The Chase

How It Begins

I smiled at my best friend as we walked down the hallway. We were both sophomores in highschool even though I'm only 15 and he is 16. Lyla, my best friends 'girlfriend', walked up to him and wrapped herself around him before she started kissing him. My smile slowly faded as I looked at the ground, swallowing the lump in my throat. No matter how many times I saw this, I couldn't get over the pain I felt each time.

I kept my head down and kept on walking. As I was walking a few tears escaped, but I hastily wiped them away with the sleeve of my black sweater. I heard my name being called behind me, but instead of turning around or stopping I just picked up my pace and ran into the girls bathroom. I threw my bag down hearing a resounding thud that echoed around the four stall bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror, frowning slightly. My usually bright emerald green eyes were dull and filled with pain, framed by my typical square "nerd" glasses. I rushed out of the house this morning so my normally straight hair was in it's natural midnight black curls, going halfway down my back, and my deep tanned skin was slightly pale. My eyes were red and puffy so I took my makeup out of my bag and put it on. I fixed my ombre black and gray beanie on my head and walked out of the bathroom. I looked to my left and saw Ryder leaning against the lockers with Lyla draped on his arm. I rolled my eyes trying not to act hurt, and turned right walking to my locker, my combat boots smacking against the tile.

I rounded the corner and smiled at the sight before me. Leaning against my locker, playing with his lip ring, was my other best friend, Matt. I walked slightly faster and adjusted my nose ring. Matt noticed me and smirked pushing off the lockers. I bit my lip and ran at him, before jumping up and hugging him. He spun me in a circle while I laughed. He set me down, and I fixed my sweater, before slowly turning around to open my locker. As I was turning I saw Ryder and smiled at him, but he just scowled at Matt. I frowned and turned all the way to my locker putting my combination in. I opened the locker and pulled out the necessary books, pens, pencils, and notebooks. I turned to find Matt watching me. I blushed and looked down.

"What?" I asked still looking at the ground. I heard Matt Sigh.

"Nothing just you amaze me Arden." Matt said his deep voice rumbling. I blushed more, but instead of saying anything back I just turned and started walking to class. No Matt and I aren't dating, and no I would never date him. Many people have asked me and I denied each time. Matt has been there for me through everything when Ryder was too wrapped with Lyla. He was more like a brother to me through everything. You see Matt and I are like the punk nerds of school while Lyla and Ryder are the two most popular people of school. The only reason Ryder and I are friends is because we grew up together. For as long as I could remember he had been my neighbor, then in 6th grade a new family moved in across the street, Matt's family. I smiled when I thought of how Matt used to be so shy and practical. Too mature for his own good. If you look at him now, you never would've guessed it was him...

Two years ago when we were in 8th grade Matt's parents were on their way home from work so they could celebrate the rest of his birthday with him, he was turning fourteen. A truck ran a red light and smashed into their car. Both of his parents died on impact. His aunt had to come and live with him, but he was never the same. His usually short dirty blonde hair was now long and shaggy, he has six tattoos, and a lip piercing. His grades are still all A's though. I walked into the classroom, a few students trickling in behind me. I was a few minutes early so I sat in my usual seat, put in my headphones, put my playlist on shuffle, and then pulled out my drawing pad and started drawing.

I had just finished the basic shape of someone's face when my paper became dark and shadowed. I slowly looked up to see who was blocking the light and my eyes met to beautiful sky blue eyes that belonged to Ryder. I blushed and hurridely covered my notebook, fiddling with the cover. I heard Ryder clear his throat and I slowly looked back up at him quizzically.

"Are you going to talk to me, or are you too busy day dreaming about Matt?" I heard venom in his voice and I blinked while staring at him. I slowly stood up and I was a good five or six inches shorter than him. He looked uncomfortable and took a step back. I took one headphone out and then the other, speaking slowly to him.

"Why do you, think you have the right to just assume things about me anymore? Did you decide that before or after ditching me for Lyla, and letting her bully me?" I asked making hand gestures. There was a mix of sadness and guilt written all over his face, but I was too enraged to care. I came at him poking his chest. "No I know. It's when you weren't there for me when my Mom died, how you were too busy with Lyla to notice. Matt has always been there for me, and he is a way better best friend to me than you have been in a very long time! Don't bother talking to me anymore! I am done with you!" I shouted before grabbing all of my stuff, and storming out of the class and back to my locker, opening it quickly, throwing my books in, then slamming it closed. I tucked my phone into my back pocket before walking towards the front of the school, punching a locket on the way out. I walked down the sidewalk as tears started running down my face. I walked back to my house just to grab something out of my room. I walked into my room, and grabbed the familiar box out from under my bed pulling out a pack of cigarettes and my lighter. I tucked both into one of my boots, keeping one cigarette out and putting it behind my ear. I walked back outside and across the street to Matt's house walking into his backyard. My Dad is never home and neither is his aunt so we pretty much can do anything we want. I sat on the swing hanging from the big tree and took my lighter out, lighting the end of the cigarette and taking a puff, holding it in, before letting it out. My phone started vibrating and it was Matt asking where I was. I only texted back swing and he knew. A few minutes later I heard the gate swing open and a pair of arms wrapping around my waist and I started crying again. I turned to Matt and hugged him.

"Let's go inside." He said softly grabbing my hand. I nodded and followed him inside then up to his room where I laid down on his bed watching him. He took off his shirt then laid down next to me wiping my tears.

"I love you Matt. Your my best friend." I whispered snuggling into his chest. I sighed closing my eyes falling asleep.

"And I love you Arden. More than you know.." He whispered but I barely heard him, because I was already falling asleep snuggled in his arms, getting a momentary escape into the peaceful abyss from the already bleak darkness of my life...