Nicole’s POV

After the teacher came back, she explained to us a work we had to do in partners to get to know each other well. I did it with Mike, who else would I have done it with? But we didn’t have enough time to finish it in class, so she sent it as homework.

We we’re walking down the hall when all of the sudden he asked

“Wanna come over to my house after school?”

I stopped walking and as soon as he noticed so did he.

“Umm, when?”

“I was thinking today”

“Sorry I can’t. I have to help my mom with some stuff around the house”

“Oh, ok then. How about tomorrow?”

“Yeah tomorrow’s ok” I smiled.

He smiled back. Though I’m kind of getting used to it.

**************

~The next day~

Mikey’s POV

I heard the alarm clock go off.

7:00am

As usual.

I got up and did my bed. I just can’t stand to see it undone.
Yeah, I know, I have issues.

I grabbed some clean clothes and headed for the shower.

I finished drying off and got dressed.
I put on a pair of black skinny jeans with a Green Day T-shirt and a black hoodie over it.

I went downstairs and smelled pancakes.

“Morning” I said in a cherish voice. Not something common in me, guess I wasn’t the only one who noticed that.

“Morning, what’s with you? Why so happy to go school?”
I heard my brother asked me as I was serving myself some orange juice.

“Nothing, I just woke up happier today I guess”
I honestly had no idea why, but I was happy.
Maybe it has to do with the fact I actually made a friend, who isn’t my brother.

Last year was tough, I had no friends, but I had Gerard who was my brother, and at least someone who I could talk to.
But this year I was really scared with him graduated and not there anymore, I though I was gonna have to be alone all the time. But lucky for me I found Nicole, and I really don’t want to lose her.

Gee served himself a cup of coffee and we sat down at the table to enjoy what he made.

“Not bad, this pancakes are pretty good” I said as I chew some and took a drink of my juice.

He didn’t say anything. I guess he wasn’t in the mood to talk.

“What’s wrong. Are you ok?”
I asked, even though he obviously wasn’t ok. Otherwise he’d be talking to me.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking ‘bout what I’m gonna do this year. With my life ya know”

“Oh, right. What happened to art school”

He took a drink of his coffee before answering.

“It’ll have to wait. I can’t leave you alone here.”

Alone.

When he said that, I’d remember everything.

Mom and Dad. We’d lost them last year, in a car accident.
I try not to remember it, but I can’t help it when someone brings it up, or anything that makes me think about it.
But I’m thankful I have a brother like Gerard, a friend.
He’s always checking on me, taking care of me. And always there when I need someone to talk to.
I’m glad we have each other.

“I’m sorry for screwing up your life”
“You’re not screwing it up, it’s always been like that” he said with a sad look in his eyes.

“Gee, seriously, I know how badly you want to go to art school. And I feel bad for holding you up”

“You’re not, trust me. I think it’s better like this. It’ll give me time to practice my drawing more, and to think if it’s really what I want. Trust me, I need a break”
The sad look was gone, now replace by a smile.
I smiled back.

“So how was your first day?”

“Great, I met this girl…”

“Ohh, that’s it! That’s why you’re so happy!”

Oh no there he goes. Always jumping to conclusions.

“So what’s her name?!” he asked getting excited.

“Nicole, and she’s just a friend.”

A friend.

Wow, I was going to have to get used to that. I had a friend. And for once it wasn’t my brother.

“Ok….if you say so” he was obviously teasing me.

“Yes, I do say so.” I was starting to get a little annoyed now.

Then I remembered something.

“Oh, she’s coming over today after class, so please stay in your room and don’t embarrass me” I told him in a pleading tone.
But god knowing my brother, he would probably do the exact opposite.

“Of course I will”

Liar.