MATT

I'm exhausted. Both mentally and physically. I decided to skip school today. My mom was fine with it, she is sleeping the whole day because of a night shift. So I slept the whole day, which probably fucked up my sleep schedule. But it was some well needed sleep. My dad finally signed the divorce papers, which helped my mom relieve some extra stress. I wanted to sleep the whole day, to my surprise, I couldn't. Devin came straight from school once he found out that I was staying home. And now, he is at my house.

"Why the fuck would you skip school. Coach is on your ass now." Devin explains to me, as I slowly fall back asleep in my bed. "Holy shit!" Devin says. I look up and notice him staring into Bella's window.

"What?" I ask getting up.

"She's your neighbour? And you didn't tell me. Bloody hell!" Devin says. I look to see Bella with her earbuds on, and she's reading a book.

"I didn't think it was important. And for the record, you said that she was no good from the start. So why on earth would I tell you about this?"

"Because I'm your best mate!"

"Like that has anything to do with this. I like her and you can't seem to understand why I do!" I yell back.

"Oh I understand perfectly fine! Probably because it's the same bloody reason I do!" When he realizes what he's said, he backs up.

"What?" I question.

"Nothing." He responds exiting my room.

"I swear to god Devin!" I yell at him as I run down to catch up to him.

"Boys?" My mom yawns, looking like a zombie.

"Sorry mom." I say as Devin leaves, I follow.

"Listen mate, what I said was a mistake. Don't mention it." He says walking to his car.

"It wasn't a mistake! You don't just say something like that!" I argue with him.

"It doesn't matter anyways! She doesn't like me back, she likes you. It's always you." He says.

"What the fuck does that mean?" I question.

"You're the favourite! My dad loves you more than he loves me! Eighth grade, I asked a girl out and she admitted that she had a crush on you, and that would be 'not okay'. Last year, I told you I liked this girl and yet you went out with her anyway. You're a shit friend. I never told you because of things with your mum and dad, but now that's settled." It takes me a few moments to process what he just said.

"You said you were over her. I wouldn't date a girl you still liked." I admit. Am I really a shit friend?

"Well you never noticed. That's the thing, you wouldn't notice if I shaved my head bald. You're self absorbed. A prick. A fucking nutter, if I have any words to describe you. You may have your perks, but once that's done, it's done." He sighs, "I love you mate, but sometimes, you piss me the hell off. I shouldn't have said what I said."

"No you had every right. I get it." I say awkwardly.

"Right, well then, bye." He says getting into the car.

"Bye." I watch him drive off and for some reason, I feel as if someone has ripped part of my heart out.

"Matthew? What on earth was that about?" My mom says in her scrubs.

I sit down at the counter and bang my head against the cold tile.

"Matt?" My mom questions.

"I've ruined everything mom. I've fuc- ruined my friendship with Devin and I don't know how to fix it." I say, dodging cussing in front of mom.

"Aw sweetie, I'm sure you two will work it out." My mom assures me. I shake my head.

"I don't think so mom. He's said that I've been a horrible friend. He's probably right. I don't know how I would make it up to him." I sigh, running a hand through my hair. What am I, without my best friend.

"Hun, I would really love to stay but I've got to work. When you get home from school tomorrow, we'll talk. I promise." She gives me a kiss on top of my head and Lizzy walks in the door.

"Bye mummy!" She hugs mom and the my mom leaves.

"Hey Liz, I'm gonna go upstairs. If you need me, just knock on my door." I head upstairs and she whines.

"You can't leave me here alone, Matty!" She complains.

"I can't deal with this rig-" I then think about what Devin said, me being self centred. "Fine, wanna watch a movie?" She plasters a large smile onto her face.

"My little pony!" She says clapping her hands together. Christ. Idea!

"What if we invited Bella?" I ask Lizzy.

"Yeah!" She says excitedly. "I can show her Pinkie pie!"

"Alrighty, lets go get her then." We go knock next door.

Margret opens the door. Her bob, bobbing up and down. How ironic.

"Hello!" She says.

"We are here for Belly!" Liz says putting her hands behind her back, her pinkie pie mini figure in hand.

"Isabella!" Her mom calls. She doesn't answer. "Isabella!" She calls again. No answer. "Would you two want to go get her from upstairs?" Liz nods and we head upstairs.

We knock on her door and there is no answer. So I open it and there she is. Earbuds in her ear, and a book out in front of her. She is wearing black tight shorts on her bed, and a loose school shirt. Her attention turns toward her door and she jumps up in surprise. Her hair bounces with her, in a bun on top of her head.

"Um, hi?" She says straightening out.

"Look! It's pinkie pie!" Liz giggles.

"Oh wow!" Bella pretends to be amazed. But to be fair, she is a very good actor.

"We wanted to know if you wanted to come back to our place." I say.

"Uh, sure." She replies talking her phone and following us.

Looking at the driveway, I remember Devin driving off as I stood there. I'm such an asshole.

We get inside and I turn on the living room tv.

"My little pony! I used to wonder what friendship could be!" Liz chants to the theme song. Bella smiles and bumps her head a little bit. "Belly! Do you know them?" Liz asks, tilting her head to the side.

"Yup." She replies.

"Really?! Who's your favourite? I love pinkie pie!" She exclaims.

"I can tell." She laughs, "I think I like flutter shy the best."

"She's my second favourite. She loves animals!"

"Yeah I know!" Bella says. She crossed her legs on the couch and then rub her thighs.

"Cold?" I question. She looks at me and smiles a little.

"Yeah a little, but it's fine." I squish in between Lizzy and Bella on the couch. She looks at me, startled by my actions. Then I take a blanket from the drawer and cover all of us. "Thank you." She says.

Liz snuggles into me as I put my arm around her. I look at the time and realize it's 8:00pm. We have been watching this for a couple of hours. Bella is sitting there, quietly.

"Want to watch something else?" I whisper to Bella, trying to not wake up my sleeping sister.

"Sure." She whispers back.

"La casa de papel?" I ask her and she nods. I probably didn't pronounce the name right.

We watch 1 episode, when I slowly start to put my arm around her. She stiffens slightly when she realizes what I'm doing. Liz stirs in her sleep and I take that as my cue to carry her up to bed. So I remove my arm and carry Liz, bridal style. When I get back down stairs, Bella is watching episode two. The episode goes by and she starts yawning.

"I should probably head back now." She adds getting up from the couch. It feels empty and lonely without anyone else here. Her phone vibrates and a Snapchat notification pops up. I can't read the name because she has her privacy on.

"Okay." I say as I walk her to the door.

"Well, bye then." She starts to exit the door. But there is no way that I'm letting someone else leave me like that. I grab her wrist and pull her into me. Pressing her lips against mine. She doesn't move her move or grant me access. I open my eyes and her eyes are wide open.

"Did I do something wrong?" Holy hell I'm beyond embarrassed right now.

"No, it's just, I've never kissed anyone before." She admits. I let out a sigh of relief. And then I realize what she said.

"Wait? You haven't had your first kiss yet?" I say startled.

"Well not until now." She says using her whisper voice again. Shit. We were progressing.

"But how is that possible? You're so beautiful and amazing. How has no guy ever wanted you?" I question. And that brings me back to Devin.

"I'm not beautiful. And not that amazing." She says.

"You are both. And do you know Devin?" I question.

"Oh, yeah." She says startled by my question.

"How?" It's none of my business, is what she should say.

"He would talk to me in class." She replies.

"Oh." Is all I say. So he lied to me the first day I met her.

"Well I should probably get going." I look up at her. Fûck. The awkwardness is unbearable!

"Sorry I kissed you. I shouldn't have been your first kiss." I say and she looks a little sad by what I said.

"It's fine." She walks out the door and doesn't look back.

Did I say something wrong?