BOY NEXT DOOR

Isabella

My Mom is nowhere to be seen when I get home so I head straight to my room. My window is open and the curtains are drawn.

Again.

I start to close it but then I notice that Kain's window is closed.

I need all the fresh air I can get, and there's really no point closing my window when his is closed.

I don't have any assignments so I pick a book from the shelf and I flop on my bed to read it.

I'm not even through the first page when something distracts me.

Is someone calling me?

I sit up and then..

"Belle?"

Wait, what? Only my dad calls me that.

"Belle?"

It takes me a moment to realize where the voice is coming from. Before I react, something hits my window.

I climb out of bed with a set jaw. I walk to the window, and sure enough, Kain is at his window which is half open, a wary expression on his face.

"Hey," I say, not sure how to react.

"Hey, um.." He runs a hand through his already wild hair. "I'm sorry, okay? You can go back to whatever you were doing."

I stare at him in disbelief.

"You called me here for no reason?"

"I just apologized."

"Are half assed apologies your thing or what?"

"Well.."

"What are you apologizing for anyway?"

"For yelling at you yesterday and for being weird..." He breaks off, giving me an unsure look. "Forget it. I knew this wasn't gonna work. "

And he closes the window in my face.

Well then.

Screwing my nose, I shut my window and go back to bed. I don't want to read anymore so I just lie back and stare at the ceiling.

I hate it here.

Feeling somehow lost, I decide to call my dad.

He answers on the very first ring.

"Belle!" The smile in his voice is obvious. "How have you been? We haven't talked in a while."

"I'm okay. How are you?"

"Just busy. I have a few work projects coming up so I've been pretty much occupied."

I nod, forgetting that he can't see me. When it comes to his job, I have nothing to say because I have no idea what he does for a living. He's always changing jobs so it's hard to keep up with him.

"How is your Mom?" He asks eventually.

I do a double take. Should I mention that Mom is seeing someone new?

I decide not. That's none of his business.

"She's okay."

He sighs.

"Belle, your Mom is a wonderful woman."

"I know."

"I don't like how you sound. What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong. It's just that..I miss you..sometimes a little too much.."

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart."

"It's okay. It's not your fault."

"Yes it is. You're still mad at me about the divorce. You blame me for it."

"No, not anymore. I'm grown now so I understand why you had to leave."

"I just can't stop thinking that you find me lacking. Most times, I feel like I never was parent of the year. I worry you might feel the same way."

"I don't blame you for anything. You and Mom didn't love each other. The divorce is the best thing that happened to both of you. I'd love to have my parents together, but then it wouldn't be amazing at all. It's better this way."

He stays quiet for a long moment. When he finally speaks up, his voice is raw.

"You know, I really wish we had you under different circumstances."

"Me too, but it's already happened. It doesn't matter."

"I hope your Mom finds someone soon."

I sigh softly.

"Yeah."

"How's school?"

"Manageable. Could be way worse."

"That's good, Belle. You should visit soon. It's been a while since I saw you."

"Bella?" Mom calls from the other side of the door.

"I have to go. Mom is at the door."

"Okay, sweetheart. I love you."

"I love you too."

I hang up, and I watch my Mom walk in. She has a small frown as she sits beside me on the bed.

"Was that your father?"

"Yeah."

She reaches to stroke my hair.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Sweetie, I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"The divorce. I understand if you feel like I didn't try hard enough-"

I roll my eyes.

"You too?"

"What do you mean?"

"Dad is blaming himself for the divorce and you're here feeling all guilty. It's no one's fault, Mom. It's been years. It doesn't matter any more."

"I can't help feeling that way sometimes. I hate letting you down."

"You didn't let me down. You're the best parent in the world." I smile when her eyes light up. "You can get out of my room now."

"Why are you always so touchy about your room?"

"There's a boy in the closet."

"Is he gonna...come out?"

"I guess that's entirely up to him."

Mom laughs despite herself.

"You wouldn't hide a boy in here, Bella."

"You're right. I wouldn't. You'd kill me."

"Honey, no. I'd kill him."

We both laugh, and she walks out of the room, not before asking me to meet her downstairs in a few minutes.

She wants to watch a movie together.

**

When I get to school, Jay and the rest of the boys are nowhere to be seen. I assume they're already in class since I'm a few minutes late. I overslept and had to make a rush. That'd explain why my hair kinda looks like a bird's nest.

Needless to say, I'm not in the best of moods.

The cold morning air whips around me as I get out of the car. I tuck my unruly hair roughly behind my ears, and I start to walk towards my class just as Tatiana's car pulls up. I know it's her car because it has her name on it.

Ryan is already driving out of school. I watch Tatiana as she approaches me, her shapely body swinging under the tight leather dress she is wearing. It's outright impressive how the dress clings onto her like a second skin.

She's clad in designer heels and her straight hair falls to her shoulders.

I brace myself when she narrows her eyes at me.

"Isabella, right?"

"Bella, last time I checked."

"Same thing. We need to talk."

"I have to get to class, and we really have nothing to say to each other."

"You still don't get it, do you? I'm doing you a favour by talking to you. Don't be ungrateful."

"I missed the part where I asked for a favour."

I turn to walk away, but Tatiana grabs my hand.

"You want him, don't you?"

"By 'him' we're referring to who exactly?"

"You know who I'm talking about. Playing dumb doesn't look good on you."

I sigh in frustration as I tug my hand from hers. I then turn on my heel to leave, but Tatiana is hot on my heels.

"I've been watching you. You hang out with Kain and his friends. I don't like it."

Oh, so it's Kain we are talking about?

I shake my head at Tatiana.

"He's all yours, sweety. Knock yourself out."

"Really? You're giving him up without a fight?"

"He was never mine to give up or fight for. Seriously, though, you can have him. Don't thank me. It's cool."

"I'm gonna need you to stay away from him."

"Why don't you ask him to stay away from me? I'm sure that'd work since you two are obviously in love."

I keep walking towards class. I'm already eight minutes late, and Tatiana is the last person I want to have a conversation with in this school.

"This conversation is not over! We'll talk after class!"

I ignore her.

Maybe I should add insane to the list of things I know about her.

Oh wait, I already did!

She's right behind me when I get to class. I briefly wonder how she manages to walk so fast in those toothpicks? Maybe that's her superpower?

Class has already begun, so veryone turns to look at us when we walk in.

The teacher looks at me over the rim of his glasses.

"I haven't seen you in my class before."

I uncertainly clear my throat.

"I'm new."

"Your name is?"

"Bella."

"You're late."

"I'm sorry, I.."

"It's okay. Don't be late for my classes again. The consequences will be dire."

I head to the back of the class where an empty seat is available. I'm halfway down the aisle when someone grabs my hand. I'm set to make a scene, but then I realize that it's Jay.

He is grinning from ear to ear as he excuses me to sit on the vacant seat next to him. I'm now sandwiched between him and Zac.

"Why did you come in with Tatiana? You guys are best friends now?" Jay whispers in my ear.

I cast him a sideways look before I focus on the teacher.

"I already have a best friend."

"I've really impacted your life that much? How did you live before me?"

"It's not you, Jay. It's my mom."

"How old are you? Four?"

"Seventeen, actually." I briefly glance at him. "We moved around quite a bit. Most of the time, she was the only friend I had. I can't live without her."

"That's sentimental."

"Get over it. Guess what Tatiana wants of me?"

"Something to do with Kain?"

"Bingo! She wants me to stay away from him."

"Stick with us, okay? She's crazy."

"I'd like to think I can handle her."

"You can't. You don't know her like we do. She's a mess."

"Why don't you two get a room already?" Zac glares at us.

"A little green, buddy?" Jay smirks.

"I'm not your buddy."

"No? I didn't realize we were more than just buddies."

"You know now."

"Hey, Zac? You want a better title?"

"Yeah, I guess?"

"Girlfriend. You could be my girlriend if you want."

"I could," Zac nods, "except I can't because I deserve better. You suck."

"What do you mean? I'm hilarious, I'm smart, I'm half-decent...I'm even verified on i********:! I'm such a catch."

"You know who would agree with you?"

"You?"

Zac grins at Jay.

"No, silly. Your mom, only because it's her job."

When Jay just rolls his eyes, Zac chuckles under his breath before he focuses on the teacher who is talking about that one time he almost went to jail because some student's family sued him for failing her.

I press Jay's hand.

"He'll come around. He'll agree to be your girlfriend."

"If he doesn't?"

"I'll take you for myself."

"But...you deserve better."

"I know, but what are friends for?"

Jay lets out a muffled laugh, jokingly elbowing me as we both focus back on the teacher.

I walk out with the boys once class is over.

I fall into step with George while Kain walks behind us, chatting quietly with Zac. Jay is hitting on some girl and the last time I eavesdropped, he was lying to her that he can beat Minecraft with his eyes closed.

I didn't think that was supposed to be cool until he walks over to us with a phone number and a smug expression. He's very happy to let everyone know that he may or may not be getting laid later in the evening before the grownups get home.

**

When we get to the parking lot after our last class, I notice that there is commotion. Students are gathered around something or someone that I can't see yet, and almost all of them are recording the drama on their phones.

"What's going on here?" George asks rhetorically.

"I'll find out." Kain replies before moves towards the small crowd.

Everyone parts a path for him.

He walks to the middle, and I crane my neck, watching him as he stiffens.

"He is here! My son is here!" Someone yells hysterically. "I knew he was going to come for me. He always does."

The voice is troubled, and the tone is sad but full of hope.

I peer through the small path, my lips parting in a gasp when I recognize Kain's Mom. She's clinging to him, tears spilling over her cheeks, and he is trying to comfort her.

A murmur breaks through the crowd and all of a sudden, everyone begins to talk.

I turn to look at George but he is already moving through the crowd towards his friend. Zac looks away when our eyes meet, but I walk into his line of sight until we are eye to eye.

"What's happening?"

"She's..um..unwell. Mental disorder." He stutters, then he shakes his head. "Sorry. I can't tell you more."

I turn to look at Kain who has an arm wrapped around his Mom with George helping him as they lead her to Kain's car.

He opens the back door, then he gets in after her, not before he tosses his car keys to George.

My heart goes out to her.

And to him.