This Boy And The Depression That Comes With It

Chapter Twenty Eight

I open the door and step out of the car. "Thanks for the ride." I call. This morning, my mother decided that she was going to drive me to school. She said that she didn't find it safe for me to be walking on my own, since I haven't been feeling well. "No problem hun." She smiles, and I close the car door.

"hello gorgeous." Dakota says, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my cheek. I can hear my mom chuckle to herself. "Hi Alison." He yells to my mom before she waves and drives out of the parking lot.

"Dakota, have you seen Patrick around school lately? I need to talk to him, but he hasn't been returning my calls." I ask calmly. "Yeah. Isn't that him over there?" He says, pointing in the direction of the cafeteria. "Yes. Thanks. Uh, I need to talk to him about something real quick. Do you mind?" I ask nervously. "Sure. Go ahead."

"Thanks. I'll be right back." I kiss him on the cheek and start walking toward Patrick.

He's laughing with his friends, as I walk over, and when I approach them, the laughter stops. "Guys, can you give us a moment, please?" He whispers to his friends and they disperse, without question. "Hey. What's up?" He says, as if nothing is wrong. As if he hasn't been ignoring me for the past week. "'Whats up'!? 'What's up'!? Is that seriously all you have to say for yourself? I have been trying to contact you for a week!" I raise my voice. "I even walked to your house the other day, but your mom said you weren't home. Even though I clearly saw you sitting in the living room." I'm getting pissed now. "Why have you been ignoring me, Patrick? You're supposed to be my best friend. I haven't seen you since last monday night! What the hell is wrong?" At this point, I'm fuming with anger. "Marissa.. Calm down. I've just been busy. Why do you care so much?" He says, quietly. "Are you fucking kidding me right now, Patrick!? What the hell? I care because you are my best fucking friend! We used to spend practically every day together. Sorry for getting a little concerned when you start dodging ny texts and calls, and blowing me off when I try to come over. Can you just tell me what the problem is?" Now I start to feel my eyes water up. Why am I even crying? I'm pissed, not upset.

"There isn't a problem, Rissa.. I told you. I've just been busy." He says, sticking to his previous excuse. "Whatever Patrick. If you want to continue to lie to me, be my guest. I don't care anymore." The tears are pouring down, and I just turn around to walk back to Dakota.

"Hey. Baby, what happened? Why are you crying?" I hug him and place my head on his chest. "I just lost my best friend..." I sob into his chest and he holds me tight, patting my hair. "It's alright." He soothes. "It'll all be alright. You still have me and you have Chyna. You don't need him, darling."

"but he was my best friend.. We've been so close since fourth grade.."

"He's not worth your tears Marissa.."

The bell rings. I smile at him, and he wipes my tears. He grabs my hand, and we walk hand in hand to my first period class.