Best Friends Since Kindergarten

Confiscated

RYAN

I leaned against the railing at the base of the school side door’s stairs. The bell was about to ring to dismiss for the day, which meant Amy would be here in a minute. My heart pounded heavily in my chest. Amy. I thought back to earlier today- when Jake had been crowing to his pals about sleeping with her. As if. She hadn’t slept with anyone, of that I was pretty sure. But then he’d pulled out that bra. It was definitely one of Amy’s. Or a matching bra? But how would he have known what bra to get? Had he snuck into her house? Spied on her at night? It was driving me crazy. She didn’t even know the guy, that much was clear to me.

In a way I was glad that blonde i***t had asked to come over- meant I could get a peek inside her house to hunt for weak points and figure out how Jake had gotten away with it. I also wanted to snoop around outside for footprints. I sighed, raking a hand through my dark hair with a grimace. I needed it cut ASAP. It was getting absurdly long. Which would be fine for some people, sure, but for me it was a hazard. I fought too much for long hair. Finally the bell rang. I waited patiently as people streamed out the main door. The door I was waiting outside of was supposedly alarmed, but it hadn’t once gone off in the three years me, my brother, Amy, and Lucy had been using it. The door opened at last. Amy peeked around the door, an impish smile on her face. My breath caught in my throat for a second, as I took her in. Those violet eyes, that pale hair tied up in a messy ponytail, her perfect lips and elfin ears. She was wearing a pair of leggings today that showcased her legs and smooth hips. I did my best not to stare as she bounded down the steps lightly and jumped into my arms. I squeezed her tightly, picking her up off the ground and swinging her around. I heard Rob chuckle.

“You guys show more PDA than Lucy and I do, and we’re the ones dating,” he laughed. I glared at him as I set Amy down.

“I’m sorry your love life is so much less satisfying than my friendship,” I drawled, wrapping my arms around her neck and kissing the side of her head, making eye contact with blondie, who stood next to my brother, as I did so. Rob snorted. He knew I was desperately in love with Amy; had been since I met her all those years ago. Lucy stood on my brother’s other side. I got the feeling she knew too, though I certainly hadn’t told her. The look of amusement on her face gave it away though. Rob had definitely filled her in. I released Amy somewhat reluctantly as she started wriggling around and whining, saying that it was unfair to use my height against her. “Not my fault you’re so absurdly tiny,” I told her. She punched my arm viciously, making me laugh. Her height was definitely the easiest thing to tease her about. She was barely 5’2”, and had a serious complex about it. Just made me chuckle.

Blondie watched us with a raised eyebrow, clearly disapproving, though at least he knew better than to say anything. Amy hooked her arm around my waist and tugged my arm so that it rested on her shoulders. “Let’s go, kids!” she said firmly and started walking, pulling me along with her. Rob and Lucy hung back a few feet so they could flirt without us catching every word, but Blondie walked immediately on Amy’s other side. I shot him a glare over Amy’s head. He glared back, clearly unafraid of me. It’s a shame he liked Amy. We probably would have gotten along just fine otherwise. The thought made me break out in a grin. As if. Andres looked confused by my sudden change in expression and shifted uncomfortably. I turned my gaze away and focused down on Amy who was looking up at me and saying something.

“What?” I asked.

“Ryan!” she pouted. “Were you even listening?”

“I’m usually not,” I teased. She hip-bumped me, making me laugh again. “Alright, alright! I’m sorry! What did I miss?”

“You promised to tell me what happened on the way home,” she said sarcastically. Ah right. I’d meant to come up with an elaborate story. Instead, I just reached into my bag and pulled out the bra I’d confiscated, draping the thing over her shoulder.

“You’re welcome,” I said. She stopped in her tracks, staring at the lavender bra draped over her shoulder.

“What?” she squeaked, grabbing it and shoving it into her bag quickly.

“What is that?” Rob asked behind us at the same time as Blondie started getting all puffed up. Did he think I’d stolen it?

“Confiscated from Jake,” I said simply, pulling Amy back up to walking speed. I didn’t want to talk about it.

“Why did he have it??” Amy hissed, horrified.

“I was trying to figure that out. Any go wandering off during classes?” I teased, though I was dead serious. She frowned, used to my snark and instead seeing my concern.

“I did lose one,” she said uncomfortably. “It went missing during PE.”

“Ah,” I said, relaxing slightly. The creep didn’t know where she lived.

“How’d you know it was mine?” she asked.

“Because Jake was telling everyone it was. And you’re the only person I know obsessed with lavender,” I said with a snort. I didn’t point out that I’d also seen her underwear like a hundred times. Our bedroom windows faced each other. I hadn’t seen her changing, but I’d certainly seen her bras draped everywhere in that mess of a room.  

“Well… thank you,” she said gruffly. I squeezed her shoulders, secretly pleased. “But next time,” she added, “please just tell me instead of beating them to a pulp.” I scowled, my pleasure forgotten.

“I make no such promises,” I grumbled. She sighed dramatically. “What?” I snapped. “You want some stringbean telling half the school he slept with you?”

“Is that what he was saying?” she stared at me wide-eyed. I nodded.

“Jesus, was he stupid,” Rob said behind me.

“Most people don’t realize that the biggest defender of Amy’s honor is Ryan,” Lucy laughed. I stuck my tongue out at her over my shoulder. She giggled. At least I didn’t have to case Amy’s house now. Blondie looked at me thoughtfully. I decided to ignore him for now. I didn’t want another bloodbath before I’d finished figuring him out.    

When we finally got to our houses, we all went into the Blakes’. Amy and Lucy’s dad wasn’t home, which was definitely for the best. I wanted to pummel that man for the way he treated them. And he knew it, too. He was smart to keep away after school hours. Lucy and Rob immediately went into Lucy’s room, but Amy gulped when she realized that if she wanted to avoid her dad and younger brother, she’d have to take us to her room. “Um… one second. Wait here,” she told me and blondie, running up the stairs to her loft room. Blondie and I stared at each other blankly.

“Why are you still here?” he asked me.

“Didn’t you know? I’m in your chemistry class,” I said pointedly. “We have a test coming up, remember?”

“Since when?” he snapped.

“I assume it’s been on the syllabus,” I said with a shrug, enjoying his frustration.

“No! I mean since when are you in our class?”

“Start of the school year,” I said. “Don’t worry, I forgot too… until Amy reminded me.” I smirked at him. Blondie glowered at me.    

What was his name anyway? I couldn’t remember. Something else with an A. Adam? Eh. It wasn’t worth worrying about. Amy bounded back down the stairs, breathing a little heavily.

“Okay I’m ready,” she panted.