Unprivileged

Chapter 8.

Ace's POV.

As I pedal away from the hospital, it finally hit me. The realization that Carrie is not as lonely as I am. When I met her, we instantly became friends. I couldn't find a solid explanation as to why that happened so quickly. The only reasoning my mind could make from the situation was that we were alike. Alone. Friendless. It turns out that I was wrong. 

She has a friend.

I know that I'm making a big deal out of it, but it did make me sad. She is my only friend but clearly, I'm not hers.

At home, I sit down around the dinner table with mum and Rich, thinking about none other but Carrie. Questioning whether she has other hidden friendships that I do not know about. Whether she and the so called Eric fancy each other, or is he just her notebook lender? I find myself spiraling in an endless chain of questions and doubts, and mum does not fail to catch up on that.

"What's going on, Ace?" She asks, looking worried.

"Nothing." I say and look up from the plate of Spaghetti in front me that I did not so much as touch.

"You do look sad. More sad than usual, that is."

"Oh", I say. "I did not know you were ever alarmed to notice how sad I am and to what certain extent."

"Come on," she lets out the air she just inhaled, with frusturation, "how can a mother not tell when her child is feeling down?"

"I don't know," I say, meaning it. "I thought you didn't care about these things."

She puts down her fork. "I know that I can be a little bit cold and distant and sometimes even harsh, but I'm frustrated with you. I never know what to do. You should let me in more so I can know what's up. I can't read minds, Ace. Even though I wish I could. That would be pretty rad!"

"Rad?" I chuckle. Sometimes I forget that my mum is American. Her accent has worn off over the years, only slipping out of her practiced British tongue every once in a while.

"Now that's what you picked up from the whole speech?" she laughs. "Enough of that. I think my point was made clear. I'm here for you, kiddo. Keep that in your mind."

I smile.

"So," she picks up her fork again, "tell me what's up?"

What is up? I don't know. Carrie is up for friendships that do not include me. I'm up to write a book that I know absolutely nothing about. School is up to make me want to hang myself.

It's not the most catastrophic scenario, but in my head, it is.

"There is this girl and.." I start and she interrupts. 

"Ha! I knew it was going to start with that sentence." She laughs, and I send her a death glare to show my annoyance. "Sorry, keep going." She clears her throat.

"We were supposed to be best friends. And I mean like, exclusive, unshared, best friends. We went through the reasons why we hate humankind so many times that I thought we were really each other's only tolerable company, but earlier today, I was yet to find out that she has a friend of her own."

"I can't really see the problem with that. You can make friends of your own, too."

"No, but it's not just that. What if she likes the guy?" I frown at the thought.

"Now, I remember you using the term 'best friend' so what's the big deal about her liking him?"

"Um..I..don't know.."

"Oh, I get it."

"What?"

"You like the girl. Obviously."