Zach
"Happy birthday, dude." I say to Noah, while handing him his drink. He grimaces at me and raises his eyebrows. He hates his birthday, and I know it. I roll my eyes and laugh at him.
"So, you're the first one of us to turn 19." Will points out with a smile. "How does it feel, grandad?"
"Feels the same as being 18." Noah says dismissively, his eyes darting around the Grill.
He's been scanning the venue constantly since we got here, in search of Jamie. After what happened Monday night, I seriously think he may be in the frame of mind to finally go for it with her. I mean, he got a big fucking scare with the whole pregnancy thing, but he was even more scared of losing her. I've never seen him that way. The whole thing shook him up good. Good enough to finally make him realise he wants her? In more ways than one? I hope so.
This isn't like me. I know, I know. I'm an asshole, right? Nothing but a low life, womaniser. Why would I care about my best friend getting his shit together with the girl he likes?
Easy. I've changed.
I can't quite believe just how much. And it's all because of one girl. I totally understand what Noah's going through now. What he's been going through ever since he met Jamie. This is foreign territory for both of us. It's weird, and it's new, and in the beginning I hated it. It took me a while to finally admit what was going on with me to myself, never mind anybody else. And okay, I don't wanna play it too fast and loose with the L Word. But, fuck it. I'm pretty sure I'm in love with Kim.
It's barely been three months since I met her, and who would have guessed that would be all it would take to completely flip my world upside down. I've never cared about a girl before. Not in the slightest. Girls were there to play with, to fuck, to lead on and drop as it pleased me. I was a dick, and believe me, I am not proud of my past behaviour now. Not at all. I know I still have work to do, but I also know that I'm a different guy than I was three months ago. A better guy. I've grown up, I've learned to stop caring about what my friends or anyone else thinks of me. I've learned that sex doesn't make me happy, not really. I know that for sure, because I haven't slept with Kim. But she makes me happy. Happier than any hook up ever made me, that's for sure.
"Happy birthday, Noah!" I smile as Aubrey throws her arms around my best friend excitedly. She's hardly Noah's number one fan, but she knows he's cool with Jamie now, and that's all she's worried about I guess. And I suppose she wants to be friendly with Noah for John's sake, too.
"Thanks." He mumbles, but I'm not looking at him anymore, because Kim just walked in here behind Aubrey, and she looks absolutely stunning tonight. I wanna tell her so.
"Hi." I say quietly, so that only she can hear me. The others are chatting amongst themselves now.
"Hi." She smiles at me, before looking over at the boys. She doesn't wanna attract too much attention to the fact that she's okay with me now. And I understand that.
"Nooooaaaah! Hey, birthday boy!" Madison runs over from no where and pretty much jumps on top of him. Will laughs, and the others look concerned. She's so weird. But, whatever. Will likes her, that's all that matters. Her friends Zoe and Zara are with her too.
"So, um, how are you?" I say to Kim. She's standing next to me, and she's the only one I really wanna talk to tonight anyway. The others are all laughing as Madison presents Noah with a birthday gift - a pair of luminous pink Nike running shoes. He'll never wear them.
"I'm good, thanks. And you?" She replies, looking between me and the rest of our group.
"Good too." I answer her, and she gives me a small smile before fully focusing her attention on the others. That'll do for now.
The Track Team boys show up, and it is officially over crowded up here on the top level of the Grill. This is nice though, all Noah's friends in one place. Jamie still isn't here with her band, I note. And I know Noah will have noticed this too, he keeps looking out for them. But, Kim's here. I'm happy with that.
Even though we aren't talking much, we're talking. She's forgiven me for what she overheard me say at the Halloween Dance, which I am over the moon about. Now? I just need to keep working on it. I want her in my life. Officially. I don't wanna stay in this weird two people who witnessed a horrible car accident and leaned on each other a lot afterwards place that we seem to be in right now. I want more from her. So much more. Everything.
After the crash, we were inseparable in the hospital. I held her while she cried, she hugged me back, she talked to me. We helped each other through it. And it's gotten us to this new place. To here. It's not perfect, but it's a start. And I won't quit on her, not a fucking chance. I plan on asking her out soon. Maybe just to study or something tame like that. The less chance of sex, the better. Because I want her to know that I'm serious about her now. I'm not just interested in getting into her pants, not anymore. I think she knows already, but I need to make sure. I'll keep working on it. We'll get there, I know we will. Because if it's meant to be, it'll be. And I know it is with Kim.
Christ, if Walker and Adrian could see me now... Well, I don't really care about that now, do I? Fuck them. I wanna be happy, and being with Kim makes me happy. Being a nice guy, instead of being an asshole, makes me happy. I'm sticking with this.
YOU ARE READING
The Middle - Volume Two ✔️
Romance#3 - Shocks 27/9/19 "Don't hold back." I whisper, and he brings his face up to look into my eyes. He looks conflicted, but the lust raging inside of him is enough to override the conflict. And in a split second, he snaps his hips forward and I feel...
