A and D

A and D (4)

"I won't do that."

"Why not?" she asked exasperatedly.

"'Cause you're my best friend," I said with a straight face.

She looked like she was about to mock me. But she hesitated in doing so. Maybe because she was taken off guard of how determined I am. Anyway, I wasn't going to let our friendship die away like that. Although, I was quite sure she'd get over it by tomorrow. It was just that it didn't feel right if I just left her alone.

"So... What do you want?" I asked her again.

She opened her mouth, but then closed it.

"What if I order pizza tonight, just for you?" I offered to her. Now, when I was talking about her favorite food, she can't say no.

She thought about it, considering the idea.

"Two boxes of Pepperoni Pizza?" she asked me.

"Sure," I smiled.

"And... Mac 'n Cheese?"

"Okay."

Since we were ten years old, I'd been wondering how she could eat and eat but never go fat. Beneath those large clothes, there was a hidden slender body. How did I know? Dude, to this day, I lived next door to her family since we were born. I'd seen her dress all kinds of clothes. Of course, I'd know.

I swear her eyes sparkled with delight when she said, "Deal."

"You sure you don't want to add more?" I teased.

"Mac 'n Cheese... Pizza... Pepperoni..." she mumbled, her eyes closed and smiling thoughtfully. She didn't hear what I said.

I chuckled. "I guess I'm forgiven, then."

You see, simple things can cheer her up. That was one of the things that set her apart from the others. And I was glad she was my best friend.

* * * * *

"Are you gonna meet with Allie Wallace?" I asked several minutes after the bell rang.

Dakota and I were at our lockers.

"Yeah, we're going to put up some flyers about the Movie club," she answered, shrugging. "I'll see you later."

And with that, she left the corridor. She was just wasting their time. I mean, the Movie club was cool but not many could see that. And the only ones interested in joining were the freshmen.

Anyhow, I went to the boys' locker room to change into my jerseys.

Ethan, Luke, and I met by the wall of trophies.

"I didn't actually get to ask you, man," started Luke, "How was your summer?" he asked me casually. "You know, with Dakota."

I was about to answer him when Ethan said, "C'mon, Luke. It's not like he'll have some fun with a girl like Evans." He added as if Luke was out of his mind.

"Actually," I said a-matter-of-factly, with a raised eyebrow, "it was nice. Feels like old times."

"Oh, yeah?" Ethan said skeptically. "What d'you do, study?"

"Stop it, Ethan," warned Luke, seriously.

I'd never seen Luke serious. Quiet, maybe – but not this serious.

"What?" Ethan asked indignantly. "Do you actually believe that you can have a cool afternoon with a nerd like her?"

"Yeah, I do." Luke replied calmly, his cheeks flushing.