Boy Next Door

Day One of Senior Year: My mom stopped the car in front of my high school 20 minutes before the first bell was set to ring. Mostly because I did not pass my first attempt at the driving test. So instead of driving the fairly new Honda Civic, my dad bought me for my birthday just a month earlier, I was being driven by my mother in her older, mid-sized, silver Audi with my younger brother, Izaiah, in the backseat who was going to get dropped off at the middle school down the street. It was his eighth-grade year and he was so excited to be going to this high school next year, and it was my senior year, and I was so excited to be leaving this year. “Izzy, you got everything you need for the day?” My mom asked me softly. I always felt that she was more nervous about our first day of school than I or Izaiah typically were. I smiled at her and nodded, “Yeah, I think so. If not, I can just text Javi to pick it up for me.” I offered. Though I had to keep my heart steady when I said his name. Ever since my birthday party, I haven’t been super comfortable around my neighbor and friend, Javier Fernando Lopez-Uzumaki. It has gotten so bad lately that I reject riding with him today in his red, 2012 Ford Mustang. My mom gave me a big smile with that response, “Okay, love bug! I hope you have a great first day of school and the last first day of high school.” She wished me, “Also your eyebrows are popping.” I groaned, “Mom! Do you have to try to be cool?” I whined. A smirk danced on her two-toned lips, “Oh honey, I’m not trying to be cool, I am cool” She put her shade on and then peeled off. I had to laugh. My mother was a project manager for a gaming company. So she would pride herself on being hip and cool at all times. Even if it was cringy. I sighed, pulled my shoulders back, and began to walk up the stairs of my high school. My sky blue Jansport backpack was on my shoulders and I began to hold onto the straps. I turned to look back at the parking lot as I began to see some of the students fill out of cars and into parking stalls. I sighed again because I was nervous. This place, this town, was all I knew and things were changing. But I knew that they would change for the better. Or so I hoped. I pulled out my phone to check if my best friend, Adhiti Sharma, had messaged me to let me know if she was already at school. Her parents are refusing to let her drive until she turns 18, which won’t be until January. She had not sent anything so I called her. “‘Ello.” She greeted me on the phone within the first two rings. “Adhi, where are you?” I asked her. “Ugh,” She scoffed, “I’m just leaving my Baba’s van. Traffic is starting to get bad getting into school.” I chuckled, “Tell me about it. I purposely had my mom drop me off before she dropped off Zai.” I mentioned. “I thought you would ride with Javi?” She questioned me. My heart dropped at the mention of his name. In fact, Adhi has noticed a change in my relationship with him, but could not put her finger on it thankfully. “Ah, you know how he is, he can run late sometimes. And I did not want to deal with it.” I lied, hoping that she couldn’t tell. “Well, here I am bright and early.” I heard a familiar voice behind me say. I jumped both because the voice was right by my ear but also because I knew exactly who that voice belonged to. Javier. I turned to face him and he began to cackle. I punched his right arm, “Hey,” I snapped at him. “What happened?” Adhi asked, a bit more concerned. “Meet me in the quad. I gotta go.” I hurried her off the phone. I looked back at Javi who was grinning at me, showing off both of his dimples, “Who was that, your boyfriend?” He teased me. I had to snort, “No, you see he’s actually busy.” I joked back. “What? Running through your imagination?” “No, he’s running through yours.” I retorted, making him belly laugh. When he finally caught his breath he grabbed my shoulder causing me to tense up, “Okay, Tucker. That was a good one.” He admitted, “Shall we head to the quad before you make Adhi worry anymore?” He suggested I twisted my face, “How did you…” I started before he cut me off. “Adhi’s not a very quiet girl.” He pointed out making me laugh. He then began to walk through the gates into the school and I hurriedly followed behind him, “Iz, do you have a ride home?” He asked suddenly. My mouth went dry, “Um.” I stammered. “I can give you a ride home.” He suggested, “It’s not a big deal.” “Uh, I need to check first,” I said meekly before mentally slapping my forehead. I sounded so immature. “I have to check.” With who? My mom was going to work and my dad was already at work. All of which, Javi knew. I wished I could stop acting weird around him but it was hard not to. He cut his eyes towards me before looking straight ahead. He knew I was bullshitting, I knew this since his jaw clinched a bit. I smiled and chuckled, “I mean, I guess it makes sense to ride together since we can do our annual first-day ice cream celebration with Adhi.” I reminded him. I noticed that he smiled a little bit, “Ah yes, this will be the last time we all grab Sundaes together.” He pointed out making me feel a little sad. “Hey, don’t say that, we can grab one before we go off to college,” I suggested. “And every year after that.” I laughed. “If I even go off to college.” He looked down as he grumbled. I looked over at him and sighed. Even though we were next-door neighbors, our families' financial situations were different. Javier’s mom recently lost her work Visa and lost her job so they were only living with one income. And while his dad's accounting firm pulls in a lot of money, it is still tough not having his mom’s CNA job. Javi recently started working, but he makes the low end of minimum wage at the local golf course. “Hey, you will get into AND go to any college of your choice. You just have to believe in the process.” I encourage him by bumping into him with my shoulder. He laughed as we finally approached the quad. Adhi, who was waiting for me, ran up to us. “Hey, I thought you said you guys didn’t ride together.” She glared at me. Javi laughed at her, “We didn’t. I just happened to see a girl who was just looking out into space in the front of the school and thought I would say hi.” He said, spinning the story. My face must have said that this was not the whole truth since Adhi laughed. She pulled down her septum piercing that she must have been hiding in the car with her dad. She then spoke, “You mean you scared the hell out of my love, Izabella, and made her rush off the phone with me.” She pointed out a more accurate story. I laughed before Javi put his arms around the both of us making my laughter stop to support my now rapidly beating heart. “Whatever. All that matters today is that today is our last first day. The Three Amigos tackle 12th grade.” Javi grinned. Adhi squirmed out of his grasp leaving me under his arm. I felt the heat in my body rise to my face. “That’s assuming we all don’t go to the same college, Jav. Besides, you can at least wait until we grab our sundaes before you get all nostalgic on us, huh Iz?” Adhi beckoned me to agree with her. “Uh, yeah,” I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. Unfortunately, both of my friends noticed. Javi finally removed his arm from my shoulder flooding my mind with relief and regret. Adhi squinted her hazel eyes at me. “Izzy, is everything okay?” Adhi asked me as she c****d her head to the side. “Yeah, you’ve been off for a while now.” Javi chimed in as he lowered his 6’1” frame to meet me at eye level. I looked away from both of them. “I think I’m just a little apprehensive about senior year. Especially after I failed my driving test.” I lied. Well, a little. I agree with them. I haven’t been feeling myself since my party, which was around the time I failed my driving test and was presented with a car I could not drive yet. Along with a slew of other things. Javi smiled meekly at me, “Hey, Izzy. You will get your license. Freak accidents happen all the time. Besides, you are still a great driver.” He encouraged me. I smiled at him and failed to notice Adhi’s expression, “What does he mean by freak accidents?” I froze. I didn’t get a chance to tell Adhi why I failed my driver's test. Javi laughed, “She went up the curve on the way out.” I scorned him, “Hey, it’s not funny.” I warned him but he kept laughing until the first bell rang. “Okay, guys. So we’re meeting here to go get our ice cream right?” Adhi asked us. We both nodded, “Good, see you guys at lunch maybe?” She shrugged. It finally dawned on me that we did not get to compare schedules like we would in a typical year. Instead, we were so immersed at the moment we did not care if we knew a familiar face. It was refreshing but also nerve-racking. There wasn’t too much time to dwell since I had to go to my homeroom class. At lunch, I sighed heavily. After lunch, I only had two more classes since I opted to have the off-campus elective. I had to hope that Adhi and Javi did the same. I did not know where to sit or who to sit with, because unlike Adhi or Javi. I did not have another group of friends. Those two were it for me. When we all talked about colleges after we took our SATs and they said they would hopefully go out of the area, it made it easier for me to dream big and go out of state. There I could reinvent myself and become one of those cool girls who could turn heads at the parties. Who knows, maybe even pledge. “Izabella!” I heard a voice call for me. I turned to see it was Amber Brown, someone I went to church with. I put on my best big grin before greeting her, “Hi Amber!” I chirped. “I’m glad we have lunch together. It’d be nice to catch up since you didn’t go to Bible camp this year, or the year before that.” Amber pointed out. I shrugged while keeping my smile. Truth be told, I did not want to go to church once I started high school, and luckily my family allowed me to choose if and when I would go since they weren’t overly religious. However, it looked good to both pairs of grandparents to have a church family. So my parents go, and I attend with my brother during major holidays and whenever my grandparents visit. So yeah, I did not go to bible camp. I only chaperoned it in sophomore year for the volunteer credits. “I was busy this summer volunteering at the library and hospital again.” I offered. I did not have to explain myself, but I knew if I did not, people might talk. And I wanted to avoid anyone thinking negatively about me or my family. Amber nodded as she tucked her ginger curls behind her ears, “How was that? I was thinking of becoming a candy stripe this year to help with my college applications next year.” Ah, I forgot Amber was a year younger than me, “I loved it. I worked in the neonatal unit this summer holding babies who needed skin-to-skin contact. Though, I would recommend that, or pediatrics, or nursing homes.” “Nursing homes.” Amber chewed on my words, “I think I would like that, especially if I do a bible study.” I smiled at her, “Yes, that would be great!” I said, honestly this time. “Yo Izzy!” Javi grinned at me as he was sitting with a group of guys he plays basketball with. Amber blushed a bit when she looked over at the guys, which may be easier for me to keep calm. He then began to usher me over to him. “Do you want to sit with us?” I asked Amber. Her green eyes widened, “Oh no, I..” She started to protest. I chuckled, “I insist. Besides, with me there, nothing unholy will come of it.” I promised as I began to walk her over to the table. When we finally sat down, Javi introduced us to the guys. Most of whom I knew through him since middle school when he started playing basketball. I then took the initiative to introduce Amber, who caught the idea of a fellow junior. They began to chat about a math class they learned they have this year together and I smirked. I didn’t notice Javi moved seats to sit next to me until he whispered in my ear, “There you go playing matchmaker.” He stated, making my spine shiver. He chuckled, letting me know he noticed my reaction. I knew I needed to get these emotions in check before he calls it out and ruins our friendship. A friendship we spent years building and a friendship I would want to have last through college. “What are you laughing at, Uzumaki,” I smirked, calling him out. This time, he froze. I decided to drop the subject as Adhi came over to the table. “Look at us lucky bastards, we all have lunch together.” She pointed out. One of the boys snorted at her arrival, “What Bryant?” She snapped at the chocolate man. He sneered at her, “Nothing Adhiti.” He poorly pronounced her name. I held my breath, knowing that would set her off. “You sure, because it seems hella funny and I’d like to laugh too.” She retorted. Javi tensed up next to me. He felt the same thing I did. Except, I did not have to step in or choose aside. I could sit this out and my loyalty would still stand with Adhi, whereas if this goes too far, he would have to make a choice. “Adhi, just drop it.” He suggested. “Yeah, Adhi, listen to your boyfriend here and drop it.” Bryant mocked both Javi and Adhi. Javi’s jaw clenched in annoyance since he tried to defuse the situation and, of course, it fueled Adhi’s rage. She smirked, “Ah, I see.” She switched her tone. I looked over at Javi who looked at Adhi with the same confusion, “You’re mad you couldn’t get with me.” She vulgarly stated loud enough for the whole table and the one behind us to hear. Bryant’s face darkened with anger. She laughed, “You’re right, that’s funny as f**k!” I had to hide my chuckle since Amber looked mortified. Javi also did not laugh, instead, he looked over at his teammate, “Yo, Khalil chill. You don’t want to do and say something you’ll regret. Especially if it gets back to Coach,” Javi reminded him. “Just know, that b***h will not be sitting with us Javi.” He said before getting up to cool off. The other teammates followed suit, getting up from the table, leaving me, Amber, Javi, and a standing Adhi. Javi turned his attention to Adhi, “What was that?” He barked. Adhi’s hazel eyes seemed to want to jump out of her head, “What was that, dummy? I was defending myself from ‘your boy.’” She air quoted your boy. “HE came at ME sideways and for what? He was okay with Junior and Izzy sitting here. Why not me?” “Because you embarrassed him,” Javi explained. “And what do you think I felt, Javier?” She began to raise her voice again. I sighed, not wanting there to be a conflict between my two closest friends, “Okay, Javi. I know you tried to defuse the situation at first, but Adhi is right, Khalil started with her first.” I said softly before cutting my eyes at Adhi, “But, Adhi, you did not need to finish it.” I explained. “Javi, if you want to go with the guys, go. They are your teammates. We will catch you later for ice cream.” I resigned. Javi looked at me with softer eyes before sighing and looking at Adhi, “Adhiti. I’m sorry. I honestly have no idea what Khalil was talking about and I should have told him to stop first. It’s just, this season we have to remain tight.” He explained. I was able to finally take a natural breath as Adhi nodded. “We’ll see you at ice cream.” She resigned before sitting down as he got up. Amber also got up. I turned to her with questioning eyes, “I should go and check for my friends too.” She said nonchalantly before leaving ahead of Javi. Javi turned to us and laughed. “If you can’t take the heat I guess.” He stated, “I’ll eat with you both another day.” He promised before heading back to his group while I enjoyed the last few minutes of my lunch with Adhi. The final bell rang and I began to head toward the quad. I was so ready to eat a good sundae and then head home to finish another episode of Bridgerton. The school day was overall a blur. I had finished my Math coursework last year, so I only had Homeroom, Chemistry, English, History, Psychology, one of my few electives, and a TA position for my Freshman Spanish teacher. I knew this year would overall be a piece of cake. Well, maybe everything except for Chemistry. But I could handle that. When I finally arrived at the spot we had agreed to meet in the morning, I looked around to see no one else from our trio. I then sent them both a text. “Hey, where are you guys?” I asked. Adhi responded quickly, “I have a seventh period. Art.” She said, placing a paintbrush emoji. “7th-period weights,” Javi responded before the late bell rang. I sighed to myself. This meant I had to keep myself busy for another 30 minutes. I guess I should be thankful today is not a regular day since that would mean keeping myself busy for nearly an hour. I sat down on the cement block which was under the shade of a nearby tree and pulled out my phone and headphones. In many ways, this was not the way I had always imagined my senior year. I imagined it driving here with a new car, meeting my friends Adhi and Javi, and a potential boyfriend. One who I knew I would go to prom with and do all of the cute things like Senior Sunrise, Sunset, and ditch-day with. Instead, my friends and I are all single. Meaning we would do all of those things together. Which wasn’t bad I guess. That is if I can keep it together and remain a good friend and only a good friend. Thankfully, listening to Lofi music and resting my eyes made the time go faster. Soon both Adhi and Javi were in front of me, jabbering away about their day. Both have completely forgotten about the little tiff that they had during lunch. Which is so like them. Ever since I essentially forced the two of them to hang out with me in middle school, Adhi and Javi have always fought. And just like today, I was always known as the glue to keep them together. I smiled and laughed at their various stories as we began to walk toward Javi’s mustang. Adhi automatically hopped into the backseat leaving the shotgun seat to me. Which also meant I was in control of the music today. Which meant that I would play more pop or rap music. Adhi preferred rock, since we’re in Javi’s car, I tailored my choices to him. “Ugh,” Adhi groaned, “Why not play Lofi or grunge?” She complained. Javi laughed, “Well, this is why Izzy is my favorite person in shotgun. She knows what I like.” He said before smiling at me. I quickly avoided eye contact with him. “Well, it is your car after all.” I pointed out trying to keep my breathing normal. Adhi snorted, “When it’s my car or your car, Izzy, I expect some grunge. You know some Paramore, Nirvana, hell even GAYLE would do.” A smile danced on my face, “Oooh, I could definitely listen to abcdefu.” I said, adding it to the queue. Javi tsked, “Well if we’re taking requests today, I want some reggaeton.” He huffed, making me laugh. “Okay, your highnesses. Can I get a pick of music?” I teased them as we turned out of the school. Javi bumped my shoulder with his right hand, “Aren’t you in charge of the music, court jester?” He teased me back. I snickered before adding a few songs to the queue, “I prefer princess.” Adhi laughed as she leaned in between us, “Hey, can you pick up Izaiah today after we get ice cream?” I asked, almost forgetting about my younger brother. Javi laughed, “Oh he’s gonna wanna be shotgun.” He pointed out the obvious. I laughed too, “Yeah, as he should.” I resigned. I knew my younger brother loved Javi’s car, so I did not mind being cramped in the back with Adhi. We listened to music and sang along on the way to the ice cream parlor. We got out of the car together and ordered our ice cream. We sat down and Adhi began to rehash her day. We laughed at all of Adhi’s funny expressions and exaggerations. We talked about our plans for this school year and our goals to leave our little town and see what else is out there in the world. We talked about next week's senior sunrise and speculated about who was going to do the senior prank. These conversations remind me why I don’t want to change anything about this friendship. I have known Javi since his family moved next door a few weeks before TK and I met Adhi in fourth grade when we both did soccer and then we went to the same middle school. We have been through all of middle school as a trio and all, well, most of our high school. I would do anything to keep this trio together.