Just Good Friends?

Chapter 39 - New beginnings

Joe.

The months pass but nothing really changes in our lives. Mike's funeral was awful, just the worst day ever. It was so hard for everyone, but Bex was a mess again. It was as if she went straight back to the morning he died. She ran, she trained, she didn't eat, didn't speak. Nobody could get through to her. Nate ran with her, but he said it was just silent. He couldn't leave her go alone though, he was too worried about her, we all were. Kids are making snide remarks in school about Nate and Bex, but we've all nipped it in the bud as soon as we hear anything. There really isn't anything going on between them, but I honestly wouldn't mind if it did now. They both deserve a bit of happiness. But I don't think Bex is ready for anything, or will be for a while either.

......

Bex.

"Are you ready?" Dad has been helping pack us up, ready to move. All the furniture went to the new house last week, and everything else we didn't need went too. Today it was mainly clothes and everyday stuff to take.

"Yep, got everything. But now I don't want to go. I love it here, I love this house, but mostly i love you and I'm going to miss you so much" I cling on to my Dad and tears come to my eyes. It's been an awful year, some good bits, yes, but mainly awful. I don't know if I can do this without my Dad with me.

"Bex, babygirl, my sweet little firecracker. You are going to be fantastic in life. This is your time to shine my beautiful girl. I love you so so much, and this is always home. But you need to go, and you need to experience everything you can, breath it all in, and find your place in the world" he hugs me tight, and then let's me go gently.

"Come on, it's time to go". He picks up a bag that's on the bench and turns to rhe door just as Nate walks in.

"Let me take that Dennis. Any others?" He takes the bag from my Dad, and the other one on the floor, smiles at me, then turns and heads back out to the cars.

"He's a good lad Bex, don't let anything stand in the way if it's what you want, but don't be pushed in to anything either ok" Dad wipes my tears away with his thumb and walks out. A few minutes later Nate comes in and puts his arms around me from the back.

"You ok beautiful? I know it's hard, this is home, always will be. But think of this new step as our next adventure. We are going to have a blast Bex, and we'll all still be together, just how it should be" I'm so glad I'm travelling with Nate, I'd be lost without him with me. He's turned out to be a true friend. I turn around and put my arms around his waist.

"Thank you Nate, thank you for everything you do for me. You really are amazing, I don't deserve you"

"Love you too Bex" he winks at me and grins. "Come on beautiful, let's go" we head out of the house, and get in to the car. Nate is driving us both, Joe is driving him, Cal, and Ems, and Harry and Jess are going in the new car our Dad bought for everyone to share whilst there, so Cal will always be able to get to college and work.

I give Dad one last hug, and jump in the car before I change my mind.

We all drive out of the driveway, waving to Dad as we go.

"This is it Bex, the start of a new chapter" Nate lays his hand on my leg and squeezes gently.

"I'm ready for this Nate. Back home, I didn't think I was, but now, I know I am" I squeeze his hand and look out of the window.

......

Nate.

"Can we stop Nate, I really need to pee!" Bex begs me.

"OK, I'll fill the car up at the same time. You really are the worst travel companion. All you do is eat, drink, sing and pee" I laugh at her.

"You love me really " oh yes I do Bex, so f*****g much.

We stop and Bex jumps out. I fill the car up, then head inside the shop. I find a few snacks to replace what we've been munching on so far, and go to pay.

"These are also your girlfriends, she said you'd cover it all" the guy behind the counter says to me.

"Huh, did she now" I smile at him and shake my head. She'd also picked near enough the same things as I had, but i kept them anyway, and handed over the money.

"She has you wrapped around her little finger eh mate!" He laughs, and gives me the change.

"She sure does dude. Thanks, have a good day" i smile and head back out to the car.

"I believe these are yours?" I throw the snacks down beside her and climb in.

"Yep! My shout next time ok" she gives me that killer smile of hers, and opens the pringles.

"Jeeze Bex, how are you not fat? You eat as much as I do!" I'm amazed at how much she's eaten today.

"I'm bored! I eat when I'm bored" she huffs at me.

"Right, we'll be there in half hour, we'll dump our bags, and go out and explore straight away. What do you say?"

"Yes, sounds good" she settles down then, and we drive in silence till we pull up in the driveway of our new home.

......

Bex.

"Bex, your stuff has been put in your room, you just need to put things where you want it. The movers did what they could, but there is more to do. Nate, yours is the same ok. What's the plans then? I'm pretty tired though to be honest" Joe has been busy with the house this last week. He's been here a few times to help get it ready for us all.

"We are going to go and explore a bit. Anyone coming?" Nate says as he picks up some bags to move them upstairs.

There's a chorus of no's, so we decide to go sooner rather than later.

Everyone is fussing around, doing little bits here and there, and putting things away.

Once in my room, I look around and feel at home. I start putting things away when there's a knock on the door, but it's not coming from the door. I look around the room puzzled. Then I see the door in the corner, it's disguised really well, that's why I never spotted it before.

I walk over and open it, and there stands Nate. He's taken his t-shirt off, and is just about to put a clean one on.

"Well this is handy" he smirks at me.

"f*****g hell Nate, of all the rooms to be connected" i shake my head. "Get dressed and let's go, I'm just going to change quickly" I walk away over to my drawers, and find some shorts and a crop top to change in to. I strip down to my underwear, spray some deodorant, and then hear a sigh. I turn around and realise I didn't close the door to Nates room, and he's standing there, looking at me with want in his eyes. I turn back around and get my clothes on.

"f**k" Nate mutters, and I hear his footsteps move away and I laugh. I must remember to close that damn door!

15 minutes later, we are walking down the street, not knowing where we are going.

We come across a small shopping center, and have a look around. There's some nice shops here, handy for last.minute buying. We also find the supermarket. We have plenty of food in at the moment, but now we know exactly where to go. It's a really nice area, loads of young people out in their gardens, BBQs on the go, music blaring, so we know our parties won't be a problem.

"There's a diner over there. Hungry?" Nate grabs my hand and pulls me over the street.

"Starving! Bet the others are too. I'll message Joe now and see what they want, or if the want to join us" I get my phone out and message Joe.

---BEX--- Found a dinner. You want to come meet, or shall we get take out? X

---JOE--- We'll come meet. Directions? XX

---BEX--- End of street, right, cross over, down towards park, on the left XXX

---JOE--- On our way XXXX

"They're on their way" we head in the the dinner and look around. We spot a big booth at the back and head for that. A girl comes straight over to give us menus. She smiles at us both and introduces herself as Fi.

"Hi Fi, this is Bex and I'm Nate. The rest of us are on their way. We can be loud, boisterous, foul mouthed and a little crude, but we don't mean any harm. Tell us if it's too much ok" Nate does his killer smile and Fi laughs.

"We could do with a crowd like you here. It needs livening up, and the boss will be happy if you bring in some more customers. I get the feeling you lot will be quite popular around here" we give her our order and she leaves us to it.

5 minutes later, the rest of our group came barging in.

"What up mother fuckers" Harry bounces in, and comes over to plonk himself down on the bench.

I can see Fi and an older lady smiling behind the counter, and think we'll be fine here.

Half hour later, we know all the staff names, they know all ours, and they feel comfortable enough with us to tell us off too.

As Fi walks past our table, I overhear her say to Pam "I'm going to enjoy working here for the next couple of years" it makes me feel good.