That's What Friends Do - Chapter 3

Carter’s face screwed up. His mother kissed him on the cheek, smearing red lipstick over his skin. “Right you sure you don’t want me to walk you to school?” His mother wasn’t over-protective just a little anxious. 1

“Mum. Really? We live like a hundred metres from the school. See you later. I don’t want to be late for my first day.” Carter licked his finger, wiping the lipstick off. Grabbing his bag he left the house. The street was filled with children. Screaming. Giggling. You name it they were doing it. Carter smiled, seeing his usual friends, well friend, just pasting his front gate. 2

“Sam! Wait up!” Carter shouted, trying to get his attention. But Sam ignored him, not even looking back, walking faster towards school. Carter pulled the gate too, as a pretty girl knocked into him, making him fall over. Mud covering his hands and trousers.3

“Carter. Get out of the way.” They way she emphasised the word out, made him shiver. A number of girls standing behind her, like a pack of dogs, their was her bitch.4

“Oh, I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean it…” 5

The girl half-heartedly smiled. Trying to hide her feelings, she turned the smile into a frown. “Is it true? That he’s actually back?” 6

Carter shrugged. “I heard rumours. I haven’t seen him since last break. Who knows until we get to school. Well I don’t want to be late. See you at school Steph.”7

*8

Thomas quickly woke up, with the warm breath on his back, and an arm wrapped around him. If anybody walked in, they looked like the perfect couple, relaxing on a Sunday. But they were far from it. Thomas edged slowly out the bed, trying not to wake him. Looking down, he realised something more than a kiss must have happened. He glanced around, seeing his boxers on the floor. Putting one leg into them, he looked upon Carter. He looked so peaceful, laying there. But he felt nothing. Nothing for him. Why did I sleep with him? He thought.9

A door slammed behind, shaking the bedroom wall. “Shit. Shit. Shit.” In his head he saw Steph, going into their bedroom finding an empty un-slept-in bed, looking confused. Carter ran to the door, slipping on a phone charger lead.10

“What you doing?” Carter looked down from the bed to Thomas, sleepy faced.11

Thomas looked at him. “What have I done?” He ran out of the room, before he let him reply. He stood against the door and breathed out. 12

“Oh there you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I want a kiss honey, missed you so much.” Steph kissed him on the lips. Hugging him. Thomas smiled. He had got away with it. For know anyway. “Where was you yesterday? You left way before me.”13

Thomas lost eye-contact with Steph. “Just met my mum, for some coffee. She wanted to run through some things. With the wedding coming up, I’m allowed some secrets, aren’t I?”14

Steph nodded. “Suppose so yeah. Who said the wedding was soon anyway? I like the feeling of being engaged. Not rushing into anything. Some peaceful relaxed years before spending our lives together. ”15

“Years?!” Thomas didn’t mean to blurt it out, it just came naturally. Like he had accepted the fact he only had months. “I’m sorry, I just felt like. Well never mind.”16

Steph took Thomas’s hand. “No tell me. This is our wedding. Not just mine.”17

“Mum was saying about a friend of hers dying, it just made me realise. We all don’t last forever. We should treasure the time we have, make our love real. Cause I love you very much Stephanie. I want a wedding ring on my finger.”18

Steph wiped her eyes, tears running down her face. Thomas felt confused, he didn’t know whether he believed what he had just said. But it was certain that she did. 19

* 20

Carter felt like he had just cursed in church. It felt wrong, but somehow fun. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, he didn’t why Thomas left so quickly, but he was sure it was to do with Steph. The door had slammed, meaning she was back, before she was meant too. 21

Carter didn’t want to leave his bedroom. Ever. He couldn’t bare seeing Thomas let alone Steph. But he had too. He stood up, grabbing his dressing gown he left his bedroom. His face was a permanent smile, as he walked into the kitchen. 22

Steph was sat on one of the stools. “Wow somebody is happy. Why the sickening smile?”23

Carter laughed. Just as Thomas entered the kitchen, carter stopped. “Nothing really. Aren’t I allowed to smile on a Sunday?” 24

Steph gave Thomas a weird look. But Carter turned the other way, hearing the slurping of mouths touching. Pouring some orange juice, he cleared his throat.25

“Have a good night? We sure did.” 26

Thomas went pink, but Steph didn’t notice, muttering on about her night at her mothers. “… at the end of the night I was knackered, must have read about twenty bridal books. Oh wait let me get one of them from our room, I need to show you this beautiful turquoise bridesmaid dress.” Steph swanned off to the bedroom. 27

“Don’t you ever say anything. Or that’s it, you can pack your bags now.”28

Carter let go of the glass, grabbing Thomas’s hand. “I know you wanted it last night. Don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy it.”29

Thomas moved his hand away. “I didn’t. I was drunk. You took advantage. .”30

Carter looked shocked. “You so wasn’t pissed. And don’t fucking say I took advantage, who fucking undid my shirt? 31

“Want to know why I did it? Well I’m going to tell you anyway. Pity. I fucked you out of pity. And get over it.”32

Carter grabbed his coat, slamming the front door. He walked down the corridor aggressively pressing the lift button. Waiting, he took his phone from his pocket. Trying to think of someone he could ring, then he felt something else in his coat pocket. A business card. DR Ethan’s. 33

Ring. Ring. Ring. Carter went to hit the end button, before he picked up. “Erm hello? I don’t normally do this. It’s Carter.”34

Ethan laughed. “Hey. Thought I remembered that deep voice. How are you stranger? Fancy meeting for coffee in ten minutes?”35

Carter smiled. “Yes, Starbucks on *insert street*. I’ll see you then.”36

*37

Steph emerged from the bedroom, holding several bridal magazines. “Oh where did he go? I wanted to show him this suit. Would be perfect for his best man suit.”38

“He had to go. He said sorry, he will look later. Who said he was going to be my best man anyway?” Thomas stomach sank. Things had became complicated. Let alone thinking about the tumour.39

“Oh I just figured.”40

“Well you figured wrong.” Thomas left the kitchen, flopping onto the couch. He stood up walking back to Steph, going to kiss her. But she moved her head.41

“Stop being an arse. You’ve woke up different, I swear. Like a changed man.”42

Thomas just shrugged, looking at the empty glass on the side. 43

*44

Carter sat down in the school hall. He looked around the room, everyone looked excited. Like they waiting for a show. Not the headmistress. The room went quiet, except for the noise of heels walking down the walkway in the crowd. The slender woman stood at the front. “Welcome everyone.” Nodding to the students and the faculty. “I would like to start to say thank you to . . “45

The door at the back of the room opened. More footsteps appeared. The children looked around. “Nice of you to join us Mr Harderstone“ Everybody started to whisper. “Just sit anywhere Thomas.” Thomas sat down a few rows in front of Carter. Turning round he smiled. Carter waved excitedly. But Thomas’s face changed, looking confused. Carter’s face went red, turning round he saw that Thomas wasn’t smiling at him. But at Steph. 46

*47

Carter sat in the warm Starbucks. The coffee was shop was quite busy, people getting their daily fix. Carter on a two-seater table, watching the various people in the queue when Ethan walked in. Carter stood up to greet him, putting his hand to shake his, but Ethan hugged him instead. Squeezing him softly. 48

“Oh im sorry. I didn’t know what we was going to do. Im sorry again.”49

“No problem. Just not used too, well man hugs very much. Anyway. So thanks for meeting me like so short notice.”50

Ethan signalled the waitress. “It’s fine I have just finished work, and really needed some coffee after a 12 hour shift. Puking babies and smelly old men. My day hasn’t been that good so far.” 51

Carter laughed. “No your right. You haven’t. Well hopefully I can make it a bit better.” Ethan smiled, telling the attractive waitress his coffee order.52

“After this, if your not busy want to watch a movie at mine. Got this brand new horror, but been too scared to watch it on my own. Without sounding too well full on.”53

Carter looked at the clock on the side. Noon exactly. He didn’t want to go back to the apartment until late, hoping not to see anyone. “Yeah sure. But be careful, I might need a pillow to hide behind.”54

*55

The sound of the shower was the only noise in the apartment. Thomas sat on the bed, staring into nothing. He stood up walking up and down the space. One hand on the back of his head, one on his waist. His head was throbbing. He needed some air. 56

A thousand things was going around his head. He wanted it to be over. He wanted his three months to be over. Then at least he wouldn’t have to put up with anything. “Stop it.” Thomas talked to himself again. He grabbed his phone from his pocket. Clicking on text message, he typed, sending the message.57

*58

“Oh shit, how can a vampire be killed three times and still come back to life?” Carter laughed, Ethan resting his hand on Carter’s leg. Ethan looked into Carter’s eyes, going in for a kiss. 59

Carter pulled away, his phone bleeping in his pocket. I’m sorry. Carter stood up. “I need to go. Thank you for an amazing night. But sorry, something has come up.”60

Ethan stood up as well. “It’s ok. I know how you feel, my bleeper always goes off. Poxy things, people can never get away from work these days.”61

“Yeah, erm your right, damn work.” Carter left, calling for a taxi outside his flat. Asking for the address quickly, wanting to get home. 62

*63

Carter tipped the taxi driver, running into the apartment, taking the stairs two at a time. He found his keys, franticly putting it into the lock. Opening the door. Thomas was sat on the settee, with Steph attached to his neck, like she was sucking the blood out of him. 64

Carter didn’t want know what he expected. Thomas to have left Steph, maybe. Or at least get the chance to speak to him. But no. Carter stared at the back of Thomas’s head. Not wanting to move, but not liking the view. 65

Steph let go of his neck, noticing Carter stood there. “Oh.” Slightly embarrassed she buttoned up her shirt. Thomas looked back but Carter was already gone. 66

*67

Moving to secondary school had moved Carter to the bottom of the social circuit. It was lunch time, and the canteen was full of children. But Carter wasn’t in there. He was where the less socially experienced kids went to eat their lunch. The toilets. In primary Carter was known as the “funny boy” with the cool friend - Thomas. But when Thomas left, he was just known as the “funny boy”. Not even that funny, just strange.68

Carter peeled the straw of the Ribena carton, pushing it through the little hole. He was pretty certain nobody else was in the toilets with him, not even another socially-retarded boy. Then the door opened, slamming against the shoddy walls. 69

Carter put his Ribena carton on the floor, slowly standing on the toilet. Peering over, Thomas was stood at the urinal. Carter quickly got down, kicking his carton into the different cubicle, flushing the toilet.70

Thomas looked around, “Oh hey Carter, didn’t think anyone else was in here. You ok mate? Long time no see.”71

Carter started washing his hands. “Yeah fine thanks. You?” 72

Thomas nodded, zipping up his trousers. “Well I best go, Steph’s waiting for me.”73

Carter bit his lip, holding in the words he wanted to say. But then breathed in and released. “Is that it? We used to be best friends. Then you just left. Then you hardly call. Or even text. Then completely fucking ignore me.”74

Thomas looked shocked at what he said. “I’m sorry Carter. Its well different now. Different school, different things to do to fit in. I’ll still be your friend, just out of school. My mum said you can come round Friday night if you want.”75

Carter wanted to stand up to him, wanted to tell him he didn’t want to be his secret friend. But he did. If the only way they could be friends, was out of school, that’s the way it had to be. 76