My Boyfriend's Best Friend

by Pixie Perkins

  I watch her walk toward the store and then I look at Liv who’s unbuckling her seatbelt. “So where are you going?”

  “I don’t know…I have to get Mom a birthday gift.” She proceeds to get out of the car. “How ‘bout you?”

  I shrug. “I’ll probably just walk around some.”

  She tilts her head, more-than-likely still concerned. “You sure, Britt?”

  “Yeah, I’m positive.” I wave her off as I get out. “Besides, it’ll be good for me.”

  “Okay,” she says, looking unsure. “I’ll see you at Cup of Cozy.”

  I give her a thumbs-up. “Cup of Cozy.”

  She walks off and I sigh before trudging over toward the sidewalk.

  This will help clear my head.

  Relax.

  Don’t think about Blake.

  Blake.

  This was supposed to be the best senior year ever! Everything was going perfectly. And now?

  Now I’ll be the school’s biggest joke. How could he do this to me?

  I hug myself as I walk along the sidewalk.

  Having a self-pity party won’t fix the problem…but it makes me feel better.

  No, it doesn’t.

  I scowl when a laughing and smiling teenage couple walks by.

  Of course they have to rub it in my face about how happy they are.

  While still watching them, I bump into something hard…well someone.

  I rub my forehead and look up to a familiar face smiling at me.

  “Hey, Britt.”

  “Derek, hey…” I force a smile of my own. “Sorry, I was just—”

  “Lost in thought?” he offers.

  “Yeah.” I nod. “Something like that…sorry again.”

  “No problem, so whatcha up to?” He looks around. “Blake’s not here?”

  I bite my lip to keep me from tearing up again and Derek looks at me with concern. “Hey, you okay?”

  “I’m fine, I just…” I sigh, knowing that I might as well tell him.

  After all, tomorrow the whole school will know. “Blake broke up with me today.”

  “What?” Shock and confusion replace his concerned expression. “Why?”

  “He said we should see different people.” I shrug. “Have some change.”

  Now he looks like he’s trying to process what I just said.

  When he doesn’t say anything, I awkwardly clear my throat some. “So anyway, I—”

  “You have a problem,” he states in a matter-of-fact tone.

  “Well, no I—”

  I stop.

  Huh, I guess I do have a problem…kind of anyway.

  Yeah, I’m miserable. There is that.

  “Date me instead.”

  What the—

  “Excuse me?” My eyes immediately widen. “Did you…did you just—”

  “I did.” He now looks at me intently. “Be my girlfriend instead.”

  Chapter 3: How Stupid Can I Be?

  ——————————————————

  “Be your girlfriend,” I sputter in disbelief. “Are you joking?”

  He must be. He has to be.

  Where the heck is this even coming from?

  “I’m not joking,” he replies in a serious tone. “I mean it.”

  “I do too!” I motion to him. “I can’t date you! You’re my boyfriend’s best friend!”

  “Ex-boyfriend, as you pointed out.”

  Ex-boyfriend?

  Oh…right.

  “Ex or no ex, I can’t date you,” I tell him with a firm shake of my head. “Thank you for your somewhat strange offer, but I—”

  “Britt,” he cuts me off, “just listen…okay?”

  “No. Thank. You.” And with that, I walk past him.

  Be his girlfriend?

  Me?

  I don’t even think of him—like that!

  He’s always been a friend, Blake’s best friend. And for crying out loud, I want Blake! Why would I—

  “I’ll help you get Blake back!”

  I stop and whirl around. “What?”

  He begins to walk toward me. “I’ll help you get Blake back.”

  “I heard you the first time.” I cross my arms. “How? Why?”

  “Blake thinks you should see different people.” He raises an eyebrow. “Right?”

  I reluctantly nod. “Right.”

  “So see me. Make Blake mad, furious, and jealous.” He steps closer. “Make. Blake. Want. You. Back.”

  I consider his words. Make Blake mad?

  Furious?

  Jealous?

  I can’t, it’s not me…

  So I shake my head. “I don’t—”

  “Before you make a decision,” he’s interjects, “let me finish.”

  I sigh in defeat. “All right, go ahead.”

  “If you date me, it’ll only look real and not only will you be making Blake jealous, but you’ll be helping me.”

  My eyebrows crease. “Helping you?”

  He shifts some, looking slightly embarrassed. “See, there’s this girl—”

  I raise an eyebrow. “A girl?”

  A girl? What girl?

  Wait, what if—

  He nods, but now instead of looking embarrassed he looks unsure. “Yeah, anyway and I—”

  “Do I know her? Does she go to our school?”

  I hate to keep cutting him off, but what can I say?

  I want to know! What if my assumptions are right and “this girl” is actually Liv?!

  “Yes to both,” he replies, tucking his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “I’ve liked her for a bit and I want to impress her.”

  “That doesn’t make any sense.” I shake my head in confusion. “How is dating me going to impress her?”

  “If she sees how great of a boyfriend I am…” he trails off, “then maybe she’ll consider going out with me.”

  I smile some as I let my arms drop, because honestly?

  It’s so sweet!

  Can you imagine going through all the hassle of getting a girlfriend just to impress the girl you like?

  “If you say no, it’s okay, just…” He runs a hand through his auburn-brown hair. “Just please don’t tell anyone about this. ’cause if—”

  “I’ll do it!” I blurt out. “I’ll be your girlfriend!”

  He blinks. “Are you serious?”

  I nod, not sure of what else to do.

  “You’re gonna—” He laughs some. “I can’t believe this!”

  I look around, seriously hoping no one’s watching and the next thing I know I’m being hugged by him…which is kind of weird.

  Kind of weird?

  Try supercalifragilisticexpialidociously weird.

  Right when I’m about to say something though, Derek pulls away.

  “I don’t even know what to say.” He smiles. “Thanks, Britt.”

  “Yeah, no prob,” I reply, trying not to make a big deal out of it.

  How stupid can I be? What are people going to say?

  What about Blake? Oh my—

  “Hey, I have to go,” he interrupts my thoughts, “but I’ll call you tonight, all right?”

  I find myself nodding weakly.

  What am I doing?

  “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He grins. “You’re the best, Brittany.”

  “Tomorrow,” I echo as he walks toward the parking lot.

  Brittany, you idiot!

  Why’d you agree?

  My phone buzzes and I see that it’s a text from Derek: Forgot to tell you. Let’s keep this quiet for now.

  I text back: Yeah of course, but my mind’s thinking the complete opposite.

  A: I always tell the girls stuff (seriously, I clean my room and they’re informed) and B: I’ve been known to spill the beans.

  A surprise party was ruined because of me, presents spoiled, secrets told…

  Of course, all of this was when I was like ten, so you know—I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten over t
hat.

  My phone buzzes again and it’s Derek again: Great.

  Well, I hope I’ve gotten over that.

  Chapter 4: Pretty Pink Teddy Bear

  ——————————————————

  As I walk toward Cup of Cozy, I silently hope that I’m the first one there—but I groan out loud when I see that Liv is already sitting inside sipping her drink.

  Seriously?

  I take a deep breath and then pull open the entrance door.

  Liv’s head pops up and she smiles at me. “There you are, I was wondering where you were.”

  I offer her a weak smile as the door closes behind me and I walk over to where she’s sitting then take a seat across from her. “Hi.”

  “Hey,” she greets me back, “you’re not going to order anything?”

  “Nah,” I reply, shaking my head. “I’m not that hungry…or thirsty.”

  She nods and takes a sip of her drink. “So how was your walk?”

  “Fine!” I blurt out.

  She raises an eyebrow and I clear my throat some. “It was fine. Find a present for your mom?”

  “Yeah,” she says, still looking at me with a quizzical expression. “I’ll show it to you.”

  As she leans over to grab her shopping bag I can’t help but squirm around in my seat.

  She sits upright again and sets the bag on her lap. “You okay?”

  Not trusting my mouth, I nod—like an idiot.

  “Okay…” She pulls a pearl decorated, antiquated, ornate frame out from the bag. “What do you think?”

  “It’s nice, Liv. She’s going to love it.”

  After saying that, I snap my mouth shut…just in case anything else wants to slip out.

  You know, like how I agreed to date Derek with the hope of making Blake jealous?

  “I hope so.” She carefully puts it back in the bag and then sets the bag back down beside her, not seeming to notice my quick reply. “Max already told me what he’s getting her, a CD of all her favorite songs since she refuses listening to music any other way.”

  Max is Liv’s ten-year-old brother, and although he can be a pain…the kid is very tech-savvy.

  I smile. “I’m sure she’ll love both of your presents.”

  “All right, I’m here!”

  Liv and I (plus probably every other person in the place) turn our attention to the entrance door where Del’s holding at least six bags.

  “What’s up?” she asks, sitting in the chair diagonal from me, setting the bags next to her.

  I shrug. “Nothing.”

  “I got my mom’s present,” Liv says before taking another sip of her drink.

  “OOH!” Delanie exclaims in excitement. “I got the cutest little dress…”

  As she describes the dress, I think about Derek…his offer, and how I agreed.

  That wasn’t like me at all!

  It’s wrong, all wrong.

  I should text him and tell him I can’t do it.

  I’ll have to do it tonight, the second I get home.

  “Oh, Britt!” Delanie gasps, turning to me. “I was thinking…and how about Aiden? You know, as your boyfriend?”

  “Aiden?” I repeat in disbelief. “Your cousin Aiden?”

  “Yes!” she replies with an eager grin. “He’s always said you’re cute and—”

  “And he’s completely oblivious to the real world,” Liv cuts in. “There’s no way!”

  “Okay, so maybe he’s not the brightest bulb,” Delanie admits thoughtfully. “But he’s a good guy, only a few months or so older than you—and you guys have seen him, he’s not ugly.”

  Aiden Moore is far from ugly.

  He has an athlete’s bod, but hates sports…and athletes, go figure.

  As Liv pointed out though, he is pretty oblivious to anything but himself.

  “It wouldn’t work anyway, Del,” I say, twirling a strand of my dark brown hair. “He doesn’t even live here.”

  “He only lives like thirty minutes away…but fine.” She drums her fingers on the table while humming. “What about—”

  “No!” Liv and I exclaim at the same time.

  “Okay, okay!” She puts her hands up. “I’m just trying to help!”

  “I appreciate it, Del. Really, I do, but…” I bite my lower lip, trying to decide what to say. “I just, don’t want to think about getting another boyfriend…right now.”

  Delanie sighs. “Well, it’s your choice.” She stands up. “I’m going to get something to go.”

  “Have you heard from Liam lately?” I ask Liv once Del leaves.

  “No.” She shakes her head. “I saw online a couple weeks back that he’s moved on though.”

  “Oh, Liv!” My shoulders drop. “I’m so sorry!”

  “No, I’m happy for him,” she assures me. “After all, when we broke up that was like what…six? Seven months ago?”

  My eyebrows crease. “But you guys were in love.”

  She can’t actually be happy for him.

  “You know…” She traces the brim of her mug with her finger. “I don’t think that we actually loved each other. Sure, we liked each other, but love?” She shakes her head. “Not us.”

  I can’t stop my mouth from dropping. “How are you so sure?”

  “You know how in the movies the main girl can’t sleep because she’s thinking about the main guy?” She folds her arms in front of her. “And she daydreams about him, and he’s all she can think about?”

  I nod, because helloooo?

  That’s what makes a movie a movie.

  What can I say? I love chick-flicks.

  “Well, that’s what love is, at least I think so.” She picks up her mug. “And that’s how I’m so sure. I never dealt with any of that.”

  I can’t help but frown. Seriously, how sad is that?!

  You date a guy for months and after you break up you realize that you didn’t even love him.

  Still unconvinced, I ask, “At all?”

  “Nope,” she says before taking another sip. She sets the mug down again. “But that’s okay, it’ll happen eventually.”

  Eventually? Eventually sounds like a lifetime away…

  “I’m going to get Del.” She stands up. “Because knowing Del, she’s already got a date with the cashier.”

  I glance over at the counter where Delanie’s smiling and talking to the dark-haired cashier who’s probably in his early twenties…just a guess.

  Liv enters the picture and the cashier’s grin grows two sizes bigger, that is until Liv says something.

  His grin disappears after that.

  Being the great friend that I am, and now thinking about what Liv said makes me suddenly decide something: I’m going to help her find love in any way that I can.

  ——————

  The whole ride home is spent with Del talking about Chris (the cashier) and how cute he is and that he’s only twenty-one.

  Point for me on guessing the right age range and unrealistic for Delanie because her dad would never let her date a college-aged guy while she’s still in high school.

  After Liv pulls into my driveway, I get out of Del’s car and close the door. “Thanks for the shopping trip, you guys.”

  Delanie snorts. “Some shopping trip…you didn’t even go shopping.” She gets out of the car and shuts the door. “Come on, Liv!”

  Liv gets out and gives Del her keys. “There you go.”

  “Thank you.” Delanie smiles before going around the front of her car. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow!”

  Liv and I watch her as she gets in her car and pulls out of the driveway.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Liv says, giving me a quick hug. “If you need anything just call or text me, okay?”

  I nod. “Okay.”

  She smiles and gets in her car then leaves as well.

  I walk along our house’s walkway and open the front door.

  “Adam?”

  “No, Mom,” I say, stepping
inside, “it’s me!”

  I close the door behind me.

  “Oh,” she replies, coming out of the kitchen. “I thought you were your dad. Did you have a nice time?”

  Nice, isn’t the word I’d use…

  “It was fine.”

  “Good, ready to talk?”

  “Talk?” I echo with creased eyebrows.

  Then realization hits me: I agreed that we’d talk.

  “Oh, talk.”

  She nods. “So…in the kitchen, the office, your room?”

  In the kitchen there’s a better chance that Dad will walk in on our conversation, same as the office.

  My room, however, that’s a safe place.

  “My room’s fine.”

  “All right, I’ll be up in a minute…I just have to take this apron off and check on my casserole.”

  I hadn’t even realized that she still had her apron on.

  Even though Mom never makes a mess in the kitchen (sounds impossible, but it’s the truth), she insists on wearing an apron any and every time she cooks.

  She’s a fan of her clothes and claims that they don’t like food, hence the reason why she treats her aprons as if they’re valuable shields.

  Mom heads to the kitchen and I walk upstairs to my room, totally forgetting about my earlier experience.

  Although the pictures and the random stuff still sting, thankfully it’s not as bad this time.

  I pick up one of the many frames off my dresser and smile a little at the picture of Blake and me at his parents’ 4th of July barbecue, both of us holding a single sparkler while kissing.

  Call me cheesy, but I thought (and still think) it was romantic.

  I set it down and pick up another one, which is a picture of us on my 17th birthday with the pretty pink teddy bear that he gave me.

  I glance at my bed which is covered with other stuffed animals and instantly spot the teddy bear from the picture. Of course it has a special place of honor, because it only makes sense.

  “Brittany?”

  I set the frame down and turn my attention to Mom who’s now standing in the doorway.

  She immediately looks at me with concern. “Are you okay, honey?”

  I sigh. “Honestly?” I walk over to my bed and flop down on it. “No.”

  She walks over to my pink lounge chair and sits down, crossing one leg over the other.

  This is what I love about Mom, she won’t pester you with a bunch of questions and lecture you even before you say anything…she’ll just sit and wait patiently for you to say the first word.