Badboy and the emo reunite (BXB)

Chapter 5: Soo...

"Soo... I noticed something earlier, when we showed up," I begin as Zane and I watch Jay pushing May on the swing. "You-you smoke now?"

"That... you guys were early."

"Yeah. Why Zane?"

"John kinda got me intrigued I guess..."

"I remember you would say you would never smoke."

"Ehh," He shrugs. "Now it's just a quick stress reliever."

"I bet it doesn't help much anymore? Does it?"

"No, not really."

I sigh, knowing that he is addicted. When it doesn't help anymore, but he still smokes. he'shes addicted to a killer.

"How long?"

"As soon as graduation."

"Jeez. I'm guessing your mom and dad dont know, but Chance does?"

"Very accurate of you."

"I just know you."

There's a little silence, then he starts with the same "soo..." thing I did; I find it cute.

"When did you get those new piercings?"

"Only a few months, I got them with Jay when he got a septum."

"He has a septum?"

"Mhmm pushes it up when we are out of the house, but keeps it down at the house."

"I bet he looks weird with a septum, he is too jock-ish."

"Says you! You still got the whole 'badboy' look."

"And you're still very familiar with the little 'emo'= look."

"When did you get so weird with your talk? "Very accurate", "Very familiar with", like what the hell? What is with that?" I laugh a little.

"Dont like it?"

"'Course not. It's not you, it's different and weird. I miss the guy who didn't give a fuck about his language."

He chuckled but nodded slowly.

"I guess I dont like it much either, but I just can't talk like that anymore. The guy who "didn't give a fuck" about language was a douchebag, maybe I'm trying to change that."

"You, you defiantly have changed..."

"Positively or negatively?"

"I dont know yet... maybe both. But, I'm open to finding out."

"Ya know, you have changed too. But, in the best way possible. Though, I feel like you're boring now."

"Excuse me?" I laugh. "Boring?"

"Yeah, like you've settled down and dont have fun or go out anymore. Like the abandoned mall, or the skate parks, and the late-night dates, all of that stopped didn't it?"

"Yeah, they have. They haven't for you?"

"I'm not trying to get rid of every part of me, just the bad parts."

"And those were the good ones?"

"They were with you..." he mumbles out. "Those were my best moments. I guess, I try to re-live them sometimes."

I keep quiet, just speechless. I was wondering about it before, but this is just my conclusion. I moved on, but he hasn't.

"And," he starts up, probably noticing my new emotions. He was always good at that. "I still love skateboarding with John at 2 in the morning."

"Abandoned malls?"

"Love those still, just, haven't done those in a while. I just can't seem to do it without you. I'm genuinely happy for you. I guess he's a lot better than the past high school. If he ever raises a hand to you, ever, please tell me. If he ever goes back, tell me," He said seriously, quietly so Jay didn't hear. He was still so protective.

I don't grab his hand, but I place my hand on his back.

"Okay. I'm sorry; I should be going. It's a 30-minute drive back home," he looks down at a watch that seems oddly familiar.

"You're place is only 10 minutes away though?"

"I live with Aiden, remember?"

"He shouldn't be that far?"

"It'd surprise you, but Aiden didn't live with his family in senior year. He moved out but was supported financially by his parents. That made it easy for me to move in. And, he lives a town over."

"Ohh, then I'm glad you're moving out into a dorm soon, that's a long drive," I stand. "Wanna say bye to Maddy?"

He smiles and nods. We make our way over, and Maddy jumps from the swing into Zane's arms when he gets close enough.

"Coming to play?"

"No, Maddy, I can't," he places her down.

"You aren't over again, are you?" She looks terrified, looking at both him and me. "This isn't goodbye goodbye, right?"

Zane looks so hurt, so he kneels and hugs her. I said she was hurt a lot by him leaving.

"No, it's not. Shane and I are friends, and I'm going to see you again soon. I just have to go home right now, I have someone there who might be worrying."

She nods with a hum, he backs up and plants a kiss on the top of her head. She grins, knowing that everyone's okay, and when everyone's okay there's no final goodbyes. Maybe she has attachment issues, that would make sense. The final goodbyes didn't start with us but with her father.

"Okay," she nods again.

"Oh, one more thing before I go. Did you pick out a name yet?"

"Endure-man."

My eyes go wide, how does she even know what endure means?

"That's... fairly accurate. Alright, I like it. Now you need one for you."

"Strong-girl!" She grins flexing her close to nonexistent buff muscles.

"That you are," he smiles and ruffles her hair.

--

"Thanks again, for letting me see her again."

I shrug, "She loves you, and very clearly missed you. She'll have to meet you again, she'll continue to nag me about it till you guys see each other again."

He laughs, then pulls me into a hug by my shoulders, I don't hesitate to hug back. It ends as it started.

I watch him get into his truck, and the radio pops on first thing. I guess music is still his grounding thing when it comes to being in vehicles.

As he drives away, my mind has one thought.

"I wish I was there when he was learning."