Just Friends

“So who the hell does Keegan think he is fooling?” she quipped, taking a large spoonful of ice cream.

I looked at her confused, eating another spoonful of ice cream myself. I wasn’t sure where this was coming from. We hadn’t said a peep about him since we got to my house.

“Kee totally was gut punched when you said he was like a brother,” she started, “how could you not see the hurt in his eyes? Something or someone is holding him back. Maybe it’s your friendship, maybe it’s your brother, but it’s definitely something,” she said, snatching the pint away from me.

I wanted to play her game of What’s Eating Keegan, but I truly didn’t have the energy. I was already so broken from a few weeks ago and I didn’t need to revisit that pain. To say I was over him would be an exaggeration. I am getting over him though. He doesn’t have that hold over me like he used to. I digress Keegan Patts. You win. Whoever or whatever is holding you back can let you go, because I have.

We ended up falling asleep and Casey had to wear some of my clothes to school the next day. My mom said we would discuss my disobedience of her curfew rule for friends later. I knew that meant my phone was gone for the next 48 hours.

As soon as I walked into the school, Keegan walked over to me and said, “Can we talk?”

My heart wanted to believe it was for selfish reasons, but my head knew better. What in the world could Keegan want to talk to me about this early in the morning?

I nodded and followed him to the stairwell by the gym. He looked so upset. Was he mad at me? Did I make him mad by saying he was like a brother to me? What in the world was he going to say to me? My hands were sweaty and my heart was racing. He grabbed my right hand in his hand and got close to me. It didn’t make me uncomfortable, but it made me feel awkward.

“Brees, when your parents were getting a divorce did they argue a lot right before?” he asked, squeezing my hand gently.

His voice cracked a little and I could see pain in his eyes. Were the Patts in trouble?

“Umm, yeah actually they did. My dad seemed to pick fights out of no where towards the end. It was hard to watch. Do you think your parents are getting a divorce Kee?” I asked letting go of his hand and touching his arm.

He nodded and hugged me. We didn’t say anything, he just held me for a second. He propped his mouth to say something and took a deep breath. He was interrupted by a booming male voice however.

“Get to class!” Mr. Barnett yelled as he walked by. “This isn’t a place to make out Patts,” he continued.

“Oh we weren’t Mr. B, Brees is just my friend, she was helping me with a family issue. We are headed to class now sir. Apologies,” he said, saluting Mr. Barnett.

He walked me to my classroom and headed to his class. As he walked away I yelled after him, “Bye friend.”

He turned around and gave me a smile and shook his head. The way he said “just my friend,” wasn’t supposed to be a dagger, but it was. It was the last nail in the coffin to confirm he didn’t think of me like that and that Keegan Patts will always only be MY FRIEND.