A JOKE TOO FAR

Chapter 81The friendship between George, Ethan, Lee, and Max had grown stronger with every passing week.It had become almost impossible to find one without the others.If Ethan wasn't at George's house, George was at Lee's.If Lee wasn't there, Max had probably convinced everyone to meet somewhere else.They were different in almost every way.Max was loud, energetic, and could turn the simplest situation into complete chaos.Lee was the peacemaker. Whenever an argument started, he was usually the one to calm everyone down.George had a dry sense of humor and enjoyed teasing people just to see their reactions.Ethan was the quietest of the four, but when he spoke, everyone listened.Despite their differences, they got along surprisingly well.One Saturday morning, Max burst into George's house without even knocking."Billy!" he shouted.Billy looked up from the living room."Why are you yelling?""Where's your brother?""Upstairs."Max grinned."Tell him to hurry up!"Billy rolled h

BECAUSE YOU ARE MINE

Chapter 82The drive home from the beach was much quieter than the drive there.Max sat in the passenger seat absentmindedly scrolling through his phone.Lee stared out the window, watching the rows of trees and passing houses blur together.George sat in the back, his elbow resting against the window.He barely noticed the scenery.His mind kept replaying the same moment."Don't joke like that.""My relationship with Mira isn't something I joke about."He let out a quiet sigh."I really messed up."Neither Max nor Lee answered immediately.There wasn't much left to say.George already knew.---Back on Crescent Avenue...Ethan had arrived home long before the others.He unlocked his front door and quietly stepped inside.His mother looked up from the kitchen."You're home early.""I know.""Weren't you all going to spend the day at the beach?""We did."She noticed the expression on his face."What happened?"Ethan forced a small smile."Nothing serious."She studied him for a moment

GIRL'S NIGHT

Chapter 83Saturday evenings at the Dennis house were usually peaceful.But this Saturday...It was anything but quiet.Lisa Dennis stood in the middle of the living room holding a small notebook."Mira!"Mira looked up from the kitchen."What?"Lisa checked her list."Did we buy enough snacks?"Mira laughed."We're feeding four people, not forty.""I know..."Lisa frowned thoughtfully."...but what if we run out?""We won't.""What if Billy eats everything?"Mira smiled."She probably will."Lisa burst into laughter."You're right."Mrs. Katie walked past carrying a tray of freshly baked brownies."You girls have been preparing for this sleepover since yesterday."Lisa grinned."It's a very important event."Mrs. Katie smiled warmly."I can see that."She placed the tray on the dining table."I made extra brownies."Mira's eyes lit up."You're the best.""I know."Mrs. Katie laughed before walking back into the kitchen.---Not long after, the doorbell rang."I'll get it!" Lisa calle

NOT A WORD

Chapter 84The afternoon was unusually quiet on Crescent Avenue.A gentle breeze drifted through the neighborhood, carrying the scent of freshly cut grass as birds perched lazily on telephone wires.George stepped out of his house with a small wooden box tucked under one arm.Billy noticed him from the living room."Where are you going?"George looked over his shoulder."Lee's."Billy smiled knowingly."Again?"He laughed."We're playing chess."Billy raised an eyebrow."You know he's going to beat you."George sighed dramatically."Thanks for believing in me.""I'm being realistic.""You could at least pretend I'll win."Billy grinned."I'll pretend after you actually do."George shook his head with a smile before heading down the sidewalk.---A few moments later...He knocked on Lee's front door.It opened almost immediately.Lee smiled."Right on time.""I said I'd be here.""You did."Lee stepped aside."Come in."George walked inside.The house had changed a lot since the day th

PROCESSING

CHAPTER 85George walked down Crescent Avenue as though he were moving on instinct alone.The wooden chess box rested under one arm, his water bottle hanging loosely from his fingers, but he barely noticed either of them.His feet carried him forward.His mind remained standing outside Lee's gate.The cool evening breeze brushed against his face, yet he hardly felt it.His thoughts replayed the same few seconds over and over again.Lee calling his name.George turning around.The nervous look on Lee's face.The hesitation.Then...The kiss.George closed his eyes for a brief second as he continued walking."...What was that?"He whispered the words to himself.No answer came.The memory replayed again.He could still remember the surprised look in Lee's eyes immediately afterward.As though even Lee hadn't expected himself to do it.Then the apology."I'm sorry."George frowned."If you were going to apologize...""...why did you do it?"That question refused to leave him alone.He ha

THE TRUTH BETWEEN US

CHAPTER 86Weeks passed.On the surface, life on Crescent Avenue continued as it always had.The four friends still crossed paths.Max still found reasons to make everyone laugh.Ethan still spent most evenings talking to Mira.Billy and Jane were almost inseparable.Nothing seemed different.Except...George and Lee.Whenever the four of them met, George always managed to stay on the opposite side of the group.If Lee suggested grabbing drinks, George suddenly remembered something he had to do.If Lee walked over to him, George found an excuse to help Max with something.If their eyes met...George was always the first to look away.No one seemed to notice.Except Lee.Every time George avoided him, Lee felt the same weight settle in his chest.He replayed that afternoon outside his house countless times.The hesitation.The kiss.The silence.George walking away.Then the weeks that followed."I ruined everything..." Lee whispered to himself one evening as he sat alone in his room.