Alstroemeria - Friendship

Donovan

It was 4 o'clock in the afternoon and I wasn't ready to go home. I think I got too comfortable. Jeremy and I were sitting on his bed watching "Rick and Morty". He sat under his bedspread while I sat above it. The lights were turned off and the room was filled with his laughter. Something that I didn't get to hear a lot. I've never had a moment, where I went over to a friends house to hang out. I don't want this to ever end. I like this feeling too much.

I'm so pathetic.

I feel as if I try too hard because I've never had this before. What if he's just pretending to like me? What if he pities me?

I inwardly groaned. I shuffled my sock-clad feet on the bed. My entire attire represented my thoughts. Football socks, one of Jeremy's t-shirts, pyjama pants and a hoodie. His bedroom is so so cold. I needed the hoodie as extra protection.

His clothes were very big on me, so they helped to keep me warm. Jeremy finally found an appetite and he ate three slices of the cake. He was now munching on a bag of chips and soda, with another piece of cake next to him.

I didn't feel like eating anything, so I just watched him. He didn't seem as sad as he was when I first came. Even when he smiles at me, his sad eyes give away his true feelings. Beautiful green eyes, that always lose their colour.

"I think the show is more interesting than my face." He didn't look away from the tv while saying this.

"I disagree. I like your face. I think it's the freckles."

"You can't see my freckles in the dark."

"They're like stars. They're more noticeable in the dark."

"Donovan, you know that doesn't make any sense. Are you trying to be poetic?" He chuckled and shoved more cake into his mouth. I felt a jolt of excitement and happiness knowing that he was enjoying the cake I made.

"I don't even notice. I realize that I say stupid things sometimes."

"No way. You say some of the most poetic things I've ever heard. I always feel insecure about my freckles because I have so many of them. Your compliments have really helped me. You once told me that they reminded you of constellations. That was honestly the sweetest thing anyone has ever told me," he said all of this while chewing with his mouth open and I couldn't be anymore enthralled.

Jeremy usually looked so prim and proper in school. His dark brown hair was cut on the sides and he brushed it forward. His uniform always stayed tucked in and his black Air Max were always clean.

Now, Jeremy's hair had grown out. Loose curls fell on his forehead. He wore a hoodie and sweats with socks.

"Yeah," I breathe out, looking at everything but him.

Maybe it was time for me to watch the tv. The sound of the bag of chips closing, made me redirect my attention to him. He put the bag on his bedside table, the empty plate and the soda. He lied on his back and yawned.

"This is one of my happiest days. I don't get much of those."

I didn't know what to say. He moved his body closer to mine and snuggled up to my stretched legs.

"I need to sleep. Just give me five minutes. Don't go okay?"

"I won't."

He closed his eyes and he instantly fell asleep. I've never seen anyone fall asleep so quickly. I turned off the tv and lied down as well. Jeremy moved closer to me and I didn't mind. I knew I should have minded. Two guys laying in a bed is very uncanny. My phone started to ring and it startled me and him. He grumbled something, hugged me tightly, then went back to sleep. I silently gasped by our sudden closeness.

"Hello?"

"Did you find a new home?" My mother didn't sound too pleased.

"He liked the cake."

I could see her rolling her eyes. "That's great and all, but it's like you don't even love me anymore. You've been there all day and I thought that you'd call me, but you never did."

"You're being dramatic," I mumbled. I never go out and then one time I do, she's being dramatic about it.

"I never thought you'd get this phase. You really don't love me anymore."

"Mum, chill."

"I don't like that tone Donovan," she whined.

"Mum, stoooop."

"Okay fine. When are you coming home? Do you need us to pick you up?"

I looked at Jeremy from the corner of my eye. The way he held me, made me blush. I never had this before and I didn't understand what I was feeling. All I know is that I really like it.

"No... Maybe I can get a ride."

I wanted to stay with him for as long as possible.

"Okay. Be safe. Love you."

"Bye mum. Love you."

I put my phone in the pocket of the hoodie and snuck one more look of Jeremy before closing my eyes. I needed to enjoy this before it goes away.

💤

"Be quiet, they're sleeping."

"There's a boy in his bed."

"They look so cute."

I instantly opened my eyes. Jeremy's mother, father and brother stood right in front of me. Jeremy had one arm tightly thrown across my waist and the position looked extremely suggestive. I pulled away from Jeremy and nearly fell of the bed.

"Oh my God. I'm sorry. We fell asleep. Nothing happened. I'm sorry." I bowed my head in shame and embarrassment. I came over to their home without permission and now they find me in their son's bed in a really bad position.

"We came inside to check on Jer and we saw you together. We were a bit ... interested." Donovan father spoke the words with a smile on his face. I don't know what his smile meant, but I didn't like it.

"I just came to hang out. I'm sorry for coming to your house unannounced."

"Why are you apologizing. We're happy to have you. Jeremy hasn't had a friend over in a long time. I'm Amelia and it's nice to meet you, Donovan." She extended her hand and I took it.

"You know my name."

"Jeremy told us so much about you."

"He did?"

My stomach fluttered. What's going on?

"Yeah, you make him smile," she said.

Why does this make me feel great? I was screaming on the inside. I can't believe he talked to them about me.

"I'm Rory."

Short little hands were pushed in front of me. He looked just like a mixture of his parents. Brown skin, doe eyes and pouty lips. He's cute. I bent down to shake his hand.

"Nice to meet you Rory. I'm Donovan."

"You're very pretty. Are you and my brother together?"

I instantly let go of his hand. What are they teaching kids in school these days?

I nearly choked. "No."

"But you were really close."

"Let's go, Rory," his dad said lifting him up. "Sorry," he mouthed to me.

"Are you sleeping over?" His mother asked.

"Oh, no. I can't just sleepover at your house. I think I'm going to call my Dad to get me."

"Okay sweetheart and honestly. It's really nice to meet you. It's been a tough year for us and I'm happy Jer has found a new friend."

I blushed. I could only nod.

Jeremy's mother was so pretty. She looked like an elf princess or something. Her natural hair was pulled into a bun at the top of her head and her ears—the same ears that Jeremy had— were adorned with earrings on both sides. She was the same height as me, which was really short.

Although Jeremy shared a few physical similarities with his mother, he didn't share any with his father and his skin colour was very different from everyone in his family.

I continued to stand in the corner of the bed as she walked over to the bed and sat next to Jeremy. She brushed his hair away from his forehead and kissed him softly. I felt like an intruder. Jeremy stirred and woke up. His back was turned to me as he spoke to his mother.

"Hey, sleepyhead."

"Hi, mum." He stretched and let it a yawn.

"How was your day?"

"It was really good."

I watched their interaction unmoving. This was a very different side of Jeremy. I liked it.

"Really good? You've never used that phrase before."

I could hear the smile on his voice. I was a goner. "Donovan was here. He literally baked me a cake and he dragged me out of bed, Mum. He made me clean the yard and stuff. It was nice."

"He made you clean? Sounds like hard work." She ruffled his hair and she earned a laugh from him.

"He made it fun. He's amazing, Mum. Did he leave?"

My heart.

"No, he's right over there."

Jeremy immediately sat up and looked at me. "You're still here."

He didn't seem ashamed or embarrassed by the conversation he most had with his mother.

"I promised not to leave. I think I have to go now though."

I wasn't sure if the time, but I felt like an intruder. I didn't want to overstay my welcome.

"Oh, how are you getting home?"

Jeremy started to get off his bed and stretched some more.

"I was going to call my parents."

"I can give you a ride." I didn't know that he drove. Was he eighteen already? I don't even know Jeremy's age.

"Oh yeah?" His mum asked.

"Can I please drive? I have my license. I'll be safe."

"The key's in the kitchen. We have a lot to talk about later."

"Okay."

She tiptoed and gave him a kiss on his cheek. He didn't shy away from her affection as most teenagers would.

"I love you."

"I love you too. Be safe."

"I will."

"It was lovely meeting you, Donovan. You're welcome here anytime. Once again, thank you."

"It was great meeting you too. Your home is lovely."

She smiled at me and walked out of the room.

"Let's go."

Jeremy yawned and headed for the door. I followed. I waved at his father and Rory.

"Where are you going, Jeremy?" Rory approached us and I looked up at me.

"I'm taking him home. I'll be right back."

"Can I come?"

"No Rory. Jeremy wants to spend the last moments he can with Donovan." His father gave me a look that I couldn't read.

"Oh!" Rory exclaimed. "Bye Donovan.."

"Bye Rory. By the way, I love your shirt." I finally noticed his Voltron shirt. "Do you know Voltron? The defenders of the —"

"Universe!" We said it together and he instantly squealed. "Who's your favourite character? I'm going to marry Shiro."

"No, you aren't Rory. You have to be an adult first."

"Dad," he groaned. He rolled his eyes and watched me, awaiting my answer.

"I like Keith. He seems tough and rough around the edges at first, but when you get to know him he's really loving and caring."

Rory nodded. His parents looked at me funny and then they gave Jeremy a look. They spoke with their eyes for a moment, while I just stood there.

"Okay, we're going. Bye."

"Goodnight. Thank you for having me." I quickly bowed and followed Jeremy.

The ride home consisted of Donovan and I arguing over the music.

"Hip Hop is the best music genre out there," he proclaimed.

"I beg to differ. They only talk about drugs and money. You're losing brownie points right now."

"There are some artists that talk about life and their feelings."

I scoffed. "Sure."

He tossed his phone to me while keeping his eyes on the road.

"26537"

I put his password in and opened the Spotify app. I chose the song that he mentioned. I had never heard of the artist. After listening to the song, I quickly changed my perspective.

"That song's amazing."

"Yeah, it's relatable. This music helps me sometimes. But, I also like to listen to trap music. It makes me feel badass."

I played the next song he mentioned and started to laugh. The first lyric of the song spoke about drugs.

"This is trash."

"This is nice trash."

"Jeremy what —"

"Just enjoy." He dismissed me and started to rap along.

"I think we need to break up."

Chucking he turned up the volume. "This is a banger."

I groaned. "Can I pick a song?"

"Go ahead. I bet it's going to be trash."

I scoffed. "You're rude." I chose the next song. It's my comfort song. It's really slow and I listen to it when I'm sad. It has been helpful to.

After the song finished, he glanced at me through his peripheral.

"Who hurt you? Who broke your heart?"

"I like to listen to sad music."

"Why?"

"It's beautiful. I like hearing and feeling raw emotions."

"Okay, Mr. poetic."

Jeremy pulled up in front of my driveway. He rushed over to open my car door for me.

"Should I walk you to the door?" He scanned the area.

"If you want."

"I'm not dressed in the best way to meet your parents."

Our eyes slowly looked at this sock covered feet in slippers.

"I look horrible."

"They won't care, that's if you want to meet them."

"We should get it over with. Since I'll be stealing you from them."

I ran up to the door and opened it. "Come on." He followed me, looking curiously around.

"Thanks for finally gracing us with your presence."

My mother rolled her eyes at me. She abruptly stopped when she saw the visitor.

"Are you Jeremy?

He let go of my hand and quickly went to greet here. "Yes, I am. Nice to meet you."

"Don said you liked the cake."

"It was amazing."

"We made the batter three times until he —"

"Mother!" I whined. We did make the batter three times, because I wanted it to be perfect.

Dad walked into the living room. He curiously looked at Jeremy and walked to my mother's side.

"Hello sir. I'm Jeremy."

"Hello."

Dad gave him a firm handshake. "Nice to meet you. I'm going to take care of Donovan. You don't have to worry."

"I worry all the time. It's nice to know there's someone looking out for him on the outside."

I was absolutely speechless. 

"Tonight's date night. So we're out."

I finally noticed their clothes. They were dressed up. Mum's jumpsuit hugged her small frame very nicely. Dad wore a dress shirt and some slacks.

Jeremy flashed them his million-dollar smile.

"And Jeremy, you're always welcome here."

Mum gave me a hug and Dad nodded. As soon as they left Jeremy fist pumped and started to do a weird dance.

"So your dad likes me."

"You think so?"

"Mothers usually love me. I knew your mother would fall for me. Fathers aren't so easy. But now that he likes me, I can keep you with me as long as I want and he won't complain."

"Jeremy, what are you even talking about."

"I don't know. I'm happy."

He pulled me into his arms and hugged me tightly. My head fell into the crook of his neck and his face nuzzled my head.

"I want this to last forever."

Me too, Jeremy.

Me too.