My Newsie Best Friend

Free Bacon and Hugs

Josh

I gasped as I saw a flickering sign in the window of a local cafè: "Free Bacon".  I wouldn't have believed it if it weren't right in front of me. "Josh...." Mike warned.

"Free.  BACON!!" I shouted as a made a break for the cafè. Mike tried in vain to hold me back, but nothing keeps me from my bacon.  You see, I never really know what happens when I Bacon-Out (as Mike calls it); I just see bacon, everything blurs, and then it's in front of me. 

Mike

Not again, I thought to myself as I saw Josh sprint across the street, narrowly avoiding being hit by a car.  It's like the Coco Puffs commercial and he's the  crazy bird; he just can't help himself.

I sat back and waited for him to come back. It took longer than expected, but that didn't surprise me. He had five pieces; that must've taken a lot of begging. "You satisfied now?" I rolled my eyes.

"Well, not quite. I wanted more." Josh pouted. I just shook my head disapprovingly and got up to leave. This guy needed some serious help.

Bre

"Ben, I have to get back home. I've been slacking on my chores and mom's been under the weather." I grimaced. I wanted to spend more time with him, but I felt that I was putting too much stress on my mom.

"Go be with your family. It's alright." Ben smiled understandingly. I was afraid he would be mad, but I was glad he wasn't. "Thank you so much, Ben. I had a really great time with you today." I smiled, wishing I could stay with him longer.

"Well, goodbye." I said awkwardly. Oh great; should I hug him or go for the handshake? Maybe a high five? Ugh, my life. I went for the handshake, really wanting to hug him but not wanting to make him uncomfortable.

He grabbed my hand, perfect. It didn't have to be awkward after all. But he didn't shake it...um... "Come here ya dork." He yanked me by the hand he had a hold of, an grabbed me in a hug. "I had a great time too. I'll see you tomorrow." He laughed.

"Actually, I have to work all day tomorrow..." I tried to explain. "I'll see you tomorrow." He looked me dead in the eye and nodded his head. I nodded, smiling like the dork I apparently am, and we headed our separate ways.

I couldn't believe that after months of stalking this boy on social media, we were like halfway to becoming friends. I headed home and immediately jumped into work. "Bre, where did you go?" Julia asked me. "I've just been out with friends." I squeezed her in a hug.

After answering a few more of her and Mary's questions, I started doing laundry and dishes and just cleaning anything and everything I could. I was just starting to tidy up my sisters room, when I heard my phone ringing.

The caller was unknown, and I usually don't answer those. But part of me was hoping it was Ben so... "Hello?" I answered. "Bre, it's Josh." Josh Burrage? His voice sounded kind of shaky.

I almost didn't want to know what was up. I was honestly terrified. What if something was actually wrong? Was Ben ok? Please not Ben, he's too beautiful to die!

"Josh, what's up?" I asked, worried. "It's Nick." His voice broke. My heart picked up pace as I tried not to think of the worst. "What happened to Nick?" I asked, not even fully sure if I wanted to know. "He's dead."