My Best Friend From Childhood

Chapter Three

I walked home alone from school the day after. Kyle wanted to go out and watch a movie or something, I told him I had to focus on my studies because it was our last year after all. So, I wasn’t sure if him deciding to take up any for her invite is because of him not wanting to sit and home and do his homework, or it was because he actually wanted to hang out with her.

No matter what was the reason, it was something that I kept trying to push to the back of my mind the whole time because him hanging out with Annie did bother me. I knew that her interest mainly revolved around Kyle’s looks, Kyle in bed, and his popularity. It honestly bothered me because I hated how some kids at school would get close to him in school just because of his status and the way he looked. They’d befriend him, hang out with him, and then when they reach the top of the social stairs at school, they’d just stop hanging out with him.

Kyle always pretended like it didn’t bother him, but I knew that it did all the time. He eventually stopped having best friends at school and invited people over to the house because of the consistent way they got close to him then hurt him. He would still be nice and fun around everyone, he just won’t get attached or bring anyone home other than Dan every once in a blue moon. And I, I honestly couldn’t blame him for having such high walls to keep himself safe.

I spend most of the afternoon after school home alone. Kyle was spending the day with Annie, and his mum was at work till 4 in the afternoon. I spend the first part of the afternoon in my room as I finished my English and Algebra homework for the weekend; then I spent the remaining of it in Kyle’s room, watching TV and cleaning around his messy teenage boy room.

When I first moved into the house, I had a small TV in my room. I used to spend most of my day cuddle up to my pillows alone. Somehow in the process of trying to not bore myself to death being, managed to skip a few meals and family hangouts with Kyle and his mum as I locked up myself in my room and watched every show on earth as a way of coping with how much I missed my parents. Eventually, Mrs. Anderson took away the T.V and started to force me to go out on these outing every now and then to make sure I’m not isolating myself. So, ever since then, I’d come to Kyle’s room to watch T.V when I don’t have anything else to do and clean up a little because I hated messy places.

Today was one of those Mother Daughter day, or as Mrs. Anderson likes to refer to it ‘Godmother Goddaughter day’ since my mum did choose her to be my Godmother before I was born. I always loved those days, I even looked forward to it every two weeks when she had the time to go out with me. Usually, we’d go grocery shopping together, or grab yogurt and talk about school and work, sometimes we’d go to a movie, and very rarely we’d take Kyle out for dinner with us.

Today, today’s plan was to go shopping. I never considered myself a fan of shopping, but I never hated it either. Yes, I hated shopping alone, but I loved shopping with her because she made it fun and hilarious when she she’d pick out the weirdest outfit for Kyle. Everyone and then, we’d buy an awful piece of clothing for Kyle for the purpose of seeing his reaction.

“How about this one?” Mrs. Anderson asked as she held up a black crop top “It would look nice on you”

“This screams dress code violation” I told her “Also, not my style. My kidney would freeze if I wore this out”

 He sighed with a small frown, but then her smile quickly turned into a big smile as she pulled out a dress “How about this one?”

I gave her a small smile “It’s pretty, just won’t be as pretty on me” I told her “It’s not my style either. I’m more comfortable in pants”

“Oh, yeah, I forgot that your style involves everything that comes out of the men section and the my son’s closet” he sighed as she put the dress back “I just thought that I would be nice if we can get you some cloths are fit you and help you step out of your comfort zone every once in a while”

She then did that small sad smile as she went through the cloths on the rack “I wanted a daughter after I had Kyle. One that I can dress up and take shopping all the time for the prettiest dresses” she said “We’d buy a nice dress and go the fanciest restaurant and pretend that we are the fanciest people there”

I was a cheap shot. Once that she would always use against me into bending to whatever she wanted. And I, I feel for it every single time because this woman took more care of me than my mother has ever done. If it wasn’t for her, I’d be changing schools every term as my parents moved from one country to another every 5 months.

Out of guilt, I sighed as I grabbed the dress “Fine”

She picked up 8 other dresses as we walked through the store. Every time I’d think that this would be the last dress, she’d hand me another one to carry, and another one that is followed by another one. Her excuse was either ‘It’s a new school year, so technically this is back to school shopping’, or ‘You’ve out grown your cloths so you need new ones’, and eventually when she outdone herself and couldn’t justify the number of clothing items she handed to me ‘You can never have too many dresses’.

“I thought I saw you guys here” Kyle said.

I looked up from the shirt on the hanger to see him walking toward us.

“What are you guys doing here?” he asked.

I lifted my hands that were hugging the 9 dresses in my arms as I held on them for dear life.

“Let me carry those for you” he said then took the dresses in his arms and carried them in one arm like it was nothing “Please don’t tell me these are for me”

“Ha Ha” his mum said sarcastically before turning back to cloth rack.

A confused look appeared on Kyle’s face as he went through the sizes of the dresses in his arm “Mum, aren’t these a bit too small for you. Not that I’m saying you’re too big, but these are just too small”

“Those are for Kim” she said then pointed to the clothes she was holding “These are mine”

He looked at me funny “You’re agreeing to wear a dress? What is she holding over you?” he said as we followed his mum “Did she use the daughter card on you?”

I nodded “She did raise me after all” I told him, then turned back to look around “Aren’t you supposed to be on a date with Annie?”

He shook his head “It’s not a date, and she’s walking around here somewhere searching for an outfit for the game next week” he explained.

“Oh, I’m sorry” I said “I meant aren’t you supposed to be messing with Annie right now”

He chuckled “I’m not messing with her. I haven’t even gotten close to doing that” she said “We’re just friends”

I looked at him funny “A friend that is trying to get into your pants” I told him “Am I the only one who noticed how she pushed up her boobs whenever she sees you. I don’t know if you know this, but friends are not supposed to have these kinds of feelings or try to get into each other’s pants”

He shook his head “That won’t be happening anytime soon. I’m just not into her like that” he then smiled “You look beautiful today”

I looked at him like he was stupid or something because he clearly was, then rolled my eyes as I turned away.

“I’m sorry, are you mad at me or something?” he asked “The only reason I went out with Annie yesterday and today is because you told me it’s fine if I did. You honestly sound like you’re mad at me cancelling Mason’s yesterday”

I sighed “I told you before, Kyle. I don’t want you to cancel your plans for me all the time. I don’t want to be the reason you can’t hang out with your friends”

He wrapped his arm around my shoulder as he pulled me into his side while we walked “They’re just friends, Kimmy. I rather cancel and spend the rest of my days sitting at home and doing nothing with you because you are so much more than just my friend” he smiled “I mean, C’mon, we’ve been best friends for as long as I remember.

“How about this” he smiled “I promise we can go to Mason’s tomorrow on my treat as soon as I shake Annie off. I sort of agreed to hang out with her tomorrow. She’s trying to invite herself over to the house and it’s annoying the hell out of me”

I smiled “If you’re paying, I agree”

He chuckled then kissed the side of my head “Don’t worry, you will always be my favourite girl”

By the time we reached the cashier, Kyle excused himself to take Annie back home and agreed to meet us back at the house before dinner with his dad. We stopped by a few other shops before we picked up her husband from the airport and went home. Kyle’s dad was coming back to town for the weekend before flying off to a meeting in LA, so Mrs. Anderson wanted to get something nice to wear for dinner with him tonight.

When we got back home, I showered, dried off my curly hair, then attempted to do my makeup that ended up in a failure. So, deciding that makeup was something that was just not for me, I let Mrs. Anderson help me with my eyeliner and mascara, then took almost half an hour trying to figure out how to wear the dress, which shoes to wear it with, and how to accessories it.

When I was done, I stood there in front of the mirror steering at myself. The dress that Kyle’s mum picked out for me was breath taking, but it as pretty on me. This dress wasn’t something that I’d pick up on my own, nor would I have ever considered wearing it. It was too out of my comfort zone.

I took every small detail about the dress in: the square neckline, the back coffin material that was covered with different sizes of small white dots, the slightly puff sleeves, and the way it fell right under my knees with the slit that started at the mid of my thigh. Again, it was gorgeous, just not for me.

Deciding not to make into a big deal and just wear it without complaining, I grabbed my bag, my only pair of flats, and the necklace that I failed to put on then headed to Kyle’s room.

His door was open, so I just walked in and took a seat on the bed to wear my shoes while he was in the bathroom. Five minutes later, I decided that I’m better off doing it on my own as I stood in front of his mirror attempting to do so.

When Kyle walked into his room, he took a step back confused and taken aback “Mum, dad, there’s a girl in my room” he called.

“Well, tell that girl we need to leave in 5 minutes” His mum called back.

“You’re stupid” I said before turning back the mirror.

He was dressed in a pair of dark navy dress pants, white shirt, loafers, and red nick tie; it was the same outfit he wore to his cousin’s wedding last year, minus the blazer. His hair was pushed back, which wasn’t something that he would usually do.

“And you clean up nice” I pointed out, as the necklace clicked in place. I then walked over to him, unbuttoning his cuff before starting to roll the sleeves “Rolled up sleeves would look better since you’re skipping the blazer”

He didn’t speak at all while I rolled up the first sleeve then moved to the other, so, I decided to end the awkwardness as I started randomly talking.

“Did you cancel your plans with Annie for tomorrow?” I asked, he nodded “How did she take it?”

He groaned “She wouldn’t. She insisted that she would stop by before I have to go out with you” he explained “She is killing me. She’s just trying too hard and I’m seriously not f*****g interested. That girl has issues, and if did mess around with her, it will backfire on me and it will get messy”

“Then tell her you can’t get involved in a relationship right now” I told him “It’s the truth, we both know you’re not ready for a relationship right. I know you have issues and you have so many things to work out before you dive into a relationship just because a girl wants you too”

He smiled nervously “I sort of told her that I have a girlfriend” he said “You”

I immediately slapped his arm “Kyle” I said annoyed.

“She just wouldn’t stop pushing” he said “It just happened. The words came out of my mouth before I could stop myself. Can’t you just pretend to be for 5 minutes”

I sighed as I went back to rolling his sleeve “One-month worth of chores”

“One week” he bargained.

“Two months” I fired back.

“Fine” he caved “We got a seal then”

I smiled “Deal” I said.

He smiled as he looked down at me. He then leaned down and placed his forehead against my head while he fixed my necklace the moved to the side. He didn’t move his hand away when the necklace was straightened, the just moved it to side of my neck as his other rose to hold my waist. He tugged me closer by my waist before he slightly pulled away to look at me. I felt my heart stop in my chest when he lowered his face and nudged my nose with his.

“Kids, get your asses in the car now” Kyle’s mum called from down stairs.

I felt a heavy breath leave my chest as I felt breathless while Kyle backed away. Our eyes didn’t mean, we both just grabbed our things in silence I we went downstairs with me walking first. I couldn’t help not to feel embarrassing and slightly panicky at the fact that what just happened between Kyle and I was something that wasn’t supposed to happened, something that can result into the end of our friendship.

We both stayed quiet during the car ride, both probably thinking the same thing. Other than his parents talking, the sound of the radio in the background, and Kyle’s short answers to his dad were the only sounds in the car.

The same thing happened during dinner, Kyle and I were sitting next to each other as we picked on our food quietly and answered when we were required to. At some point of dinner, I leaned back into my seat as I looked around at the people walking around since I needed anything to distract my mind from overthinking every little thing.

Kyle leaned in his seat next to me, fuddling with his fingers “I’m sorry about earlier” he whispered.

I turned to him and played the dumb card because I rather do that than face the situation we were in at that moment “What are you talking about?” I whispered back.

“Don’t play stupid, you know what I mean” he turned to me.

“Are you two alright? You’re not your usual selves” Kyle’s dad said.

I gave him a smile “We’re fine, Sir” I said.

“No need for formalities, Kimberly, I practically raised you” he chuckled “Just call me Peter”

 I smiled at him before he started telling embarrassing stories about Kyle and me when were kids, and some even about his childhood with his wife and my parents in their hometown. From his stories, it turned out that Kyle took the trait of being a social butterfly from his mum who happened to also be the most popular girl in high school; and I took after my dad who used to always sit in the corner before my mum and Kyle’s would drag him to the weirdness place. It was really nice listening to Kyle’s dad talk about their childhood together; it was something I wanted to do as well. I always looked toward to the time I would tell my future kids about Kyle’s and I adventures.

With that in my head, at some point of the ride back home, I scooped closer to Kyle and placed my head against his shoulder as I wrapped my arms around his arm. When I titled my head to look up at him, he was already looking down at me with a smile on his face before he placed he rested his head against the top of my head.

“We good?” he asked.

I nodded “We’re fine, we’ll always be fine”