Best Friends for (N)ever

Chapter 10

*ALEX'S POV*

The few moments in Daniel's house, something felt back to normal. I couldn't completely understand it, but it felt like we were fourteen again, having the time of our lives. No worries. Nothing.

I wasn't an idiot, though. I laughed, sure. But I still knew where we stand. The smiles and jokes we exchanged were for that night only - it'll never reach beyond that. I shouldn't try to. Nate didn't show up, as usual, because of hockey practice. So there was that.

The only class I shared with Daniel was English. The teacher kept us pretty busy, so my interaction with Daniel was limited to occasionally seeing each other in the halls, rarely nods of acknowledgment, and sometimes when he helped my mother with groceries. The boy was a tool and a dick, but he sure knew how to suck it up once in a while.

Two weeks later, it was already winter break.

Transferring mid-way through the year had its downsides. Last year, I spent Christmas drunk at a party. It was dumb, I know. But it was my first Christmas without my father. First Christmas we weren't a whole family. Mom didn't object much. She had her fair share of drinks that night as well, I'm sure. Nothing like a Martini to get the tragic death of the love of her life out of her head.

Between Dad's death, and moving back to our hometown, Nate probably handled it the best. He was always so busy. Hockey, lacrosse, simply being social. He had his down days, sure. But he was the one who yelled at Mom and me to get out of bed on Dad's birthday and head down to the cemetery. He was the one who made pancakes for us on our birthdays. In some ways, Dad reflected himself on Nate. And I was beyond grateful. Nate was our glue.

This year, I didn't know what to do. The first few days went by rather quickly. On Christmas Eve, the sadness had already begun. I thought about rummaging through the basement for some sort of alcohol, but then remembered Mom was trying The Sober Thing. A whole new look on her. Moving sucks.

So I stayed in bed. I was awake, but I stayed in bed.

Nate didn't have practice, but apparently there was some freshmen Christmas party. Okay. Mom just didn't have it in her to look at my terrible face on this day. She left early in the morning, and I didn't bother to ask where.

I was alone. I was alone, and no one was going to bother me.

I turned over on the sheets. The blanket was god's nest. There was no way I was getting up today. I grabbed my phone from my bedstand and looked a the time. 11:00 AM. Fabulous. Only 37 more hours until this shit is over, and I can go back to being normal.

And just when I found the perfect position in bed - so perfect in fact, I think it's better than sex. Or whatever sex feels like - the doorbell rang.

I groaned. Hell no. I'm not home. The doorbell rang once more.

A minute after I ignored it, my phone buzzed. I picked it up with my right hand and squinted at the screen. Daniel.

I KNOW UR HOME. GET UP.

I typed back, barely able to do so.

NO THX. GO TO SLEEP.

He texted back:

IT'S ALMOST LUNCHTIME. I NEED 2 TELL U SUMTHING.

I groaned once more.

FINE.

I pushed the blankets (Oh, sweet Lord) off me, and slid down on the bed. I sat on the ground. I was wearing boxer shorts and a loose night shirt. Ha. He thought I cared. I stood up and pulled the blanket around my shoulders. It wasn't as comfortable as I'd liked it before, but it would have to do for the moment it took to push Daniel back out the door.

I jogged as quickly as I could down the stairs, given the circumstances.

I opened the door, just as I realized I covered up my body but not my face. Dear god. What if I had drool?

"Look-" Daniel started to talk, as if he already knew I was going to shut the door in his face. I was going to do to just that.

He cut off immediately, noticing my state. He gave me an elevator look. I probably looked like horseshit right now, and he was judging me hard. I rolled my eyes and started to close the door, already not wanting to talk to him.

He didn't even bother saying anything. He pushed the door completely, knocking me backwards. I stumbled back, and grabbed a hold of the mantle to remain standing. "What the fuck do you want?" I seethed.

He didn't even answer the damn question. "It's Christmas Eve. What the hell are you doing sleeping?"

I crossed my arms over my chest, gathering the blanket closer around me to protect myself from the cold. "I don't celebrate Christmas."

"That's bullshit. I came over to your house every year to set up your gi-fucking-normous Christmas tree."

I glared at him. "You're bullshit." And I turned around and started walking to the kitchen. I was up, so I might as well make myself some cereal. On the way there, I pulled the rubber band out from my knotted up hair, smoothed it out, and replaced it in a messy pony tail.

He followed me and sat on a high chair near our small table. "You can't just pretend I'm someone new. I've known you longer than most people."

And that was it. I turned away from the fridge and stared at him. "If you actually know me, then why did it take you so long to recognize me?"

He was caught off guard. I knew he was. His eyes widened, but he couldn't find anything to say.

I sighed, too beat to even argue with whatever he was going to say. "You know what, Daniel? I actually don't give a shit. Why are you here?"

He held up a circular tray wrapped in aluminum foil, a grin creeping up onto his face. "Pie."

I stared at him. Was he actually serious? "I don't eat pie." But fuck, that looked good. 

"I'm not dumb, Lex. I know you do." He gave me an annoyed look. 

"Not anymore," I replied, crossing my arms over my chest. I didn't miss the way his eyes drifted there when I did. Slow, calm, but evident. 

"You're being ridiculous."

"Ridiculous?" I shrieked. "You're the one who fucking barged into my house because you wanted to eat pie!" Yeah, that's right. I shrieked. Because that is what this boy makes me do.

"I literally just knocked."