Pack of Addictions

I was young when it all began. My parents never had time for me. They were always much too busy, chasing the next high. I was not really a bad kid in terms of behaving or not. I had to grow up fast due to those circumstances. I taught myself to cook and forced myself to study. The only thing that kept me going back then was my best friend Kadin. He was the same age as me, and we would often study together and play afterward. The two of us were inseparable even as we grew older. 8th grade came along fast with him by my side. This is when I got into my first relationship. Kadin was there for me, and that wasn't about to change from my end , so if anyone had a problem with him, then they had a problem with me. My first boyfriend had a huge problem with Kadin, and this caused us to argue a lot. It was safe to say it didn't last too long. However, i soon found myself in my first long relationship with another boy who was fine with me having Kadin around. We went through a lot over the year we were together, but after that year of school, he moved away, and that was it. Of course, Kadin was my security blanket and gave me comfort anytime I needed it. He never made any advances towards me in a romantic way, so I had always assumed that he was either gay or uninterested in me that way. "You know I'm here for you, Naomi." he said calmly. "I know, Kadin. I'm glad that I have you." I replied as I hugged him. "So, it's been a little while since he left, and I thought since your birthday is in a couple of days, I would give you your present early." he said as he leaned down and reached under the bed. "What! You know how I feel about my birthday. You didn't have to get me anything." I sighed and half smiled at him. "I know, I know. But given the circumstances, I feel like you should make an exception." he smiled as he pulled out a rectangular package. "Fiiiiiine." I sighed in exasperation. He gave a small laugh and held out the box. I took it and unwrapped it to reveal a thin black box from a well-known jewelry shop. I opened the lid and revealed a beautiful black chain necklace with a heart locket at the end. When I opened the locket there was a place for a picture. "Kadin, it's beautiful. You didn't need to do this." I said with a warm smile. "I know I didn't need to, Naomi, I wanted to. You mean a lot to me, and I hate to see you sad." he replied gently. "Kadin. Have you ever thought about what we could be?" I asked as I stared at the empty locket. "What do you mean?" he asked, seemingly confused. "I mean. Have you ever thought about what we could be together. In a relationship, not just a friendship." I confirmed and looked up at him. His face began to turn a light shade of red, and then replied, "I may have thought about it a few times. But I always put those feelings on a back burner because I loved our friendship, and I never wanted to ruin it if you didn't feel the same way." "That's crazy. I always wondered why you never made a move on me. I just thought that you were gay." I laughed."Or that I just wasn't your type. Especially since I never saw you with anyone else." He looked down at me, and at this point, his face was a good shade of very noticeable red. I smiled and laid my head on his chest."You know that we do most of the things a couple would do already. We snuggle with movies, we go out to eat a good bit, we share or days, and help each other feel better if we feel down. We get each other gifts for birthdays and holidays. Honestly, the only things we don't do are the romantic side of a relationship." He pet my hair and looked away for a moment as if he were deep in thought. "Dooo...Do you want to give us a shot?" he finally asked. "I think I'd like that. If you're sure that you want to take this step with me." I replied almost immediately. He looked away for a moment and reached into his nightstand. "I had this printed... but I wasn't sure I should put it in the locket. I left it out to avoid making you uncomfortable." "Kadin." I gasped and grabbed the photo from him."That is a great photo of us. You should have left it in." I remembered when we took the photo that he had printed. It was a week after my boyfriend moved away. Kadin had brought me out to an amusement park to help cheer me up. We had a great time, and it was the first time I had smiled again. He was sitting down on a bench eating, and I came up behind him with my phone camera, leaned over his shoulder, and took the picture. "I'm glad you printed this one." I smiled as I placed it safely in the locket. Once it was safe, I looked up at him. He was always taller than I was, but now he seemed even taller. Maybe it was the confidence coming out in the moment. His light blonde hair was messy as always, and his green eyes pierced into my soul. He broke the gaze and cleared his throat. "So... do you want to go out to eat with me? I'll pay from now on." I smiled and pinched his cheek."Why Kadin, are you asking me out on a real date?" "You know what. No. We are going." he laughed. "Get your things." I laughed and grabbed my bag."Yes, Sir." He rolled his eyes and grabbed my necklace. "Let me put this on for you." I pulled my hair up, and for the first time, I got chills when his fingers grazed my neck. A new sensation that I had never experienced before. His breath tingled on the back of my neck as he leaned closer to see the clasp. Once he was done securing the necklace, we headed out. His family owned a bit of farm land not far from where my parents had their trailer. I was embarrassed of where I lived, so most of the time, we went to his house instead. Life with Kadin up til now had been amazing. How could anything already so good change? At least, that's what I told myself. Back then, I didn't know how much things could change. We were young, and we were dumb. Kids playing with love and things we didn't quite understand. We were 16, then almost 17, and about to begin our lives as high-school students. If only I had known then, the things that were about to unfold, but how could I have. How could anyone.