My Best Friend From Childhood

Chapter Sixteen

“You’re not dressed yet?” Kyle pointed out confused.

I turn to where he was standing by the stairs. He was dressed in a pair of grey sweat shorts, blacks shirt, and a dark blue jeans jacket. He placed his crutches against the table before he took a seat on the love seat next to me.

“Dressed for what?” I asked before I moved my eyes back to the screen.

“Football season kickoff bonfire” he said expecting me to remember.

“That’s today?” I said with a groan.

“You do this every single year” he said annoyed “It’s literally once a year and at the beginning of each season. I don’t understand how you always forget that”

“One, it’s because I do not belong on the team and don’t keep track all the events” I said as I cuddled the pillow closer “Two, because I make a reminder to forget it every year since I don’t plan on attending. I don’t want to stand around jerks by a hot fire and hear about football games all night. I am perfectly happy right here”

“Your boyfriend is going to be there” he pointed out.

“Another reason why I’m not going at all” I said “I haven’t talked to Luke since you broke your leg a week ago”

“I figured” he said “You haven’t left the house to go on a jog since the night we made up”

“Yeah” I simply said.

He got up and pulled the blankets from over me “I guess today is the day that ends as well. I’m not saying that I am over hating the fact that you’re with him, but I just don’t like seeing you like this at all”

“I don’t want too” I moaned as I hide my face under the pillow.

He pushed me off the couch then grabbed my arms to pull me up. I groaned and complained the whole time way up the stairs about not wanting to go. Eventually, Kyle used the guilt trip card of his broken leg and I agreed.

He pushed me toward my door “Change” he said “And fix your hair”

I looked down at the over sized t-shirt and sweatpants that I was wearing, then moved up to touch my messy bun.

“What’s wrong with what I’m weaning now?” I asked “It’s a bonfire. Plus, you’re wearing sweats too”

“No offense, but you look like the guys from my football team after late night practice. That s**t ain’t pretty” he said “Not that you’re not pretty, it’s just that you look like a mess right now”

I rolled my eyes.

“Maybe look presentable for you boyfriend?” He said “Do you want to look like a mess in front of him?”

I shook my head.

“Do you want me to help you choose something to wear?” He asked.

I looked back at the room then back at him “Umm… I don’t know” I said.

He chuckled “Just because you’re going to let me in this one time doesn’t mean that I will start taking liberties and walking in here as I like. Your room is still off boundaries”

I nodded awkwardly before I open the door of the room “Shoes off” I say as I walk into my room.

He follows in silence as I walk into my bedroom as he looked around. My room isn’t fancy or anything, but I am proud of this little space that I created for myself. His eyes trail from cream colored walls that’s lined up with shelves of books to the hanging posters and plants around the room before it landed on the queen sized bed covered with brown and beige blankets and pillow.

“Note to self. Don’t get Kimberly a book for her birthday, she has too many” he mumbled.

“These are mostly you though” he pointed out “Every time we ended up fighting, I got a new book from you. Shame you stoped lately”

He smiled as he walked to the closet “I am saving up for your birthday, and frankly, we’ve been fighting a lot lately and I can’t afford it anymore”

I rolled my eyes “And I can afford the shoes I get you when we fight?”

I sat on the edge of the bed while he went through my closet. Eventually, pulled out a white sweater, a pair of light wash mum jeans and a pair of white sneakers that I had stuffed away in the back of my closet.

He handed my the cloths “I can lend you one of my jackets, they’ll keep you warmer” he said “And perhaps let down your hair. You look more relaxed when you let you hair down”

“You don’t like my buns” I faked a hurt expression.

He smiled at he sat next to me “Trust me, I love your buns” he then traced his hand over my eyes lob and down to my shoulder “It shows off you perfect neck and shoulders. The adorable small ears are a plus”

He then pushed me to the side gently “Go change. We’re already late” he said.

I nodded before walking out of the room and getting dressed in the bathroom. After putting on the outfit, I pulled my hair down, clipped the few of the top strands back and pulled out a few of the front strands loose around my face. Deciding that I was not bothered to reapply the mascara I had from earlier today for school, I walked back into the bedroom.

Kyle was still looking around the room. His eyes were focused on the pictures about my dresser. It was mostly of my parents and I when I was younger, a few of of me and him, one of Luke and I from the day we were to the Arcade next to another one we took with everyone else.

“You room changed a lot” he said.

I sat on my desk and started to put on my white sneakers “I know. I grew up” I told him.

“Clearly” he chuckled.

In my heart, I knew that he was referring to more. It had the night we kissed all over it and the changes my body went through in the past three years.

He smiled then looked down to his shoes “Wish it wasn’t off limit” he said “Movie nights would be perfect here”

I smiled getting up “The couch is fine. It’s closer to the kitchen for snacks. Plus, the only reason that my room is this clean is before you don’t step a food in it”

Dan picked us up at 7. The ride was short since it was right out side of school. The place was already crowded for the time of day; it was probably because everyone else in school actually loved football and very loyal to our team. That, in addition to the three other schools from the towns around being here too.

It wasn’t hard not to spot Luke’s car when we walked into the school’s parking lot.

“Take it” Kyle said handing me his football jacket “It’s cold out here”

“And what would you wear?” I asked before pointed at the crowed ahead of us “Everyone on your team is wearing theirs”

“They know who I am” he said “I don’t know need the jacket for them to know that I am part of the team”

“Okay, Mr. Popular Quarterback” I joked.

“Just wear it” he rolled his eyes “It’s not a big deal”

When I hesitated to take it, he pushed to my chest and chuckled.

“It’s just a jacket” he reminded me.

“That would make people think that I am your girlfriend” I told him.

He shrugged “Why do you care about what people think anyways? You never did before” he said “Plus, It will help keeping the girls away tonight”

I chuckled as I skipped it on “Weren’t you the one that wanted to get laid tonight”

He shrugged again “The cast kinda killed the mood” he said as he looked around the place.

I nodded awkwardly not knowing what else to say.

I felt relief when I saw Chloe approaching us from afar with a hug grin on her face. He started jumping and waving her arms as she approached speed walked to us.

“Your friend is very excited” Kyle said.

“Chloe” I remind him.

He nodded “Is she dating Rio?” He causally.

I shook my head “Not quite yet” I tell him “But it will happen eventually”

“Isn’t she into the Isaac though?” He asked looking over to Chloe who was stopped to talk to someone.

“I’m not sure” I said, lying of course because it was none of my business to tell Chloe’s secrets to anyone.

As Kyle talked to me, I kept my eyes trained on Chloe, watching her movement protectively. I couldn’t help it, knowing Chloe’s past and how guys still look at her and treat her, I worried every single time a guy would approach her. I was right to feel that at that moment; the second her eyes met mine, I saw the fear in her eyes and how she was begging to be pulled away.

“I’ll be right back” I told Kyle because walking as fast as I can toward Chloe.

“Don’t lie to yourself, Chloe” the guy said as he tried to touch her arm.

“I’m not lying, I’m already here with someone” she said.

“C….” The guy started but soon was interrupted by me standing next to Chloe.

“Hey, we need to go, the guys are waiting for us” I told her before taking her hand and tugging on it.

Before we could take another step, the guy moved a step to the side blocking me. Protectively, I stood in front of Chloe hiding her away from the guy in front of me.

“Who’s this?” He asked tilting his head to the side then turning to me “As cute as this superhero moment you have going on here, it’s not needed. We’re just having a conversation”

He reeked of cigarets and alcohol.

“Judging from what I heard, she don’t want to be talking to you” I said “So why don’t you just leave her alone”

As soon as Chloe and I turned around to walk, a scream left my mouth when I landed on the floor followed by Chloe scream when he tugged her roughly by her wrist toward him.

“I didn’t know you were into girls too” they guy said “Maybe she’d like to join us too”

“Let go” she squealed as she tried to pull her arm away.

He did. It was voluntary though. The surprise force of Isaac’s push to his chest landed him on the floor. From where I was still on the floor, I could see the life flash before the guys eyes as Rio and Luke made their was to us. Kyle wasn’t too far after, he was just a little bit slower because of his cast.

“Hey, let get you two away from here” Dan appeared next to me before he leaned down and help me up. He ushered for Chloe to walk ahead of him.

I took Chloe’s hand in silence and gave her a reassuring smile. I gave me a small weak smile before returning her eyes to the ground.

We ended up in the boys locker room. Danial and Chloe were standing outside by the door while I was inside all alone. I was trying to scrub the mud off my sleeves of Kyle’s jacket, my sleeves and the side of my pants from where I fell.

When the door opened, I looked back to find Kyle walking into the locker room. My eyes went back to the the jacket that I was scrubbing in the sink as I begging my eyes to stay dry.

“I’ve only been here for two minutes and already got myself covered in mud” I said voice shaking as I scrubbed at the jacket harder “And f**k, I got mud all over mud all over you jacket. It’s going to stain if I don’t remove it right now”

“I don’t care about the jacket” he said “Are you hurt?”

I felt every piece of strength that I was using to stay together come undone as his arms wrapped around my waist slowly. I turned into his chest and starting crying into his chest. He brought me to the floor where I sat between his knees and cried for what seemed like half an hour before I calmed down.

Truth is I was scared. I tried to put on a brave face but I was shaking on the inside the whole time as I stood up to a drunk asshole that was three times the size off. I was luckily enough that he only pushed me in his drunken state rather than hit me, he should’ve easily broke my nose if punched me with half of his strength.

“Where’s Chloe?” I asked pulling on my sleeves.

“Isaac took her on a drive” he said “Rio and Luke are at the couch’s office with the asshole, they called in his parents and considering calling the cops for assault”

He pushed the hair away from my face “Are you hurt anywhere?” He asked.

I shook my head “But you jacket…”

He chuckled as he rested his forehead against mine “I don’t care about the damn jacket. I have another one in my locket”

“You’re okay though right?” He asked.

I nodded “Thank you!”

He smiled before stroking my cheek then pulling away to place a kiss on my forehead. He brought his forehead back to mine.

“Maybe don’t pick someone twice your size next time?” He joked “Maybe someone under than age of 12”

I let out a small chuckled.

I felt my head beat pick up at the sight of his face dipped down to my lips. Knots started forming in my stomach as he nudge his nose against mine a couple of times as he was asking me be the one who closes the gap between us.

I sighed as I lowered my face away from his “I’m sorry. I can’t” I told him.

“No, I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry” he said as he moved his face away from mine.

I laid the side of my head against his chest as I sighed again.

“Do you mind if I catch a ride home with Chloe?” I asked “Chloe doesn’t want to stay here anymore. I was thinking that maybe I can take them to the house and we can have sit there for a while instead”

“I can take you two home” Kyle offered.

I shook my head “She already arranged something. I don’t want you to miss this” I told him “Coach is already mad at you for the foot this, let’s not make it worst”

He nodded.

I watched as Rio squeezed Chloe’s hand in silence. A gesture that made me look up to catch Luke’s eyes in the rare mirror before turning away to the window.

Instead of going to my house, we ended up driving to their favorite spot. The lake where they went to as kids and spend all their time there. We sat by the lake on tree logs around the small bonfire in the middle.

Rio wouldn’t leave Chloe’s side, not even for a minute to go pick up the some wood fire with Isaac and Luke. He had his arms wrapped around her tightly as he brought her into his chest and kept whispering into her ears as he gave the side of her head a few kisses.

“I tried to call you” Luke said as he sat on the tree log “Texted a couple of time too, no respond. Chloe told me that it’s not a good idea to just show up at your doorsteps”

I fuddled with my fingers as I looked at the fire unsure of what to say.

“So how come you replied to her text and calls, but not mine” he sighed “What’s going on with you?”

“Luke…” I said trying to gather words.

“Breakup speech” he stated as if he knew what I was about to say.

“Apology speech actually” I told him “I’m sorry about all of this. I was trying to ignore you it’s just I don’t know what to say”

“Maybe start with why you’re avoiding me?” He suggested “Did I do something?”

I shook my head “Not at all”

I fuddled with my fingers.

He sighed “Do you have feelings for Kyle?”

“No, that’s not the reason” I told him “I just don’t know how to be with him and you at the same time. If I’m with him, you’re upset; and if I’m with you, he’s upset”

He reached out to hold my hand “I’m don’t get upset when you’re with him, Kimberly” he said “I never did anything that indicates that I did so”

I sighed “I know, I know, it’s just that I feel torn and feel like I can’t have both” I said “I don’t know what to do”

“I’m not asking you to choose between us. I like you the way you are and I am not asking you to change your life for me. I understand” he said “But you can’t just do that. You can’t cut me out of your life like that without even a reason. I felt helpless and I really didn’t know what to do. I like you, a lot and I don’t know what to do about it”

I leaned my head against his shoulder “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry” I told him “I promise that I won’t do that and I will do anything to make it up to you”

He leaned his head onto of mine “Your birthday” he said “Spend it with me this year. I want to take you out”

“Okay?” I said unsure.

He chuckled “I know you hate surprises” he said “But you can let that go for just one day for me”

I gave him a nod before I put my hand into his. He gave it a squeeze before dropping his eyes down to where our fingers were tangles. A small frown replacing his smile.

“You can’t do that again thought” He said “You can’t just disappear on me when you please and completely shut me out because you don’t know how to deal with something”

I gave him another nod in silence.

“We Talk, Kimberly. You have to talk to me about what’s happening with you. Believe it or not, things would be easier for you too”

I place my head on his shoulder “I’m sorry” I started “I don’t know how to deal with these kind of things. I’m still new to this whole relationship thing”

I placed a kiss on my head “I understand” he said “I haven’t been in many relationship before you so you’re not the only one trying to figure how this works”

He then sighed again “We talk?”

I nod again “We talk” I agree.