Falling in Love with My Best Friend

It’s finally here the second most hardest year of high school, Junior year. Everyone seems to be getting by just fine and not worrying about what the future has in store for us but, I for one have a lot to worry about especially when it comes to college. I’m Chloe Elizabeth Rogers and my parents only want the best for their only daughter. I have a younger brother but , he’s in middle school so he has nothing but time. We just got home from summer vacation and now it’s time to get ready for the first day of junior year ,which is just tomorrow. “Chloe! Can you come downstairs?” Mum yells from the kitchen. “Yes mum,” I answer as I finally make it down the steps. “Dinner is ready and are you excited for your first day of junior year?” Mum says looking way too excited. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, at least Samantha and Amy will be there, so I can’t be too upset,” putting my head down and kicking the floor. “Well…” she says turning away from me. “Well, what mum?” I say with an eyebrow raised and trying to get her to look at me She sighs and says, “You know Dameon and his family are moving back here and he’s going to be attending your school for the rest of high school” she quickly looks away. I look at her all weird with an eyebrow raised, “mum why are you acting like that? And why haven’t you told me Dameon was going to my school?” Dameon Atkins, is the son to my fathers best friend Mr. Atkins. We have been close family friends for as long as I can remember. We grew up basically like siblings. After what seems like a century my mum finally turns back around with a guilty face and says, “I knew you guys got into an argument a while back and I wasn’t sure-“ I cut my mum off, “You thought we weren’t cool anymore? Mum we’ve been texting here and there and we’re fine. I just don’t understand why he didn’t tell me,” I said with an confused look. My mum claps her hands, “Well now that’s all cleared up, let’s eat dinner go get your brother and dad.” We all ate dinner and I helped my mum clean the dishes, then went to bed. I’ve set an early alarm so I can fully prepared for my first day of junior year. I put my phone down on my nightstand and turnover about to go to sleep when I get a text message. I get up and look at it, it’s from Dameon. “Hey Chloe, ready for junior year?” “Hey! I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. I heard that you’re going to my school, why didn’t you tell me?” “Your mum told you huh?” “Yes you know she would, lol” “Well..it was suppose to be a surprise, but anyways do you need a ride to school?” “Omg! That would be perfect, come pick me up at 6:30am” “Jeez, why so early chlo?” “We have to get breakfast and our class schedules silly” “Yeah, you’re right we’ll let’s go to sleep then. Goodnight Chlo” “Goodnight” The next morning my alarm goes off and I’m up and ready to begin my day. I hop in the shower and get out my outfit of the day I’m wearing high waisted ripped jeans with a black crop top and knee high boots, I put my hair in a messy bun. I run down stairs and buttered toast with eggs and Parmesan. My mum walks into the kitchen “Someone is up early.” She says “We’ll I want to get there early so I can get my class schedule.” I start to walk away towards the table and turn back around, “Oh and Dameon is picking me up so we can go together.” My mom looks surprised with her mouth open, “O-oh, okay well I’m glad you guys are carpooling. When are you leav-“ Just as she’s about to finish her question, there’s a knock on the door. I jump up and answer the door it’s Dameon. I let him in so I can finish breakfast and lead him into the kitchen. “Good morning Mrs. Rogers,” he says “Good morning Dameon, I just heard that you were taking Chloe to school.” “Yeah I figured it would be better since we are now going to the same school,” he says walking over to me. “Come on Chlo, we have to get going.” I get up and take my dishes to the sink, “ okay, okay. I get my backpack and kiss my mum on the cheek, “goodbye mum see you after school.” We rush out the door and head to Dameon’s car in the driveway. On our way to school it was really quiet, I guess we are both nervous to start this school year. Me trying to figure out what I’m going to do after graduation and Dameon, will be starting at a new school. We pull up and park , Dameon sighs and looks out the window. I look at him and raise an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?” I ask He turns toward me, “ this is going to be a long school year.” He says looking anxious. With soft eyes, I put my hand on his shoulder, “Hey, I’ll be here the whole year everything is going to be perfect. You don’t have to worry.” Before I know it he’s turned around and pulled me into a hug with his arms wrapped around my waist. I couldn’t help but to sense this feeling that I’ve never felt before, my stomach was tingling and my cheeks felt warm. What was this? I slowly hugged him back, I pulled away turned my face so he wouldn’t see my red cheeks. “Let’s go before we’re late,” I said facing the window. Dameon just chuckles, grabs his backpack and leaves the car. I follow after him and see he’s waiting for me by the passenger side door. We start to walk towards the school and puts his arm around my shoulders, which is weird because he only does that when he’s into someone. I shake that thought out my mind and just leave him be, ask we approach the doors I see my two best friends Samantha and Amy. Amy runs up to me squealing and brings me into a giant bear hug, “Omg! Chloe I missed you so much, I’m so excited for this school year.” I smile and hug her back, “I missed you too and can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us.” I look over at Samantha and she’s slowly walking over, Amy and I run over to her and pull her into a group up. She pushes us off and points over at Dameon, “Um who is that? And why was he holding you like that when you showed up?” Amy and I both look over and Amy says, “Oh yeah! I got distracted with seeing my bestie I completely forgot to question you. Who is this guy?” I look embarrassed and rub the back of my neck and drag Dameon over to them, “Amy, Samantha this is Dameon. He’s the son to my dad’s best friend Mr. Atkins.” “Dameon, this is Amy and Samantha.” Dameon smiles and greets the girls, “Good Morning, nice to meet you guys.” “His parents just moved back here and he’ll be starting school with us. You guys don’t mind that we hangs out with us right?” I say with pleading eyes Amy and Samantha look at each other, then back at me, they say in unison, “No we don’t mind the more the merrier.” Samantha with her low tone says, “So is he like your boyfriend or what?” I chuckle and turn red, Dameon and I look at each other and I say, “No, he’s just my friend.” Dameon puts his arm around my shoulder again and says, “she’s not saying the the whole truth, I’m her best friend. We’ve known each since we were babies.” My besties gape at me with raised eyebrows and Amy says, “You had a guy best friend and never told us about his? I’m hurt Chloe.” Samantha looks him up and down and looks at me, “You better keep and eye on him because one of these private school girl will be all over him, a guy this hot won’t stay single for long.” I put my head down into my hands and sigh then look at them. “I don’t have to keep and eye on him, he’s a big boy he can care for himself and it’s not like I like him.” Dameon puts his hand to his chest and takes a step back and says jokingly, “Wait! You don’t like me? That’s very hurtful Chlo.” I punch his arm and we both laugh together “Come on guys let’s go get our class schedules.” We all walk to the gym where they have the tables set up to pick up our schedules. I show Dameon where to get his then I head over to go get mine. The four of us meet up in the main hallway by the office to see which classes we have together. Dameon and I have Ap literature, P.E, and Pre-Calculus. Samantha and Amy we only have P.E together but they have all classes together, which is fine they tend to always have classes together. The first bell rings and we’re off to our first classes none of which are together so I show Dameon to his and I run back to mine. We now head to second period and thankfully there’s no seating chart so Dameon and I are able to sit next to each other. I flag Dameon and he walks in with my least favorite person, Tabitha, I look over at Dameon and trying to get him to come over but Tabitha won’t let go of his arm. I’ve never felt this feeling before, could it be jealousy? No way, what do I have to be jealous of? It’s not like we’re together or anything. The late bell rings and class has started, I occasionally take glances to look toward Dameon and Tabitha. She’s giggling and laughing at whatever Dameon says and he catches me and just shrugs like he’s confused. The next 45mins is long and annoying, the bell rings and I go to start walking towards the girls Locker rooms to get changed and as I’m about to head in I feel a hand grab my arm. I look up and it’s Tabitha, I look at her with furrowed eyebrows and say, “what do you want Tabitha?” She sucks he teeth and says, “I only came over here to tell you to stay away from Dameon or else.” I pull my arm away behind her is Dameon and I throw my hands up, “Now why would I do that? It’s not like he’s yours and he’s my best friend.” I chuckle putting my hands on my hips She steps closer and pokes my chest, “Do as your told and you won’t suffer the consequences!” She shouts and storms away I shake my head and I see Dameon walking over and he looks confused, “What was that all about?” He crosses his arms over his chest. “Apparently you have a new friend and she doesn’t want me to be around you,” I laugh. “She thinks you guys have something apparently.” I shrug. “Yeah, I have her in my first period and she sat next me saying I was cute and she can be my personal tour guide,” he laughed hysterically and wiped tears away. “No need to worry though she’s not my type and plus I can tell you don’t like her.” He nudges me in the arm playfully and winks at me. My cheeks burn again and i turn away and wave him off. “Better get changed Chlo before you’re late,” he jogs off into the boys locker room. I rush in and change into my gym clothes. Today was a free day in P.E being that it’s the first day of school. Amy, Samantha, Dameon and I all decide to go outside and sit in the grass. I’m just sitting there next to Dameon across from Amy and Samantha, I can feel eyes on me but don’t want to look up. Amy taps my leg, “Hey are you okay over there? We’ve been talking and you haven’t said anything.” I sigh and throw some of the blades of grass back down, “People can just be so annoying.” Samantha clears her throat, “Care to clarify what you mean?” Dameon puts an arm around my waist, I tense up and start to feel that same sensation from before. I’m getting tingly on the inside and my face is feeling warm. “She’s upset because a girl was all over me and told her to stay away,” he jokes and pulls me into a hug. Samantha locks eyes with me and pounds her fist into the ground, “who was it Chloe? I’ll find them and make them regret messing with you.” Dameon looks at Samantha with wide eyes and raised eyebrows, then back down to me, “Wow Chlo, you have some good friends.” With his arm still around me and not sure why he hasn’t moved it, I hard swallow and say, “It was Tabitha but, it’s okay I can handle her and I’m not going to stop hanging out with my best friend because she has some fantasy in her head.” The group starts laughing and we hear the whistle letting us know that it’s time to go. We all get up, Dameon helps me and we head back to the locker rooms to get changed. The rest of school went fast and so can hardly remember, I just kept thinking about how I felt whenever Dameon would touch me. Why did he keep touching me? I was so confused, I mean there’s nothing wrong with best friends giving hugs but this felt different. Why was I feeling like this? Like he was a boy I just met and had a crush on him? I’ve known him my whole life, what’s happening to me. School is over and I’m out of my class early waiting by Dameon’s car so we can go home. I see him approaching his car he unlocks his car and we both get in, it’s a quiet ride home. We finally approach my house and he pulls into the driveway. I start to unbuckle and say goodbye but he holds my arm. I look over at him and we lock eyes, “Yes Dameon.” His cheeks are flushed, and his eyes are soft, “Are you okay Chlo?” He says shakily “Y-yes I’m fine, why?” “You haven’t talked the whole car ride home and I feel like it’s something I did,” he says clearly upset He kinda did but didn’t if you understand “No! You didn’t do anything, I promise, I’m just thinking a lot and you know when I’m thinking, I’m super quiet and focused,” I say trying to sound half believable. He lets me go and he lets out a breath, “Oh my goodness okay, I thought I did something that upset you and you weren’t talking to me,” he wipes his forehead. “Anyways now that’s cleared up, I had a really great first day, thank you Chlo,” he says. I smile softly back, “Oh yeah me too and it’s no problem, it’s going to be fun this year I can tell. I’ll see you tomorrow, goodbye Dameon.” I get out the car and start to walk towards the door, he calls out to me, “Goodbye Chlo!” And he waved and winks at me. My cheeks flush with red and warmth again, I get inside and I’m greeted by my mum and brother in the living and I run right up stairs into my room. I throw my backpack down and plop facedown into my pillows on my bed. Today was a day and I can tell this is going to be a long school year, especially with Tabitha, she’s the worst. I’m starting to get into my head about everything that happened today, my feelings, Dameon, and Tabitha. What is going on? I’m sure there are no feelings there but is that the truth? I drift off into a nap and walk up to a knock on my door. I get up and open the door it’s my mum. “Yes mum?” I say sleepily. “Dinner is ready, come eat,” she turns and walks down the hall. I follow after her and ask, “What’s for dinner?” You can tell she’s smiling when she speaks, “it’s your favorite-“ We both say in unison, “Chicken parmigiana!” She chuckled and I’m smiling like a child on Christmas morning. “Mum you really made chicken parmigiana? Why?” I say excitedly. “My baby girl only starts junior year once and I know it will be a stressful time for you, so I made this for you so you can relax a bit and ease those nerves,” she says while smiling softly at me, I wrap my mum in a big hug and sigh, it feels safe and comforting with her, “ Thank you mum, you’re the best, I love you so much.” She hugs me back and says softly, “I love you too dear, let’s go eat.” Dinner with my family is always done this way, sitting at the table dinner set out in dishes. I love it because it’s like a daily bonding thing, my mum and dad sit on the ends (my dad is away right now in a business trip) my brother Jack and I sit on the sides. We finish up eating and I help my mum clean the table and wash the dishes then it’s time for us to watch family feud, this is a daily occurrence and I wouldn’t have it any other way. After our family festivities I say goodnight to my mum and brother and head to my room to get ready for the next day of school. I put on my pajamas, put my phone on the charger and lay in bed on my phone playing games to pass the time until it’s time to sleep. I’m reading a novel on my phone and I get a notification from Dameon. “Hey Chlo.” “Yes.” “I think I figured out why you weren’t talking.” Oh No! Maybe he won’t know. “Uh okay, what?” “Is it because I keep touching you and you’re not use to it and you don’t know what to say?” Wow! He was spot on kind of but we won’t tell him that. “No I don’t mind that at all, it really was nothing though just anxious for the new year.” “Are you sure Chlo?” “Yes Dameon, everything is fine. Now go to bed.” “Okay, okay, just trying to make sure we are okay.” “We are okay Dameon, goodnight I’ll see you tomorrow.” “Awesome, goodnight darling ;).” I looked at my phone and my cheeks were warm again. Do I have feelings for my best friend of many years? I can’t do that it would ruin our friendship, what should I do? I can’t hurt him. I set my phone down and finally drift off into sleep. The next morning I walk up to a knock on my door and I go to open the door and it’s Dameon. “What are you doing here?” I ask surprised. He walks into my room and closing then locking the door behind him, “I want to be with you before we have to leave for school.” He says with this hungry look on his face and licking his lips. “Well you could’ve called or texted,” I’m backing up as he’s stepping closer and closer to me. I hit my bed and fall back onto it, he crawls on top of me and says, “I need you before we leave and I’ve always wanted you Chlo.” He brings his face down to mine and is about to kiss my neck. I jump up in bed to my alarm going off, that was all a dream? How am I ever going to face him now? I’m having crazy wild dreams about him, all just because he was touching me and winking at me yesterday. Could he be catching feelings? That just be it, how would I find out though? I’ll figure it out. I hope in the shower and throw in my clothes, I go to my phone and see a message from the girls. They are already at school and are waiting for me, I head downstairs and make myself a few waffles. I scarf them down and wash them with orange juice. No one is up yet so it’s just me, mum must’ve stayed up video chatting with dad again. I get a text and it’s from Dameon. “I’m outside.” “What not going to knock this time?” “I can if you want me to, I’m sorry.” “Lol Dameon, I’m just kidding, calm down.” “Well come one smarty pants.” I grab my bag and run outside and lock the door, I open the car door and hop in. “Good morning,” he says softly. I buckle my seatbelt, “Good morning.” For the first five minutes to school it was quiet then he decided to break the silence, “So, there’s something I want to talk to you about.” I shift in my seat and look at him nervously, “Yeah what’s up?” He looks at me for a second with soft eyes then, looks back at the road, “I want to talk the feelings that I have for you.” …To be Continued