Apparently going to the Murphys for dinner is an every-other-night thing. It's only been two days and I'm back on the Murphy's front porch.

After school ended, Evan had to rush home to do some homework or something, so I was walking to the Murphys alone.

I walked up the porch stairs and knocked on the door. Because, let's be real, only salespeople really care enough to use the doorbell.

I stood there awkwardly. Usually Mrs. Murphy was fast to answer the door, from what Evan has told me. I tried knocking again, a little louder this time.

I tried looking through the windows to see if anyone was home. Of course they all had blinds down.

When I returned to the porch, I knocked again, hoping they'd hear me this time. Nothing. Suddenly I became aware of a sound from inside the house. Yelling. I tried pressing my ear to the door to get a better listen.

That didn't really help though.

Annnndd my patience weared off.

"BITCHES I'M HERE OPEN THE DOOR!"

The yelling inside came to an abrupt stop.

The door opened, revealing Mr. Murphy.

"Hello." He said, and I nodded.

"Is everything... er.. okay in there?" I asked.

I heard Mrs. Murphy yell, "It's fine!" From inside the house.

"Don't lie to the child!" Mr. Murphy hissed. He turned back to me, "Come in, see for yourself."

I swallowed before walking in. Connor's dead! Why would anything be bad at the Murphy household? The only possible answer to that question that I could think of was the Evan was a dumbass and told them the truth.

That would be bad.

Like, really bad.

Like, "shit our whole lives are ruined" kinda bad.

Not to mention, that would just be plain stupid.

But I know a couple plain stupid people. Might as well add Evan to the list.

I walked into the living room to see the rest of the Murphy family. Evan was sitting in a chair across from Zoe, his head in his hands. Mrs. Murphy was on the couch, her coffee spilled across the table as she desperately tried to clean it up. Zoe was sitting criss-crossed in her chair, starting at her lap.

Mr. Murphy went to sit beside Mrs. Murphy, and, being the nerd I am, I sat on the floor.

"I'm sorry." I said, already knowing what was happening. There's no way Evan didn't tell them. Just look at their faces! We're about to be arrested!

Evan lifted his head out of his hands, looked at me, and spoke quickly and aggressively, "Jared it's not your fault, okay?"

Usually I'd probably retort, but everyone seemed upset. I didn't want to make it worse.

But I felt like I was supposed to say something. Maybe say "It was my idea." That would get the blame off Evan and he'd be spared. And, it's not a lie either, it kinda was my idea. Maybe I should say, "We deserve whatever you're going to do to us." And just be humble like that. Or maybe I should just run for it.

Running for it is something I'd do. But then what about Evan? He'd just be here to take all consciences? I can't do that.

"Where did I go wrong?" I heard Zoe mumble, and I was instantly confused.

"Nothing...?" I said, and then decided to use one of the tactics I thought of, "It was my idea, not yours."

Evan snapped his head up and me. His eyes were widened and he shook his head frantically.

"It was your idea?" Zoe said, her voice irritated, "Your. Idea?"

"Uh..." I was, at this point, completely clueless of what was happening. Evan was shaking his head, trying to signal me to stop, but how do I just stop? I can't just not answer Zoe!

"What are you? Some gay fag?" Zoe yelled, and suddenly the conflict of this conversation hit me like a truck.

Evan didn't admit to our crimes, he broke up with Zoe.

And I basically just said it was my fault.

Oh shit, I'm a man stealer in Zoe's mind.

Ohhhh shit.

"Ohhh!" I said, laughing awkwardly, "No! That wasn't my idea! I thought you meant something else!"

"What, Jared?" She whisper-yelled, standing up and walking closer to me, "What did you think I meant?"

I looked up a Zoe, half of me nervous as hell and the other half of me slowly decaying.

I could tell her the truth. But I'm not plain stupid. What excuse could I make?

"Nevermind." I said, "It was my idea." Which wasn't completely a lie, either. Didn't I tell Evan to go for it if he needed to?

"YOU-" Zoe said, running towards me. Evan leapt in front of me and grabbed her, keeping her from tackling me.

Once Evan pushed her back into her seat, she seemed to calm down. Only for a moment though before she put her head and her hands and started crying.

"I'm sorry-" I started before Evan cut me off.

"It was not Jared's idea." He said stiffly. His words were intended for Zoe, but he was looking at me. Directly in the eye. "He was being supportive. He wanted what was best for me. He told me to do what I thought needed to be done, and I thought breaking up needed to be done. He was only trying to help."

I stared at Evan. He stared back. Of course his stare wasn't confused, like mine was.

I didn't know what to say. He was defending me. He didn't want me to get hurt, just like I don't want him to get hurt.

Despite everything I've said and done to him, he still sees me as more than a "family friend".

I felt the urge to hug him, but couldn't. Not here, not right in front of Zoe.

The room was silent, apart from Zoe's quiet sobs. I felt just the slightest bit had for her.

"I think dinner should be cancelled tonight. Why not come back tomorrow?" Mrs. Murphy said sweetly, as she always does.

Evan and I both nodded in unison, before heading out the door.

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Published: 6/22/19
Word Count: 1034