#7

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"Jackson, you're in the friendzone."

I shook my head. "I'm not."

"She called you buddy," Tyrone said.

"There is no friendzone. It's either she rejects me or she doesn't," I said. "I haven't given her anything to reject so it's TBD."

"Uh huh?" Tyrone took the joint that was rested on his ear and put it in his mouth before lighting it up. "You smoke?"

I shook my head. "I'm fine with nicotine."

He shrugged. "Suit yourself."

I looked at him as he puffed out cloud after cloud of smoke. It was almost tempting, but my mind was elsewhere. "Um, I'm gonna go," I said as I stood up.

"Cool." Tyrone nodded. "We oughta do this more often."

I nodded and headed back into the building. I found Bonita lying on her bed, sobbing. She was facing the wall, so she didn't see me walk in. I stood there – looking over her – not knowing what to do. I finally got the courage to speak. "Bonita."

She was startled, but she didn't let on. She turned to me after she had wiped the tears away, but her face was still red. "Sorry, I look like shit."

"Sans blague," I said.

She chuckled. I held out my hand and she took it before standing up.

"Don't be." I shook my head. "I get it, I tried to kill myself. You feel like you need to be strong for me, but you don't. You really don't! If anything's wrong, you can come to me. I can't be the only one with problems, we gotta balance each other out."

She nodded and put her head on my shoulder. I was afraid she'd fall asleep again, but she didn't. She took a step back and we just stood still before I broke the silence. "Can I kiss you?"

Her face went blank. "What?"

I felt the blood rush to my face. "What?"

"Jackson, I thought..." She couldn't even speak. "You have to go."

I frowned. "What? Why?"

"Just go!"

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