BOY NEXT DOOR

Shortcake

Mom is in the kitchen when I walk downstairs in the morning. She hands me a mug full of a hot chocolatey drink, and I hoist myself on the counter, almost moaning in pleasure when I take a sip of the sweet drink.

"I'm surprised Alicia let you touch anything." I comment, noting how fresh and smiley Mom looks this morning. "Last night, she asked if she could run me a warm bubble bath. I was shocked."

Mom smiles to herself.

"What did you tell her?"

"To not ask me that again?"

"It wouldn't hurt to let her help you out sometimes."

"Not with the bath."

She nods in agreement.

"Certainly not with the bath unless-"

"I'm bedridden?"

"Bella, you don't have to be touchy about it. She's just trying to do her job."

"I know. I just don't need a babysitter. Where is Alicia anyway?"

"She just left to see her ailing parent."

"I hope they get better."

"Yeah."

"So, you won't be working anymore?" I inquire, watching her take fresh muffins out of the oven.

"Daniel doesn't want me to work."

"Please be joking?"

She frowns at the horror in my tone.

"It's no big deal, Bella. I have worked all my life. I've struggled for so long so when Daniel suggested that I take a break, I was more than happy to oblige. I want to take care of you and him. You two are the only people I love in the world."

"Supposing he left you, where would we go?"

"First of all, you don't go into a relationship with that mentality. You hope that you're going to stick with each other. Second, Daniel will be giving me monthly allowances for my savings. The amount is ridiculous. I would never make half of that if I had to work for it."

"You two seem to be serious with this relationship thing."

"We are. Do you dislike him already?"

"Not at all. He cares for you. I think he's decent."

"I'm so glad to hear that coming from you. I hope with time, you're going to love him."

I nod unenthusiastically.

"Me too."

"How do you like the new school?"

"Honestly, it's not my type. Most of the kids are so rich and so rude."

My thoughts stray to Kain but I decide against mentioning him to Mom. He won't even talk to me so it doesn't matter.

"Every school has a variety of kids." Mom says. "You're going to make friends that you like sooner rather than later. You are a sweet girl, Bella. You're very likeable."

"I'm sure I am. Can I ask you for something?"

"Of course."

"I don't want Ryan to drive me in that car. It's too much."

"That's the least conspicuous car that Daniel owns. He was hoping you would blend in."

"It's a total fail. Can't I take a cab or something?"

"Bella, why can't you just accept that this will be your new normal? Daniel can afford it, and he wants you to have it."

"Why does he even bother?"

"You're my daughter so we are a package. He can't love me and fail to care for you. Plus, I already told you, you are a sweet irresistible thing."

I scoff as I get off the counter.

"I'll see you in the evening."

"Won't you hug your mother?"

"No, but I'll have a muffin." I smile to myself as I pick two of them from the tray. My mom makes the best muffins in the world.

I turn at the doorway to grin at her with my mouth full.

"I love you, lady."

She grins back.

"I love you, kiddo. Go away now."

*

Ryan is patiently waiting in the parking lot.

My eyes stray to the white mansion next to Daniel's house just before I get into the car.

My breath catches in my throat as I watch Kain.

He is putting something in the trunk of his car. Once he is done, he starts walking to the driver's door but then he lifts his eyes and spots me. He stops in his tracks for a second, then he does he same thing he did the day before.

He gets into his car and slams the door shut, then he drives off.

Why is he so rude? We're next door neighbours, going to the same school and taking the same classes and he won't even say hi?

Wait, maybe I shouldn't crucify him. He's probably thinking the same thing about me. All I've done so far is stare, not say a word, and be totally creepy.

Exasperated, I get into the back seat and wear my seatbelt.

My phone chimes.

I have a text.

J: Hello, puppy face?

That's Jay. I mean, of course it's Jay. No one else I know of would confidently call a partial stranger 'puppy face'.

I type fast.

B: Hey stranger?

J: We have class in twenty minutes. Where are you?

B: On my way. Be there in ten.

J: We'll wait for you in the parking lot.

B: Thank you. What's the puppy face thing about?

J: I've always wanted to give my friends cringe nicknames, but they wouldn't let me.

B: I don't mind a cringy nickname, but can it not be puppy face?

J: What is wrong with puppy face?

B: I don't like puppies.

J: I was just starting to like you.

B: This is where you draw the line?

J: Why wouldn't anyone like puppies? That's a deal breaker.

B: it's not me. It's them. I'm allergic. A puppy would literally put me in the hospital.

J: Fair enough. I'll stick to shortcake.

B: I'm neither a shorty nor a cake.

J: You're short, tho.

B: You can't call me shortcake, Jay.

J: How about hotshot?

B: Do I look like hotshot to you?

J: Not really, no.

B: Then it's decided. Not that one.

J: Tatiana calls Kain that all the time. I thought it'd be cool if you guys bonded over it.

I groan to myself.

B: I'll take shortcake. Thank you.

J: I thought you'd say that.

I release my breath as I stick my phone into my school bag.

I guess you can call me shortcake, then.

Zac and Jay are waiting for me in the parking lot. I take turns hugging them briefly. I've never had really close friends since we were always on the move, yet I feel like I've known these guys for a while. They are so kind and so accommodating and I'm just very grateful for them.

"Where's George?" I ask them as we fall into step; with the boys on either side of me.

"He's with Kain." Zac says simply, but Jay is not one to leave unsaid details, so he continues.

"Kain couldn't believe that we were standing there waiting for you. He loudly wondered if you were Beyonce or Belle from beauty and the beast."

I gasp.

"He said that?"

"Trust me, he'll come around. He's going to have to accept you."

"I'm part of your friend group now?" I ask awkwardly, and he glares at me.

"Of course you are. What do you mean?"

"Maybe I should leave you guys alone. I hardly know you and I have a strong feeling that Kain is not a fan."

Zac frowns.

"Why does it even matter if Kain likes you or not? You can just avoid him if you're so uncomfortable around him."

Jay narrows his eyes at me.

"Do you two know each other from before?"

"No. I only met him yesterday."

"Then why does it look like there's something you're not telling us?"

"There isn't. Let's go to class."

*

In class, I realize that the four boys always sit together. Kain and George are already settled, and they've reserved two seats for Jay and Zac.

George smiles at me as soon as we get to them.

"Bella, hey? I totally forgot you were coming. Just take my seat. I'll go get an extra one."

Kain doesn't spare me a glance since he's busy on his phone. There's no way I'm sitting next to him. I'd be thoroughly embarrassed if he left his seat because I sat beside him, and I'm sure the whole class would be watching; laughing their asses off.

"Don't worry about me. I'll tend to myself." I return George's polite smile as I start to leave, but Jay grabs my hand.

"Stay here. I'll find a seat-"

Before he's done, Kain turns to the girl seated on the other side of him.

"Hey, uh," He glances at her notebook which I assume has her name on it. "Jessica, right?"

She blushes a bright red and says nothing.

"Jessica, can you find another seat? You can sit here tomorrow."

She pouts, but Kain is already taking her books from the desk and handing them to her. She awkwardly pushes the chair back to stand up, and she walks away, but not before casting me a hateful look.

What just happened?

Kain moves to the seat that she just vacated, then he wholeheartedly goes back to his phone. I wait until George is seated next to him before I sit between George and Zac. Jay whines when Zac sits next to me, but the latter won't budge, so I just smile at Jay before I focus on getting my books out of my bag.

I find Jay to be so clingy in a childish, adorable way. I can't believe it doesn't bother me at all. If anything, I've come to like Jay the most in the one day or so that I've known them.

After class, George suggests that we go to his apartment which is apparently a five minute drive from school. We have two hours before the next class so we all head to the parking lot. Kain is talking to Jay and Zac the entire way, so I'm left to walk with George.

I get to know that he has been dating Jade since she moved here over a year ago and she's moving in with him as soon as they go to college. He appears to be head over heels in love with her, and I find myself wondering where guys like him are found. All my life, I've never had a single encounter to convince me that love was a thing.

In love's defense, I'm only seventeen. I guess I have plenty of time to change my mind.

At the parking lot, Zac suggests that we carpool since I don't have a car, plus, we'll be saving the environment. I'm half expecting Kain to object riding in the same car as me but he doesn't.

Why do I keep expecting him to hate me? He doesn't even seem to notice that I'm with them.

Kain opens the backdoor of George's car and gets in. George is obviously driving while Zac sits shotgun. I stand there waiting for Jay to get in first so he can sit between Kain and myself, but he seems to be having other plans.

"As a total gentleman, I genuinely believe that ladies should go first." He tells me when I hesitate.

I take a deep breath as I climb in, maintaining a little space between me and Kain. He glances at the space I left between us and I swear I see his lips part in the slightest of amused grins.

He likes making me uncomfortable.

Taking another deep breath, I focus on Jay who is singing along to the pop music blasting from the stereo on the top of his voice. He keeps getting the lyrics wrong but he doesn't care. He just belts away, his voice only getting higher when he realizes that his friends are getting quite annoyed with him.

Zac turns to glare at him when he starts singing along to the next song.

"Would you just shut up?"

Jay makes a face.

"I'm seated next to the only lady in the house. Surely I can charm her with my singing skills?"

"Charm her? More like traumatize her. I bet you your singing voice will be the soundtrack in her bad dreams tonight."

"I think Zac speaks for all of us."

Jay glares at George when he says that.

"I'm not gonna stop. What are you guys going to do about it? Make me?"

"I'll drive off a cliff if I have to."

"See, George, you can't do that. Nana is coming over for the weekend and I promised to take her to dinner. Surely you wouldn't crash an old lady's dream?"

"Jay, your Nana would be thanking me."

I smile as I lean back into the seat.

I think I landed myself some crazy friends.

George lives in a nice apartment complete with a guest room and a spacious living area. Jay and Zac flop on the couches while Kain walks to the kitchen. George shoos Jay from the couch and tells me to sit down on the now vacant spot. He sits beside me while Jay follows Kain to the kitchen. Moments later, they come back munching on sandwiches.

"You pigs! You only made sandwiches for yourselves? We are five in here!" Zac seethes, making Jay roll his eyes.

"Boy, I'm not your mom. The only person I'll make a sandwich here is miss puppy face."

"Shortcake." I remind him.

Jay makes a shocked face.

"Right. Sorry."

"You finally found someone who doesn't mind a cringy nickname?"

"I mind." I tell Zac. "I just don't want to hurt his feelings."

"That works for me." Jay says smugly.

Kain just leans back into the couch, eating his sandwich and watching Jay as he dances to a non existent song while yelling that no one can stop reggae.

I let my eyes follow the movement of his jaw as he chews. It's so fascinating and-

Kain turns slowly to look at me when he feels my gaze on him. I duck my head to look away, feeling like a complete moron.

Ignoring the intensity of his eyes on me, I focus on Jay, who is asking me if I want a strip dance.