Broken Beauty

Oliver

We ordered pizza for dinner that night, from a pizza place down the street.

My parents worry about me. They always ask if I want to have a friend over, but I just say that they're busy or something. I shut people out, because it's easier that way. I haven't hung out with a friend since 6th grade. That's four years.

When I told them about Ned, they got really excited, and started lecturing me about how they're proud of me for making a friend and whatever. After pizza, I ran up the carpeted steps to my room.

For the next hour or two, I hung out on my laptop, and listened to music. When I got tired, I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. I looked into the mirror at my black rimmed glasses, and short brown hair. I was tall too. I wasn't unattractive, people never made fun of me for appearance. The only teasing I ever got, was from being antisocial and stuff.

I stare at the glow in the dark moon and stars stickers I've had hanging up on my celing for a long time. I don't want to be socially awkward... It's just, when I have to talk... I freeze. It's easier alone. It makes me sad, that my parents worry. I'm not depressed, so I don't understand why my parents get scared.

The next day Ned came over for dinner, upon my parents request. They asked him all these questions, about school and family. I wanted to get my parents to stop bombarding him, but they were new at this. After lasagna, Ned and I went upstairs to play a video game.

"Dude, I'm sorry about my parents,  they're new at this." I apologized. 

"Don't sweat it, my parents worry too."

Ned and I grew closer over that week. I went to his house, and his parents were the same way. He had 3 little brothers, just entering middle school. Ned, I guess, somehow managed to become my best, and only, friend.