Best Friends

“Soo boring,” Lance says, as he lies down on the bed.

“It’s only boring cuz you’ve lost 10 times in a row,” I say, lying my controller down on a nearby table.

“And it’s only fun cuz you’ve won 10 times in a row, Matt,” Lance said, rolling over until his face was on the bed. Matt stared at him for a couple of seconds, then turned the console they were using off.

“Dude you can’t be doing this,” Matt said, tapping Lance’s back multiple times with his hand. “You're the one that proposed this entire night.” He turned around and looked at Matt with a frown on his face. He suddenly sat upright.

“Yeah I did propose we do this because I thought you’d pick things that were fun,” Lance said folding his arms. 

“Then you should’ve proposed to do what you want to do first, not after what I want to do.” By now I had pulled up my phone and was searching for games to play. I found a shooter game. I then showed it to Lance. He looked at the phone then let out a sigh.

“Ok man, anything but this speedrun game.” It was July 5th, meaning it was summer break and a break from school, before going back to school for grade 12. 

                                                                    July 4th

“Yo dude I got this plan,” Lance said while taking a can of sprite out of my fridge to drink. He opened it and sprayed it all over his clothes. He didn’t move for about 30 seconds, staring blankly at his shirt. “Anyway,” Lance said, clapping his hands, “I was thinking we do something you want to do, then we go to a party.” I immediately let out a sigh.

“Dude I hate parties, plus we already do what I want to do, which is stay alone at home,” I responded.

“Nah, nah,” Lance said, waving his hand in the air, “you know I don’t like video games, sooo how about we play video games tomorrow, then the day after we go to a party.”

“Basically, you want me to go to a party but in exchange, you’ll play video games which you dislike?” I closed my eyes and put my hand on my chin. “Okay sure.” I put my hand out to shake on it.

“Well that was quick,” Lance said, a grin spreading on his face.

“One party can’t hurt,” I said, making the number one with my finger. “Plus, I get to introduce you to some of my favorite video games, so I’m pretty excited.”

                                                                   Present

“You having fun?” I started. Lance’s eyes looked lifeless and his lips were straight horizontal.

“Dude?” I started to wave my hand in front of his eyes. Clap! Lance shook his head and then looked at me

“What were you saying?” Lance said.

“Broo, you haven’t moved your character in ages,” I said pointing towards the screen, “You still playing?”

“Nah it’s just I was staring off into space, I got this let’s keep playing.” I looked at him for a few moments. 

“Actually, let’s just watch a movie,” I said, dropping the controller onto the table.

“You sure?” Lance said, dropping his controller.

“Yeah,” I said while scrolling Netflix for a movie. “The deal was that you had to try it, not to enjoy it.” 

“Cool, cool,” Lance said nodding his head, “make sure to watch the new season of Heistfighter,” Lance said, pointing at the screen with a light smile on his face.

“You betcha,” I said, a smile on my face.

                                                                   July 5th

Lance and I slept in two different rooms and I woke up at 1 pm. It was one hour before the party that Lance wanted me to attend. “Ughh,” I grumble as I wake up. Before even doing any of my morning routines I go to Lance’s room to wake him up. I knock at his door hard from the get go. He opens the door rubbing his eyes.

“It’s time,” Lance said, with his eyes closed.

“Yup,” I said, my lips between a frown and a smile. He walks over to me and puts his hand around my neck.

“Dude you’re gonna have a good time!” Lance says with his hand up in the air.

“Sureee,” I say with my face to the side. We both got ready and got to the party place. We walk into the place and some people say hi.

“Alright dude, it’s time to socialize.” Lance starts to walk towards a group of four people. I take in a deep breath, and walk after him. The group of four see us coming and greet us. We start talking and I start to have some fun. “Yo, I just saw one of my friends from grade 2, imma leave,” Lance said coming in close to my right ear.

“Wha-” I began, but Lance cut me off.

“Bro it’ll be fine.” Lance said, putting his hand on my shoulder.

“..Ok.” Lance walks away and I continue to talk with them for a while.

“Wanna go play some games in the arcade?” One of them asks. I was already tired from talking to them for so long, but I went anyway. We play 2 games and after the second one ends one of them asks if I want to play another one.

“Ah, I was thinking of going to sit for a bit,” I say pointing to a seat. They nod and I walk over to the seat. Ugh, buzzkill. I immediately turn and look at the four of them. They’re already walking to a different game. One of them definitely said that right? I thought. I pause for a moment. Whatever, doesn’t matter, I thought. I walked into the washroom to use the stall to poop. I got into the stall and stayed there for a bit. Two people walk in and I recognize their voices. One of them was Lance and the other one was one of the people I had met earlier.

“So what did you want to talk about?” Lance asks. The other person sighed and then began to speak.

“Matt isn’t like us boys.” The other boy said. “Whenever I invite him to a party he always says no and whenever there is a school event he is always the first to leave. I think it’s time to stop hanging out with someone like that. He’s a total buzzkill and you’re his only friend in school!”

There was dead silence for a few seconds. 

“No.” Lance said, and I started to hear footsteps.

“C’mon man, you’re so popular in school! Why hang out with a loser like that?” The footsteps stopped.

“First off, Matt isn’t a loser, second off, nobody cares about some school popularity!” Lance said his voice louder. “Finally, nobody cares about some parties you invited him to! Before judging somebody, actually get to know them!” I started to hear footsteps and a slam of the door. After a bit I hear footsteps and the sound of a door closing. I get out of the stall, wash my hands and then get out of the washroom. I go to where the seats are and I see Lance sitting down. 

“Bro wanna go?” Lance says, kind of disappointed.

“Do you wanna go?” I say.

“Yeah, and you know what? I’m in the mood for some video games?” We both smile big smiles and then walk out of the party.