Chapter 12-

After I got my lunch from the line, Myra spotted me, motioning a fast hand to the table where she, Kyle, and Shane were sitting at. Great.

Slowly I walked over, holding my tray carefully. I sat down next to Shane, Myra and Kyle were across the other side of the table. I said hi to Shane. He smiled and said "hi." He was being so sweet. I pushed myself an inch away from my seat to create a brief space between. Boundaries, creating boundaries because we're friends. The three were in the middle of a debate about the Hunger Games and Twilight movies from what I'm hearing.

Kyle thought both films were the same thing and a waste of time. Shane chimed in that the movies were the genre that many fans like and admire. Myra defended that both tell stories of what has happened to society and relationships. "Hunger Games is nothing like Twilight. Katniss can't choose her man because the Capitol will kill her and everyone she loves. Bella chose Edward and wanted to be a vampire but they were consequences," Myra's voice was raised, her eyebrows down in fury.

Kyle scoffed, "it's all chick flicks."

"It's empowering."

"It's chick flicks. They're wack." He repeated, took a bite of his sloppy joe, it dripped onto his tray.

"Back me up, Jordan," she asked before nibbling on a crinkle cut fry.

"Uh, I thought Bella's choice was kind of vain because she didn't want to age. The movies were good. I liked the idea that the vampires don't burn in the sun and the werewolves can change at will," I answered.

"Team Jacob or Team Edward?" she questioned.

"Jacob," I answered.

She gasped in shock, "Edward is so hot!"

"So is Jacob. He has a great upper body."

"Jacob is clingy," she complained.

"They both are."

"I will let this slide, at least tell me you're on Gale's side."

"I am, Gale's sweet. I've only read the book, though."

"The movies are amazing," Myra said smiling. I took a bite of my sandwich, wiping off the slop from my cheek.

Shane put his arm around my shoulder. The urge to move and maneuver away, however, I sat a little bit closer, hunching over on the table. He whispered in my ear, "I watched all of the Twilight movies."

I widened my eyes and looked at him, "Even the last one?" I whispered to him.

He nodded, "my sister loves them, I kind of got into it and read the books too."

"Team Jacob or Edward?" I asked, bumping my elbow in his side.

"Can't choose." We both started laughing. I peeked up to see Kyle glaring at us with narrowed eyes and clenched jaw. I already had stares from students in the hallway and class, this seemed like he had it out for me. I shook my head. Then I noticed Myra holding his hand, placed it on top of the table, fingers linked. Huh, I kept quiet and continued to eat. This felt normal, though, very ordinary being around a group of friends talking about the normal things. I liked it.

+++

School ended, I walked across the parking lot for a quick way to head home. Snapping my head up, I saw Kyle and Myra by his car. He twirled a strand of her hair with his index finger. She giggled, blushing, he grabbed the back of her neck and kissed her hard. "Whoa," I muttered. It was... sloppy. Tongues wagging, he grabbed her butt, she gripped his biceps. It made me miss making out. Made me miss having a boyfriend. At least Myra got the guy she wanted.

"Put it on Instagram, why don't you?" Shane humored behind me, I jumped. He chuckled. His smile, though, was engaging.

"I don't have an Instagram." I didn't even remember my Tumblr password.

"What about Snapchat?" Shane asked as we walked together through the parking lot.

"Does Twitter count?" I barely tweeted, nor retweeted.

"It counts. Are you active?"

"I haven't tweeted since last year. Did I miss anything?" I'm even thinking they suspended my account.

"Mostly politics and cancel culture."

"I thought CNN and Fox News was enough of that."

I started walking the opposite way when he stopped his steps. "Where's your mom?" he asked with concern.

"She's under the weather. I'm walking home," I told him, pointing my thumb to the direction I was going.

"I'll take you home," he offered.

"No, it's okay. I'm fine." I waved him off.

"I don't mind." Shane gave me the puppy dog look. I shook my head amused. Haven't I seen this look earlier? Why did he have to be cute?

With a heavy sigh, I gave in. "Let's go, puppy." He laughed at my comment.

As Shane was driving, I rubbed my sweaty hands on my jeans. Jason popped into my head again. For our first time, we went on an actual date besides a house party. The Olive Garden was his idea of romantic. The first twenty minutes before our food came, I saw a side of him I haven't seen since our first date. He was attentive and sweet until Ralph and his friends came and ruined everything. The rest of the night, he ignored me as they played around with the food. Why was he around now? Trying to give me a ride? What was his goal?

Shane pulled up to my house with a quick stop, shaking me out of my thoughts. I took my seatbelt off and to get out of the car. Shane was right behind to escort me to my front door. "Are you okay?" he asked, giving me a worried expression.

"Yeah, why?" I answered with a small smile.

"You seemed out of it the entire drive here."

"Oh. Uh, it's nothing." Shane nodded, tucking his hands in his pockets.

"Thanks for the ride," I said with a smile.

"No problem." I rocked on my heels back and forth, he leaned in slowly, I stood still watching his action, he gave me a quick peck on my lips. I was surprised, he lingered, I kissed him back. "That was ok, right?" He backed away.

"Yeah," I began to titter and then clear my throat. He scruffed up his hair, cheeks were flushed. He was blushing. "I know you said we're friends, I-"

"I get it. I liked it."

"Oh, okay. See you tomorrow." He walked back to his car. I bit my bottom lip and giggled, holding my face with my face. I couldn't believe him, he had nice lips. Maybe I should take Dr. Brett's advice to give him a chance. My cheeks were heating up again, I held them and breathed out a sigh.

Opening the front door, I saw mom on the couch with Matt and a doctor. "Mom, what's going on? Are you okay?" My pulse raced as I stepped toward them all on the couch.

"Hey sweetie, everything is fine. Matt just called the doctor for my symptoms." She gave me a wobbly smile. The doctor removed the stethoscope off his neck. I released my shoulders, feeling a bit better.

"So, how's the fetus?" I wondered.

"Your mom is fine. She had a stomach bug, her blood pressure was kinda high. I'm prescribing another prenatal vitamin. The baby will be fine," the doctor explained. It lifted the weight off my chest, my new sibling will be healthy.

"I will be back for another check-up in a week. For anything else, please call." Shutting his medical bag, he waved and closed the door behind him. I let out a heavy sigh, walking forward to hug mom and Matt.

"Honey, it's okay," Matt said patting my back. I let go of both of them and smiled. I was still getting used to Matt and mom being together. He just called me honey. I'm ok with that.

+++

Shane and I were getting closer. We didn't hold hands or anything, he almost tried to when our fingers brushed, I claimed I had to wash my hands. We weren't exclusive like Myra and Kyle who made out every time I saw them in the hallway. Matt offered to pick me up from school since mom had to stay in for bed rest. It was early in her pregnancy, she had to take precautions for her and the baby's health. "Do you want to grab some lunch?" asked Matt as he drove along the road. "We can just go to the drive-thru. Your mom wants some chicken soup anyway."

"Sure."

We went to a nearby Wendy's, ordering fries, cheeseburgers, and frosties.

Before I attacked the fries, Matt asked me about Shane. "Are you two dating or something?"

"We're taking things slow," I stuffed the fries in my mouth.

"You seem to like him," he said while exiting the drive-thru. He made a quick right turn for the gray car to enter the next lane.

"I do. I don't know. It's all still new."

"It's good you're not rushing it."

"Thanks. Matt." We arrived at home around 4 after he made another stop to Boston Market for mom's soup. As we went inside, I saw mom on the couch watching TV. Her feet were elevated with a stool drinking from her mug. "Mom, is watching 'Hardcore Pawn' permitted while you're resting? Aren't you supposed to be in bed?" I asked, shutting the front door behind.

"I can break a few rules," she said with a smile. Matt kissed mom on the cheek, "you okay, babe?" he asked.

"Just a bit tired," she responded with a slow smile. He gave her the bag of food and she squealed ecstatically.

I glanced at the TV screen seeing a customer yelling for no reason at the owner Les, I then turned to Matt and mom, he was feeding her the soup. OK, that's my time to leave. I went to the kitchen for mustard to go with my burger, I forgot to ask for more. While eating at the table, my phone began to ring. I didn't look at the screen, so I used a greasy finger to answer the phone.

"Hello," I responded with my mouth full.

"Jordan!! How are you?" the voice on the other end answered, I read my caller ID and a smile crept on my face.

"Oh, my God! Hi Uncle Frank!" I said happily. My dad's brother, he's divorced too. He lived in New York.

"I've missed you. How are your parents?" He asked.

"Still divorced," I responded.

"Jordan, that happens."

"I'm getting used to it."

"Your mom told me about your sobriety. Are you well?"

"Yeah, I'm fine now. How are you, Uncle?"

"I've been good actually. Me and Melissa agreed on joint custody of the kids. We might come for a visit this summer." I laughed, I couldn't wait to see my cousins Michael and Adrienne. I used to love hanging out with them. Then divorced reared its ugly head.

"Do you want to talk to mom?" I asked.

"I talked to her earlier. I'll call your dad. Love you." he told me.

"Love you too." We both hung up. I was almost done with lunch, taking the last bite I threw my takeaway bag in the garbage.