Chapter 18|Hey, Friend! Need A Ride?

‘Jason, Bran! I want you guys to meet my new friend, Belvia! She'll be hanging out with us from now on!’ ‘Sure, just invite anyone into our group without asking us.’

Alisha Warren & Brandon Bishops.

“Unbelieveable,” Liz breathed incredulously after I had concluded my story on my day with Jason.

“What?” I replied with sheer curiosity.

“Who are you and what have you done with Sienna Hart?”

“No, seriously, Liz. What?”

Lizzie gestured with her hands as she began to speak. “Jason Macaulay, a senior and the most popular guy at school asked to help you study and you said yes?”

Failing to see the point, I replied,

“You didn't want me to say yes? I thought you'd be filled with sublime emotion!”

I watched as my bestfriend dropped her face into her palms and a second later, I heard a sniffle and my heart dropped.

My tone softened. “Liz, talk to me. What's wrong?”

She lifted her head. There were no tears but she swiped her fingers beneath her eyes. “You don't know how happy I am that all my urgings are finally paying off. I'm so proud of you, Si.”

I flung a pillow at my bestfriend. “Very funny, Elizabeth.”

Lizzie rolled her eyes and gave me a sly smirk. “You of all people should know that I'd never shed a tear in public. My waterproof eyeliner ran out last month. I really need to go shopping by the way. Go with me? Tomorrow maybe?”

I got of my bed and pulled my headband off. “I was thinking of spending time with Mg and Jay tomorrow. What about Saturday?”

Lizzie waved it off. “That's when my parents come home. Nevermind. I'll just go with my mom. It's been a while since our last mother daughter outing.”

✿

The sound of cutlery clinging against plates filled my ears that evening.

A mouthwatering chocolate cake, courtesy of Courtney who had picked it up at Katie's earlier, sat at the center of the table next to the half eaten turkey.

On my side of the ten seater dinner table, mom sat on my left side, Lizzie on my right and my Aunt on Lizzie's right. On the other side of the table were Mg, Courtney, Olivia and Jacob while the Dads settled at the heads of the table between Mg and my mom and Jacob and his mom.

Conversation flew around the table as the food diminished. From talks about fashion shows between my aunt, Olivia and Liz to talks about sports between the men and discussions on sales among Liz and the fathers.

“So, Max, Jay,” my uncle began as he paved way for a the conversation topic. He adjusted slightly in his seat with his fork and knife in his hands. I guessed his seat was uncomfortable for him. I didn't hold it against him. It wasn't comfortable for me either since the places we ate as a family were the kitchen counter and the four seated table in there.

“How's college going?”

“Good,” Jay answered. “We've been communicating with scouts from the Lakers.”

Mg smiled and his eyes lit in the way they usually for when he talked about Courtney and basketball. “If things go well, we should be signing a contract with them before the new year's here.”

“That's wonderful!” my aunt gushed as she patted down her cropped blond hair which matched the shade of Jacob's.

“And what'll happen to schooling?” Dad asked as he collected his wine glass.

“Obviously we'll study and play at the same time,”Jay answered and the table fell into a comfortable silence before my Aunt Demi spoke up.

“So, Olivia, how long have you and my son been dating.”

Olivia gave a small smile before she set her knife down against her plate, reached for her glass, took a sip and set it down at it's original spot. “Almost a year now, eleven months specifically.”

“That's nice,” Aunt Demi smiled. “Back at highschool none of Jacob's girlfriends lasted a month.”

“That’s nice to hear.”

“Tell us about yourself,” my uncle suggested.

“Well, I attend the same university as Max and Jay. I'm studying to be a doctor like both my parents. I've got a twin sister, Madison. She's studying Genre Art Academy–”

“Genre?” Lizzie repeated and the table turned to look at her. “I love that school. There's a professor for all the arts. The classes are awesome. Si, didn't we go there for a field trip last January?”

The memory was still fresh in my head so I nodded. “We did. The school was huge.”

“I wanna go there,” Lizzie gushed. “I'm glad they have business classes.”

“Business?” Courtney repeated,“Why?”

“My dad owns and runs Royal Star Hotels,” Lizzie recited honestly, “and since I'm the only child, one day I'll have to manage it so I've gotta study business.”

“Your father is Eleazar O'Conner?” my uncle asked in awe and Lizzie nodded. “I've worked with him once. Great guy.”

The conversation navigated through topics about jobs and schooling. Then finally, Jay through a question my way which turned the table’s attention to me.

“Sisi, isn't this your time of the year?”

“Right?” Aunt Demi added, “I remember you used to like ice skating, am I correct?”

“I still do,” I nodded, affirming her thought, “I've haven't had the time to go the rink yet. I've been busy with school.”

“Still a straight A student I see?”

My older brother smirked.“Taught her everything she knows.”

✿

I stood outside at my room’s balcony with a grey wool blanket wrapped around my shoulder to give Lizzie who was on a call with Brandon in my room some privacy.

The air was chill against my skin and my hair swayed gently in the wind.

At the corner of my eye, I noticed something shift. Turning my head, I saw Matt's curtains move. It's been days since I last saw him.

Silently, I watched as Matt opened his windows. He rested his elbows on the window sill.

Told you he'd show up.

“Can you meet me down front?” He asked.

I hesitated for a slight second before I nodded and I retreated into my bedroom, walking by Liz and Sky while tossing the blanket on my bed as I headed out the door.

“Hey, Sisi, where you going?” Mg asked downstairs as I walked by.

“Matt,” I replied as though that answered the question. “He wants me to meet him.”

A crease formed in-between Jay's eyebrows. “The nextdoor kid? What for?”

“I'm about to find out,” I said as I slid on my boots at the entrance and slipped out the front door.

I walked past the gates and heading to Davidson's home. As I reached the gates, the front door was pulled open and Matt stepped out in a plain white tee and sweatpants. He crossed their front yard, opened the white picket fence gates and led me to the tire swing they had in the yard.

This was strange. Matt was my neighbor but his home was strange. It was supposed to be familiar to me. We should been like those neighbors who were bestfriends then his home would be like a second one for me and mine the same for him. Instead, it is was this.

Silently, I settled in it and he rested against the tall rod it was tied to.

“I wanted to talk to you about the night at the party,” Matt said after a moment of uncomfortable silence.

“I'm listening.”

“I'm sorry for coming onto you the way I did. I–” A deep breath. “I don't know what came over me.”

“It's fine,” I said as I slid my glasses up my nose bridge. “Alcohol tends to do that to a person's system.”

A moment passed.

“You’re surprisingly calm,” Matt pointed out as he folded his arms across his chest.

“I know,” I admitted. “I'm surprised too.”

“Okay,” Matt shrugged before he tossed out a careless question. “So what's going on with you and Macaulay? I saw him come pick you up earlier today.”

I turned to stare at my neighbor, “Were you spying on me?”

“No,” Matt shook his head. I could tell he was slightly repulsed by the idea by the way his lips pursed and his thick brows furrowed. “Of course not. I just happened to be looking out the window at the time. The weather forecast was predicting a snowfall.”

“He invited me to have lunch with his family.”

“Why?”

“Because we're friends, I guess.”

“That's not a very good reason.

“I didn't know you needed a reason to invite a friend over for Thanksgiving.”

“Macaulay has a lot of friends, Sienna,” Matt said. “Why would he invite you?”

That hit a nerve. A nerve that hurt.

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“Nevermind, sorry,” Matt sighed. “I didn't ask you to come out here so I could argue with you.”

“Of course not,” I said with an eye roll as I hopped of the swing. “Apparently, you called me out here to insult me. Goodnight, Matthew. Great apology.”

Matt cringed at the sound of his full name and as I turned to leave, I felt his hold on my wrist.

“Sienna, I'm sorry,” he said,“I didn't mean that. I really do want to apologize to you.”

“And you have,” I counted as tried to struggle out of his grasp. “Now let me go.”

“I'm sorry for being mean to you all these years,” Matt blurted.

I did a double take. “What?”

“The pranks, always calling you Sierra, ” he continued, “I'm sorry for all of it.”

“Is this a prank?”

“No,” Matt shook his head. “I swear it's not.”

“Then why?”

“Because it was mean and hurtful.”

“No, I mean why are you apologizing now?”

“Because I'm tired of the games.”

“What games?”

Matt sighed. “Okay, you've got to stop with all the questions if you want to hear what I have to say.”

“I’ve only asked like three questions not a dozen.”

“Can we please just go back to the swing?”

Again, I let Matt lead me to the swing.

“The thing is,” Matt began after I had settled on the swing again, “I like you, Sienna. I've liked you since you moved in here and I didn't know how to tell you.”

“And you decided to be mean to me?”

“Whenever I wanted to, I'd back out and I'd do something dumb instead and I just got used to it.”

“You tormented me.”

“I know and I swear I'm sorry. I promise it'll never happen again.”

“I don't know what to say,” I admitted.

“You don't have to say anything,” Matt told me,“I'm not asking you to like me back. I just want us to be friends.”

“Friends?”

“Yeah, like take and text or maybe I could drive you to school and stuff.”

“I've got a car.”

“You can drive me then.”

“So we're friends now?”

“Only if you want.”

“And if I refuse?”

“I made my bed so I'll lie in it.”

“Can I think about it?”

“Of course, whatever you want.”

✿

I got up really early on Monday morning to find an outfit. Snow fell last night so it was time for boots and coats.

It was the first day of school after Thanksgiving break and end of term exams are to begin next week.

A hot shower and dress change later, I headed out the door with my hair in a neat bun, dark blue jeans, a black turtle neck long sleeve, dark blue cardigan, shin high boots and my brown winter coat in my arm.

Downstairs, mom sat at the counter with a steaming coffee mug in her hands. I glanced at the wall clock. She was supposed to be at work.

“Mom,” I called out with my tone slightly confused as I crossed the room to get a drink from the fridge. “Why are you home? Are you on a leave?”

“No,” my mom answered as she set her mug down and tucked her hair behind her ears. “I'm just feeling a bit under the weather.”

A frown appeared on my lips.

Mom didn't get sick. Her immune system was as strong as they come.

“Are you sure it isn't something more?” I asked as I made my way to her. “I could stay home with you.”

Mom reached out and smoothened my front hairs. Her fingers were warm. “I'll be fine. I just need to get some rest. Have a great day at school.”

“Alright, I'll be home early.”

“Sorry I couldn't make breakfast today.”

“Wouldn't have had time to eat anyways.” I leaned down and placed a kiss on her right cheek. “Bye, mom. Love you.”

“Be good, sweetie. Love you too.”

I headed out the door and the cold air slapped me in the face.

The driveway had been cleared of all the snow. Dad had gotten up early to clear it.

I skipped down the porch stairs and unlocked my car. I threw my backpack to the passenger seat along with my bottled drink and coat.

As I turned on my car, I noticed Matt in his yard trying to get the snow out of his motorcycle.

Let's be friends, he said.

I let out a sigh as I pulled my car out of the driveway. I stopped in front of the Davidson's home and slid my windows down.

“Hey, friend!” I called with enthusiasm. “Need a ride?”

“What?” Matt yelled and signaled for him to come over.

“Do you need a ride?”

Matt glanced back at his motorcycle and let out a defeated sigh. “Yeah, I left her out last night. Might need to take her to the shop later.”

“She?”

“Yeah, Jenner, that's her name.”

“Umm, okay,” I replied. “Are you coming in?”

Matt stared at me for a second before he nodded,“Yeah, thanks, Sienna.”

I waited till Matt came in and settled in the passenger seat. He put my coat and backpack in his lap and he held my drink in his hand.

“So, um, do you like the snow?” Matt asked after a moment trying to start a conversation. I hated small talk but desperate times call for desperate measures.

“Yeah,” I nodded, “I'm bracing myself for Lizzie's excitement. I'm sure she's going to squeal for 5 minutes straight.”

“She must really love the weather then.”

“Not the weather,” I corrected. “She's just excited to show off her winter closet.”

“Understandable,” Matt nodded. “Does she know we're friends now?”

“Seeing it just happened a minute ago, nope. I'm pretty sure she doesn't know.”

“She doesn't like me, does she?”

I shook my head. “Nope. I don't think she's even going to approve of this friendship thing.”

“Guess I've got my work cut out for me.”

“Goodluck with that,” I shrugged as I pulled into the school's parking lot. “But honestly, I think you're on Lizzie's hate list permanently.”

Matt chuckled. A strange sound that I was sure the former times I heard this, it had been directed at me. “Elizabeth O'Conner, your best friend, has a hate list?”

I let the joke go on. “It's short but it's a list nonetheless.”

Once I had parked my car, we alighted and I walked around the car to go take my stuff from Matt.

I raised an eyebrow as he held my coat up wanting to help me put it on.

“Umm, thanks,” I said as I awkwardly

slipped my arms through the sleeves.

I watched silently as he hung my backpack on his other shoulder and handed me my drink.

“Thanks, Matthew,” I said as I have him a small smile. He cringed noticeably. “Is there a reason why you're so ashamed of your name?”

“I'm not ashamed,” he replied.

“Then is there a reason why you hate it so much?”

“My parents named me after my grandpa,” He said with an expression on his face I couldn't decipher. “He passed away during my first month of freshman year. I know I'm supposed to have healed by now but being called Matthew just reminds me of him so much and how it would be like if he were still here.”

That explained a lot of things.

Before I could give a reply, I noticed Liz and Brandon walking towards us. My bestfriend’s smile was as bright as a summer sun till she saw Matt. She shot me a look and I nodded.

Message received.

Her eyebrows deepened as she scowled. She walked right to Matt and her eyes narrowed to slits.

“I swear Matthew, if you mess this up, I am going hit your face so bad that you'll need plastic surgery,” she threatened. “I've taken self-defense classes and I–”

“And your instructor will be very disappointed if he saw you right now,” Matt interrupted. “Using your skills against an innocent civilian Elizabeth? that's just bad.”

Brandon watched the scene play out with intrigue dancing in his eyes.

“Innocent?” Lizzie repeated incredulously before she let out a loud scoff. “You tormented Si for years. How are we supposed to know that this thing between the two of you isn't some big ole prank!”

“Umm, Liz,” I interrupted with my voice low. “The thing between Matt and I is friendship. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Exactly,” Matt nodded in agreement with a smug look on his face. He gave me a light pat and a squeeze on my shoulder. “Sienna and I have put the whole prank thing behind us for the sake of our friendship. You should too.”

Lizzie grifted her teeth. The movement showed through her jaw. With a swift movement of neck, she sweeper her hair backwards. She gave Matt a leveled stare as she crossed her arms in front of her.

“I'm watching you,” she said and boy, did that sound familiar.

Brandon let out a small laugh as he wrapped his arms around his girlfriend. “You know you're really cute, right?”

“No, I'm not. Stop it.”

“Yes, you are. You're so adorable,” Brandon teased as he rubbed his nose gently against Lizzie's neck.

“Well, you're adorable too,” Liz smirked before she placed a quick peck on his jaw.

“That's not true,” Brandon chuckled. “Overall, I'm just a good looking guy. No ever calls me cute.”

“Well, now I do,” Liz smiled.

“I’ll allow it but only if you let me return the favor.”

“Not happening.”

“Why not?” Brandon asked. “You’re so little and lovable and delightful. I just want to take care of you and make you as happy as you make me. I love looking at your face because it's the cutest I've ever seen and it's the one that makes me happy.”

Lizzie's cheeks turned a noticeable shade of red.

“Well, you're not small but I can definitely say the same for you.”

“You think I'm delightful?”

“I think you're adorable.”

“Alright, you win. You can call me cute.”

“Yay,” Liz said with a small squeal. She reached up and placed a kiss on his cheek before she pulled him towards school. “C’mon cutie! Someone promised me coffee!”

Brandon let out a tired sigh as he let his girlfriend lead him away.

Beside me, Matt faked a gag and I giggled. He rolled his eyes at me playfully before he nudged my shoulder and we headed into school behind the couple.

This friendship thing wasn't bad at all.