The Friendship Court

" Is She Your Girlfriend?"

Seven years ago....

Now that fifth grade's over and summer started, Carlie and I have been hanging out a lot. 

And I mean a lot. 

A lot of people don't know this, but her parents are almost through with their divorce files. 

Carlie and I click. We totally trust each other. And that's why we're spending so much time together.  She's been telling me all the details about her parent's situation. And I'm always there to listen and comfort her.   She comes over, we play some basketball, then my mom brings us something to eat or drink ( normally ice cream or lemonade) and we talk. 

But today she shows up at my doorstep, crying.  

I hug her, and we go sit on the steps. 

"Ezra.... my mom got a new boyfriend. And I hate him! He's nothing like Dad, " She sobbed into my shoulder. 

" It's going to be okay." I hug her tightly. We stay like that for a long time; her sobbing and me hugging her. 

Eventually, her mom shows up, asking her to come eat dinner. We say goodbye, and I go into my house, in a bad mood.  

___________

Matt shows up at my house today, right when I'm in the middle of a game of HORSE with Carlie. 

" Hey, Ezra! Dude, it's been so long since I've seen you.... why haven't you texted me? Oh..." His face looks confused but kinda disappointed at the same time. 

" Hey, Matt. Sorry I haven't texted you! You wanna join us?"

He nods, and we start over now that Matt is here. 

I win, and Carlie leaves, while Matt and I hang out the rest of the afternoon.

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The rest of my summer flies by, and before I know it I'm in middle school. Middle school isn't so bad, but I would say to keep away from the eighth graders who think they're better than everyone else just because they're older. But the best part of middle school is the lockers! I feel so much older with them. A lot of kids already know me because of basketball, which is also cool. 

My first day of school goes by fast, and I hang out with my usual friends and some new friends. 

I come back home grinning. 

My grin and happiness disappear when I hear Mrs. Summers yelling as I walk by. I guess their window was open. 

"Dave! Leave me and Carlie alone! There are reasons why I left you, and I'm not letting you just walk back into my life. Now, go!" 

Dave, Carlie's dad, must have come back.  And he obviously did something bad if Mrs. Summers had to divorce him. 

I felt guilty... I had a good life. Awesome parents, nice friends, I was good at sports, I had good grades, and I was pretty popular in school.   Carlie only had her mom now. She was known at school as " the cute girl" but didn't have a ton of friends, which surprises me because she's super nice. She was okay at sports and was an average student. 

Carlie is Average. 

Well, almost average. Almost everything's average except how nice she is. That and how pretty she is. Yes, I'll admit I might have a small crush on her. But, who wouldn't? 

I  heard footsteps behind me. I whirled around. It was Carlie. 

" Ezra," she said softly. " I don't wanna go home now. My dad's home." She looked so small and sad. 

" Come with me. We'll have a snack and maybe play some basketball if you want." 

She smiles a weak smile and hugs me. 

At the same moment Jonathan Synder, by far the most popular seventh grader, walks by. 

" Is she your girlfriend, Collins?" He smirks, adressing me. 

" Why? You jealous?" Carlie responds, so fast I  couldn't even give Jonathan an answer. 

The group of guys behind Jonathan starts laughing, but I still hear Jonathan mutter under his breath, " Maybe." 

He rushes past us, his group following him. 

Once they're gone, I ask Carlie a question. " Why'd you say that?"

" Why not? I'm not gonna date Jonathan Synder. Ever." 

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