Friends First

No kid likes packing up their things and moving. Starting at a new school, having to learn where to sit at lunch or remembering which streets you take to walk home at the end of the day. I don’t mind it so much though. I’m looking forward to a fresh start. Dad and I both were. That’s why I didn’t put up much of a fight. Not that he would listen to me if I did. Ten years old are rarely the voice of reason when it comes to arguments with parents.

Mom had left us a few years ago before I really understood what that meant. Anytime Dad and I talked about it he did his best to tell me that she loved me, but couldn’t stay here. I don’t know what that meant but I always trusted my Dad. He’s my best friend and we do everything together. He practices with me on the weekends, hitting his pitches and making sure I run as fast as I can through first base. Anything outside I really love. Riding bikes and fishing and going camping. Maybe it’s a boy thing, but Dad and I are always down for anything.

He’s also the hardest worker I know. Even after long days at work, he makes sure to be there. At any ball games I might have or help me with homework I’m stuck on. I’m really lucky despite Mom not being around. I work really hard to be like him. Hardworking, kind, and above all respectful. Dad’s a tradesman, working as a contractor which can be like the seasons. Busy sometimes and slow at others, but I’ve never really seen him struggle. I’ve seen some of the stuff he builds and it’s really beautiful. Anytime I have to make a diorama for school he helps me make it really cool.

It’s my first day of fifth grade and I’m not gonna lie, I'm nervous. I was excited and looking forward to starting over here, but being the new kid has its challenges without the addition of being the chubby new kid. Not fat, just some extra cushion. Dad says that I’m not, but I know he’s just trying to make me feel better. I run around a lot so I never really understood why I’m shaped the way I am, but beggars can’t be choosers I guess. I seem to stay under the radar until recess when I’m pushed over twice by the same group of kids. Walking around the playground, I was checking out the different parts of the jungle gym minding my own business. They call me names I’ve heard before so I just brush it off and walk away.

It’s not that it doesn’t bother me, but showing fear and giving in only makes them pry more. By the end of Wednesday, I have some small bruises but there’s not much I can do about it. The teachers kind of look the other way. Dad tells me I have to stick up for myself if I don’t want him too. The last thing I want to be is a tattle tale or the one who brought his parents, or parent, into the mix. That gets you worse beatings. On the stroll to the lunchroom, a kid from my class starts walking next to me and tells me to sit with him. His name is Jake and he’s definitely going out on a limb to be associated with me. Just from knowing him in class, he’s a cool kid. A sports guy and fifth grade stud.

After getting a tray of food, I make my way through the tables until the same bullies come up to me and slap the tray out of my hands. The applesauce and other soft foods now plaster to my jeans. Taking a deep breath, I do my best to not get red in the face. Everyone in the cafeteria is definitely looking at me now. So much for staying under the radar here. Bending down to try and clean up the mess they made, I hear one of them yelp. When I look up, I notice Jake standing over both of them telling them to pick on someone they’re own size. The fearful look on each of their faces is priceless. Even when it’s just one against three. Now that’s power.

“Don’t worry about it, kid. You can have some of my lunch,” he says, reaching out to help me up.

“Oh no, I’m not hungry anyway. Thanks for that, by the way.”

“It’s Logan, right?”

I shake my head and follow him back to his seat. Everyone seems to be over the scene that was just caused or Jake really has mind control and that’s how he deals with bullies too. I watch enough fiction to know that it’s both absurd and totally possible. How sick would that be?

We talk the rest of lunch as he introduces me to his other friends who all seem to have the same social status he does. But for the first time since we moved I feel…accepted. Even though I’m totally out of place from our physical appearances. Jake gives me the breadsticks and apple on his plate while he eats the pasta. Honestly they could be friending me as a joke, but I’m gonna milk it for as long as I can. Protection is protection at the end of the day.

After a few weeks, I got more comfortable with Jake. The joke theory didn’t seem to be right unless he’s just super patient and persistent. Any time the bullies look at me it’s not for long since they know Jake and I are friends now. He wants me to stick up for myself just like Dad tells me to, but I’ve never been a mean guy. Jake tells me to join his Pop Warner team which might help me get a little more physical and I talk to my Dad about it. There’s a glimmer of pride in his eyes when he tells me he’ll call around to see how to sign me up. He’s a big football fan, being a born and raised Bills fan. Can’t say I agree with his choice in team, since they suck, but I would never tell him that.

Dad and I meet Jake’s Dad at the first practice. He’s really nice and kinda like my Dad. They end up staying for the whole practice talking away. It’s cool that our Dads and us are friends. I take a chance and ask Jake if he has a Mom. His reaction makes me think it was a stupid question, but I would’ve thought everyone had a Mom if mine was still around. It made me open my mind that other kids might have different situations too. Jake says she’s home with his little sister, Kate. I find out she’s a year younger than us and super annoying according to him. But I can tell he likes her deep down when he tells me about a time she got picked on at the playground. Said he hasn’t seen the other kid since. I would love another sibling. Just someone to hangout with and play games with. Someone who understood the troubles of a ten year old.

I like football. I can feel myself getting a little stronger and it definitely makes me more confident. Jake asks me if I can come over Sunday to hangout at his house. I guess they have a big backyard. Dad talks to his Dad about where they live and the timing. That stuff is outside my paygrade, he says. I don’t get it. He doesn’t pay me at all. Jake tells me to bring my bathing suit in case we want to take out the water slide. Not feeling overly confident about my body, I agree but make sure to pack an extra shirt to change into after.

Dad and I walk up to the front door when Jake’s Mom opens it and formally introduces herself to the both of us. He makes sure I have everything before letting me know what time he’s going to pick me up before leaving. I’m not an overly nervous kid. Besides, I’m friends with Jake and have talked to his Dad a few times. His Mom seems nice offering me something to eat or drink as soon as I walk through the door. She calls up to Jake’s little sister, Kate, to come downstairs and introduce herself. It takes a few minutes before we hear footsteps coming down, but when she came into view I don’t know. I felt like I was frozen in my sandals.

Her blue sundress has sunflowers all over it, matching her long blondish brown hair that is pulled back into braids I think they’re called. She smiles at me and waves before Jake nudges me with my shoulder. I shake my head and hold out my hand and tell her my name. Thankfully I wipe my hand on my shorts first because I was sweating so bad. I’ve never seen a prettier girl in my whole entire life. Not even on television. Kate steps closer and shakes my hand softly before asking her brother if she can play with us.

“No”, he spits back at her. My heart sinks a little when she frowns, but it’s not my call. We spend the afternoon playing in his room with his action figures as I tell him about the movies I’ve seen with them. I’m a huge superhero fan and apparently he hasn’t seen too many of them. I promise to bring over my movies one at a time, mostly because Dad won’t let me bring the whole collection over at once, and we’ll watch them all. Before we know it, Dad is here to pick me up and we’re both bummed. Jake’s a great friend, probably my best friend.

Making sure I have all my stuff, I walk out to the backyard to grab my swimsuit that’s drying over the railing before heading back inside. I hear him talking to Jake’s parents in the kitchen when I round the corner. That’s when I lock eyes with Kate again. She smiles at me and I can’t help but smile back. I hate smiling. Only because I have a missing tooth that’s visible when I open my mouth. She makes me feel so comfortable, yet so flustered all at the same time. Dad breaks me out of my trance when he asks if I’m ready to go. I could’ve been standing there looking at her for hours and I would have no idea. Maybe she has mind control too.

Dad doesn’t waste any time teasing me in the car on the way home. He asks me about Kate and if I like her saying how pretty she is. Doesn’t he know that I already know that? I’m not stupid. I’m quiet not knowing how to respond or what to say. I don’t want him to tell her or their parents. I don’t want to lose Jake as a friend. He’s the only friend I have and he’s a good one at that. Dad lets it go for the rest of the ride. When we pull back in the driveway, I feel the urge to ask.

“Is this what being in love feels like?”

Dad looks at me with a half amused smile until he realizes how serious I am. He closes the door to the truck and turns to face me. “Being in love feels different to everyone I think. When I was in love, I felt like every atom in my body was racing around like I couldn’t catch my breath sometimes. It was the best but scariest feeling in the world. But you have to be careful, if you feel this way about miss Kate.”

“Why?”

“Because there’s a certain code for liking your friend’s sister. I’m sure he’s very protective of her and doesn’t want her to get hurt. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

I nod my head. “I don’t want to upset Jake. He’s my best friend.”

“Right now, I think the best thing for you to do is become her friend. And if, when you’re older, much older, and start dating other people you find your way back to her then you have to make sure Jake’s okay with it first. If he is, then you go get the girl.” My head drops because he’s telling me I have to wait years until I can like her like her. More than a friend. Not that I was planning on jumping at the opportunity to get close to a girl, but still. It was kind of disheartening, but I understand what Dad is saying. He opens his door again, but doesn’t get out until he gets the final word in. “And here I thought I was your best friend.”