𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐔𝐏 | 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐲

10. Runner

Jack

My earphones blasted music through my ears, cutting out the sound of the people walking round me in the school hallways. The past week had felt like a form of hell I'd never experienced before. Every second had been spent thinking about Zach, just wanting to see him, just wanting to be close to him.

I'd taken every excuse to stay away but sometimes there were moments were I was convinced I no longer could. I should be focusing on the game tonight, not on some random person I barely even know.

I jumped as I felt a hand firmly place itself on my back. I turned around, letting out a sigh of relief as I saw Josh. I pulled out my earbuds, noting his concerned expression. "Why have you been so jumpy lately?" He questioned with raised eyebrows. A smile slowly formed on his face. "You look like a crack addict having withdrawal symptoms" he joked, shoving my shoulder slightly.

I groaned. "Alright man, whatever, I've just been having a bad week ok?!" I snapped at him. He stood there in silence for a moment, blinking. "Chillllll man" he said, holding his hands up in defence. "I just had to tell you something" he added, creasing his eyebrows in thought.

"Oh yeah, I remember. You're staying at mine for a while" he informed me. I sighed, nodding. "Your mom called mine this morning and apparently she'll be gone for a while. I can't believe she just up and left again without telling you" he said sympathetically.

I hushed him. "Could you not speak about it so loudly?" I warned him. He shrugged, unbothered. I stayed silent for a moment, before finally asking what I wanted to know. "Did she at least say where she went this time?" I asked nervously. Josh shook his head sadly. "Sorry bro, my mom said she only told her she'd left. That's it."

I nodded my head, not surprised. Every time my mom would leave she'd never tell me and I'd always go and stay at Josh's place. That's why I practically had my own room there. Sometimes I hated my mom for the way she was, but it's not like she'd ever change.

She'd never find a way to love her son more than she loved getting high. At least she always seemed to come back eventually and not turn up dead in a random ditch. Sometimes addicts are too far gone and too hard to love.

Me and Josh were left alone a lot by our parents - his by business and mine by pure neglect - so in a way it was good we at least had each other, and I think it made our parents feel better. It made it easier for them to leave knowing we wouldn't be truly alone.

Josh gently pushed me forward so the two of us were walking down the busy hall. When we finally got to the cafeteria Eben, Jonah and Corbyn were already there. Before I'd even had the chance to sit down Eben had already started talking. "you'll never guess what we just found out!" he exclaimed. I raised my eyebrows, confused. "Jonah has a girlfriend!!" Corbyn suddenly blurted out.

His eyes widened and he slapped a hand over his mouth when he realised what he'd just said. Jonah sighed, placing his head in his hands out of frustration. "I already told you guys, she's not my girlfrienddd" he whined. I smirked. "Then who is she?"

Jonah looked up at me with a glare. "None of your business, Avery" he stated sassily. He flipped me off as I nearly fell out of my seat from laughing at him. "Hold on, let me guess. She's just a friend, but that's only cause she's friend zoned you" I assumed.

Jonah folded his arms over. "Well if you must know, I'm pretty sure she likes me back. In fact, I'm asking her out after the game" he announced proudly. Josh suddenly gasped as if had just remembered something. "Oh my god, is it the girl you hooked up with at my party?" he questioned, his eyes wide with a teasing smile.