The Middle - Volume Two ✔️

Chapter 27

Jamie

Jay and I drove my dad to the airport this morning. I'm missing class again, but I don't give a shit. I'm confident I'm gonna pass all my musical classes, and I don't care much about my shitty core classes. Finals are around the corner, and loads of people are starting to cut class now. Seeing my dad off is far more important to me than attending school.

The final call sounds over the speakers for my dad's flight, and he pulls me into a hug.

"This isn't as bad as last time, right kiddo? I'm gonna be back home in just a few weeks." Dad smiles down at me.

"I know." I smile back up at him. "I'll see you soon, dad."

"Very fucking soon." He grins at me before turning his attention to Jay. "Look after her, dude. Make sure she takes care of my dog."

"I always do, Mike." Jay laughs as I playfully roll my eyes at them both. Why must everyone always tease me about my ability to keep Benji alive? I fucking love that dog, and everyone knows it.

Dad heads over to security, and we watch until he's out of sight. I feel okay this time, actually. He'll be home again for the holidays in no time at all.

"Starbucks?" Jay asks, and I nod my agreement. We always stop by the airport Starbucks when we're here. This will give me a good chance to talk to him about Erin, too.

"So, I talked to Erin last night after you guys left." I say as we sit down at a table with our coffees. Jay's face immediately falls, but he nods. He knew this was coming.

"What did she say?" He asks.

"She told me what happened in Central Park." I watch as he takes a deep breath before sipping his coffee. "I tried to talk some sense into her, but she can't be reasoned with, Jay."

He nods at me again. "I appreciate that, Jame. Thanks. I've tried too. Believe me."

He sighs and sits back in his chair, and I sip my latte, waiting for more. There isn't more, though. He doesn't wanna talk about Erin just now, which I totally understand.

"What about you?" He asks, taking me by surprise. "Anything else with Noah? Or is it still totally dead?"

I'm gonna be honest with him. He was honest with me about everything with Erin in the end. So, I'll tell my best friend the truth. Hell, maybe it'll help.

"Well, actually, Noah and I made out. In the park. Last Friday night, after I got home from New York with Patrick." I blurt out, and Jay's eyes widen in interest. He wasn't expecting that. I go on. "He gave me his hoodie too, because I was freezing. I still have it. But I'm definitely done with him now. I'm fed up of his bullshit. It's completely fucking over. You wanna help me burn his hoodie? I could give you some of Erin's old clothes? We can make a bonfire?"

He blinks at me a few times before he speaks. I guess that was a lot to take in.

"You made out with him? How? How did that happen? You've still been talking to him since the Halloween Dance?"

"No, I haven't. I swear. I ran into him at Marley's-"

"Wait, you went to Marley's with Patrick. And Mike!? How the hell did you end up kissing Noah in the park!?"

I take another mouthful of coffee. This could take a while...

***

Once back in town with Jay, I decide to actually go to my last class of the day (Production) because why the hell not? I didn't tell Jay anything about Shaun Campbell, and I fully intend on talking to Patrick about it to let him know that it's fucking over. We can forget all about it. No one else ever needs to know.