Peripheral Vision | ✓ [NOW PUBLISHED AS HUNTINGTON AVENUE]

Chapter 18

"At which point is this going to start becoming awkward?" I joked, breaking the silence. "You two are squishing me."

"Probably right about now," Kelsey replied, her tone becoming more positive.

"What?" inquired Luke, his voice playful. "You don't want a hug?"

I laughed a little bit as us three broke apart, Kelsey still holding my right hand comfortingly. I noticed that Luke didn't blurt out another one of his 'cute' jokes about Kelsey and I, probably because he knows I actually need the support.

The three of us then made our way to the lunchroom since the bell had rung before our conversation started. It didn't take long to get there because we were a few doors down from it.

After weaving our way around large masses of people, we finally reached our usual table, where I had assumed Ryan and Marco already were sitting at. It turns out I was right because I heard their familiar voices in our direction.

"You're late," Ryan snapped in a friendly tone, then it changed as we sat down and he got a clearer look at me. "What's with Zach? His face looks like a tomato, it's so red."

"Nothing," I replied a bit too quickly.

"It doesn't look like nothing," Marco cut in. "What's wrong?"

"I don't want to talk about it," I stated in the calmest voice I could conjour up. "Please?"

"Why not?"

"If he doesn't want to talk about it, he doesn't have to," Kelsey piped up sternly, yet politely, in my defense. "Could we please change the subject?"

I gave Kelsey a grateful look as everyone started randomly talking about what restaurant they like getting their chicken nuggets at, Wendy's or McDonalds (Luke's choice of conversation topic).

Luke absolutely loves food. Honestly, it helped me get my mind off of next weekend. I really enjoy having friends at this school, especially Kelsey.

But I'm starting to think that it's a bit more than just friends..

~•~•~

"How was school, Zach?" Hayleigh asked from the back seat as I got into the car.

"It was fine, Hayleigh," I replied with a stable tone of voice. "Why do you ask?"

"Because you're my brother," she stated confidently. "And I like to ask stuff."

But I'm not her real brother. I'm a foster kid.

I bit my tongue, sort of wanting to tell her the truth, but I decided not to. She's only seven and I don't know if she'd understand. Then again, she's really mature for her age, so she might.

"Thanks, Hayleigh," I responded, giving her a friendly smile. "That means a lot."

"Sure!" she chirped, her tone extremely cheerful.

I ran my fingers across my right hand, the one that Kelsey had held earlier. I could still feel the warmth and comfort from it. I leaned against the car door as the vehicle drove off, the gentle vibrations from the engine seemingly comforting.

"Everything okay?" my mom's voice echoed in my ears from next to me.

"Yeah," I replied, making up an excuse last minute. "I'm just tired."

"Okay then," she stated. "I know you're overwhelmed by next weekend, so I thought I'd ask."

I nodded, not lifting my gaze at all. Honestly, I was quite a bit tired, but I didn't want to take a nap or anything. Instead, my thoughts drifted off towards my parents once again.