(27): Official Friendship

"Hey, what's wrong, lady?" Josie asks when I walk into the house head down with my shoes in my hands.

The car ride back with Jake was kind of awkward. He did say his final goodbye though saying he doubts he'll get a chance to see me tomorrow before I leave.

I think he was lying.

"Oh, hi" I greet softly.

"Are you okay? You look down" She observes, attempting to stand but failing miserably because of her large belly. I can't help but laugh a little and she scowls jokingly at me.

I decide to walk over the couch next to her since I'm too tired to walk up those stairs anyways "Yeah, I'm fine"

"Yes, and I'm not pregnant"

Really?

"It's just... do you really care or are you just asking me so you can get into dad's good books?" I can't help but bite back.

I might as well confront her.

Since apparently everyone wants to get something off their chest.

She gasps with a hurt expression "I guess I deserved that. I know I haven't been the ideal step-mother to you and I really apologize"

"Why did you treat me like that, Josie?"

"I was a different person back then" She says softly, tears welling up in her eyes "I was... jealous, insecure. I don't know and I just took it out on you"

I sigh "But why?"

"I don't know, Chelsea, I really don't" A single tear falls from her face "I can't tell you how much I regret it. I could see your father being affected so badly by your absence. But he thought that's what you wanted"

This is actually the first time she's ever referred to him as 'your father' and not 'Lewis'. I think she used to do that on purpose.

"But it wasn't" At this point we're both crying.

"We know that now. We're so glad you're here. So freaking happy. I know I am" She smiles whipping both our tears "This little girl in my stomach is going to love you so much. As much as Chris loves you. And she's going to be as beautiful and kind as you are"

"Josie" I sob-laugh "Thats really sweet"

"It's true, Chelsea. I'm really sorry about everything. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me one day"

I smile softly "Definitely"

I don't want to lie to her and say I forgive her now because I don't think I do just yet.

We hug for quite a long time.

"So do you wanna tell me why you were upset when you got in?" She asks when we pull away.

"Uhm, Jacob kind of told me he's been in love with me for nine years and I wasn't exactly overjoyed with the news"

She smiles joyfully "See? I told you"

So she missed the second part, after 'and'.

"I thought it was just a silly crush" I defend "I didn't know he was in love with me"

"Chelsea, seriously? Even a blind man could see it" She laughs at me "What'd you say?"

"Just that we should stay friends"

"Why? I thought you didn't have a boyfriend" She says confused.

"I don't need to have one. I just don't think I feel the same way he does" I say "I'll admit that I did like him back then but a lot has changed since then"

She sighs sadly "Well, I was rooting for you guys. But I guess it's a good thing you stayed true to yourself"

"I guess" I shrug thoughtfully.

I get up from the couch "Well I had a pretty long day so I think I'm going to have an early night. Plus I have that flight tomorrow"

"Goodnight, Chels" She smiles genuinely.

"Night, Josie" I smile back before making my way upstairs.

What a day, huh?

One relationship mended and one broken.

Everything is changing this year, isn't it? I feel like by the end of it all I'll be an entirely different person.

For better or for worse.

***

"Well, well, well she has returned" Is the first thing I hear when I enter the apartment. That's definitely Nicholas.

After a very emotional goodbye at the airport, I finally got on my plane. Dad made me promise to visit again very soon and that he'd stay in touch. Chris didn't want me to go just yet, he was this close to crying. Josie was just full on sobbing, I think it's the pregnancy hormones.

I went to go say bye to the Forrests. They were very sad to see me go. Well all except for Jake who was apparently too busy 'sleeping' to come downstairs to say bye to me. Pity. They also made me promise to come back very soon. Theo just have me one last excited 'ga-ga'.

I'm going to miss that little guy.

"Yes, Nicholas, I have returned" I sigh collapsing on the couch. "And I am very exhausted"

Last time we spoke, he was kind of cussing me out. Well me and Kyle.

"It's a good thing you came back a day earlier so you can have the entire day off to study tomorrow" He shrugs "That was my plan too"

"Great minds think alike"

"I'll be right back" I announce before getting up and taking my bags into my bedroom. They looked untidy just standing there. Plus I'm pretty sure Kyle would scold me for that.

Neat freak.

Nicholas immediately gets up from the couch when I return "Well, anyways I was just leaving"

"Seriously?" I look at him skeptically "Are you still mad at me?"

He looks at me confused "Mad at you?"

"Yeah. About the Winnie thing" I ask "Why do you leave when I'm here when clearly you were fine just before I got here"

He laughs "Chels. Just in case no one's ever told you this but I don't hold grudges and I let go of my anger pretty quickly so I'm definitely not still mad at you"

I remember hearing something like that.

"So then why are you leaving?" I accuse.

"Because Kyle said I had to be gone before he came back or he would kill me. I may have eaten all his Lays chips"

Ooh. Wrong move. He loves those.

"Nicholas" I tut laughing "You just love playing with fire, don't you?"

"What? They were right in front of me"

I laugh "Okay fine you can go. But only because I don't want to be a witness in your murder"

He smiles before crouching to give me a big and warm hug causing me to giggle "I missed you, little Chels"

"Missed you too, loser" I grin.

"We'll catch up properly when your caveman of a roommate isn't trying to kill me" He promises, his hand against the door handle.

"I'll hold you to that" I say.

He winks at me before exiting.

I know I said I was tired but I'm not really in the mood to sleep. I think I slept enough on the flight. It was more peaceful than the flight to.

I grab the remote and settle on rewatching 'The Parent Trap' which has luckily just started. It's one of my all time favorite movies so I quickly become indulged in it even though I know all the scenes off by heart at this point.

I'm by the part where Hallie and Annie are on the phone because their dad is about to get married and they need to be re-switched immediately so that their parents can reunite, when the door opens.

I look to the door and can't help but smile when I'm greeted by Kyle.

He has a book bag in his hand and headphones around his neck. He's wearing a usual brand tracksuit. This time an Adidas one with white sneakers. I had forgotten how effortlessly handsome he was.

Lair. You didn't.

"Chelsea-Anne" He greets first because I'm too busy grinning to say anything "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Ah! I really missed him.

I shrug, the smile refusing to leave "Nothing. Where do you come from?"

"The study hall" He replies opening the fridge and grabbing what I think is an energy drink "How long have you been back?"

"Maybe an hour or so" I say.

"Oh" He trails off, walking to take a seat next to me.

"So how was your weekend?" I ask, all the interest I had in the movie now transferred to Kyle.

"Fine"

"Aren't you gonna ask about mine?" I demand with crossed arms.

He sighs loudly "How was your weekend, Chelsea-Anne?"

"Huh" I hum thoughtfully "Now that you ask... I really don't know. It was weird. Up and down. Mostly up though, I won't lie"

I met Theo and Jean. Kind of made up with Josie. Visited my all time favorite diner again. Found out that I'll be getting a baby sister.

I can't complain.

"Do you want me to ask what happened?"

I shake my head "Nah. Just know that it was therapeutic, except one part of it"

Jacob.

"What? Your step-mom?" He asks.

Oh yeah, he was in the car.

"Surprisingly not" I inform him "We kind of spoke things out and now I'm excited about the new baby"

"Good for you, Chelsea-Anne" He says, sounding all kinds of genuine which momentarily surprises me.

I smile "Thanks Chambers"

"I was thinking..." He trails off immediately and I give him a look signaling for him to go on "I think we should try this friend thing"

My eyes and smile widen "You do?"

"Okay, calm down" He says looking at me weirdly. I clear my throat to hide my excitement. "And yes. I do"

"Not that I'm complaining... but why?"

He shrugs "I hate to admit it but I did kind of miss you. I made a deal with myself that if I did then I'd give this friendship thing a try"

By now I'm just full on grinning. I really can't believe my ears. I mean the guy willingly admitted to missing me! And he finally wants to be my friend.

Best weekends EVER!

"Aww Chambers, I missed you too" I grin.

He rolls his eyes amused "I know that. But anyways, do you accept my proposal?"

"I do" I whisper dramatically causing the both of us to laugh. At first I can see he's trying his hardest not to but then he just gives in. It's a beautiful sight really.

He shakes his head after "I have a feeling I'm going to regret this decision"

"Our friendship was always inevitable, Chambers" I tease "Anyways does this mean you'll stop being rude to me?"

"Only if you stop being annoying"

"You're definition of 'annoying' is pretty vague if you haven't noticed" I tell him.

He sighs "Just like- be normal for once"

"I am normal" I defend exasperated. "And by the way, people in friendships don't try to change each other. They accept each other just the way they are"

"Oh so you admit you're not normal?"

"No" I screech "What I'm saying is... I've accepted your flaws so you should also accept mine"

"This is not what I had to go through with Winona, Nicholas and Nathan" He mutter incoherently "Fine. Whatever, Chelsea-Anne"

I grin "Good"

"You're a piece of work" He mutters.

I shrug innocently "So... anything in particular that made you miss me?"

I'm just trying my luck honestly.

"I regret telling you that" He grumbles.

"Come on, it's normal to miss your friend" I urge reassuringly; teasingly.

"Fine... I missed these weird conversations, like this one, that you make me engage in. No one else does it except you"

"Really?" I ask curiously "What do you speak about with your three other friends?"

He shrugs "I don't know. Serious things that make sense. Unlike half of my conversations with you"

"Even Nick?"

"Yeah. I just ignore him when he starts his childish things"

I snicker "Poor guy. I think he's gotten to the point where he's immune to your hostility"

"I don't think he has much of a choice"

Before I can say anything else my phone starts to ring and I'm quite surprised at the caller.

"Mom?" I ask.

I haven't actually spoken to her in a long time. I keep forgetting to call. I can't help but feel like the most horrible daughter.

"Hey, sweetie" She greets "You've been quite the stranger"

"Sorry" I murmur sheepishly.

"It's okay. Are you good? Safe? Studying hard? I know exams are coming up pretty soon" She rambles to which I slightly laugh.

"Yes, yes and yes" I reply. "Are you?"

"Yep. Safe and healthy"

"Mom... uhm I come from nana's this weekend" I inform nervously "I forgot to tell you"

She knows exactly what 'come from nanas' means. I just hope she won't be too weirded out about it.

She stays quiet for a while.

"You do?" Her voice sounds tense.

"Yeah..."

"How was it?"

I bite my lip "Good. Really good"

"Hmm, okay" She murmurs. Can she, like, say more! These vague answers are giving me an entire headache.

I sigh when she doesn't add on "Okay well I just thought you should know"

"Okay" She murmurs again, sniffing "Listen, baby, I have to go now but I love you lots, okay"

Is she crying?

"Love you too" I murmur even though she has already hung up.

Wowza.

"Your phones pretty loud" Kyle says.

Deja vu, much?

I'm too down to say any of my usual smartass remarks.

"I though you came from your dads" Kyle says after a silent while "Why'd you say your nana's?"

"That's code for dad. She doesn't like to speak about him. Ever. And so we subconsciously developed a system where we both don't have to. It's stupid, huh?"

"It's... difference" He says awkwardly.

"I think she's mad at me" I bite my lip sadly.

"He's your dad. Why would she be mad?"

"I don't know. We haven't like spoken about him, well in our very unique way, in three years and now I just drop this bomb on her that I saw him"

Kyle doesn't say anything for a while "She did sound kind of down and taken aback"

"You're not helping" I scowl, narrowing my eyes at him.

"I'm being honest" He defends.

"I wonder if she knows that Josie is pregnant" I think out loud.

"How would she?" Kyle asks.

I shrug "I don't know. Maybe nana told her. Maybe she speaks about dad with her and just not me"

He pats my shoulder awkwardly "Well, uh, don't be like too down or anything. It's weird"

"You're weird" I can't help but laugh.

He sighs rolling his eyes "Can we not deal with feelings? I don't know how to do that. Plus you're a girl"

"Okay, Kyle, Ill try not to be too emotional in front of you" I laugh amused.

"Thanks"

I'm still laughing by the end of that conversation.

He makes me feel better without even trying.

Huh.

****

You guys! I missed Kyle so so much. Like I missed writing about him and their little conversations! Ahh! 😍

Did you?

He's getting so cute now, right? I like it.

Let me know everything in the comments. ❤️

xoxoxoxo.