New Hope High School || Blake Richardson

Chapter Eight

*Blake's P.O.V.*
Yesterday, after school, I had nothing to do because Kenz was busy trying to talk to Reece. So I rang George and asked if he wanted hang for a while.

He ended up coming over, mum was still at work and my sister went out with a few of her new friends. We were sitting on my bed throwing darts at the dartboard I had just hung on my wall.

"It's been a while since we've gotten to hang out. How are you bro?" George asks me looking at all my unpacked boxes that still sit in the corner of my room. "I've been pretty damn well, how bout you Smith?" I say nodding my head.

"I've been great. Honestly. Things started getting pretty lonely, until I bumped into this girl yesterday in the library. I just had to get her number and turns out we are going to have dinner on Friday. I never would have thought a girl could make me this happy!" I'm happy for him. George has never had a serious relationship before, and if this date goes well, who knows what that could lead to.

"Wow man, congrats. I'm happy for you!" I continue throwing darts at the board. "What's up?" He asked, acting like something was wrong with me. "What do you mean?" I throw another dart.

"C'mon man. What's going on?" He stands in front of the board so I can no longer throw darts. "Nothing really. Now get out of my way!" He doesn't budge. "Blake. Listen. I'm one of your best friends and I know you better than anyone. What's goin on???"

I sigh. "It's just a girl." It was too soon to tell him that it was our mates sister. Even though Reece already knows. "Awwww Blakeyyy!" He says teasing me using his girly voice, "Blakey's got a girly friend!!" George taunts me.

I look at him, making sure he knows I'm not joking around. He stops talking and his goofy smile goes away. "Blake are you okay?" He says, now being serious.

"I really like a girl, but she's still hurt from her last relationship, but I just can't stand to be away from her but I know it's not a good time and I don't want to scare her away and I'm—" George cuts me off, as he sits on the bed beside me, "Look Blake, have you told her how you feel? Did SHE tell you it was a bad time? Or are you just telling yourself that?"

I shake my head slightly, "No, her brother told me." I look up at him as he does a sad face, "I'm sorry B, who is... OH MY GOD ITS MCKENZIE" he jumps up to his feet placing both hands over his mouth.

"C'mon Smith, don't act so surprised," I say letting out a slight laugh. He paces back and forth at the end of my bed.

"It all makes sense now. All the times I've seen you together. All the times I've seen her cry in your arms. All the times—" this time I cut him off.

"George. Calm down. She doesn't know how I feel. And I don't want her to, either. Reece was right, she isn't ready for another relationship. I can't see her hurt even more."

George nods, knowing I was right. He had nothing to say because he couldn't argue with me. "I'm really sorry, B. If you need to talk, call me. I better get home though. My dad was grilling burgers, you can come if you want!"

"No, it's okay. I better stay home and finish unpacking. I can't stand to see those boxes one more second." He gives me a bro hug before leaving my house.

I get on my phone to see a text from Reece "hey. I'm not upset with you. Just worried about my little sis, love you bro." I was glad to hear that. Honestly, that's just what I needed right now, seriously. "Love you too. I was thinking us three can hang out soon, just me, you, and George. Ya know?" I missed hanging with my friends like we used to.

I lay my head down on my pillow, and stare at my ceiling. I haven't heard from McKenzie since I talked to her about coming over. But I heard from Reece so I'm guessing everything was well.

I check my phone a few minutes later. Just a text from Reece again. "Well Kenzie has been BEGGING me to go bowling with her. She invited her friends so I thought I would invite mine. Wanna come? I know it's not just us three but it could be fun!!" I sigh. Of course I do, but I really don't know how to act around her anymore.

"Sure. When, where, what time??" I reply before hopping in the shower. That's where I do all my thinking...

I get back to my room and get dressed. Reece had texted me. "Tomorrow after school. When we get home from bowling, we are going to have a movie night. One of the last before my family gets home. Finally Tina and I can be official since everyone knows. So excited!"

I don't answer him. I don't know if this is a good idea. But I definitely know it's not fair. George has a girl. Reece has a girl. And I don't even know if I have a girl! It's so complicated and I don't know what to do.

I fall asleep thinking. Over thinking I should say.

I wake up the next morning and get ready. I head over to Kenzie's to pick her up. I guess it's become a thing for her friends and I to meet at her house and leave from there. I take Kenzie and Hannah, and Reece ends up taking Tina.

I thought it was weird that Reece didn't drive his sister to school in his blue Dodge Charger, but it's probably because she wanted to be with her friends. I'm not sure though.

We get to school and everything ends up going really fast. At the end of the day we all go back to the Bibby house.

We get to the house and Tina and Reece have their fingers interlaced sitting on one couch, and George and Hannah sitting on the other, just talking. Leaving Kenz and I stand in by the kitchen entry.

"Want something to drink?" She asks walking to the cupboard. "Uhh sure. What do you have?" She gets out two cups and opens the fridge. "Water, Milk, Orange Juice, Lemonade," She looks at me waiting for me to answer.

"I'll take some lemonade, please!" She nods "Me too, Regular or strawberry," ooh that's a hard decision. "Whatever kind you have is fine," I say indecisively.

"Okayyyyy." She pours us both some Strawberry lemonade and hands me the larger cup. She nods her head towards the living room gesturing for us to join the others. Is it bad I don't want to? But of course I have to.

We walk back into the living room to see everyone in the same position we left them in. I over hear George talking to Hannah. "Are you excited for Friday?" Wait what. HANNAH is George's date? Great. Now it really is just Kenz and I.

I walk over to them, totally interrupting their conversation. "You're the girl that George was telling me about?" Hannah laughs. "I'm not sure. Was I George?" She said looking at George. They looked genuinely happy.

George nodded but before he could say anything McKenzie joined our conversation. "Wait. What? George is your date, Hannah?" She seemed just as shocked as me.

Reece then joined the conversation. "Wow man, that's great. Now we can go on double dates!" He said, smiling, looking down at Tina who's head was now on his chest. "That sounds like fun!" Hannah said smiling at George.

I really wish I could tell her how I feel! It's not fair. I want everything they have. I want it all with Kenz. But of course I have to try to hide all my feelings for the rest of the night. Fun.