My Newsie Best Friend

Here Comes Mama B

Josh's POV

We were all just silently awaiting the doctor to come back with the test results. Sky was on his phone, Nick looked like a nervous father-to-be in a delivery room, and I was still awkwardly sitting beside Bre and holding her hand.

I pulled out my phone and texted Nick:

Me: Don't look so worried 😉

I see Nick slightly jump as his phone vibrates in his back pocket.

Nick: 🙄😒

My word, Nick. Don't be such a Johnny Raincloud.

Me: Smiiiiiiiiile 😁

Nick: 😬

Close enough...

Nick looked up at me and rolled his eyes before giving me the most fake smile I'd ever seen. 'At least I'm making some progress', I chuckled to myself. Nick could be so uptight sometimes.

Sure, the situation was grim, but so far Bre seemed ok, and I chose to be optimistic. Sky seemed indifferent. I applauded him for that in my mind.

Outside the door, we started hearing noises. Things being knocked over, followed by shouts of surprise. We all looked around at each other in confusion. "What the-" Nick started.

"WHO DIED?!" The door flew open and someone burst in. Sky nearly jumped out of his chair. Ben Fankhauser? We all looked at him bewildered. "Uh, no one died. What are you doing here?" I asked, confused.

"I texted Sky and asked where he was, and he said at the hospital." Ben's forehead creased with worry. "Oh, uh, ok. Ben, this is Bre." I introduced her to him. "Nice to meet you?" He gave an awkward smile, and she nervously laughed.

"Ok, so basically Bre is Nick's best friend from childhood. We were all hanging out today and she ended up having an anxiety attack and now we're here." I quickly gave the run down. Ben nodded.

"I'm so sorry that happened," Ben gave her a sad smile. "We're all just really worried." I admitted. "And rightfully so." Ben furrowed his eyebrows a little. "Well, apparently just Nick and I are worried..." I added as I rolled my eyes and glanced as Sky, asleep in the chair.

Nick's POV

"Hey Ben, can I..talk to you for a second." I asked, trying to act nonchalant. "Sure." He replied. I walked out into the hallway with Ben ok my heels. "He is such a mother," I hear Bre giggle from the bed, I'm gonna call him Mama B." I chuckled at that last part.

"Ok, what is it?" Ben asked. "What do you think of Bre?" I asked. "What? Uh, she seems very nice." Ben awkwardly answered. "No, I mean.. you don't like her, do you?" I asked, trying to subtly get to the point and failing.

"Nick, she's like, half my age. Why on earth would I like her like that? Calm down." Ben chuckled. "Oh...right." I could feel myself blushing. I'd forgotten how old Ben was. But still. I didn't need anymore competition. "Good talk." Ben patted my back and headed back in the room.

I sat down ok the floor in the hall. My feelings were making me a jerk. Did I really care who Bre ended up with? Of course I wanted her all to myself, but what I wanted even more than that? Was her happiness. I didn't want to subject her to a lifetime of misery just so I could be happy.

The time had come to either get accepted or rejected. I had to tell her how I felt. When she was released, I'd get her alone. Do or die, I guess. Oh who was I kidding? Josh wasn't going to leave without a fight, but I knew Sky wouldn't care.

I could always take her back to the hotel, but Anthony was probably still in my room. I'd figure something out, hopefully. I decided to head back into the room and act like nothing was wrong.

Not five minutes later, the doctor walked in and everyone turned towards him expectantly.