Trapped in the Friend Zone

Chapter 1

“That’s easier said than done, especially because the boy I have feelings more is also my other best friend. At least in your case Will barely even knows you exist so you can start with a clean slate, I live next to Noah!” And with that said Iz shot me an evil look so in an attempt to save myself I continued with,” And what I meant by ‘barely even knows you exist’ is that he secretly worships the ground you walk on. Who wouldn’t though? You’re beautiful, smart, charming, ni—“

She interrupted, “Yeah, yeah, alright, you’re forgiven, let’s just not make a habit of insulting me okay? I’m in a very fragile state right now as you know my family’s been going through a bit of rough time so I think you should just be warned that if I have any emotional breakdowns this week it’s perfectly normal.”

“Iz, your Mom and Dad refusing to buy you a car does not mean you’re going through a rough time. There are plenty of people out there that do not have cars and they’re older than you! I think that once you prove you’re responsible, they might be willing to have a change of heart.” I told her.

She scoffed in response and shook her head back at me. “I’m very responsible, I don’t know what you people are talking about. Just yesterday, I came down into the kitchen and I put out a fire I saw burning on the stove. Instead of running around like some crazed serial killer was after me, I responsibly got the fire extinguisher and extinguished the fire. Now if that’s not responsibility in action, I don’t what is!”

“You mean the fire you started when you put some noodles in a pan to boil and then went to go take a shower? If you’re trying to make a case towards your parents, I beg you not to use that one,” Iz tried to open her mouth to make a defense statement, but before she could I cut her off with,” also don’t use the time you tried to save the bird from being electrocuted incident. You should have known that when birds land on top of utility poles, they aren’t going to be electrocuted! You should also know that they have enough balance to not topple over!!” 

“You know what? I don’t appreciate your attitude with me lately. You’re supposed to be a good best friend and support me when I have crazy ideas, not pull me back into sanity. Goodness, sometimes you are so boring!” She remarked.

“Oh I know, Em can be a real bore sometimes! I definitely agree with you there.” Replied a deep, masculine voice that sent shivers down my spine. I then whirled around on the heels of my feet, and shot Noah a look that said Oh-if-you-weren’t-so-irresistibly-cute-then-I-would-so-kill-you-right-now, but he probably read it as, you-are-annoying. As you can see, sometimes there are communication failures between Noah and I. Maybe that’s why I have such trouble being around him… 

“You think you’re just some big shot cool guy, don’t you Noah Woods? Well, newsflash you’re really not! And just because I’m in love with you doesn’t give you the right to think you’re the greatest thing since chocolate!” I declared. Well, at least in my mind that’s what I said, I’m not entirely sure that’s exactly what came out. It may have sounded more like this, “Makd odne downdkw, I love you…” However, I can’t be sure that came out either, I might have just stared at him for the next ten minutes looking like an idiot before I realized that I was staring and drool was dripping onto the floor…

Iz nudged me in the shoulder as Noah questioned “Em? You okay? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”

Finally back on the roller coaster of reality I mustered up a witty reply of, “ Oh you know, just too tired out from running away from my many admirers!” And then I slapped myself on the forehead and thought to myself, oh yeah so witty! Next to me however, Iz was having no trouble whatsoever realizing what an idiot I was. She was laughing like there was no tomorrow, and I’m pretty sure tears were coming out too. 

“Err, okay? Didn’t realize you had any actually,” Noah told me almost thoughtfully. 

“Gee thanks man, it's good to know I’m loved.” I muttered.

“Aw shit Em, you know I didn’t mean it that way!,” He then gathered me into a tight hug and whispered,” You know that you’re the bestest person in the world and you cheer up my dull, boring, dreary life with your insanely cool personality, and sometimes I just wish I could be the guy version of you because you’re so cool! I wuv youuuuu!!”

“Crushing-lungs-can’t-breath,” I tried to say. Talking while your lungs are being crushed is actually a lot harder than it sounds.

He let go while a took a huge breath and said, “Haha, sorry ladybug! I keep forgetting you’re so small and fragile.” He then patted my head and said,” how tall are you? Like four foot nine?”

“I’ll have you know that I’m five foot two and damn proud! And I do not appreciate the comments on my height thank you very much! It’s not my fault you’re a giant.” I retorted

Noah chuckled and then slung a muscled arm around my shoulder and with a smirk on his face chuckled, “alright ladybug, whatever you say…why don’t we just get you class, miss advanced placement?”