[ Chloe ]

The one and only friend I have.

Gone.

It just can't be real. It can't.

I wiped a single tear from my cheek as I walked up my porch steps. No one needed to know yet, and I didn't want them to. I opened the cream white door and slipped off my sandals on the floral rug. I walked into the kitchen to find pork, green beans, and mashed potatoes atop the table. My mom and Clara were already wolfing down the meal.

"Hi sweetheart," my mom welcomed through a mouthful of food. "How was your first date?"

"For the last time mom, it was not a date." I sat down at the table and started picking at my food, eating only 2 green beans, 3 spoonfuls of mashed potatoes, and one fourth of my pork.

"Can I be excused?" I asked.

"Um... Sure?" my mom agreed, looking puzzled.

I wiped my mouth with my napkin and gloomily strutted up to my room. I lazily flopped onto my bed and pulled out my phone. Nothing better to do.

I typed in my passcode and my contacts list opened up. I completely forgot! I have Braeden's number! I sent a quick text.

~Hey ♡

It felt good to have a kinda-sorta friend. I needed someone to help me, anyways.

Within a minute there was a response. Wow, fast typer alert.

*Hey back ◡̈

At least I know he'll talk to me.

Sometimes, all you need is one person.

afternote: sorry for the short chapter! Since I've been updating so often, I'm gonna hold off a while. Next chapter at 125 reads!