Where we left off

Chapter 5

“I heard that one of your old friends is back into town” My dad said as I sat down on his desk “Is he back in school?”

“Don’t you have people to train downstairs?” I asked my dad as I started looking through the registration sheet for new members.

“He registered yesterday” my dad pointed out making me noticed his name of the registration sheet “He starts tonight”

I gave him a silent nod indicating that I want to be left alone now and not talk about Ryder at all.

I couldn’t ask my dad not to let him register to the gym. It was his business anyways and a customer is a customer even if it was the one person who hurt me the most in middle school. I knew that my dad wanted him back in the gym anyways, he was and most probably still is the best boxing player my dad have ever trained. With Eddie and Ryder on the team, he was guaranteed to put my dad’s boxing gym on the map and win the states boxing championship.

“I get it. I get it” my dad said knowing before he moved to leave.

“Coach” Eddie greeted walking in.

“Kids these days, Eddie. It’s my office and I’m being kicked out” he said as he petting Eddie’s should on his way out.

Eddie plopped on the the couch across the desk and a bag from the diner down the road. He handed me my food and milk shake before he leaned back into the couch and steered at the ceiling.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked and I “started trying the names on the sheets and creating accounts.

“Just thinking” he said.

“That’s new for you” I joked.

Rather than laughing or faking being offered, he kept a straight face without moving his eyes from the ceiling.

“You’re being weird. What’s up?” I asked.

“Janine asked me out to today after lunch” he said “She even made a move on me during football practice”

“Janine my sister’s friend” I asked him as my eyes flew up to meet him.

He closed his eyes as he sighed with a small nod.

“She’s cute. Although if you said yes, it might make things weird between Sammy and her. You and Sammy as well” I told him moving my eyes back to the laptop.

It was a lie, I really didn’t know if him dating Janine would make things weird between the three of them nor did I care if it would.

“Do you think I should go?” He asked “Do you think I should start dating girls at all?”

“Are you saying that you also have an interest in guys? Is that your second option?” I asked trying to change the subject.

He shook his head “Not really” he then turned to me with the most serious look “Do you think I should start to date all or should I keep waiting on you to change your mind?”

“You can’t keep waiting on me” I told him “What if I never change my mind?”

He shrugged “I don’t know” he then looked back at the ceiling “So you’re saying that I should start dating?”

“I want to be selfish and say no because I don’t want you to be too busy dating to hangout with me, but if that is what you want, you should go for it” I told him “I can’t have you waiting for the rest of your life waiting on me”

He gave me a silent nod.

“Do you like her though?” I asked him.

“She’s cute” he said “Got a good sense of humor though and fun to be around with. I will probably text her later tonight and ask her to see a movie or something”

“That sounds nice” I told him.

He then sat up and looked to the door “Want to hear something that’s not nice? Ryder is down stairs asking about you” he said “Sammy told him that you already went home after you practice session and told me her plans for tonight.

Guess you’re coming over tonight”

I nodded “I forgot about that”

“Anyways, I have to go start my practice session now. The guys are waiting on me” he said as he stood up “I will be downstairs with the boys when you’re ready to go home”

I gave him a nod before he left the room.

Eddie did what he said he would. He called Janine when we got to his house. She ended up inviting him the cheer leading party they were hosting and told him how much they wanted him there and how every member of the school’s sports team is there too celebrating the beginning of the season.

He invited me to come with, but I declined his offer and stayed at his empty house. His dad was on a business trip. I spent most of the night at his room, watching Netflix and eating the night away as I watched every horror movie I could find. When things got a bit boring and the snacks ran out, I took a walk to the grocery store on my own.

As I walked past the corner of the street, I noticed that the old Brighton’s house had its lights on for the first time in the past two years. When Ryder moving back into town, it only meant that him and his family live there now. As well as that I had to take another route back to Eddie’s house. At least now I know where he lives and know to avoid this road now.

“Good evening, Mr. Bennett” I said as I walked into the store.

“Good evening” he smiled “It’s been a while since you came around here”

“I’ve been busy with my studies and my dad’s gym” I smiled as I picked up a basket “I hope I am not disturbing your night. I just came in to pick up a couple of things”

“You can never disturb me” he gave me a warm smile “Let me know if you need some help”

I walked around the store in silence and I picked up the snacks I wanted. There wasn’t anyone in the store beside me and 2 or 3 other people doing their groceries in silence while listening to the radio playing in the background.

When I was done picking up all the chocolates, chips and a box of Mac & cheese that my heart desired. I started walked myself to checkout and started placing my items on the table.

“Oh you just missed the new kid in town. Such a nice boy” he said “Weren’t you two friends back when he used to live here”

I felt my heart drop to my stomach at his words. Knowing that my mouth would betray me and won’t utter a word, I gave a simple nod instead.

I stood by the door for a few moments, gathering all the strength I have and strengthen my walls before I pushed the door open. I wasn’t surprised to see Ryder standing my the door with the a few bags in his hands. He was leaning against the wall next to the door.

“Can I walk you home?” He asked “And maybe talk?”

“I rather walk home alone and in silence” I told him as I walked away from him.

He didn’t take the hint though. He walked closely behind me as I made my way back to Eddie’s house.

“I couldn’t find you at school today” he stated “Nor at the gym. Did you not go today?”

“I was there” I simply said.

“Okay” I said “I also dropped by your house. I was surprise when I found out that you don’t live there anymore”

“I know”

“Where did you move?” He asked.

“Around”

She chuckled “Are all your answer going to be this short?” He asked “Like one or two words reply”

“Pretty much” I told him.

We passed his house after a few moments of silence, he didn’t stop following me though so I stopped and turned to him instead.

“Are you going to follow me all the home?” I asked.

He looked at his house seeming like he wasn’t even aware that we reached it until now.

“I didn’t notice” he said “I was lost in thoughts trying to figure out where to start”

“You can start by continuing what you already have” I told him “Stay away from me and out of my life. You did such a good job then, so maybe you should stick to it”

When I started walking away again, he dropped his bags at the porch before knocking on the door then jogged to catch up with me.

“I know what I did was wrong” he said “I shouldn’t have left in the first place without telling you anything”

“I don’t need your apology nor your explanation” I told him.

“But I need to apologize” he said “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I honestly didn’t. I was young and stupid and didn’t know what to say or how to say goodbye”

“So you thought leaving without saying goodbye was going to hurt me less?” I said “If you did, you are even dumber than you look then”

“I was fourteen” he explained “I didn’t know any better”

“But you sure did know how to climb in my bed at that age though” I told him “You sure knew how to make sure to tell me how much you loved me and make me spill my heart out to you at that age before packing your s**t at leave me behind without a goodbye or an explanation”

“I’m trying to give you one right now” he argued “I’m trying to apologize”

“I don’t need your apology nor your explanation at this point, Ryder” I told him “I just need you stay away from me and the life I put together. I finally reached the point where everything is normal again. I don’t need you breaking apart my life again after I finally made it feel normal again”

“I’m not trying to break anything” he said “I’m just trying to resume our friendship. I just want to get back to where we left off. Best friends”

“I already got two and don’t need another one” I told him “There’s noway you can talk to them and open up to them the way you used to with me. I know you better than anyone else”

“Not anymore. You made goddamn sure of that when you left without a single way for me to reach out to you” I told him “And I beg to differ, Eddie and Diana know me better than you have ever. The best thing you can do for me now is to leave things the way they are right now. I got all the friends I need and don’t have space for more”

When he finally stopped following me, I turned to him. Watching him as he struggled for words. Before he could opened his mouth, I ended our conversion for tonight.

“Looks like we reached my stop” I told him before walking up Eddie’s driveway “Goodnight, Ryder”

He sighed “Goodnight, Zendaya. I’ll see you tomorrow at school”