The Best Friend: A Young Adult Romance Story

by Ally Williams

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  Copyright © 2017 by Ally Williams

  All Rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of required fees you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this book. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known, hereinafter invented, without express written permission of BLVNP Inc. For more information contact BLVNP Inc. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content. This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

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  DISCLAIMER

  This book is a work of FICTION. It is fiction and not to be confused with reality. Neither the author nor the publisher or its associates assume any responsibility for any loss, injury, death or legal consequences resulting from acting on the contents in this book. The author’s opinions are not to be construed as the opinions of the publisher. The material in this book is for entertainment purposes ONLY. Enjoy.

  The Best Friend

  By: Ally Williams

  ISBN: 978-1-68030-896-9

  ©Ally Williams 2017

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Epilogue

  To my mom for never giving up on me. Thank you for having my back and supporting me, even though the roughest of times.

  To my readers, thank you. A million times thank you. I wouldn’t be where I am if it weren’t for all of you. I’m forever in your debt.

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  Chapter 1

  Elsie

  Times like this with the one I hold close to my heart are my favorite. It’s just the two of us hiding away to watch our monthly movie together like we’ve been doing for years.

  “What are we watching?” His husky voice pulls me out of a daydream. I see him stroll towards the sofa with a clear bowl in his hand that’s filled to the brim with popcorn—with extra butter, just how he likes it.

  The slightest of smiles graces my lips as I watch him plop down on the leather couch next to me, nearly spilling a few kernels in the process. “I don’t know? You picked it before you went to the kitchen.”

  He whips his head around to send me a smile, sneaking in a wink as he sits the bowl down between us. He tops it off by propping his feet up on the coffee table while simultaneously pulling some of the fluffy blanket over his body.

  The movie is one we’ve both seen a thousand times, but it doesn’t matter. I’m content just being able to spend this time with him. Lately, I haven’t seen much of those verdant eyes, and I’ve missed it. Despite trying to understand to the best of my ability that he has a girlfriend and she’s important to him, it still hurts knowing I’m the second choice.

  It should have gotten easier over the years. Ever since he started having crushes on girls, I’ve become less and less of an important factor in his life.

  “You’re staring.” Hayden points out, lips curling at the corner and tossing a piece of popcorn in his mouth.

  “Observing.” I correct, trying not to let my breath hitch when I feel the skin of his arm brush mine. “I’m observing.”

  He’s worth observing. Chestnut waves sit messily on top his head, a tendril or two falling in his line of vision every now and then. His olive skin glows, and he has dimples on his cheeks.

  “We’re still going to see that new movie in a few weeks, right?” He wonders, squinting in curiosity as he scoots the bowl closer to me, offering it up since I haven’t even glanced at it.

  “Of course.” I tuck my legs under me, tuning to the television that reflects light throughout the dim living room.

  “Good,” he mumbles, and out of the corner of my eye, I can still see the grin.

  Only minutes in, he fidgets before huffing in irritation. Hayden takes the popcorn bowl to move it elsewhere so he can scoot to the middle cushion and grab my legs to rest on his lap while I allow my head to rest on his shoulder.

  The pitter-patter of feet coming down the stairs reels in our attention. We both peer over to see my mother emerge around the corner with her nine-month pregnant belly—ready to pop at any moment—followed by my stepdad who holds my five-year-old brother, Wylie, on his hip.

  “Hayden, it’s good to see you, sweetie!” My mother coos as she grabs his outstretched hand to help him up, embracing him a warm hug while I try my best to not let my smile falter at the mention of his absence.

  Hayden chuckles, pulling back to give her a once-over. “Hello, Lori. It’s good to see you too, and looking absolutely beautiful.” A blush rises on her cheeks, and I snicker, rolling my eyes.

  He can make anyone swoon just at the sight of him, let alone when he opens his mouth to speak.

  Gabe, my stepdad, scoffs playfully. “I can’t believe I have to compete with an eighteen-year-old boy.” He places Wylie down on my lap before standing next to my mother, unnecessarily puffing out his chest.

  “No competition.” Hayden plops himself back down, tugging my legs to their previous position. “I’ve already got my Archer girl.” He hauls me closer with an arm around my neck. Wylie climbs over the both of us to sit on the other side of him.

  I try to hide the pink tint rising to my cheeks, and my stomach flutters aggressively while I avoid my mother’s gaze, but I know I fail miserably.

  She sees the way I look at him like he has personally hung the stars in the sky.

  “Soon to be Johnson.” Gabe corrects, proudly showing off my mom’s hand wit
h the shining ring he proposed to her with a year ago.

  Gabe has been treating my mom like a princess for three years now, and I can’t be more grateful. He’s been the fatherly figure I’ve needed, and there isn’t a single way I’ll be able to repay him for not pushing himself upon me. He knew my father’s death was hard, not to mention it only happened months after Wylie was born.

  Hayden’s brows furrow before his face is lit up by the screen of his phone as he intensely reads and tunes out our conversation. Wylie places his little hands on Hayden’s shoulder, peeking at his phone with an innocent expression, not understanding a single thing.

  My mom smiles lovingly at her soon-to-be-husband before asking, “Are we interrupting the monthly movie session?”

  “No, you guys are okay. We’ve seen this movie before.” I flinch when Wylie pinches my sock-covered feet, giggling to himself.

  Gabe scoops my little brother up. “Stop bullying your big sister.” Wylie smiles mischievously, clasping his hands together. “Let’s go get some coco pebbles, yeah?”

  Wylie throws his hands up in the air, nearly whacking Gabe as he cheers. “Yay!”

  “Yay,” my mother and Gabe echo far less enthusiastically.

  Settling into the couch again, I see Hayden still on his phone, fingers moving a mile a minute to type. “Is everything okay?” I query apprehensively, shifting my leg under one of his hands when I feel my stomach sink.

  “Oh, uh, yeah…” He clears his throat and looks up briefly like he forgot I’m sitting next to him. He manages an uneasy smile, and I raise my brows, not convinced. A few more seconds tick by before he sighs in defeat, locking his phone. “Abby called me a few times and then texted me when I didn’t pick up.”

  Just the mere mention of his girlfriend makes me feel sick to my stomach with nerves because I know the path this is heading down. “Okay?”

  He dodges eye-contact, suddenly standing, which causes my legs to fall from his lap and onto the floor. I frown, moving to stand up as well while Hayden pats his pockets to make sure he has everything. “I have to go.”

  “Is she okay? Did something happen?” I question, hiding my disappointment, hoping it doesn’t seep through.

  “No, she’s fine.”

  Glancing at the clock, I say aloud, not meaning for it to slip past my lips, “It’s nearly eleven, and we haven’t even finished the first movie.” I surely didn’t mean to sound as somber as I did, but we’ve never once canceled movie night, not even if one of us were on our deathbed. We still made it happen.

  Of course, there had been times when he ditched me because something else came up with his significant other, but this is important to me—to us. Or so I thought.

  His shoulders droop before they lift in a careless shrug. “I know, but she wants to see me.” He can’t even see the amount of hurt that’s weighing me down, and it’s pushing me to be one step closer to giving up on this.

  “I want to see you because I feel like I barely do anymore.” I nibble on my bottom lip, not wanting to sound whiny or needy, but I need him to understand. I always put myself in his shoes to try seeing things through his eyes, but he never does the same for me.

  I’m afraid of losing him, and he doesn’t even notice.

  He looks almost guilty for a second. Almost. “I don’t really know what to say.”

  “Neither do I.” I sigh, my heart cracking a little more. “Don’t forget to lock the front door on your way out, please.” Collecting the blanket from the couch, I feel his stare, but I ignore it, brushing past him.

  “Elsie…” He reaches out to hold my wrist, gently tugging me back. “Please don’t be mad at me,” he pleads, irises holding an emotion I can’t decipher.

  Sliding my arm out of his grip, I hold the blanket closer to my chest, shaking my head lightly. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

  With that, I disappear into my room, collapsing on my bed from complete exhaustion. I cringe when I hear the slam of the front door and the start of his engine before he speeds down the road.

  He’s probably angry, but that’s okay. I can’t find it in me to care at the moment. Sometimes he can make me feel so unwanted by ditching almost every plan we make to spend time together. Or worse, we actually see each other, and then she pulls him away from me, like tonight. It makes me feel pathetic. I hate missing him, but he isn’t mine in that way.

  Hayden used to promise he would always be mine first, but I can’t help but think that things have changed.

  Chapter 2

  Elsie

  On a random surge of confidence that I have somehow convinced myself I’m full of, I decide I’m not going to mope around my house, on a nice Sunday evening, due to a deplorable and seemingly inconvenient friendship.

  After bidding my family goodbye, promising to be back for dinner, I throw a black beanie over my unmanageable hair before walking out the front door towards the town center. The fall breeze nips at my honey-colored skin and blows my dark tendrils behind my shoulders. It’s enjoyable. It gives me time to think.

  I pull the large sweater closer to my body, sending small smiles to anyone I pass on the way and listening to the satisfying sounds of dead leaves on the sidewalk crunching beneath my boots.

  Green Pine is a fairly small town but not utterly tiny to the point that it’s only farm land with hardly any population. It’s big enough to know most people but not all. I’ve enjoyed living and growing up here. I haven’t felt the need to rush out and leave as soon as possible; I’m content at the moment.

  Admittedly, not knowing some sort of plan or path for my future after high school is absolutely terrifying. Senior year is only a month in, and most of my classmates have already been accepted into the college they’ve always dreamt of while I haven’t once thought about it.

  This is not what my walk was supposed to be. I didn’t want to pile on more stress than needed. Inhaling the fresh outside air around me, I look around my surroundings and see most houses have their Halloween decor out already, bright orange pumpkins scattered about.

  Forcing my brain to just stop thinking altogether—about college, my family, him—I continue to trudge along, kicking a rock or two. However, it’s harder said than done. It’s tough realizing that sometimes I care more about him than he does about me, and it’s obvious he doesn’t reciprocate my feelings.

  Hayden can make me feel isolated as if he’s the only person I want to be around even though I have other friends; I do. Anthea and I met sophomore year in our photography class and immediately got along; our humor makes us a perfect pair. She’s great, but she’s not him.

  He’s been there for as long as I can remember, in every memory, and I know I don’t want that to change, no matter how much it pains me to keep him at arms’ distance.

  He was the one to cover my eyes when my mother gave birth to Wylie, knowing I get queasy at the sight of blood. He held me close and never left my side for so many months after my father passed, wiping away my tears and snuggling me close in hopes of mending my heart.

  He’s just always been there for me, but in the past year, there has been a noticeable shift.

  My incessant thoughts are interrupted when I hear multiple dings from my phone. I slip it out of my back pocket and read the texts.

  Hayden: I’m so sorry, Elsie…I feel like absolute shit when you’re mad at me.

  Hayden: Let me make it up to you, please?

  Hayden: After school tomorrow, me & you at your favorite pizza parlor and then we can have that movie night. You’ll have me the whole day.

  Hayden: Miss you. xx

  Sighing aloud with the shake of my head, I put my phone back without replying, leaving him on read. He knows I’ll forgive him. When do I not? I let him hurt me and then practically beg him to do it again because I always move on at the snap of a finger. I allow him to worm his way back into my heart time and time again.

  It makes my entire body ache to know that he’ll always pick his girlfriend over me when I’m the
one who knows him better than anyone. I’m always there to hold him when he gets his heart broken. I spent every second with him for months after his parents got a divorce because he thought it was his fault, but that doesn’t change anything in his eyes.

  Sounds of dogs barking and kids squealing and laughing fills my ears as I approach the local park and stroll through the open field. The green grass squishes under my shoes. I halt, feeling something hard smack against my boot, and I almost trip before I balance myself.

  Glancing down, I notice the football at my feet. I look back up to check my surroundings and bend down to scoop it up. I notice a shirtless boy jogging my way with a killer smile, leaving his friends behind to watch.

  With an eyebrow raised, I take a couple steps forward, shamelessly admiring the sweat glistening against his slightly tanned and toned body. His athletic shorts are slipping further down with each step, but unfortunately, he comes to a stop before they fall off completely.

  “Do you guys ever stop playing football, Nick?” I ask in amusement, coming face to face with his startling blue eyes that remind me of clear seawater.

  Nick Myers. Captain of the football team and a total sweetheart. I’ve known him since pre-k, and he’s always been the same goof for as long as I can recall, but girls still worship at his feet. Some have nearly begged him to date them, and I’ve witnessed it first-hand. Although, he’s never been the one to date around. In his words, he’s waiting for the right girl to sweep him off his feet.

  “I’ve got to stay in shape, or I’ll lose my touch, Elsie.” He beams, placing his hands on his hips, chest rising and falling at a fast pace.

  “I don’t think that’ll happen, ever.” I scoff, tossing the ball around in my hands. “You’re the glue that keeps that team together. I honestly don’t know what they’re going to do when you graduate.” Other than him, I don’t know of anyone else who has a full ride to Princeton on a football scholarship.