Too Close For Comfort (LH) (PT1&2)

5. Curious

Luke was still snoozing after my shower. Which surprised me, because I could have sworn I heard him talking. Perhaps I'm still losing it. He'd probably sleep all day since he was out so late. It was inconvenient for me, because I couldn't put my things away. I'd just have to get over it.

The warm water really helped my sore legs. It probably would have been beneficial for me to soak in there a little longer, but I was trying not to use up all the hot water. My outfit for the day was simple: blue jeans, a green forest silhouette t-shirt, green socks to match. My hair was in a messy bun, and my face was makeup free: very simple.

My phone kept vibrating. I crossed my fingers in hopes Jason was finally calling me back, but it was only Benny. The bathroom door was still closed, hopefully Luke won't hear me. "Hey Benny," I greeted my friend.

"Hey Kate. Make it to Australia alright?" When I told dad we grew apart I lied. Our relationship is very complicated. It's easier to say we grew apart then to explain whatever one would call this.

After we dated I put some space between us. It was obvious we were better off friends, but Benny didn't see it like that. And therefore fails to respect some of the space. Sometimes it's great, and sometimes it makes me want to rip my hair out. The only way I can explain it would be: it's like he still thinks we're dating and I'm disrespecting certain boundaries.

"Landed yesterday," I climbed onto the counter, getting comfy in the sink. "How's America?" At the moment I didn't miss it, but I wondered if that would change.

"Just as you left it. Awaiting for your return," Benny laughed. "My summer is going to be so boring!" He drugged out the word 'so'.

"I can't say the same. Turns out my dad has a girlfriend!" Even if it sounded weird to say out loud I caught myself smiling. He had a girlfriend, he moved on, he's happy. That's all I ever wanted for him. That's all I ever wanted for any of them, Benny included.

Benny blew out some air, making the speaker rattle, "that blows!"

"No," I corrected, wrapping my arms around my legs, "no he seems really happy. Plus she's nice," she seemed nice. She was very sweet towards me when I first arrived. "Connor calls her mom. Bradly talks highly of her. They're all really happy," it was honestly all I could ask for. She took care of the people that matter most to me!

"She got kids?" Benny asked.

I glanced back at the door, "Yes, three boys! And one of them almost killed me today," I groaned.

"Wait for real?" Benny sounded concerned. His voice went up two or three octaves, and his words came out in a quick flow. I can always tell how Benny's feeling based on the sound of his voice. It gives him away every time.

"His name is Jack. He took me running; holy shit the boy can run!" I laughed.

Benny laughed as well, "what about the other two? How are they?"

"Well there's Ben," Benny scoffed, cutting me off.

"He stole my name!"

"Don't interrupt me! And technically you stole his, he's way older than us. Back to what I was saying," I layered my voice with sass, making a face at myself in the mirror, because it was all in good humor. "Ben's quiet, and then there's Luke. He's," I had to find the word, "something," I wasn't sure what to say about Luke. Frankly I didn't know how to take him! Sure he was friendly earlier, but he had just gotten laid, he was tired, and he didn't want me telling his mom about his late night adventure. Last night, however, he was a completely different person: rude and obnoxious.