So I got this story idea at 4 am yesterday after being on the tumblr Fraxus tag for four hours.

I need help.

Freed

I was never good at making friends. Even my best friends, Ever and Bickslow, had been chosen for me before I could remember. So imagine my reaction when my mother decided to pack up and move our family two miles a month after I started the seventh grade.

You're probably thinking, two miles? That's not bad. I would be closer to Bickslow's house. But in our town, Magnolia, there are two middle schools. And those two miles moved me across the line that divided my old middle school, East Magnolia Middle, and my new middle school, West Magnolia Middle.

Now what sparked this random move that would send my social life reeling? My mother. And the fetus in her stomach.

Our old house was a tiny little thing. 2 bedrooms, 1 and a half baths, a little over 700 square feet. It was enough space for me and parents. Not so much for me, my parents, and a new baby.

My family had enough money for a much bigger house now, but my father disliked change, and since my parents had lived in that house before I was born, it was ingrained in their lives. I didn't mind the small house. I spent most of my time in my room anyway.

However, once my father was nearly sent to the hospital after a major collision with the baby preparations that bombarded the living room, they knew it was time to get someplace bigger. That was the entire summer before I entered seventh grade. My parents visited every house for sale on the east side of town, some houses even multiple times, but my parents found nothing.

Finally it was September, and our real estate agent was at her wit's end. She showed my parents a house on the west side of town. It fit everything on my parents' wish list, and was nearly brand new. They put in an offer that very day. This would be my new home.

My parents' didn't care about the fact I would be starting a new school in October. It was a small price to pay for their dream house, and I had no say in the matter. I was an obedient child. I always listened and followed directions, most often silently. It's safe to say I was not close to my parents.

My parents were much different when I was younger. Before they were accountants, my father was working on getting a record label with his band, and my mom was trying to make it big in fashion. Their attitudes as adults resulted in my very, er, original name: Freed. Needless to say, my parents grew up, and have voiced their regret on my name many, many times.

They will not be making the same mistake with the coming baby. If she is a girl, her name will be Sarah. If he is a boy, his name will be Henry. I almost wish the baby would be given a strange name to go along with mine, but it's not my place to say. I'm not the one having the child, nor will I ever have children. It's too easy to make mistakes and disappoint them, a lesson I've learned well.

When I was younger, I wanted to move in with Bickslow. His mother, Ms. Jessica, is very nice and extremely involved in her children's lives. Whenever I go over there, Ms. Jessica pulls freshly baked cookies out of the oven, and starts inquiring about our day. She even actively helps Bickslow with his homework, something my parents would never do.

When I get home at exactly 3:32 each day, I take off my shoes, set them in the closet, and nod hello to my mother. I then proceed to my room where I complete all of my schoolwork. I always finish at exactly 5:20. I eat dinner with my parents at 5:30. At 6:00, after I have cleaned the dishes, I proceed to either Bickslow or Ever's house. I am back at home by 7:30. I study until 8:20, and then I shower and get ready for bed. I am asleep by 8:45 at the latest.

I was never taught this schedule, but my parents require order and precision, so I comply. I learned how to be independent by age 7, around the time my parents became 'practical'. I have nothing against my parents and my raising, but I always wondered what it would be like to grow up in an environment like Bickslow's. I wonder how raising the new baby will work.

I just hope the baby won't have to grow up as fast as me.

When I stepped out of our car on October 3rd, a box in my arms, the first thing I noticed was the color. The house was a pure white color, making it look more like a fancy hotel than a new house for four. My mother, on the other hand was beaming.

"Oh look at it, Freed! Isn't it wonderful?" My mother nearly twirled around as she walked up the path to the front door.

My mother was starting to unlock the door when she looked up and scolded me. "Please take that frown off your face young man. And hurry up with the box."

I sighed. I put on my typical straight face. I proceeded to unpack the car, setting the boxes in the entry way as my mother danced around her new house, her face adorned with a huge grin.

A large honk outside informed me of the moving truck that had just pulled up. My father had chosen to ride with the movers in order to keep our furniture safe. Thank goodness we had little belongings. With the movers' help, our house was put together in four hours. Well, mostly. My mother was downstairs, directing the movers on the living room furniture placement for the umpteenth time. But I had managed to sneak away.

The movers finally left around 3 and our house was done. It looked bare, but it was done.

At 3:40, the doorbell rang through the house, and I nearly slid down the stairs. I was grinning ear to ear. "Mother!" I cried. "Bickslow and Ever are here!"

"Don't shout," my mother informed from her spot on the couch. I nodded my head, but I lost my composure the second I flung open the door and was enveloped by my friends' hugs. Ever and Bickslow hopped into the house in a flurry of arms and talking. I couldn't make sense of any of it, but I was too happy to care. Bickslow and Ever never came to my old house. It was too small and my mother didn't care for their hurricane-like demeanor. That didn't matter now,

A loud ahem escaped from her throat. Bickslow and Ever stopped and turned to face her. My mother smiled. "Hello, Bickslow. Hello, Evergreen."

My parents used to be great friends with Bickslow and Ever's parents, but their friendship slowly grinded to a halt after practicality took in.

Bickslow and Ever smiled nervously. "Hello, Mrs. Justine." They quickly nodded to her, and a second later we were all sprinting up to my new room. Bickslow stood in the doorway with awe, but Ever didn't hesitate to claim the rolling chair, already starting to spin.

"This is huge!" Bickslow ran and flopped on my bed. Ever kept on spinning, making me dizzy just looking at her. But I couldn't believe it. For once, we were hanging out in my room. But with that came a price.

Ever finally slowed down and slumped back in the chair. "I can't believe you have to go to West. They're a bunch of losers."

Bickslow sat up. "Yeah, today was so boring without you. I can't believe I have to deal with this until high school."

I joined Bickslow on the bed. "At least we can still hang out after school. I hear West has less homework."

Ever rolled her eyes. "Yeah. But they have more bullies and thugs and stuff. I'd be fine, but face it, Freed, you're horrible at making friends."

"I would be offended if that wasn't so true." Bickslow just laughed.

I was gonna miss these two.

Hope you guys liked it! It was kinda short but I should have 2 up later today.