Magcon: the boys next door

Chapter 2

After all my mother's and sister's critiquing, I did what I never expected I would do: I acted like a girl. Nash was in utter disbelief.

"Why are you changing all of a sudden?" He questioned me.

"Because whether you like it or not I'm a girl and I'm 14, which means I'm a high schooler. I can't keep acting like an 11 year old boy" this last response shut him up. He looked hurt and I hated seeing him hurt but I couldn't be the way I was anymore. I can't explain fully why I decided to change. Maybe it was the disapproving looks I received from my mother. I hated having to disappoint her. I guess that's why I promised myself to behave.

Throughout my freshman year of high school I did indeed behave myself. I felt the distant between Nash and I growing more and more. I even had a few odd looks at school as I dressed more properly. This new me was definitely a lot different.

"Are you going to be like this forever?" Nash asked me one day as we walked home from school. Most of our walks were now dull and quiet.

"I'm still me. I'm just trying to mature a little bit. We're still best friends, right?"

"I guess so"

This didn't reassure me. I felt sad but I had to ignore it because it was for the best. We drifted, but I found friends that were girls and he found some that were guys.

I was over at friend of mines house one day with a bunch of other girls from school. It was sleepover where you gossiped and did quite girly things. Even now I still don't enjoy them very much. But anyways they were gossiping and I mostly just listened when the subject of Nash Grier came up.

"He's actually got to be the hottest guy in the 9th grade" Marissa giggled as she laid on her back. "Ugh he's so cute I'd do anything to talk to him!"

There was that feeling again. It stirred in the pit of my stomach. It was a fluttery feeling at the mention of Nash's name but my heart beat faster and a littler angrier at the thought of Marissa talking to him. I clenched my fists and felt myself heat up.

"Hey, Stella, you guys have been neighbors for awhile right?" Ella questioned. I perked up at that but played it off,"yeah so?"

"Well can't you set Marissa up with him?" No no way would I ever. Despite our separation, I still had oddly strong feelings for my neighbor. I longed for the summer nights we had spent together.

All girls in the bedroom silence and had their wide eyes on me. I felt stuck and unsure of how to respond to this. I began to stutter "I-I don't know really..." I cast my eyes to the floor to avoid their suspicious glares.

"C'mon why not?" Taylor said in a pleading tone. I lifted my eyes to see Marissa looking at me oddly.

"I know why...you like Nash don't you, Stella! I know you too used to be best friends" Marissa said at me. I could hear the jealousy in her voice. Yet it was mocking too as if I followed him around and had some huge crush on him.

"Actually no, I don't like him. He's been a friend but that's all and if you really want, then fine I'll talk to him about you..." My voice slowly trailed off. I know none we're convince by my statement because I wasn't entirely convinced myself. What was I supposed to do? I felt so strongly for Nash but I didn't want to expose this because in reality me and Nash would never work out given our circumstances.

After the sleepover I did talk to Nash about Marissa. They hit it off for awhile but it never lasted. Neither did my friendship with the few girls. Time went on and Nash and I hardly had a friendship. He came over time to time but he never managed to make eye contact with me. Words could hardly describe the sadness I felt but I had to move on. I still couldn't pin point my feeling exactly but I knew I was not even a near bit close to moving on my the boy next door.