Page 51 of Don't Love the Boy Next Door
PhoenixFireBird: Good. I really have fun gaming with you. It’s like we get each other.
LiamC: Yeah.
My stomach twists as she continues to tell me how awesome of a partner I am. I can’t help it, I just really like playing and chatting with her online. Things today were so awkward and stiff between us. When we chat online, there’s no brick wall. I’m completely immersed and absorbed in her words.
But…it’s not right to lie. As hard as this is, I need to tell her the truth.
LiamC: Hey, Phoenix? I need to tell you something.
PhoenixFireBird: Shoot.
I swallow, my fingers hovering over the keys. I start typing it out, but I quickly delete it. I guess I’m too much of a chicken. I might be brave and a beast on the football field, but I’m a scared little baby when it comes to telling this girl the truth.
PhoenixFireBird: I’m waiting.
I swallow again.
LiamC: Nothing, just that I’m glad we’re gaming together.
PhoenixFireBird: You bet. So invite me to a game already!
All my fears and doubts fly out the window as we take down zombies.
Chapter Seventeen
Eric
Sunday morning, I’m swamped with managing The Rock E’s social media. I take care of it because Ethan doesn’t have the time and Cody doesn’t want to be bothered with it. He tends to avoid anything social. I smile every time someone tells me our band’s music has healed them in some way. We’ve gotten some emails from sick people in hospitals, people grieving over a family member or friends’ death, or we just generally lift their spirits. This is why I like to answer every single email and message, because I never know whose life I might impact.
But I can’t concentrate. My eyes keep flitting to Katie’s window. Her shade is firmly shut, so I can’t wave hello. I haven’t been able to get her out of my head since we ran lines yesterday. She’s so dedicated to the role, so talented with such an amazing voice. When I perform a scene with her, it’s like I disappear from reality and enter a fantasy world where there’s peace and happiness.
I blink the thoughts away and focus on the email I’m answering. But it’s not long before my eyes trek to her window again, hoping she’d pull the shade up and offer me a wave or one of her sweet smiles. With a groan, I push away from my desk and start singing one of Beast’s songs, thinking it might distract me. But of course it doesn’t—it just reminds me of Katie. And how good it makes me feel when we sing together at band practice.
It’s no use, no point fighting it. I just can’t get her out of my head. So I sit back down at my computer and search for Phoenix’s channel. Maybe she’s in the middle of doing a live stream and featuring Katie. But no luck.
I search through her videos until I find one with Katie. They’re in the middle of doing some sort of best friend challenge.It’s from six months ago, and Katie looks a little…different. I bend a little closer to the screen, noticing her eyes. They’re not sad. They’re full of light and energy, because this video was made before her mother died. Before her life changed forever.
Seeing a real smile on her lips, hearing a real laugh, it stirs something inside me. She’s so happy and carefree. I wish I could return that light to her eyes. Wish I could chase away all that pain and heartache.
“Oh my gosh, how are we failing this?” Phoenix says as they both start rolling with laughter. “This means we’re not real best friends.”
“Oh no,” Katie says as another fit of laughter takes over. “Does that mean we have to find new best friends?”
“Guess so,” Phoenix jokes, shooing Katie away. “Get out of here, ex bestie.”
“Excuse me? This ismyroom.”
Phoenix blinks at the room. “Oh, that’s true. In that case…” She locks her fingers together in a begging gesture. “Can you please, please, please be my best friend, Katie Lane?”
Katie rolls her eyes. “You only want me back because you want my room.”
“No!” Phoenix cries. “That’s not true.”
Katie wrenches herself off the chair, so I only see her stomach. “Forget it!”
“Wait,” Phoenix hisses. “You’re off camera.”
That makes me laugh, and when I look at the comments, the fans are really enjoying this, too.
