6 | Sleepover

Lunch was over. We said our goodbyes, and I started walking toward the corridor that leads to my last class. I feel a pair of hands casually grabbing my shoulder as if I'm receiving massages. I turn around. My eyes quickly met his void blue orbs. I wonder what's causing him so much pain, not only physically, but also emotionally.

The dress I was wearing was spaghetti straps, so his bare hands were on my shoulder. Touching my bare skin. His hands were so soft. Snapping out of my trance I shrug him off of me.

"Thanks for the notes. I will now pass psychology with flying colors," he joked, giving me a sarcastic laugh.

I didn't laugh.

"Anytime," I mumbled, my mind preoccupied.

He had a smug look on his face. "I'm glad you said that... because I need a tutor," he grinned, "Would you be my tutor?" He brought his hands together begging me with a pouty face.

I just look at him with a blank stare, a little thrown off by his commands. "I'll pay you." He quickly said before I could say anything.

I looked at him trying to read his intentions. I don't really need the money, and taking the money would be wrong.

I nodded. "sure but under one condition."

"Anything."

"As long as you don't pay me."

He blinked a few times before saying. "What?"

I started to explain "Well you're my friend. I'm fine. I don't need the money."

"I'm your friend." A smirk grew on his face. "Come, we'll be late to class," I said changing the subject.

I'm surprised at how good his grades look. If his grades look this good then why does he need a tutor? I turned around, giving him his phone back. "Why do you need a tutor? Your grades are good."

He let out a small fake sigh "I'm sort of failing this class. Like right now, and I can't afford to have my future report card to look bad, my GPA will flunk"

He cares about his grades after all.

I'm surprised he cares about his grades, Although it might be a lie. "Ok, we'll have a tutor section at your house on Saturdays from now on, if you want." I tried not to come off as aggressive as I could.

He smiled. That was the first genuine smile he ever gave me. It was beautiful, so genuine.

"See you tomorrow afternoon?" He stood by the door.

"Ya, I'll be coming at three o'clock sharp. Send me the address. Be ready Josh."

Before I could get lost in my thoughts again, I felt him brush his phone against my shoulders.

"You never did give me your number."

I grab his phone. Once again, I'm surprised that there's no lock. I dialed my number. My pocket soon vibrated. "That's me, just text me," I say firmly. He gave me a quick nod. I watched him walk away. His body disappeared into the crowd. I made my way to the student parking lot looking for Jenny's car. I guess she noticed me first when she pulled up in front of me. I waved back at her before I climbed into her 2010 blue Toyota corolla. I threw my bags in the back seat. She then started driving away. I pull the aux plugging it into my phone while I blast Sofia by Clairo. I think saying that I like Clairo is an understatement.

I LOVE her.

We made it to Jenny's house. I grabbed my bags in the back seat walking toward her front door. I've been here multiple times so I'm comfortable enough with her parents to just walk in. I greeted her mom who pulled Jenny in a big hug. To Jenny, it might seem embarrassing, but to me, it seems very loving. I've always wondered what it's like to have a mom like that.

Jenny quickly pulled my wrist making me run upstairs. As soon as we reached her room, I immediately jumped on her bed. It felt so good. It's like she's sleeping on clouds, yet she prefers my bed over hers.

We didn't speak, but it's not awkward. The silence is comfortable. Both of us are scrolling through social media.

After a few hours, it looked like it's about to be 6 then we heard the doorbell. "It must be Renae or Ted." Jenny stood up heading for the door.

She came back up with just Renae — Renae smiled, before giving me a bone-crushing hug. I still haven't told them that my mom is back. That's why I wanted to have this sleepover, so I could tell them together in a comfortable environment. Ted isn't here yet, I'll have to wait for him.

Renae looked around already panicking. "Where are the snacks?"

"Come on, Renae, you know you have to get the snacks downstairs. Mom won't let me bring food upstairs."

"Oh yeah," Renae chuckled, "I forgot about that."

"Where's Ted?" I asked.

"I don't know? Haha, how would I know, pff."

"No one said you knew Renae, calm down," I said, wondering why she is acting weird.

I knew that there is a possibility that they might like each other, but I know they would never act on it — not because it might ruin our friendship, but because they're scared.

The doorbell rings, bringing me back to reality. Jenny got up to go open the door. After a few minutes, she walks back to the room with Ted.

We all sat on the floor, each of us with a different kind of snack. Ted had a bag of pistachio. Jenny had a box of crackers. I had a pack of barbecue lays. Somehow Renae has chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-A. I have no idea when she pulled them out.

After a few minutes of silence, I decided it was best to out with it already.

"My mum is back" I murmur, stuffing my mouth with chips. Then everyone stopped chewing. They knew how sensitive the topic was. I could feel their eyes on me. I finally look up, Renae immediately pulling me into a hug.

"Babe, I'm sorry" her voice was already shaking.

"How long?" Jenny whispered. Renae's grip finally loosened on me. I wiped my cheeks, wiping the tears that I had no idea had fallen down my face. "Since Tuesday," I answered.

"You can stay at my house if you want," Ted whispered. We almost missed it, but we heard it. We all turned to Ted. Looking surprised — we've never been to Ted's house, and he hardly talks about his parents.

"Thank you, Ted." I smiled at him. Before they could pull me into another group hug I stood up making my way to the bathroom.

I hate hugs — I'm fine with hugging, but that doesn't change the fact that I hate it so much.

"We're here for you Z, anytime," Jenny said loud enough for me to hear.

We later decided to watch the office. It was one of our sleepover traditions. When it was time to sleep Jenny and Renae slept together on the floor. Ted was In a corner somewhere. Jenny gave me the whole bed to myself. They knew how much I hate being touched constantly. That I hate when people crowd me into small spaces. In my defense, I was willing to share the bed, but they understood me too much.

Tears start falling on the side of my face. They think that I hate my mom because she abandoned me and my dad. They think that I hate being touched because I love personal space.

When honestly they didn't even know half of the truth.