As I got dressed for the day. I heard a knock at the door. Confused, I looked through the peephole to see the familiar set a dark brown hair. I unlocked the door and opened it. He stood there smiling with the words 'METALLICA' written right across his black shirt.

"Hey," I said. I was really confused about why he was here, doesn't his mom have to babysit me or something? "Hey" he responded. I bit my lip, "Not to sound rude or anything but, why are you here?" I asked.

His eyes widened, "O- Oh yeah sorry about that, there was an emergency at my mom's side job and she wanted to me to check on you while she was out"

I laughed, "Jack you do know I know how to take care of myself, right?"

"After you telling me about you burning down a house I'm second guessing that"

I stifled a laugh and let him inside, "You hungry? I can make really good frozen waffles" we both walked down to the kitchen. I grabbed the frozen waffles that had lived in the freezer. Jack looked around, he tried to be subtle about his curiosity. Then he saw a stack of papers on the kitchen table, which I only noticed now.

When I put two of the waffles in the toaster, I walked over to the table and saw that the papers were actually pamphlets. I glanced at the block writing and immediately frowned.

"You're already looking at colleges?" Jack asked. I shook my head, "My dad feels like the earlier you start looking the better of chances. I really could care less about college."

I stood by the toaster to wait for the waffles to finish. "University of Hawaii, New Mexico University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, etc. Alex these are a lot... and none of them are in state" he said.

"Distance doesn't matter. No way I'm staying here" I laughed, "College is so far away, it's kinda useless trying to plan my future when it's so far away." I said. Jack agreed. Now moving onto a different topic, "What are you doing tomorrow?" I asked, "I'm not sure if you're into vinyl or anything but there's this record store that just opened by the Towson Mall." I said.

His face fell, "I'd love to but I'm kinda busy tomorrow, my friend kinda got a new boyfriend and they really want me to meet him..."

I tried to hide the disappointment on my face, now spreading to my voice, "Oh yeah I guess that's fine..."

The toaster dinged. I jumped, quickly yanking the now crispy and hot waffles out of the toaster and onto a plate. Shaking my fingers to relieve them from the pain from the heat. "Fuck, I wasn't expecting them to be hot like that"

Jack laughed, he mumbled something around the lines of "reminds me of someone" but I didn't want to intrude on his thoughts. "So... waffles. Am I right?" He chuckled anxiously.

"Yeah, waffles..."

•~•

Jack and I had hung out for a couple hours. After a while, my parents showed up and that was when I checked the clock. It was eight o'clock and Jack was still sitting in my living room talking about the many great lyrics produced by blink-182.

"Hello Mrs. Gaskarath" he smiled. She looked quite shocked that I was actually listening to his babbling nonsense. "Excuse me but, who are you?" She asked, probably trying her best not to sound rude.

"I'm Jack, I live down the street" he smiled. Her face softened, "You're Jack? Alex has told me so much about-"

"MOM!" I interfered.

"He's told me so much about you!" She continued, "Do you two need anything to eat? We have macaroni in the pantry." I rubbed my eyes as she continued to pester us. "I think it's time for Jack to leave," I said. Jack quietly giggled, "Thanks for having me over Alex! See you soon?" He asked as he was already putting on his shoes outside.

"Yeah see you soon" I smiled and waved as he walked down the porch steps and made his way home. When he was out of sight, I turned around to see my mom trying to hold in a smile.

"You're blushing" She whispered.

So... maybe I am happy about this new friendship but, maybe this can be better than all my other friends. Maybe he can be my best friend..?

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

-Walt Disney

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