Laura's Boyfriend

Because She's Laura

"Laura? That was..quick," I said, remembering the phone call.

"What took you so long?!" Kathy teased.

Laura gasped for air. She took a deep breath and said, "Well, when Keith agreed..to let me come over..I..threw on some clothes and..ran..as fast as these boots could take me." Laura paused to catch her breath again while gesturing to the black boots she was wearing. "Then I knocked on the door and...here I am."

I tried to think of a reaction, but I kept my mouth closed. No matter what I said would only make the situation harder to comprehend.

"You're crazy!" Kathy shouted, pointing at Laura.

I couldn't have said it any better. In fact, I decided to join my sister's teasing.

"Leave her be, Kathy. She was obviously so excited to see me again, she rushed over here," I turned to Laura. "Isn't that right, Laura?"

Laura looked at Kathy, and then at me. She blushed and began playing with her shirt.

"Y-Yeah, I guess you could say that." Laura replied with a small smile, holding her gaze on me. We stared at each other for a while until Kathy broke in.

"Eww, you guys better not kiss." Kathy remarked and stuck out her tongue in playful disgust.

Laura broke eye contact and answered quickly, "Don't worry Kathy! Keith and I aren't dating. Isn't that right, Keith?" She mocked my tone. I chuckled softly. "See?" Laura clarified. "We're just friends."

"Y-Yeah." I mimicked Laura's previous reply. "We're just friends. Friends that occasionally kiss from time to time. Just friends, see?" I heard the grin in my own question.

"Hey, isn't that benefits of friends?" Kathy asked, clearly confused. Kids say the funniest things..

Laura was blushing furiously now. "She knows too much, Keith!"

Kathy gave her an inquiring look. "So...you guys are friends with benefits then!" Kathy concluded for us. I laughed, although Laura still tried to redeem herself. But I knew better. You just can't win an argument with Kathy. You never win.

Whatever. Might as well sit back and watch Laura lose miserably.

"Wha-?! No, no! I meant as in..you know too much sexual information." Laura stated.

"Keith, what does sex u all mean?" Kathy stared at me innocently.

Laura screamed in frustration. I kept on laughing like the jackass I am. But I tried to regain my composure.

"C-Come..come inside, Laura." I stifled my laughter. "It's cold outside."

It was only in the middle of November, and yet it was so cold. Then again, it was only 12:50, but it's been a while since I laughed that loud. I knew it was going to be a good day. Well, everyday is a good day when I'm with Laura.

Wait, that sounded cheesy. I'll stop now.

Laura looked hesitant before asking, "Um, is 'you-know-who' here?" She looked pretty uncomfortable. Well, Laura looked pretty everyday..

Okay, now I'll stop.

Wait, who's 'you-know-who'? That weird ice-cream truck driver that was on the news? No, that was last week. Who am I kidding? Laura has a nickname for everything.

"Not this again." Kathy groaned. And then I realized. God, why did I have to realize who Laura was talking about?

You see, Kathy and I own a cat. Her name is-get ready for it-Skittles. I didn't say it was a spectacular name. Who would name a cat, with white fur, Skittles?

Kathy would. Yeah, my younger sister. She was going to throw a famous Kathy Tantrum if I didn't allow her to name our cat. And what does she name our pet?

Skittles.

Freaking Skittles.

After a goddamn candy brand.

Actually, Skittles behaves rather well. Sure she acts up every once in a while, like any kitten would, but she's usually not bad or anything.

However!

Laura, for some stupid reason, is afraid of cats. Cats. The last time I checked, cats weren't bad, right? I mean, for the most part they're harmless. Especially a white-furred kitten named Skittles.

Yeah, Laura. Horrifying.

That's Laura. She's afraid of cats, and that's only putting it nicely. She refused to tell us the reason behind her fears.

Speaking about that made me remember how much of a coward that girl is. Laura's afraid of nearly everything. Swimming, failure, her parents, the guy that works at the McDonalds we go to, things she doesn't know how to operate..And there was this one word that drives her up the wall. What was it again? I can't remember it at the time..but it's something really simple.

Kathy disappeared into our house to look for Skittles, and after she was put into a separate room Laura and I headed to the living room. Out of sheer curiosity I asked Laura a question I already knew the answer to.

"So, why are you here again?" I asked, grabbing a chair. Once Laura started talking, I knew it would take some time for her to finish.

Laura sat down, thinking the chair was for her. I didn't complain. "I just, I felt like I needed company. Your company." She looked up at me, realizing what she just said.

I teased her to lighten the mood. "Oooh, Laura. Are you trying to tell me something?" I sat on her lap and she shrieked and wiggled underneath me.

To make matters even more interesting, Kathy came back from the kitchen. She looked straight at me, then at Laura. And then she put two and two together and understood, coming up with the worst case scenario in her mind.

"Eww!" She whined and made a disgusted face. Kathy trotted bitterly to her room. Finally, some quiet time. I rested my head on Laura's shoulder.

"Keith," Laura began. "Do you know what people would think if they saw us like this right now?" She sounded a little annoyed, but there was interest in her voice as she spoke.

"They'd probably think we're the cutest couple in the world." I cooed. I broke out in laughter and Laura followed soon after.

It was times like these when I felt truly happy. Laura and I just clicked. We're such good friends. And still, I wanted more. Maybe I am being a little selfish wanting her to be my girlfriend. We have such a good relationship already. So maybe, just maybe, I am being a little selfish.

Just a little, anyways.