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~ROY

Chloe sits onto my bed, her face etched with worry lines. "Hey, you alright?" I ask, sitting beside her, my voice firm with concern.

She forces a weak smile, trying to brush it off. "Yeah, I'm good."

I grip her hands, my gaze intense. "No, what's eating at you? Tell me."

"It's just...I don't know, Roy. You and Trista are too tight for comfort." Chloe says, her voice laced with a hint of frustration.

I let out a deep sigh, knowing this conversation all too well from past experiences. "Chloe, Trista's my best friend. We've always been around each other."

Chloe presses on, her tone firm. "I get that, but she's always around. At your house, at school, cheering you on at every game...it's like she's always inserted herself into our lives. It's too much, Roy."

Inserted herself? I've known Trista way longer then I know her. I did get her point, but there was nothing I could do about that. Trista will always be part of my life. "Chloe, you have nothing to be afraid of. You're my girlfriend," I assured her.

"Frank said he saw you carrying her on your back!" Chloe's voice rose, her words laced with a hint of accusation.

I frown, trying to reason with her. "Chloe, come on, we were just goofing around...as friends."

But she cuts me off, her voice rising in anger. "You can't do that when you have a girlfriend! It's not right, Roy!"

She throws up her hands, exasperated. "You know what? This talk isn't working out, so I'm gonna go home. I can't even deal with this right now."

"Hey Chloe, come on," I call out, but she's already storming out the door, bag in hand. I collapse onto my bed, feeling defeated. It's a familiar scene - ninety percent of my relationships have ended because they couldn't understand my unbreakable bond with Trista.

We've been inseparable since day one. We grew up together, exploring our neighborhood. We learned how to ride a bike together, and I was there to comfort her when she cried herself to sleep after her first heartbreak. She was there to support me when I broke my leg trying to impress my new friends with a reckless high jump attempt.

We're inseparable, again, and I wish they could understand that. I reach for my phone, hoping for a distraction from the frustration, and see a text from Trista. My eyes roll instinctively as I read the message:

Dumbest dumbass in the world: _Are you done having sex with Chloe?_

I chuckle and fire back a witty response:

ME: _Date with Micheal? Does he know you're going to be dumping him soon?_

I can almost hear Trista's snicker on the other end of the line.

Dumbest dumbass in the world: _I'm actually with Chris right now. I said yes to him._

ME: _You two-timer!_

Trista responds with a goofy emoji, a cartoon face with a tongue-out expression.

ME: _Text me when you're home, player._

I put my phone aside and refocused on my priorities, deciding to tackle my homework. With university on the horizon after this term, I was determined to stay on top of my studies and not let my grades slip.

After finishing my homework, I indulged in the latest installment of The Mortal Instruments series, 'City of Fallen Angels', which I had eagerly awaited for two weeks after ordering it online. While I could have easily read it on my phone or laptop, I prioritized my eye health, as the screen light exacerbates my eye problem.

Besides, there's just something special about holding a physical book in your hands, breathing in the scent of fresh paper, and knowing it's yours to treasure.

Just as I was indulging in this pleasure, my phone buzzed.

Dumbest Dumbass in the World:_I'm home._

I quickly freshened up with a shower and dressed in a pair ripped jeans and cozy hoodie. I picked up my novel and my phone and was about leaving for Trista's house when I remembered her earlier teasing remarks.

She's definitely going to tease me the hell out of me if I show up with a book. I chuckle to myself as I drop it on my bed, deciding to leave it behind. As I exit the room, I run into my mom, who's heading in the opposite direction, likely returning from work.

"Good evening, Mum," I say, greeting her with a warm smile.

She responds with a tired smile of her own, her eyes betraying her exhaustion. "Evening, dear. I'm too beat to cook dinner. Can you order pizza?"

I hesitate for a moment before responding, "Er...actually, Aunt P invited me to dinner."

Her expression changes to understanding, and she nods. "Alright, I'll tell Sasha to order then. Where's your dad?" she asks as she begins to head up the stairs.

I roll my eyes good-naturedly. "He's probably holed up in his study, as usual."

My dad, a writer, spends most of his time in his "home office," lost in his own world. Mum nods knowingly and continues on her way upstairs.

I open the door and walk across to Trista's house, which is conveniently situated right opposite mine. I ring the doorbell, and in an instant, Trista flings open the door, beaming with a bright, infectious grin. Her wild curls tumble around her face in delightful disarray, and I can't help but mirror her smile as I take in her radiant expression.

"Took you long enough!" Trista says with a playful roll of her eyes as I step inside. She gives me a thorough once-over, her gaze scanning me from head to toe. "Uh, hope you aren't sneaking a book in somewhere," she teases, her hands fluttering over my pockets and arms as if searching for a hidden novel. Her giggles fill the air, making me chuckle too.

I deflect Trista's playful search, and she laughs, leading me to the dining table. Uncle Ben, Trista's dad is busy setting the table, while Aunt Penelope, Trista's mom whom I fondly call Aunt P carries in a steaming pot of food and places it at the center of the table. Meanwhile, her rambunctious younger brother, a energetic ten-year-old, is causing a commotion in the corner, his antics filling the room with lively chaos.

"Roy!" Uncle Ben booms, sweeping me into a warm bear hug that envelops me in a sense of comfort. Aunt P greets me with a gentle, loving smile, while Rio, her mischievous brother, flashes a broad, cheeky grin in my direction.

See? My second family.

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