Some angst inspired by posts from littlequietcanadian & cblikeslainey on Tumblr

~.~

"You and me, we used to be together
Every day together, always
I really feel that I'm losin' my best friend
I can't believe this could be the end
It looks as though you're lettin' go
And if it's real, well, I don't want to know."

~ No Doubt, "Don't Speak" (1996)

~.~

She's noticed a certain air of confidence about him lately. Something she's always seen in him, but never quite fixated on until now. The way he carries himself, the way he opens doors for students, the way he eats his food at lunch, the way he swaggers down the hall, even the way he makes copies during his morning break. It's almost as if he's a different person - not completely different; he's still her best friend. He's just changed somehow. She can't quite put her finger on it… and it's eating her up inside.

She's always gone to him with her troubles, her personal problems, her issues with students. One student in particular has been giving her cause for concern lately, so she goes to him, hoping he'll offer some helpful morsel of advice. And maybe even find out just what in the hell is going on with him.

"Hey, Lain," he greets her as she enters his classroom after the final bell. "I'm just on my way out… meeting a friend for a drink in about fifteen minutes."

"Oh?" She crosses her arms across her chest and frowns. "Who's that?"

"No one you would know. Just an old friend." He stands up from his desk and grabs his brown satchel, pulling it onto his shoulder. "What's up?"

She takes a seat on the edge of his desk and looks up at him with a discouraged expression.

"Just having issues with Caroline Dillon again. She started skipping my class a week ago and then Glascott told me this morning she's dropping out of marching band-"

"Yeah, she hasn't shown up for robotics club in the past few weeks either. Must be something going on at home," he replies, obviously distracted.

He glances down at his watch.

"Hey, I'm sorry about Caroline, Lainey, but I really need to head on out." He turns to walk toward the door. He offers her one last smile. "I'm sure it'll all work itself out."

And before she can answer, he's gone.

Shocked by his demeanor, she sighs and rushes out into the hall. An instant cloud of sadness hovers over her as she watches him hurry toward the school's main entrance with not even a backwards glance.

He usually jumps at the chance to offer her advice. He usually break-dances and does anything within his power to cheer her up. Sometimes, he even makes up little songs and sings them to her to encourage her.

But that hasn't happened for a while now.

She wishes they could go back to the way things were, to the way things used to be when they used to share everything with each other. They are beginning to grow apart, and she realizes that it must have something to do with this old friend of his. Some part of her suspects it may be an old girlfriend or maybe even someone new. Her heart slowly breaks as the notion weighs heavily on her mind.

She knew this day would come, when he would find someone else to love, someone to share his heart with. She just wishes it wasn't now, when she needs him the most. Somehow she even wishes it wouldn't happen at all. She can be selfish about him at times.

Tears well up in her eyes as she heads back across the hall to her music room. Taking a seat at her desk, she spies the fuschia and yellow stuffed platypus looking up at her with its sad little black eyes. She picks it up and clutches it to her chest, not able to hold back the tears any longer.

She misses her best friend.

~.~

Thank you for reading! Please let me know what you thought. ~ Dazzy xxoo