2:56 :: h.s

vingt deux

13:25

My doorbell rings relentlessly.
I get off the couch and run downstairs.
I unlock the door and pull it open.
My three best friends, since I was a kid, stand in front of me and tackle me in a bear hug.

"How're ya doing, man?" Cody, my childhood friend, shouts.

I laugh, "pretty good, how are you guys?"

I motion for everyone to come upstairs and they follow.

"We're good. The parties aren't the same without you." Nick nudges my side.

"Good," I joke.

Each of us take a seat on a couch or chair and Cody jumps right into the questions.

"What's your house like?" His brown hair is messily styled, just like it's always been.

My eyes widen and I shake my head, "the size of half this room."

All of their jaws drop.

"Oh, shit! How are you surviving? You used to tease me because I didn't have a fifth bedroom," Will laughs.

I shrug, "I don't know, man. Honestly, I think I like it more than this" I gesture around "it's so nice and feels homier than a giant house where I basically have my own house upstairs."

They look at me like I'm insane.

"I don't get it," Nick says, his blue eyes curious.

This is what has always sucked about living in a rich neighborhood.
If someone has a house that is a room smaller than yours, you feel like you're better than them.
So when I told them that my house was tiny, I hadn't expected anything less of them.
I'm not going to explain it to them because they'll never understand.
After a few moments of silence, Cody asks another question.

"Have you met any girls?" He cocks his eyebrow.

My mind immediately goes to Rae.
But I don't know if I can tell them about her.
It's not like they'll ever meet her.

Ah, fuck it.

"Yeah, actually." I nod and smile a bit.

"Really? You moved on from Melanie that fast?" Will asks.

Melanie.
Wow, I completely forgot about her.
I broke up with her as soon as I found out my father was cheating because I knew I was going to move.
She was lovely.
Her hair was blonde, her skin was tan, and her eyes were as blue as the sea.
Her personality was just as beautiful as her appearance.
She didn't think less of people who had less money than her.
Her dad and my father work together so our families made just about the same.
Her mother was incredibly kind and her father was always a good laugh.
I broke up with her because I didn't want to prolong the inevitable.

I shrug, "yeah."

"So, who is this new girl?" Cody questions.

I take a deep breath, "her name is Rae-"

"Rae," Nick repeats, "sexy. I like it. Continue."

"She's very down to earth, and enjoys taking walks, and watching movies, and-"

"Okay, so she's boring like you. What does she look like. And don't leave out any details!" Cody pokes, "is she hot?"

I almost laugh at the irony of his words.

No, Cody, she's anything but hot.

"She's . . ." I've never thought about her in that way. Yeah, she's beautiful, and kind, and funny, and small, and annoying in a good way, and adventurous, and thoughtful, and . . .

Fuck.

My chest aches and I feel a huge weight fall on my shoulders.

I sigh, "she's perfect."