My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 3

I sat on the bleachers waiting for Will to drive me home. My heart felt like lead and my bones were frigid.

I saw him and he saw me.

I flipped through my phone trying to keep myself busy but God, I felt so stupid!

Will came and I followed him.

"Tough game, huh?" I said trying to make conversation.

"Yeah, tough day too," Will said. "Mom wants me to go to an in-state university so she can make sure I'm actually studying."

I laughed with him.

"Knowing mom, she'll visit you on campus everyday," I said.

"While making sure you keep your grades up," he added.

I smiled as I entered the car.

"Where's your friend?" I asked.

"Who? Drew?" Will asked while backing out of the parking lot.

"Yeah."

"I lost him after the game," he said simply.

As much as I wanted to press on for more information, I just sat quietly holding on to a string of hope. Maybe I'll get a note back...

Drew

The cashier handed me the box of chocolates that was delicately wrapped and tied with a ribbon.

"Thank You," I said.

"Would you like a card?" she asked.

"Uh, sure, yeah, okay," I rambled.

The cashier smiled and added it to the bill.

After my unfortunate encounter with Alison, the first thing I thought about was what Lauren was thinking when she saw me then I thought about chocolate.

Once she got her hands on these, then maybe she'd hear me out.

I took the box of chocolates and card started to drive. I pulled into Will's driveway soon after.

I knocked on the door and expected Will to answer.

"Lauren," I said when I saw her.

"Drew," she huffed out surprised.

"May I come in?" I asked.

"Sure," she said letting me in.  "My brother's in the shower but I can tell him you're down here."

"Wait," I said before she tried to head upstairs. "I, uh, brought something for you."

I took out the box of chocolates with the card on the top.

I held it out but she didn't take it.

"Drew," she began "I don't think--I don't know if I can accept that"

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because I've had some time to think and this isn't a good idea," she said.  "It's just--you're my brothers friend and..."

"Yeah," I said nodding "that's totally understandable."

She looked at me apologetic.

I handed her the box of chocolates and she hesitated at first then accepted the box of chocolates.

I walked towards the door and she stood behind me watching.

I turned around and said,"Will doesn't have to know I was here."

She nodded, "Then he won't."

I took a deep breath and caught one last glimpse of her before I left.

Lauren

I set the box of chocolates on the kitchen counter and read the label: Chocolat au Lait. I recognized the label from the chocolate shop on Gerald Boulevard.

I also notice a card neatly attached on top of the gift.

On the front it said: Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get.

I curiously open the card and a yellow post-it flew out.

I picked it up and read:

I wouldn't have minded buying you diamonds.

-D

Underneath it there was a ten digit number.

I just stared at the number for a while unsure of what to do then I gathered the card, chocolates, and note upstairs.

I headed for the stairs and ran into Will.

"Woah," he said.  "Who was here?"

"No one,"I said.

"Really? Okay, well I'm headed out so there's pizza money in the piggy if you get hungry."

"Alright," I said.

"Lock up," he shouted out before he left.

I slumped down on the couch as soon as he left and opened the chocolate box. Inside lied twenty pieces of pure perfection.

I automatically thought of Drew and I knew I wanted him but couldn't have him and he had to know that.

I looked at the card again and at the number.

I dialed the number and heard it ring then I hung up.

Soft knocking on the front door raised my attention.

I walked to the door cautiously and asked,"Who is it?"

There was no answer.

I opened the door slowly and and said, "Hello?"

There was no one there.

I prepared to close the door and noticed an envelope on the mat.

I took it and raced back into the house.

My name was on the front of the envelope.

I opened it and smiled. It was a letter inside from my sister.