Broken Memories [Shoey Dawceffa]

Chapter 5

Exactly a year after the death of Shane's grandmother, Joey appears at his door dressed in a big and fluffy coat. Shane already knew he'd come because somehow Joey found the necessity to send a text message to Shane saying that he was going to pass by his house and that they were going for a walk. Joey's parents bought him a phone two weeks ago and he already has the memory card full of songs from his favourite bands and pictures of him and Shane. The idea of Joey having a phone makes Shane kind of relieved because he's in the seventh grade and already goes by bus back home - less worries to his parents then - and Shane never knew if he was all right or not so the fact that now he has his own phone makes the possibilities of him calling Shane if something goes wrong.

That's all Joey does with his phone basically. He only has his parents and Shane's number on it even though he only uses Shane's, even in emergencies. So the two boys spend the times when they're not together talking on the phone, texting or sending weird videos and pictures at each other.

"Joey? What a surprise!" Shane jokes but already has his coat in hands to dress. Joey laughs at him and Shane can just notice how much his best friend changed since the past year. "So where are we going?" He asks walking outside and shutting the door behind him, sliding his arms up on the sleeves from the coat.

He follows Joey who starts walking with his hands on his jacket's pockets "I thought about... uhm, going to the lake." He answers unsure. After Shane have showed him the place that they've spent their summers there and most of their spare time. But it's been a year since they don't go there because of Shane's lost. His grandma brought him there so Shane doesn't suggest it, neither Joey talks about it. "If that's okay." Joey says quickly noticing Shane looking at the wet ground, due the rain that fell last night, in silence.

Shane knows Joey just wants to help. He spent two weeks with extra care towards Shane last year after the funeral. Shane knows that if it wasn't for Joey he'd feel sad for much more time. "No... It's fine." So he says finally looking at Joey. Joey smiles back at him and Shane holds his hand as they usually would do, on the way to the lake, when they were younger.

He finds it weird that at the moment, holding hands with Joey since Shane is now almost fourteen and it's just something boys like them shouldn't do, because only couples do it. But then he thinks, "It's only Joey and that never felt weird" so that feeling disappears.

Joey had previously jump with shock by Shane's gesture and maybe he does feel weird as well, but if it's that, he decides to let the feeling go without commenting on it.

They reach the garden as quick as they were expecting and it still looks like the last time they were here. Shane feels stupid for not coming here as often as they should, because that was kinda their place and they've got good memories here. No one comes here - the people from their neighbourhood are too busy to relax in a park - so it's almost like their hideout.

They walk to the familiar tree and sit down, with their backs rested on the tree trunk, enjoying the fresh air on their faces and not caring about dirtying their pants by the grime floor due the moisture.

The silence between them it's still natural even if it's less common than when they were nine but right now they know that it's the moment. The moment to be quiet and just appreciate the place and moment.

"Cold?" Joey breaks it and it's not as usual as it was but Shane is getting to and he likes it.

"I'm okay." Shane replies getting closer to his best friend and resting his head upon his shoulder. The contact between them is often "Just miss her." Joey knows what he's talking about and it hurts listening to him saying it in this tone of voice.

"I know..." is the only thing he manages to say.

"Thank you." Joey still knows what he's talking about so he just smiles to himself and he doesn't need to reply because Shane also knows that he'd say "It's fine. I'm here, I'm your best friend."