Turn Right

School ended and I walked with Rachael to the bus. We got on and she went into the seat she was sitting in this morning, I was about to say something but got pulled to the back by my friends, John, Luke and Alex.

“So you’re cool with the new girl?" Luke asked.

“Yea her name is Rachael and she’s really cool…”

“Did you call dibs?" Alex asked.

“You cant call dibs on a girl Alex…and besides she’s not interested in a relationship”

“So you did ask her out then?" John asked.

“No I didn’t but she told me”

“But do you want to ask her out?"

“No, well I don’t know…”

“He likes her,” Alex stated and they all smirked at me.

“Maybe I do, so what?"

“Well then you have to tell us man so none of us go for her, that’s just not right,” John said and I sighed in relief.

Then I saw the girls coming on the bus. “Look, I’m going to ask her to sit with me, just tell the girls to not be so mean to her okay?" I pleaded.

“You got it,” Luke said and gave me a thumbs up.

Melissa, Kayla and Brittany all came on the bus and smiled at me and waved as they walked by and the guys began to talk to them as I walked to Rachael.

“Hey Rachael, put the book away for a little and come sit with me,” I said and she looked up at me. Then she smiled and nodded as I got a jolt of energy.

She put her book in her book bag and we went to the back. “Guys this is Rachael, Rachael this is John, Alex, Luke, Melissa, Brittany and Kayla,” I introduced.

“It’s a pleasure,” Alex said as he grabbed her hand and went to kiss it but John and Melissa pulled him back.

“Sorry about him, Alex is a player,” Mel said with a friendly smile.

I knew I could count on Melissa to be friendly, she was always the nicest out of the group…they’re all nice but Mel was the…I cant really explain it, you would just have to know her.

“It’s nice to meet you all,” she giggled and then got in the two-seater and I got in beside her.

The bus started and we all sat down. I couldn’t help but think about how my arm brushed against hers as she looked out the window. She smiled at me a lot and I kept talking to her when my friends weren’t talking to me and the guys even got her to converge and so did Melissa. Kayla and Brittany gave her smug looks here and there but Rachael seemed to just shrug them off.

We were getting closer to our stop and I looked at Rachael, our arms brushing again. “Hey do you want to come over?" I asked.

“Your house?" she asked.

“Yes?" I laughed lightly.

“Umm yea sure, I’d love to,” she said.

“Good,” I said and she pulled out her out her cell phone and I noticed she was sending a text message to her mom asking for her to come over and then I saw that her mom said yes.

We got to our stop and said good bye to my friends as we walked off the bus. “Come on,” I said excitedly as I grabbed her hand and led her up to my door.

We walked in and I dropped my bag off to the side and I did the same with hers. “Mom?" I called. “Oh Nicholas, how was your first day of school?" she asked and sounded like she was in the kitchen.

“It was good…I have a guest,” I called and took Rachael’s hand again and led her to the kitchen and I walked in to where mom was doing dishes. “A guest?" she asked as she shut the water off and grabbed a towel.

She turned around and began to dry her hands as she smiled at me and then I grabbed Rachael’s hand and pulled her to my side. “This is Rachael, she’s the one who moved in next door,” I said.

“Oh Rachael it’s so good to meet you”

“It’s nice to meet you too Mrs. Jonas,” she said politely and shook mom’s hand.

“Are dad, Kevin and Joe home?" I asked.

“Yea they should be…” she began to say but Joe came running down the stairs with Kevin following.

“Hey mom, what are we…oh who’s this?" Joe asked.

“This is Rachael, she moved in next door,” mom said.

“Hi Rachael I’m Joe, can I call you Rach, or Ray, or Rea with the ‘ea’ ending…” he said really fast and I knew he was going to continue but I cut him off.

“Joe!" I yelled and he stopped.

“Sorry,” he said quickly and stepped back.

The whole time, the face on Rachael’s face was pure amusement. “It’s okay, I don’t mind,” she laughed and Joe‘s face lit up.

“Hi I’m Kevin, sorry about our brother, he had a little too much sugar today,” Kevin said.

“And plus Mandy is most likely here,” I muttered and his face was red.

“She’s coming over later,” he defended.

“Boys calm down, Frankie is sleeping,” she said and then dad walked in.

“Dad this is Rachael”

“It’s nice to meet you,” she said.

“Same here, Rachael,” he replied.

“Nick has a girlfriend,” Joe sang under his breath.

“Rachael and I are going up to my room,” I said and quickly pulled her toward the stairs.

“It was nice meeting you all,” she said quickly as I pulled her along.

We got inside and I shut the door. “Sorry about my family,” I apologized.

“Don’t be sorry, they’re really sweet and welcoming, it’s been a while since I’ve met a family like yours” she said and I smiled. “So this is your room,” she commented as she looked around and sat on the bed.

“Yep…it isn’t much but…”

“No, no I like it…so who’s Mandy?"

“She’s our best friend…she’s closer to Joe because they’re the same age and they are so close to dating but they aren’t there yet”

“I hate it when two people like each other and they don’t do anything about it,” she said and I laughed a little.

If she knew I liked her, would she like me back and then tell me? “Awe, who’s this?" she asked as she picked up a picture of me and Maya when we were younger.

“Oh that’s my best friend, Maya, we’ve known each other forever,” I said as I sat down next to her.

“Oh, that’s really nice,” she said, genuinely and set the picture gently back down.

Then all of a sudden, Joe came running in. “Mandy’s here, I just asked her out and I kissed her!" he exclaimed excitedly.

"Good for you Joe, I’m happy for you,” she said before I could reply.

“Thanks Rachael,” he said sincerely, ran over to us, hugged her quickly and ran out.

Then Rachael laughed. “I really like your family, they’re so energetic,” she commented and I smiled at her. “Have you had your first kiss yet?" she teased.

“No actually I haven’t,” I admitted and blushed and I saw she did too.

“Neither have I,” she admitted quietly.

“Really?" I asked and her head shot up to look at me.

“Why sound so surprised?" she asked and I suddenly felt embarrassed.

“Oh umm sorry, I didn’t mean…”

“It’s olay Nick,” she said and then we were both silent.

“Well…you and I could…” I started to say as I felt my face get even more red.

“Nick you don’t have to kiss me, we just met and I’m sure you’d want your first kiss to be with someone you like,” But I do like you! I wanted to shout.

“I think I’d rather have it with someone who I’m comfortable with,” I said slowly.

“Okay and then after it, we go back to normal”

“Completely,” I noticed we both were staring at each other and then as if a magnetic force was bring us together, we started inching closer and closer.

Soon, our lips met. It was just a simple kiss but it was still amazing. I felt all of the fireworks people said you would feel. We pulled away and just starred into each others eyes. “Umm well…?" she asked.

“That was…” I started to say but was interrupted.

“Nick, Mandy wants to meet Rachael,” Joe said as he came running in with Mandy. Rachael and Mandy started talking and I kept thinking about that kiss.

“Nicholas will Rachael be joining us for dinner?" mom called up and I looked at Rachael. She gave a shrug, letting me know it was up to me.

“Yea mom!" I called back.

Once Joe and Mandy finally left, I wanted to tell her how much I loved that kiss. How it felt so right. But I didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. I saw her looking around my room and then she saw papers on my dresser.

“What are these? Poems?" she taunted as she took a few into her hands and my eyes widened.

“Umm Rachael you really don’t have to…” I started to say but it was too late, she was already reading them.

“Songs?" she questioned with sincerity as she looked up at me.

“Umm well kind of…they aren’t too good…”

“Nick these are really good,” she commented.

“Well they aren’t even finished either”

“Well I can help you if you want,” she suggested and my face lit up.

“I’d really like that,” I said and I sat back down beside her.

We started working on the songs and after a while we finished One Day At A Time and I Am What I Am. Now we were laughing at some random thing while we laid side by side on my bed. Once our laughter died down, I turned my head and saw how close she was, it made my breathing pick up, so I slowed it down calmly.

“When you become famous, don’t forget me okay?" she said suddenly.

“I could never…and besides you’ll be famous too, you’re an awesome writer, you helped me”

“I know but…it just doesn’t seem like I’ll make it…anyway, when you go touring in Europe, bring back a souvenir”

“How about you come with me when I tour Europe and we’ll bring back souvenirs together and I’ll take you to Paris to see the Eiffel tower and we’ll go to Rome to see the Trevi Fountain and then we’ll go to England to see the queen,” I said and she laughed.

I knew she wanted to go to Europe someday and see and do all these things...but she moves around so much she doesnt exactly have the confidence to think it could happen.

“Kids, dinner’s ready!" mom called.

“Coming!" I called back to her.

We both stood up and walked out of my room and this time, she took her time down the stairs as she looked at the pictures, hanging on our wall.

“Awe, look at little Nicholas,” she teased and I rolled my eyes as she laughed.

We got to the table and sat side by side as my family sat around us. We all joined hands and said grace and began eating. I was glad that Mandy, Kevin and Joe included her in conversations and I saw how well she fit in with us. She even had conversations with mom and dad and she made Frankie smile and laugh…something I rarely did when I was a baby. She looked at me a few times, smiling, her blue eyes shining and no matter what I was thinking, it always made me smile too. Then I realized something. I didn’t just like Rachael Lewis…I really, really liked her.

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It’s been about two weeks now since Rachael and I have become best friends. Every day, we had a routine, we’d go out to the bus stop, go to school, come home, go into my room, do homework and then hang out. On the weekends we hung out outside and went to the park or something. She’s been around so much, it’s natural for my family to see her when she walks in the house. She even has Frankie clapping and getting excited to see her. Today was my eleventh birthday. I walked outside to the bus, expecting Rachael to come outside but she never did. The bus came and I got on and walked to the back.

“Happy birthday!" they all cheered and I smiled.

“Thanks guys…have you guys heard from Rachael this morning?" I asked all of them and multiple “no’s” were heard.

“I was talking to her last night, so she’s going to be school, I know that much,” Melissa said and I nodded. She has also become really close friends with Melissa and I was really glad for that.

We got to school and I got to my seat. After a while, class started and I saw Rachael rush in and over to the teacher. Then she came over and sat in her seat.

“Hey where were you this morning?" I whispered.

“Over slept, sorry,” she smiled but somehow it felt like she was lying to me…but I shrugged it off.

Did she forget about my birthday? We’ve been best friends for only two weeks but still. School continued and Rachael showed no emotion at all about remembering my birthday or not and I admit I’ve been giving her the cold shoulder through out the day. Then lunch came and we all walked out of the classroom but I got stopped as Rachael raced over to me and grabbed my hand, sending sparks through out my arm but I ignored them.

“Hey, are you mad at me?" she questioned lightly and it almost caused me to give in but I stood my ground.

“Nope,” I said harshly.

“Nick I know you’re mad at me,” she said but I ignored her statement. “Come out to the court yard with me,” she said and tugged on my arm lightly, now both of her hands held mine.

“We have to get to lunch,” I said coldly.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get your lunch, just come out to the court yard with me…you wont regret it I promise…please”? she asked and now she had sad eyes.

“Fine,” I sighed and her face lit up.

“Come on,” she said excitedly as she began to pull me along.

We got to the door that led outside to the court yard and she jumped behind him as she covered my eyes. “Rachael, what are you…”

“Just wait…” was all she said.

She walked me through the door way and I felt her mouth so close to my neck, it gave me goose bumps. “Okay you can look now,” she whispered and let go.

I saw a picnic blanket on the concrete and it had a basket with two plates set up. “You thought I forgot your birthday didn’t you,” she said.

“Yea, I did”

“I would never,” she said and pulled me over to it.

“I know it’s something a boyfriend and a girlfriend would be seen doing but you’re pretty much considered my best friend, even though I may not be yours and I…” she began to babble {in a cute way} but I cut her off.

“You are considered my best friend…you and Maya…I’d really like it if you two met sometime”

“I’d love to…just name a time and place and I’ll be there…but today isn’t about me or Maya, it’s about you,” she smiled and we both sat down.

She pulled out a few containers and then two Capri Suns and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Hey don’t laugh, it took enough energy to convince Mrs. Collins to let me do this for you, it does not need your criticism,” she said with a smirk.

“Sorry,” I laughed and then stopped.

We had cookies, brownies and a cupcake that had a single candle on it. “Happy birthday,” she whispered. “Do me a favor…just pretend it’s lit and blow it off,” she said and I laughed.

I was about to blow it out but she stopped me. “Make a wish first,” she ordered so I stopped and shut my eyes.

I wish someday Rachael realizes how much I like her and that she’ll like me the same way. I wasn’t sure if that counted as two wishes but I stuck to it and blew out the imaginary candle and she began to clap.

We continued to just talk and eat. “I figured that we could eat junk for the moment and then tonight, at your house we could have some real food”

“This was very…nice of you Rachael, thank you”

“Not a problem…happy birthday Nicholas,” she said and leaned toward me and kissed my cheek. I felt my face grow warm.

“Come on, we better clean this stuff up, it’s almost time to get back to class,” she said and I nodded. I was kind of disappointed though. I just wanted to spend all day with her in this one spot.
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After school she came over and Rachael’s mom even came over. I haven’t seen much of her but my mom and her mom have seen to become really close. Joe, Kevin and Rachael have become close as well and I was grateful for that. It’s important to me that my friends and family get along. Then there was a knock at the door and mom went to go answer it.

“Nicholas, Maya’s here!" mom called.

“Maya!" I cheered as I ran to the door, embracing my {other} best friend in a hug.

I turn around to see Rachael standing there, smiling, waiting patiently. “Maya, this is Rachael, Rachael, this is Maya,” I introduced as Rachael stepped forward a few steps.

“Maya, it’s so nice to finally meet you,” she said and gave Maya a quick hug.

“It’s nice to finally meet you too,” Maya replied.

“Rachael, dear, will you come help in the kitchen for a moment?" her mom called.

“Coming!" she called back and walked away.

“Well? What do you think of her?" I asked Maya quickly.

“I just met her Nick,” she laughed.

“I know but doesn’t she make some kind of impression on you?"

“Actually yea, she’s very nice and if she’s anything like what you told me on the phone I’m sure she’s awesome,” she said and I felt warm.

“It’s important to me that you two get along”

“Don’t worry, I’m sure we will,” she said and I nodded.

Mom, Rachael’s mom and Rachael all helped make me a special dinner and then after it we had cake. The whole time, I watched Rachael and Maya get along and I sighed in relief. I don’t know what I would’ve done if my two best friends didn’t get along…especially if it’s a girl I like and Maya doesn’t like her.

That was my first birthday with her.