Learning to Smile Again

Chapter 9: B.B.F.

Chapter 9

(A/N) Dedicated to anyone and everyone who has been reading this book. I hope that you all will still enjoy this book even after many months of no update. So this chapter is for you.

(Don't hate me. XD)

  The bell rang, signalling the end of last period and everyone filed out of the classroom. I gathered my stuff and made my way out as well. I dropped by my locker as usual and then head outside. I scanned the area and saw Oliver talking to his friends, friends he made after he gave up on me. The thought made me feel a pang in my chest but I tried to ignore that and just focused on the fact that, after 7 years, I finally got the chance to make it up to him, to be friends again. I guess we’ll never be close as we used to be, but as long as we’re friends, I’m satisfied.

  I waited for them to stop talking or just leave until I went and approach him. But they took forever to stop talking about sports, it was only until Oliver’s phone rang did they leave. “Hey Oliver,” I called out when he hung up on his phone. “Ah hey, I was just about to look for you. My mom’s here.” He informed. We left the school together and entered his mom’s car. “Hi, Mrs. Howells,” I greeted as I sat at the backseat. “Hi Chris, it’s been awhile since you came over. How are you?” I could see Mrs. Howells warm and familiar smile from the rear view mirror. “I’ve been fine.” I replied. “How is your mom doing?” She asked. “She’s managing. We’re both managing.” I answered.

 “That’s good. I’m glad to hear that.” She said. “Oliver really missed you. He came back yesterday gushing about how you were coming to our house.” She said with a laugh. “Mom,” Oliver’s low warning tone could be heard from the backseat and I stifled a laugh. “What dear? It’s the truth. I couldn’t believe my ears either when you told me.” She admitted.

Before I could say anything, we were already parking in one of the many parking spaces. We piled out of the car and entered the store. We gathered everything we needed and laid it out on the counter. “Is that everything?” The girl who looked about our age asked. “Yes,” We replied. “Paper or plastic?” She asked. We looked at each other and gave each other a knowing smile. “Paper please,” Oliver replied for us. After paying, we carried the stuff to the car and head to the Howells Household.

  Everything was exactly how I remembered, with the exceptions of a few new photos hanging on the wall. The place was tidy as usual and everything was at its respective place. “Come in, take a seat. I’ll get you boys something to drink.” We both sat next to each other on the sofa, awkwardly. “Here,” Mrs. Howells placed two glass of chocolate milk, and a platter of cookies on the table. “Help yourself ok?” She said before leaving us be.

  I stared at the chocolate milk, it was out favourite drink back when we were younger. We wouldn’t drink anything else, not even milk, only chocolate milk. I picked up the glass and drank it down. “Alright, so should we get started then?” I said. “Ok.”

  We took out everything from the paper bag and laid it on the table. We opened the can of Red bull and started our experiment.

  It took us almost the whole day for us to finish the experiment, because half the time we were laughing or doing something hilariously wrong. But in the end we got it done.

  “I’ll be printing the report out, could you stand at the printer to take the papers?” He asked. “Sure,” I replied, leaving Oliver’s room to go to the office. I stood there as the papers start appearing from the printer. I looked around the office, remembering all the times Oliver and I spent here playing around. Out of curiosity, I bent down and crawled under the table. And there it was, the drawing I was expecting to see. It was faded and it wasn’t perfectly drawn, and the words underneath it were written in our 10 year olds writing, crooked and big.

    “Chris, Chris!” Oliver called out. In the hurry of getting out from under the table, I hit my head hard on the table. Wincing, I gathered the papers in my hand and head back to his room. “Do you have it all?” He asked. “19, 20, 21 pages, yeah it’s all here.” I replied. I took the stapler in hand and stapled it together. “So we’re done.” Oliver announced, closing his computer down. “Yeah,” I echoed. “Let’s go down, I think I can smell something baking!” He said, excitedly. I followed him down and into the kitchen. “Hey boys, are you done with the project you’re working on?” Mrs. Howells said as she took a square pan out of the oven.

  “Yeah, we’re done.” Oliver replied. “Good, so you guys can go into the living room to hang out while I cut these brownies up and bring it out to you,” She said brightly, taking out a long knife. “Yeah sure,” We walked back into the living room and switched on the television. As we waited, we watched a basketball game going on. Mrs. Howells brought two plates of brownies and we ate it happily.

  “Oh man, they’re going to lose.” Oliver muttered. “Yeah, they’re not working together. They’re all too proud to pass the ball when clearly they could win.” I commented. Oliver stared at me. “What?" I asked. He slowly shook his head, and looked back at the screen. "Nothing."

  “I’m home,” A familiar voice, came from the front door. “Dad!” Oliver called. “Hey son, oh Chris,” Mr. Howells greeted when he saw us. “Hey Mr. Howells, good to see you again,” I got up and greeted. “Yeah, same here,” He replied. “Are you staying for dinner?” Mrs. Howells asked, coming out from the kitchen.

  “No,” I replied, looking at my watch. “I think I should head home now,” I said. “Oh, I see. Well, you’re welcome to come over anytime,” Mr. Howells said. “Thank you, so I’ll be going now.” I said, moving towards the door. “I’ll see him out.” Oliver said and got up from his seat. “I’ll bring the report papers tomorrow to pass it up to Mr. Coleman. So It's great hanging out again,” He said. “Yeah, it was.” I replied. I turned around and went on my way. I walked down the familiar road and made a detour to the convenience store.

  I grabbed a few ramen noodles from the shelf as well as some drinks and paid for it and left. Walking down the dark road, I followed the streetlights all the way back home. I opened the door and placed everything in the kitchen and poured hot water into the ramen noodles cup. I settled down in front of the television and ate my dinner. My message ringtone rang and I checked that it was from Amanda.

  ‘Thanks for the great birthday gift idea, my mom loved it!’ – Amanda

  ‘That’s great. How’s the food there at that fancy restaurant you’re at?’ Me

  ‘Oh, the food is really good. Wish you were here!’ Amanda

  I smiled and went up to my room and plugged my earplugs into my ears and just listen to the music play as I reflected on my visit to Olivers house. The image of our drawing under the office desk kept burning in mind. Its words echoing in my head.

'Oliver + Chris. Best Bros Forever.'