Bully, turned best friend, turned lover?! - A Greg Jenko Love Story

Replaced by Eric

"Em?" Doug said, trying to get my attention through the use of my real name... little did he know he already had it.

"Hmm?" I asked, spinning round to face him, an innocent smile gracing my face.

"I should be the one apologising not you. I shouldn't have freaked out. Hell, it must have been inevitable for you and Jenko to get together. I'm sorry for being a douche and ignoring your logic- you were right, it wasn't possible for me to know any sooner than I did about the two of you, and I'm sorry for making you feel like shit over it."

My smile grew and grew as his speech went on. I never really realised how honest Doug could be, but I apprecated his apology and told him I accepted it. Then we hugged for what seemed like an age, and, as I looked over Doug's shoulder, I could see Brad wink at me from where he was leant against the floor lamp in the corner, arms crossed over his chest, satisfied.

Pulling back from Doug, I sighed, content.

"So what are we gonna do today? It's the weekend soooooo...." I trailed off, hoping that one of them would finish my sentence with something we could all do together.

Then Doug's face fell, and I looked at him questioningly.

"I... err.... kinda told Eric that we'd hang out today," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck, worried.

My face fell too, knowing that I had indeed been replaced by Eric as Doug's closest friend, but I took a deep breath, and regained composure, compromising; "That's okay, we'll just all have to hang out when you get back. We could see a movie, or play a night time game of crazy golf or-"

Doug cut me off then, again rather nervously, "I said I would all day....and then he invited me to his overnight tonight so... sorry Kate," Doug apologised.

"Oh," I said, not even trying to hide my disappointment, "Erm, well I guess it's just me and you Brad."

He smiled at me sympathetically, knowing how I always wanted to do something with Doug if we fell out. He nodded though, and as Doug scampered upstairs to get ready and pack, he came over to me, wrapping me in a hug.

"It'll be okay," he said, kissing my head, "We can do stuff today, then do something with Doug another time. Why don't we paint the fance outside for your Mom first to get the 'chores' out of the way, then invite Zack and the guys to watch a movie, then come over here, have dinner, go out for a night time game of crazy golf, and then stay over here?" he suggested, throwing all my ideas together at once.

I brightened, smiling up at him.

"Okay," I agreed, reaching up to kiss him quickly before changing into something a little more DIY (dungarees and a t-shirt) and tying my hair up quickly.

I scampered back down the stairs to find that Brad had already gotten changed much quicker than myself and was stood there waiting for me, a pot of white paint in one hand, and two brushes in the other.

About an hour later, Brad and I were halfway done with the fence, and we'd spent the time laughing with each other about random things. Then Eric's car parked up in front of us, but we ignored him, figuring he'd only need Doug, who'd be out soon enough. Then....

"Katelyn," came a drawl.

I looked up, blinking slightly in the bright sunlight as my eyes agjusted to looking up. He had my attention though.

"Doug in there?" he asked.

"Sure, I'll go get him," I offered, standing.

"Why doesn't Brad, and you could stay talk to me a bit," Eric more commanded that suggested.

"It won't take a sec," I said, before dashing back into the house before any more could be said about it.

"Doug!" I called through the house, after coming to a halt at the bottom of the stairs, "Doug McQuaid!"

"Coming- Jeez!" he yelled, starting down the stairs.

"Hurry hurry hurry," I sang, slightly annoyed that things were probably stoney between Brad and Eric, and that Doug was just taking his time suantering down the stairs instead of hurrying his ass up and avoiding any further awkwardness between the two.

He ignored me though, continuing his leisurely stroll down to the hall.

I scampered back to the front door though, eager to see what was happening bwtween the two and whether I needed to intervene. They seemed to be having heated words, so I decided to interrupt.

"He's just coming- he's just being really slow on the stairs becasue he's a retard!" I called across the yard, interrupting the argument.

Our neighbour, Mrs Lowey, an eladerly woman, looked at me strangely- God we'd lived here for years and years and she hasn't got used to our ways yet?

"Hi Mrs Lowey," I waved sheepishly before darting back to Brad.

He chuckled a bit, but returned his glare to Eric as they seemed to engage in a staring competition. Then....

"My man, Eric! How you doing, dude?" Doug called, emerging from the house with open arms and a massive grin on his face.

Eric's face went back to it's usual laid-back look as opposed to the furrowed brow he had worn when glaring at Brad.

"Not bad dude, you?" he asked back, as Doug approached further.

That type of conversation continued as they made their way to the car, Doug turning around briefly just to remind Brad and I not to wait up. I turned and gave Brad a funny look at Doug's behaviour, but he just shrugged.

"Oh almost forgot," I absently heard as I had returned to my painting, then I felt lips on mine again, and almost screamed.

Pulling back to find Eric almost made me hurl, but then I remembered I had to play along- crap! I gave him a small smile and waved bye as he got in the car and drove off. When they were out of sight, I rubbed my mouth roughly on my shirt sleeve before shuddering and continuing with my painting. I could tell Brad had tensed but when he'd seen me shake it off, had decided to do the same and carry on painting.

Upon finishing, we shovelled down some lunch, and then called Zack, Delroy, and Roman. I took Zack while Brad took the other two.

As the phone rang a third time, someone picked up.

"Hello?" asked a familiar voice.

"Zack. It's Kate," I remembered before I spouted Em.

"Oh hey, something wrong?" he asked, sounding concerned.

"No nothing wrong," I said hurriedly so as to reassure him, "Brad and I were just wondering if you wanna come round today. We were gonna catch a film, get something to eat, play a night-time round of mini golf, and then you could stay the night if you'd like," I said, silently counting off the things on my fingers.

"Oh yeah sure," he said, saying he'd get there in half an hour.

I happily slammed the phone back in the cradle and bounced back down the stairs, meeting up with Brad, who confirmed that Delroy and Roman were coming, and went to get changed into somethign more presentable.