Not Like Before

Chapter 6

Third Person POV

Zay, Chandler and Laura decided to head back to Chandler's house. It wasn't his idea at all, but when Andy called him and asked where he was and what he was doing, Andy invited them.

Sometimes Chandler wished that Andy wasn't such a nice person.

When they got there, Payton was painting something on the front porch. She looked up when she heard footsteps.

"I thought your friends left you." She said to Chandler.

"Shut up, at least I had friends to begin with." Chandler rolled his eyes.

"Keep rolling your eyes, maybe you'll find a brain back there." Payton sneered and got back to her painting.

"You know you guys could've just said 'hi, how are you'. But nooo that'd be too easy." Zay said sarcastically.

"It's how we show our love." Payton said absentmindedly, not looking up from what she was doing. Chandler shook his head and walked through the front door.

"Andy, we're here!" Chandler called and Andy came from his bedroom shortly afterwards.

"Hey guys." He said shortly and tried to go outside to talk to Payton when Chandler stopped him.

"Hey, you knew about her this whole time? She said she came by here and you didn't say anything about her at all. What's that about?" Chandler didn't sound angry, which was different for Laura because he sounded angry all the time now.

"Well I figured it'd be better once you saw for yourself. Plus, you just got out last night, hasn't really crossed my mind." Andy shrugged. Chandler hated the way he said 'got out' like he'd been in and out of jail his whole life.

"Hey I'm about to help Payton with her homework, so how about you guys go up in your room and get yours done, alright?" Andy asked. Chandler nodded and went upstairs, Zay and Laura following behind him.

When they got into his room, Laura noticed that it was relatively the same, it was a little messier and he had a few more things but that's about it.

Chandler sighed and sat in his desk chair.

"Dude, this is so weird. We haven't all hung out in here in like...forever. Remember sitting down there and playing Uno?" Zay smiled as he remembered.

Chandler scoffed. "Yeah while a rapist was on his way to our house? Fun times." He said bitterly. Laura frowned.

"It wasn't just then. Remember your birthday? And truth or dare? Those really were fun times." Laura points out, her smile returning. And she wasn't entirely sure, but she thought she might've saw Chandler's lips twitch upward slightly. Not a smile, but as close as she's getting to one.

Zay smiled. "Or that stupid hoodie you refused to take off, even in 100 degree weather." He laughed. Chandler shook his head, almost smiling.

"Why don't you wear it anymore?" Laura asked curiously.

"Outgrew it." Chandler mumbled, clearly not wanting to engage in conversation. Their conversation was interrupted by Payton.

"Dad said take out the trash." She said and left, leaving his door open. He sighed and went to do what Andy asked, giving Laura and Zay a chance to talk.

"Is he always this bitter?" Laura asked quietly.

"Yeah ever since..." Zay started, hesitant to continue, not really knowing how to put it into words.