After school Nolan and I did our usual routine. Only that time I was actually allowed inside his house.

The bright colors that decorated the inside still took me by surprise. Because of the way Nolan dressed and acted I expected his home to be a reflection of that. I imagined some dark, gloomy house with tattered furniture and the stale stench of cigarettes.

Nolan disappeared down the hallway to his room, I assumed. My eyes were drawn to the series of photo collage frames that decorated the wall.  Most of the pictures looked old. There were some of Nolan's parents on their wedding day. Some pictures of a younger Nolan on birthday's, face covered in cake in each of them.

The one that really caught my attention was of Nolan and group of guys dressed in helmets, knee and elbow pads, and holding skateboards. He was younger, middle school aged maybe? The shocking part of the photo was the guy standing next to him. It looked Nick Grice.

The two of them were grinning, arms slung around each other's shoulders. They were friends? Why'd they hate each other so much now?

The shrill sound of the telephone ringing spooked me, pulling my attention away from the pictures. A cordless phone sat on the island that separated the kitchen from the living room. Who still used a landline?

"Want me to get it?" I called out as I walked over to the phone.

"No," he shouted back. "It's just telemarketers."

I picked the phone up to stop the annoying ringing. That's when I saw her. Allison, Nolan's mom, was splayed out of the kitchen floor. My heart dropped along with the phone which clattered on the counter top.

"Nolan!" I yelled frantically as I rushed to his mother's side. "Nolan, your mom—"

I was cut off by a small moan coming from Allison. Her eyes squeezed tighter together before finally opening. She was alive, but I was still shaken up. Where the hell was Nolan?

"Are you okay?" I asked, helping her sit up.

The woman laughed, pushing her hair from her face. "I'm fine. I'm fine." Her face reddened as if embarrassed.

"Should I call—"

"No, no, no," she cut in, waving the idea off. "You don't have to call anyone." She gripped the edge of the counter, attempting to pull herself up.

I stood, helping her. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm alright, really," she insisted, the smile never leaving her face. "I was out working in the garden. I must've been out in the sun too long."

I guessed that made sense. It was unseasonably warm for November. Still, I felt she should see a doctor. Just in case.

As I helped her into a chair at the table I glanced back for Nolan. There was no sign of him. Did he not hear me screaming for him?

"Can I get you anything?" I asked, turning back to Allison.

"Just some water. Thank you."

I grabbed a cup from the dish rack, filling it with water from the fridge. My eyes kept flickering to hall, willing Nolan to appear and take over.

Then he did, just as I handed the cup to Allison.

"You ready?" He asked, not even bothering to stop as he headed for the door that lead to the garage.

His mom didn't seemed bothered by the fact that he didn't ask if she was okay or even spare her a glance. I, however, kind of wanted to slap him.

"Go," Allison said, still smiling behind the cup of water. "Don't worry about me."

As much as I didn't want to I followed Nolan into the garage. He ducked under the garage as it rattled open to grab his motorcycle, wheeling it in once there was a wide enough opening.

I watched, unable to speak as he casually slid into the minivan, starting up the engine. What was wrong with him?

"Are you coming?" He said, fussing with the rear view mirror.

My eyes narrowed at him through the opened passenger seat window. "I just found your mom out cold on the kitchen floor and you want to leave her alone?"

"She said she's fine." The dismissive tone of his voice rubbed me the wrong way. How was he so calm about it? My heart still hadn't slowed down.

I crossed my arms over my chest to hide my clenched fist. He latched on to my side after some idiot taped condoms to my locker. Where was that protective side of him when it came to his mother?

"How are you not the least bit concerned about this?"

He let out an aggravated sigh. "She's fine. Now get in the car before you're late for work?"

My jaw dropped as I stared at the boy who seemed to be unaware of how big of an asshole he was being. "You care more about me being late than your mom's health!"

"Jade, please. Just get in the car." He finally looked at me, his amber eyes begging me to drop the subject.

With one last glance at his house, I got into the car. I bit my tongue all the way to my neighborhood where he parked on the corner and waited for me to pick up Taylor from Ms. Coleman's and then get the car seat from my house. I bit even harder as we drove to Tiny Sprouts.

When it was time for me to take Taylor inside Tiny Sprouts, Nolan asked if I needed any help. I was very close to actually slapping him across the face, hopefully waking him from whatever daze he was in.

"I don't need your help, Nolan," I snapped, resting Taylor on my hip. "Maybe try checking in on your mom."

He opened his mouth to say something, but I turned around, walking away. After I got Taylor checked in I went back to the minivan. When I climbed into the passenger seat Nolan started the car, letting it idle for a bit before shutting it back off.

His gaze was focused on the steering while which his hands were tightly clenched to, knuckles turning white.

It was clear something was bothering him. I wanted him to talk to me, to let me help him. Part of me believed he wanted that too.

"Nolan?" I prompted, reaching to touch his hand.

He pulled it away before I made contact, clasping his hands in his lap. "She's sick," he said, still looking down at the wheel.

I felt my lips part, my jaw dropping slightly. No words came out. It only made me more furious at him for leaving her home alone.

"I don't remember what they called it," he continued, beginning to pick his nails. "I just know that it's cancer and it's killing her."

My anger washed away, replaced with the overwhelming need to hug him. It's what Bee would've done if it were me. I stayed on my side of the car, though. I doubted he'd be accepting of a hug or any sort of physical contact at the moment.

"Then why are you acting like everything is fine?" I questioned. "Why are you acting like you don't care?"

"Because she doesn't!" His hand curls into a fist. He's about to slam it on the steering wheel before he stops himself, placing his hand back in his lap. "She gave up months ago. Started refusing the treatments. And I can't sit around waiting..." His words trailed, unable to finish the rest.

The pain in his voice killed me. I couldn't even imagine what I'd do in his situation. Hell, maybe I'd pretend to be antisocial to avoid having to explain it to anyone.

No. That's a lie. I wouldn't be able to handle the weight of that on my own. I was lucky to have Bee at my side. Nolan had no one. He was determined to carry the pain on his own, keeping everyone at arm's length.

That wasn't going to work with me. Before he had time to react I wrapped both of my hands around one of his. His rough hand tensed at the contact.

He stared down at our hands before meeting my eyes.

"I'm sorry."

His brow furrowed. "For touching me without permission?" His sarcasm didn't have it's usually edge. He couldn't pretend with me.

"Nolan," I warned. "I'm serious. You don't have to go through this alone. I might be your fake girlfriend, but I can be your real friend. If you'd let me."

His gaze fell back to our hands. When he pulled out of my grasp it was like I could see the walls go back up around him. Sealing himself away from me, from everyone.

"You're late for work." With that he started up the car.