"And then what happened?!" Natalie asks as I catch her up about what happened with Andrew. "Nothing," I reply, "I kept waiting for the bomb to drop,but she didn't even ask us to stay behind." I told her mostly everything,but I didn't tell her in depth about Andrew's situation,and only labled it as 'some family problems'. I know what it's like to be in the same boat as him,so I know how secretive people like us tend to be: we keep to ourselves. "Well,I'm so grateful you guys survived!" the drama queen replies,"Now if you'll excuse me,I have a bio-test to study for." "I told you,if you had prepared two weeks ago,it wouldn't have been necessary to study it today," I reply smiling,to which she responds with an eye roll,saying 'that she needed her beauty sleep' and she 'prefers to have a life'. She then runs to her mom's car and waves goodbye as they drive by.
I walk along the fence,and on my way to the busstop,I come across James,one of my best friends. "Hey Elle," he says as he embraces me. "Hey James,long time no see!"I reply.
James and I go way back,since my mom and his mom have been best friends since college. We literally grew up together. I have lots of memories of us climbing trees,randomly knocking on people's doors in the middle of the night and always being at each other's birthday parties. Since he is a few years older,he's always had this protective instict over me,so whenever I needed help,James was the one person I could call.
"What are you doing in town? I thought you weren't gonna be back until summer vacation?" I ask. "Well I wanted to tell you I was coming,but you're mother had sworn me to secrecy,saying that she wanted it to be a surprise," he says laughing,"so..surprise!". "Yep,that's my mom,alright," I say joining him. "So I guess this means I'll be riding with you…?" I look at him smiling,swinging my shoulders. "You think my mom would let me live if you took the bus?" he says as he opens the car door. "Yeah…I doubt it," I say while getting in. He closes the passenger door and walks to the other side. He nearly gets scared to death after I blow the horn,pointing at me in a 'I'm watching you' manner.He then gets in and we drive off.
"So how have you been Elle?" James asks. "Met any 'cute boys' yet?" He says in a mocking,high pitched voice. I playfully punch him and then jokingly roll my eyes,responding with, "Even if I have,you'd be the last person to know." "Aww you just hurt my feelings," he says,acting sad,causing me to burst out in laughter. The trip mostly consisted of James' dumb jokes and pickup lines,which made time pass by quickly.
James stops in front of my house,leaning over me to open the door from the inside. "Your stop,milady," he says making a little hand movement."Oh,you're not coming in?" I ask. "No,I got a few things I have to take care of,but I'll stop by tomorrow,though," he says giving me a reassuring smile. "Oh,all right,I shall see you tomorrow then,kind sir," I say in character then start laughing. I get out and close the door.
***
James sits in the car,watching Lacey close the door. "Oh Elle,if you only knew," he whispers underneath his breath,then drives off.