five

nolan

"Hey, Nolan, it's Melissa. I've called you like, seven times, I don't know why you're not picking up. I made a mistake last night. Please call me back when you get this."

I hit delete on my phone, and throw it onto my bed, falling onto the pillows. They're soft, and I bury my face deep inside them. Usually, after I drink, I don't remember jack shit from the night before. But this time is different. All I can think about is Piper's vanilla scent, and how angry I was when I saw Ryan dancing with her, kissing her skin.

I was just being protective. That was it. I got mad because Ryan's a jackass, and I didn't want Piper to make a mistake with him. Yeah, that's what happened.

But then I think about how she looked in her clothes, fitted to her perfect form. How she was moving against Ryan, how he was wrapped around her, how much I wanted-

No. Stop thinking that Nolan, you were just drunk, and vulnerable cause your bitch of a girlfriend... ex-girlfriend slept with one of your best friends. That's it. That's it.

Maybe if I keep repeating that, I'll believe it. She doesn't remember anything, so nothing happened. It was a stupid, knee-jerk reaction, she was beautiful, and you had her in your arms and...

"God dammit!" I shout into my pillow.

"Nolan?" My mom calls from the hall. "You okay?"

"I'm fine, mom. Everything is okay."

If only I believed that was true.

I pick up my phone again, and look at my notifications. I have tons of drunk texts from my friends, talking about how they were piss-drunk, and hooking up with some faceless girl. Then there's a text from Mike.

"Yo, who was that girl with you last night, the one I drove home?"

I type out a response: "Just one of my friends, she was passed out and needed a drive home, sorry man."

I watch the text bubble pop up, and wait for his response.

"Naw, it's cool man, I was hoping she went to our school or something, she's cute."

I read his text. And reread it.

"She's...She's a childhood friend of mine."

"Lucky you, hey, if you don't mind, tell her to hit me up."

"What about Leslie?"

"Dude, we broke up last week, I'm over that cheater."

"I'll see what I can do man."

And I turn my phone off, pushing it under the pillow on silent. I shouldn't be mad at Mike for being attracted to Piper. I'll admit it, she's gorgeous, even though she doesn't know it. But it's not just that she's physically beautiful. She is so honest and real. She's witty, and sarcastic, and the most loyal friend. She would put herself in front of a bullet to save someone.

And that's why she's my best friend. Just my best friend. And I want to prove that to her. That she's my best friend and I'm not ashamed of that.

I slide my phone out from under my pillow, dialing Piper in seconds.

"What's up, hot stuff?" Her laughter filled voice comes through my phone.

How the hell do I say this? That I want to go public, as best friends? God, I am going to sound like the biggest asshat...

"Sit with me at lunch tomorrow." I blurt.

"What?"

"Did I stutter?" I joke.

"No, but... Nolan, are you taking drugs? Because if you are, you can always tell me-"

"Piper. I want you to sit with me at lunch. I want you to walk with me in the hall. You're my best friend."

There's a few beats of silence and I hold my breath.

"Is this a prank?" She whispers, her voice serious.

"What? No, Piper, I'm serious come to the window."

I hurry over to my window, and watch as she pulls back the white curtains around her's. She's wearing my sweater. My old football sweater. I don't want to blink.

"Well?" She asks, and I bring the phone back to my ear.

"I am looking you in the eyes right now."

"My eyes are up here-"

"Be serious!"

"Okay!"
 "I want you to sit with me, everyday, to hang with me at school, to be able to meet at my locker."

"What brought this on?" She asks, sitting down in her window seat. She moves her glasses back up her nose, and I smile automatically.

"Don't worry about that. You're my best friend. And I want to be able to share that."

"Okay." She whispers, smiling, biting her lip slightly.

I swallow sharply, and frown slightly.

"But on one condition."

"What's that?"

"I say this with the greatest admiration, Piper, I love your sweaters, I do. But please-"

"Don't worry, ducky. I know."

"Thank you." I breath into the phone.

"Oh, also," I say, and I don't know why my mind wants to drag the words back into my throat. "Mike wants you to 'hit him up'."

"What does that even mean? Like do an assassination hit?"

"No, to text him or call him."

"I'll think about it. I need more sleep, ducky. Good night, well, morning."

"Bye, Piper."

I sit down at my bed again, and check my texts. Another missed call and voicemail from Melissa.

"Ok, listen here, Howard, this is your last chance. If you don't call me back after this message, it is officially over between us. Like, forever. I was gracious enough to apologize to you, to try to get you to come back. But, you know what, I am way too good for you. But I'm willing to look past that if you call me back. Come on, baby, tiger. You know you want me back. Call me back, you asshole."

I smirk, vengeance running through my veins. I click the contact 'bitch' aka Melissa on my phone and wait as it rings.

"Oh, Nolan, I knew-"

"Listen, Melissa. I do not want you back. You cheated on me with one of my best friends. And you know what, maybe try learning how clothing works, it's supposed to cover your skin, not make it look like it's trying to pop out of your chest. Good riddance, Melissa."

And I hang up as she has started screaming.

I deserve to be an asshole every once in a while. 

Take that, Melissa. >:-)

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