Rolly Polly

Chapter 12

THEN-Connor

Harper has been gone for a week now. It's been strange not having her around the house talking my ear off or just texting me non-stop. But when we do talk, it's late at night and she tells me all about her internship, which appears to be going well.

Ever since middle school Harper and I have been practically inseparable, but I always made time for my guy friends. Apparently not enough though. When Eric heard that Harper was going to be gone for a month he called me up and guilt tripped me into a guy's weekend.

And that's how I ended up at Eric's house.

"Hey bro, it's your turn." Startled, I look up from my phone and over at Eric as he leans on his pool stick while the other guys pretend to hide their smirk.

"Oh, sorry". I tuck my phone into my back pocket and examine the pool table to figure out what would be the best move.

We were in Eric's basement playing our second game of pool since we had gotten here. His parents weren't home, so while there was the potential to have a party, we all agreed that we should just chill with each other instead of having to deal with the potential drama that a party would create. That and none of us really wanted to spend money to get the booze.

I don't even remember the last time that all five of us were all together. I mean me and the other guys were friends, sure, but I was closest to Eric. We had known each other since sixth grade when both joined the local soccer team. And after an entire season of losing absolutely every game, our friendship was cemented.

I lined up my pool stick and watched as it collided with the white ball, hoping that it would make contact with the striped ball that would make our team win.

We stood there in anticipation as it glided across the green.

"OOOOH!" Eric and Henry hollered as it slid and knocked the eight ball into the pocket, making them the winners for the second game in a row.

"Ha! Looks like y'all lost again!" Eric rubs it in.

"Shut up bro, let's do something else." Owen suggests and I can't help but agree.

"What do you guys want to do? We can play Call of Duty, watch a movie, go out back and play basketball... what sounds good?" Eric offers.

We stood there in silence for a moment before Henry breaks the silence.

"Not gonna lie, I'm getting pretty hungry"

"Yeah me too," Owen agrees. Eric looks at me for confirmation and acknowledges my head nod.

"Alright, let's go." He walks around the table and towards the staircase, we all follow him up the steps and into the kitchen.

Every time I go to his house I'm shocked by how nice it is, it looks like a show house. His mom is an interior designer so I guess that makes sense. Either way.

The cabinets in the kitchen are white and the backsplash is also white but in tile. It's what London likes to tell everyone is the French Aesthetic. I'm always confused as to how she and Harper are best friends. While London is fun and sophisticated, always the life of the party, Harper would rather be at home and is way more casual.

Speaking of Harper, she is probably asleep by now, seeing as how it's almost midnight in London. I pull my phone from my pocket to see if she texted me or not, but find my screen lacking notifications. I sigh and tuck it back into my pocket before giving my full attention to my friends.

Eric is standing in front of the fridge, peering in, while Henry has the cupboards open. Owen is sitting at the counter, resting his head on his hand watching our friends try to come up with some food source.

"Pizza sound good?" Eric asks.

"Sounds good, man" Owen says. Taking that as a group consensus, Eric take the pizza he found in the freezer and puts it in the oven.

Right then London comes waltzing into the kitchen in sweats and carrying a duffle bag.

"Where ya going sis?" Eric asks.

Aubrey and a couple of the guys wanted to watch the sunrise at the beach. Did you guys want to come with? There's no more room in Tyler's car, so you'd have to drive. But you're welcome to join."

I would feel bad going with them all to the beach and having all this fun without Harper...

My hesitancy must have shown on my face because London rolled her eyes before saying, "You can't put your life on pause just because Harper isn't here. I mean, she's certainly not."

"Wait... what do you mean she's certainly not? Did she say something to you?"

London shrugged. She didn't have to, I know my girl. There's no way she is going site seeing and taking pictures of herself by herself. She's made a friend or something. So don't feel bad."

Why didn't Harper mention that she's made a friend? Is it a guy? Is that why? Why has she-

"Dude, chill out. I can feel your stress from across the kitchen. We're gonna go with London after this pizza finishes cooking. You in, or nah?" Eric questions.

"Yeah, bro. I'm in."