One House Behind | ✓

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐎𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦

Shelly

I had decided on texting my friends first. I hadn't talked to them in almost five months. It sounded sad but it felt freeing. Almost like a glimpse into how my life will be in eleven short months.

Or long months.

Shelly

Hey Jackie

Jackie

Heyyy

Where have you been?

Shelly

I've been chilling

Needed some time away

Jackie

We thought you disappeared lol

Glad your alive

I didn't know how to respond so I moved onto the next friend. I scrolled for a bit, trying to see who I thought would need more attention over the other. Or, who I thought would reply to me.

Shelly

Hey

Joseph

Is this who I think it is?

Shelz, is this you?

Shelly

Unless this isn't Joeseph then no

*joseph

If it is, then yes

Joseph

Where have you been?

I thought something bad happened

My parents don't even care about anything else

I'm trying not to get sick rn

But we should video call

I miss you

My heart raced at that last line. Joseph had been the friend, the only one who didn't run, that I liked. I knew it was hard for him at first but once he got with his girlfriend, he was put at ease.

I had always been the closest to him. He was my best friend but liking friends never did anyone good when it wasn't reciprocated. I was just a silly girl but I got over him.

And that's when Tanner entered my mind. Shaking him out of my thoughts, I replied.

Shelly

I miss you too

So much has happened

I just need a bit of release

Joseph

Ya know there is a website for that right?

Shelly

Nasty!!!

I meant I needed some time to talk to you guys

Haven't since school started

Joseph

Oh, yeah

There's also that

Boring

Bleh

Shelly

Still the only guy who says bleh

"What are you smiling at?"

"Nothing Mom."

"Okay, well, I'll be back. I'm going to go get some groceries."

"My friends replied. But of course, I'm the one who had to do it first."

"I'm sorry."

Mom knew how I felt. She knew how hard it was for me to accept that I was the chaser in friendships. But she didn't know that there was a friendship I was holding myself back from fixing.

"It's fine. I'm gonna end up calling them."

"Okay, I'll go then." She titled her head back a little as a laugh flew threw her mouth.

"Love you."

"Love you."

As soon as the door was shut, I grabbed my computer. I called them the moment it was on. The few friends that I had anyway.

"Hey, I've missed your face!" Jackie's voice ripped through the speakers, louder than everyone else greeting me.

"It's only been a few months," I giggled.

"Few months too much," Joseph replied with a frown.

"What have you been up to?"

"Uh, nothing much. I've been lazing around."

"Oh, same. Are you excited? Next month is senior year! We don't even get a real graduation now, it's all a drive-through. What are we? Buying our diploma?" McKenna scoffed at the idea. I missed her attitude some days.

"If we are, it's only a preview of college," I joked.

"So, nothing new has happened?" Joseph annunciated 'nothing' a bit too much and everyone had caught on.

"No, not really?"

"What's new?" McKenna leaned in closer to her screen.

"So there is this new guy. He lives behind me. And we talked for a while, just as friends because I know you'll ask, but then he suddenly stopped talking to me." A deep frown settled on my face by the end of my summary.

"Well, that's why you have us!" Jackie declared.

"We aren't losing contact this time,"  Freddy chimed in.

I smiled at them. Even though I knew we would, this momentary goodness was enough for me.