonders of high school. I shook my head to clear it of negative thoughts as I walked upstairs to my room, a little out of breath, flopping onto my bed and closing my eyes.
I woke up to my phone playing a loud alarm. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, grabbing it and turning it off.
Forty-two messages from MoonGoon_21
I sighed and typed a quick response.
Trash_64: Hey
MoonGoon_21: Finally! I thot u were dead!
I winced at the bad grammar. I once told him I hated it, and he’d been typing like that ever since.
Trash_64: I noticed. Sorry, I fell asleep.
MoonGoon_21: No prob, I thot so.
Trash_64: How was your day?
MoonGoon_21: Boring. I have calculus 1st hour :’)
Trash_64: I know, you told me. Besides that.
MoonGoon_21: uh, fine. I need help w/ my math tho
I shook my head, amused. Every day.
Trash_64: in a bit, it’s my turn. I’ve just got some guy who’s sole purpose in life is to frustrate me each and every day. He even lives next to me! It’s the worst. We used to be best friends, but he said some really bad stuff about me and I got revenge. Ever since, we’ve hated each other.
MoonGoon_21: I have someone like that who lives near me too. Whoever is bothering u is lucky i live so far away.
Trash_64: Potentially.
MoonGoon_21: True. There’s no way im telling some creeper my address
Trash_64: I see we have the same views. You could at least tell me the state you live in.
MoonGoon_21: ….
MoonGoon_21: New York
Trash_64: No way, me too!
MoonGoon_21: r u srs dude? awesome!
Trash_64: I would suggest that we meet up sometime, but according to you I’m an untrustworthy creeper.
MoonGoon_21: No, really! I was joking when I said that, but we should totally meet up! How about tomorrow at four in Central Park?
Trash_64: Sure. I can tell you’re excited because you’re using proper grammar.
MoonGoon_21: ….I hadnt even realized.
Trash_64: Good god man, would it kill you to use one apostrophe?!
MoonGoon_21: yes and u won’t get to see me tmrw. now how about that math?
School couldn’t pass fast enough that day. I ignored Jonathan. Not even he could put me in a bad mood, though try as he might. After school I hopped on a metro bus to Central Park. I got there ten minutes early, standing next to one of the lion statues.
Trash_64: I’m here. Next to the lion statues.
MoonGoon: omw
I glanced over when I saw movement, my eyes narrowing at Jonathan. “Do you seriously have to follow me everywhere?!” I snapped. He glared back. “Actually, I’m meeting someone here!” I huffed and turned around.
MoonGoon_21: im here
I turned around but all I saw was Jonathan. I even walked around the base of the statue but all it revealed was an old man feeding pigeons. I frowned, returning to my spot.
Trash_64: So am I, but I don’t see you.
Jonathan inhaled sharply, staring at his phone before his gaze slowly met mine. He looked back down at his phone and typed something. My phone buzzed and I looked down at it, my eyes widening in realization.
MoonGoon_21: evan?
I shoved my phone in my pocket angrily, starting to storm off. Jonathan caught my arm. “Evan wait!” He begged. I stopped, turning at the tone in his voice. He looked like he was about to cry. “Y-you started th-those rumors?” I glared at him. “Well that wouldn’t have happened if my best friend hadn’t gone and said those things about me!!” He shrank back when I raised my voice, and my heart clenched. “I-I...I didn’t mean to…” Jonathan mumbled. “I was...t-trying to i-impress them, b-but only because th-they said that J-Jenna Matthews t-told them I was...well, some not so n-nice things.” I stared at him. “Jon, is that all you care about? Being popular?” “O-of course not!” He said, looking at me imploringly. “I mean, I-I did at the t-time, but…” He looked down. “I m-miss you Ev.” He mumbled. “I never meant to hurt you…” I ran my fingers through my hair. “Jesus, Jon...I….” I trailed, off unsure of what to say. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but suddenly shut it. He turned and hurried off, and I didn't try to stop him. I needed to think.
Jonathan wasn’t at school for the rest of the week. Finally I got worried to the point I went over and knocked on his door. There wasn’t any answer. I frowned and walked back to my room, rushing to the window when I heard a car engine. Jon got out of his car, emerging from his house with a suitcase. I watching incredulously as he threw it in the back and got in his car. I dashed downstairs but he was gone by the time I emerged. “No!” I hissed, clenching my fists.
I didn’t see Jonathan for another five years, and I almost didn’t recognize him when I did. I was visiting New York to see my sister, and I stopped at the park. Jon was sitting on one of the benches, staring up at the sky. His hair was slightly longer and a ghost of a beard shadowed his face. I stopped, my eyes widening slightly as I stared at him. He must’ve heard my light gasp because he looked over, scrambling to his feet when he saw me. I walked over, moving cautiously. His eyes held a mix of emotions, anger, guilt, and...fear? I reached out a hand and he flinched, squeezing his eyes shut as if he thought I was going to hit him. Instead I pulled him into a tight hug. After he got over the initial shock, he responded with fervor, burying his face in the dip where my neck met my shoulder. I held onto him, hating how my heart throbbed with a giddy feeling. He was shaking and only then did I realize he was crying. I pulled away, wiping his tears on my sleeve. He leaned into the touch slightly. “Evan…” He murmured. “Shh.” I breathed, pulling him into another hug. I don’t know how long we stood there holding onto each other. It could’ve been days, months, years, but I didn’t care. All I cared about was Jonathan. I tightened my grip and closed my eyes, never wanting to let go.
Of course, I had to eventually.
