Part Twelve

 My Tuesday and Wednesday consisted of me: fighting Tristin, visiting my brother, doing homework, and Rosa placing her head on my forehead every night. (I really don’t get the point of her doing that.) For some reason, I kept my activities with Tristin a secret from everyone, including John. They just didn’t need to know everything I was doing.

Oh, and Trev came over with Rosa on Wednesday night to say John wouldn’t let him teach me, that it was a leader’s job to teach another leader.

Okay….

 No one EVER told me anything.

Thursday morning, hurried over to my best friend’s house. The family suburban was back in the driveway.

Yes!

I ran right up to the door and rang the door bell. I sighed in anticipation as I waited.

I tapped my foot.

I looked around aimlessly.

Where was he? I was about to knock when the door opened.

“What the—” the girl at the door wondered. Then she relaxed. “Oh, it’s just you, James. I shoulda seen that one coming. Just wait here; Rich is running late,” Stacy explained as she rushed off the porch. “See you later!”

“Bye, Stacy,” I waved as I watched her go. Then I looked through the door, which she left open. The family hadn’t quite cleaned up their stuff from their trip yet. I couldn’t blame Richard for being late. I heard him yelling for clean clothes as I stepped inside to wait. I rolled my eyes; he must have left the dirty laundry to rot again.

“Oh, never mind!” Rich yelled, and I heard him shut his door. Less than fifteen seconds later, he tumbled down the stairs, nearly running into me.

“Let’s go,” he said. I just laughed as we stepped outside.

“You’re so predictable,” I told him.

“I am? You are. Like a puppy, you show up at my door the first day I’m back.”

I laughed again. “Touché. C’mon, or we’ll be late.”

In English, Rich stared at the back of Desire’s head, as always. At lunch, we sat at the same spot, as always. However, today I had a host of followers, so we left the lunch room early and headed to my new hiding spot. Tristin was already there. On the way, I explained the reason for my adoring fans.

“Hey Tristin,” I greeted, sitting down. “This is Richard Ediger, my best friend since forever. Rich, this is Tristin. He just moved in last week”

“Hey,” Rich said amiably with a wave.

 “Ah, so the famous James does have friends,” Tristin replied. “I was starting to worry I was your first.”

I punched his arm.

 “Anyway,” I segwayed, “I was just telling Rich about Monday.” I didn’t say anymore, though, because I was prepping myself to spill it. To both of them.

“What I don’t get,” Rich said, “is why you were hospitalized in the first place.”

I sighed. “I know. I’ve been saving that for last. Just the two of you, where no one else can hear.”

“What is it?” Tristin asked in his coaxing way.

I sighed again and began my tale. I told them everything I knew, and everything I didn’t understand. I told them my fears and my complaints. I even started crying again. Both Rich and Tristin handled it well (i.e., without laughing or joking).

I actually didn’t stop talking until the warning bell rang. Nobody reacted to the chime. I stayed where I was and tried to compose myself.

“Wow,” Rich commented after a bit. It seemed like that was all he could say.

“I can’t believe you trusted me with this,” Tristin breathed reverently.

“It’s okay,” I whispered. “You’re my best friends. Only you two can handle it.”

Rich nodded, but Tristin gaped.

“Am I… really?” he asked quietly.

“Yup.”

I took a deep breath and started cleaning up my lunch. “We’d better hurry,” I said. “Class will start in about two minutes.”

“James?” Rich said.

“Yeah?” I replied without looking up.

“Thanks. I’m glad you know I’m here for you, no matter how fictiony that sounds.”

“I know.”