One Of The Guys

Chapter 2

"He didn't deserve this. He never should've died. If it weren't for that drunk driver, I wouldn't be here right now! I'd be playing football or wrestling or playing video games with him. I would play football with him everyday, little did he know, that I have grown to love this sport." I say, I'm in hysterics by now. But no one tells me to step down.

"This...this sport meant everything to him. And he meant everything to me. He should be playing on that field right now. Getting tackled. And I should be right there with him. But I'm not. And neither is he. He meant the world to me. I will forever love you, Mike." I say, then I fall down sobbing. I feel someone come over to me and pick me up. It's Jake, I sob into his shoulder. I'm numb. Numb from everything. It takes me a while to notice that Jake is crying too.

Jake was Mike's best friend. Jake is like my brother. As we sit on the bench outside, it occurs to me that Jake must be hurting as much as I am. We sit there crying, holding each other. No words need to be said because I know he feels it too. He feels Mike, telling us that it will be okay. That he's okay.

"Taylor. Tay." I feel someone shaking my shoulder.

"What?" I say, shaking myself from the memory.

"Are you okay?" Jake asks.

"Yeah. I'm totally fine." I say. He doesn't look to convinced. Neither does the rest of the team. I smile. And put my arm around Jake.

"See. This guy, right here, is my best friend. So caring that he worries about me even when there's nothing to worry about." I say. Keep in mind that Jake is like 5 inches taller than I am. The entire team starts laughing.

"Are you drunk or something, Tay?" Zach asks. Zach is another wide receiver.

"Nope. Sober as always." I say, with a forced smile.

If only they knew that I never get drunk, not after Mike died. See, none of them knew Mike. Mike, Jake, and I all went to a different school, like 20 minutes away. But after Mike died, Jake and I switched schools. We couldn't take the whispers, the stares. So, no one on the team knew that Mike was my brother. They probably heard his name all over the news, but never thought that he would have a sister or something like that.

The bell rings and we all walk towards the school. My arm still slung around Jake's neck. I'm standing on my tip toes. Everyone on the team is still laughing at the sight of me and Jake. Jake puts his arm around me too, causing everyone to stare. All the cheerleaders glare at me. And the hall goes dead silent. Until Jake and I burst out laughing. The team follows in suit. Causing everyone to start whispering.

Just for the show, when I reach my locker, I give Jake a hug and scream "I love you, Jake!" Jake laughs so hard, tears stream out of his eyes.

As he walks towards his locker he yells back "I love you too, Tay!" Causing everyone to stare at me. Alex's locker is right next to mine.

"Are you guys, uh, dating?" Alex asks, his eyes flicking downwards.

"No. He's like a brother to me." I say, laughing.

"Oh." Alex says, smiling.

The cheerleaders walk past me, glaring. Jake is popular and okay, he's hot. Every girl wants him. But he doesn't have a girlfriend. He turns down every offer. I have no idea why, though.

I get what I need and head off to English. Jake, Alex, Jason, Thomas, and Noah are all in this class. They're all on the football team. I take my usual seat and Jake walks in, grinning. "Hey. Taylor." He says, putting his arm around me. That causes all the guys from the team to laugh. And Jake and I just grin.

"You know that the cheerleaders are gonna kill me, right? They're sending daggers my way." I say, glancing back at them.

"It's okay. I'll protect you from the evil, scary, cheerleaders." Jake says, grinning at me.

"Awe. Thanks so much for protecting me from the wrath of evil, mean, scary, cheerleaders. I have no idea what I'd do without you." I tease. Mr. Carrier walks into the room.

"Hello, class. We have a new student joining us. Please make him feel welcome. Garrett, please come up." Mr. Carrier explains. A guy about 5'8 stands up from the back of the room.

When he walks by me, he whispers, "PDA much?" Then he smirks at me. Jake, hearing what he said, starts laughing.

"Jake. Why don't you explain what is so funny." Mr. Carrier says, glaring at me and Jake.

"Well, you see....uh." Jake stutters. I laugh, same with the guys on the team.

"Go on, Jake." Mr. Carrier says. Jake turns red. And I can't help laughing.

"Jake. Speechless? Never!" I say, laughing. Jake glares at me.

"Taylor! Maybe you would like to explain what is so funny." Mr. Carrier says, his face starting to get a bit splotchy.

"My pleasure." I say, standing up. "This new guy, Garrett, is obviously clueless." I say, smiling.

"TAYLOR!" Mr. Carrier yells. Shit. I've done it now.

"Because he thinks that Jake is my boyfriend." I finish, sitting down. At that, the whole class erupts into laughter, except Garrett.

"I saw you too this morning. You both yelled that you loved each other. Then went to your locker." Garrett says, obviously confused.

"Let me fill you in. Taylor is basically my sister. I've known her my entire life." Jake says. I grin.

"We are so close. I even have the key to her house. But we are just friends. And not to burst your bubble or anything, but I have approval on who Taylor gets to date." Jake finishes, grinning.

"And I care because...?" He asks.

"Well, you were obviously jealous of us." Jake throws an arm around me. Garrett rolls his eyes.

"Whatever." He says.

God, this boy is the best friend I've always wanted.