Chapter Five

It's been a whole three weeks and four days since I last saw nose piercing boy. Forgetful me forgot to ask for his name. Again.

Oh good job Erin, keep calling him nose piercing boy.

How pathetic.

I haven't texted him and neither has he, and we kind of just left it at that. Surprisingly, neither Avery nor Reagan have bothered me too much about it either. Kinda just living the basic school life as a junior.

It's now late October and everyone's beginning to prepare for the oh so famous Halloween. I'm not

much of a fan of it. Avery and Reagan are always trying to shove me into a costume but I always end up being the mom who hands out candy to little kids. I don't really like anything about it, the scaring, costumes, parties. Maybe the candy is an exception, but other than that, I guess it's just not for me.

It goes back to freshman year, when Avery and Reagan forcibly put me into an angel costume and had Reagan's older brother drive us to a Halloween party at 10 after we collected two garbage bags full of candy each. It was my second party, the first being a beach party for "getting back to school," that I didn't really enjoy because walking around in a two piece isn't really one of my interests. I had the body, I just didn't want to be like all the girls. Or should I say, hoes.

The Halloween party wasn't any better, girls walked around in booty skirts that were supposed to be "nurse costumes," and it made me feel really left out.

After all, I was wearing a chunky white sweater, leggings and angel wings. Don't get me wrong here, I don't dress terribly, but I also don't dress like a slut. I like to stay covered when needed. After all it was pretty cold that day.

Avery and Reagan were having the time of their lives, talking to boys, taking a couple shots. I did too, except I was talking to the neighbours male dog and drank a can of coke. I guess I was just too much of a good girl, and I don't think I've changed. The least I could say was parties aren't for me.

I'm more of the stay home, watch Netflix and sleep kinda girl. Since then, I haven't been to a party. Neither have Avery or Reagan asked me to one, they just go on their own. So this year, I'm not too keen on the dressing up and Halloween party ideas. Our school is really festive which clearly isn't in my favour. So I just mind my own business while I'm at this place called school, aka hell.

It's the end of the day and I walk over to the parking lot to where I see Evan. Over the almost two months, Evan and I have become pretty close, at least closer than before, and I feel like I have my brother back. After puberty hit, he kinda just stopped talking to me, I guess I wasn't cool enough to be around him. He was popular, even back in elementary school and I stayed away, knowing he was too cool for me anyway. It did hurt, but I found friends and hobbies to keep me busy.

And here comes Evelyn. Evelyn and I haven't ever been really close. We've always been so different. As children, the three of us used to play together, but as soon as we turned 10, she started hanging out more with Evan and her own friends. It doesn't really bother me anymore, but I always get the feeling that I've missed out on my childhood.

Our parents have always wanted us to be united, especially mom. She's an only child so she never really got the chance.

"You can sit in the front today." Evelyn says, surprising me.

"Um, are you sure? It's kinda your spot." I say unsure of what she'll say next.

"Yup, totally. My legs hurt from football practice. I need to stretch them for a bit." Evelyn replies, getting into the back seat.

"Eve, the ride home is like five mins, what's it gonna do?" Evan says, making a face as if she's crazy, and twirling his index finger right beside his head.

"Well it doesn't matter, they hurt!" She screams a little like a baby.

Agreeing, I get into the front seat and buckle in my seatbelt. We get home quickly, and Evelyn groans in frustration while getting out slowly. Evan just laughs knowing he was right and yes he was. He puts an arm around my shoulder and asks, "How long was the drive little sis?", referring to me.

"Um, I think it was 4 mins and 33 secs," I say. Evan just nods proudly.

"Shut the fuck up you two. They still hurt!" Evelyn yells in pain, and right now she looks like she is in pain. Evan runs over to her and puts her arm over his shoulder and motions for me to come. I rush over and do the same while we somehow walk and limp over to the front door.

We get inside and quickly lay her down on the couch and Evan rushes into the kitchen to get some ice for the huge bruise on her leg. I sit down and massage the other leg for a bit until he gets back.

In no time, she's almost completely better. Note, Evelyn has a really good immune system and can handle pain well, at least most of the time.

Mom and Dad get home later that night, as usual with Chinese, everyone's favourite. Just as I shove my fork quite forcibly into the food, the phone beeps from beside me on the table. A little surprised, everyone turns towards me.

Thanks guys, love y'all.

"It looks like you actually have friends Erin. Good job!" Evan claps and jokes while giving me a hard pat on the back. Dad scolds him, but Evan just brushes it off.

Surprised myself, I look over to my screen, expecting to see a meme from Reagan or a pic of a cute guy from Avery, only to see it was a text from nose piercing boy. My eyes shoot open and it seems like everyone notices I feel a little uncomfortable.

"Can I be excused?" I ask trying to sound as normal as possible. And mom, gives me a curt nod before I drop my fork and rush up to my room, shutting the door awfully loudly behind me. I read the message slowly and carefully, making sure to not miss even a single space.

It reads,

Hey haven't heard from u in a while

He wanted me to text him? Why? Why me especially? Did he think we were friends?

I wasn't sure how to respond to that and I know Avery and Reagan won't be able to help, so I decide to think of a response on my own. Without sliding open the message, I sit criss crossed on my bed thinking. Apparently I take a while so Evelyn shouts for me to come eat. I shout a quick, "I'm coming," before sliding open the message with the pad of my thumb. I simply go with,

Yeah

Before heading downstairs to finish the oh so famous Chinese.