Chief in Training

2.

Once I got home, it was empty. My parents are probably out with friends right now. I'm usually the first one home so it's no surprise that no one is home.
I pulled my shoes off and walked upstairs. I went into my room and sat on my bed. I took out my art book and added a few more shades on my sketch from earlier. I looked outside my window and noticed how it was still light outside. It was close to being sunset.
I put my art book on my bed and walked up to the window.
All the kids were still out playing. Kids my age were in their small groups talking.
After staring outside for a few more seconds, something caught my eye. I saw Alva walking about. I thought I had walked her home. Maybe she's looking for her dad?
No. She wasn't. I saw her walk up to one of the groups of kids. It doesn't bother me if Alva has other friends. She's pretty social, but she wasn't talking to just anyone. She was talking to Brenna. Brenna HATES me and I thought Alva didn't like her, but here she was being all friendly with her.
I watched as she said hello to Brenna and even give her a side hug. She then joined in on whatever conversation they were having. For all the years I've been friends with Alva I didn't expect this to be possible. Why would she act like she didn't care for Brenna if they were friends? Why would she even be friends with someone like Brenna? It doesn't make sense. Something is telling me to confront her about it but I don't know. What if I come off as jealous? I'm not jealous. I'm just really confused.
But I shouldn't worry about that. Alva is a loyal friend to me. She must have some reason as to why she's been lying about talking to Brenna. Alva is my best friend and I respect her decision to having other friends, even if they are people like Brenna.

I go back to my bed and lay down. I just start thinking about Alva and how she's so social and gets along with everyone. I don't normally care about not being like that, but it seems nice to always have someone to talk to. Sometimes I think about how her life would be without me. It probably wouldn't be any different. She's got so many friends. Sometimes I wonder if she even calls me her best friend. We've never said it out loud, but I just assume. My parents assume it too. Heck, even the whole village assumes it.

I hear a knock on my door. "Yeah?" I say. My door opens and in comes my mother.
"Most of the village is going to eat at the Great Hall for dinner. Do you want to come or should I bring you something?"
My family respects my decision for staying indoors even if it is alone. Especially my dad. I've heard that he spent most of his childhood alone, but it still didn't stop him from being the most admired man in New Berk. That's probably not the reason my parents leave me be when I want to be alone.

"Just bring me something. Thanks." I replied. She smiled and closed the door.
Maybe that's why Alva is friends with Brenna. I'm never around when it's the afternoon or night time which is mostly when the village is together. Everyone is always working in the day that at this moments it's when everyone can be together and I'm never there. The worst part is, no one is really concerned as to why I'm not out there.

I looked out through the window one more time and saw everyone heading to the Great Hall, even Alva and Brenna. I've decided that I should go.

I grabbed my art book and put it in my satchel. I scurried downstairs and put on my shoes.

I went to the Great Hall like everyone else. It was packed. Most of the villagers were here to eat dinner. I looked around and found Alva. She was sitting with Brenna and her friends. On the other side was my family and my parents' friends. The table next to them was Nuffink and his friends. It seemed like everyone I cared about already had their own group. Except me. For the first time in my life, I felt lonely.

"Zephyr?" I turn around and see Radley. "What're you doing here? You never come to the Great Hall for dinner." He had a surprised look on his face which wasn't even shocking. He was right. I never come to dinner with the village.
"I just thought it'd be nice to come for once." I replied. He smiled and took my hand.
"You can come sit with us." Oddly enough, he directed me to where Brenna and Alva were. That wouldn't be much of a coincidence. Radley's sister Cadence was sitting at that table and she's Brenna's best friend.
Everyone noticed me and said hello except Alva. She was smiling but I could tell it was fake.
I sat down next to Radley.

"So I'm guessing you're taking the night off from staying in." Cadence said. The group laughed and so did I even though it wasn't that funny.
"Yeah. It gets pretty boring being alone."
I peered to my right and saw Brenna getting up to leave. Alva looked at her and then back at me. She smiled.
"It's so cool that you're actually hanging out with us, Zeph." She said. I smiled back. "Yeah it is."
I didn't want to ask in front of everyone why Alva was talking to Brenna. She's even acting like it isn't a big deal.
Whatever is happening, I'll find out soon enough.