You Just Need A Friend, Auggie

Chapter 3: Happy, I guess

"So Auggie," my mom said to me as our family sat down at the table to eat dinner. "How was your first day back?" Dad looked up from his plate and rested his cutlery on the side of his plate and he looked over at me. I shrugged and I must've had some kind of blank expression on my face because Dad spoke before I could.

"How are your new classes?"

"Pretty good," I said. "Jack's in like all of my classes which is pretty cool."

"That's great, sweetie." Mom said. "So I take that it was a pretty good day then?"

I nodded my head and we finished dinner in almost complete silence. About five minutes later, mom and dad cleared the plates and headed upstairs leaving me and Via alone at the table.

"So how was your day?" I asked Via.

"It was actually really good," she said. "I got to see all of my friends again." I remember that last year, Via had some issues with her friends and more specifically with her best friend Miranda. I don't remember the whole story but I think it had something to do with her pretending that I was her brother and she kinda took Via's life and made it hers.

"You still with Justin?" I asked.

"Of course," she replied. "Justin is just great. He gets along well with Miranda.."

"Good," I said. "So when can we expect to see you on stage again?" Via smiled and laughed quietly.

"Not for a while, but I will be back without a doubt. I loved doing it last year." She said. I nodded and sat back in my chair. "So how are things between you and Jack?" Via asks. I smile and think about how great today was to see Jack again after a whole summer vacation. But I think I know why she's asking.

"He's doing well. I think we've both almost entirely have moved on from the Halloween issue." I said. Via, however, had an expression on here face that suggested that she didn't completely agree. I remember she was so uneasy around Jack midway through last year. She wasn't convinced that he would be a true friend for me.

"That's good, Auggie." She said as she got up from the table to put her plate in the dish washer.

I get up too and put my plate away. I head up to my room and open my laptop. I saw a message from Jack asking if I could play Minecraft. I opened the game and sent a request out and a few seconds later, Jack joined and my phone started buzzing. I reach over and tap the green answer button.

"Hey Auggie." I hear Jack say.

""Hey Jack," I respond. "What are we gonna do this time. The base is basically done. Any ideas?"

And just like that, the next part of two hours was spent laughing and screwing around in our world. Productive? Probably not. Fun? Oh hell yes! I shut my computer and see that the phone call is still outgoing. I go over to hang up but before I can reach over, Jack speaks.

Jack's POV:

I logged on to my computer and opened up Minecraft to see if Auggie was online. He wasn't so I sent him a text asking if he wanted to play. Knowing Nate and Isabel Pullman, dinner was always at the same time. It's like they live off routine and familiarity. Maybe that could be why last year was way harder on them then they expected. I learnt back on my chair and reflected about the past year. In a way I kinda lost more than I gained but I guess what I gained is something worth way more than being part of the popular group. I learnt what it meant to be a friend and what friendship is. Not the kind that you have with the kids you get along with at school, the ones that make you feel like you couldn't do anything to make them hate you. I guess that's kinda how it works. I'm still learning how this works. One thing I do know about friendships after meeting Auggie is that they should make you happy. That gets pretty obvious once you experience it first hand. That also got me thinking… what does Auggie think about friendship? I'm pretty certain he doesn't have to worry about chasing popularity or other people influencing him. He only really has me and Summer. I wonder what I really mean to him? I get pulled out of my thoughts by my computer buzzing.

I saw a message saying that Auggie had opened the server. I smiled and felt that excitement I usually felt when I knew I was hanging out with Auggie, which is basically every day even on weekends. I joined the world and called Auggie on his phone. He picked up and we went on for the next 2 hours, sorta became our tradition once we've both finished dinner. We finish at about 9 PM but I see that our call hasn't ended. Maybe I should ask him the question? I thought to myself. I have to know.

"What am I to you?" I ask, kind in a short manner.

"What do you mean?" Auggie asks. "Everything ok Jack?" I grunt at my frustration.

"Sorry that wasn't clear." I said. "I know you are my best friend but like… what am I to you?" There was a silent pause as I finish and wait for his response.

"Uh…" he clearly doesn't know what to say. "Is it not obvious?" I feel like I'm not getting anywhere.

"So uh… we're best friends right?" I ask. I hear Auggie laugh on the other side of the line.

"The hell? Of course we are Jack. Why would you think we aren't?" I feel so stupid.

"I guess I just needed to hear it from you." I said. "It's just that I don't really have a lot of friends left since… well… I think you know when." I said carefully. I could almost feel Auggie nod from all the way in North River Heights.

"So you don't know who's got you?" Auggie asked.

"I guess," I reply. "It's just.. so much has changed and I'm not great at adapting. I like to know what to expect."

"Do you think I believe in our friendship, Jack?" He asked. I take a deep breath.

"I think so, I mean after the Halloween incident you full on dissed me so I feel like I'm always on thin ice and that I have to make sure I never do that kinda shit to you." That brief period last year really showed me how much I missed Auggie when he wasn't my friend, like there was an empty space in my day at school and in my normal life.

"So there you go," he said. "You've changed and we are basically BFFFL!" He exclaimed

"What does all that stand for?" I ask a smile starting to creep on my face.

"Best Friends for fucking life!" He said happily. That was enough. My face stretched into a massive grin and I started to crack up. He really is funny.

"Thanks dude," I say happily. "See ya tomorrow, thanks for this."

"No problem Jack!" He says happily. I'm now definitely happy.

Note: Sorry for the late-ish post, I know this probably won't be that popular but it really reflects something in all of us. Kinda similar to the FC fic but obviously a little different. Anyway, if you've read this far, thank you! Please don't hesitate to leave a comment if you have a suggestion or something you wanna ask.

Cheers!