Hey guyzzzzzz you're all beautiful! I am also just praying for my friend and brother NoRoleModelz98 not going to go into detail for his privacy but just know you're in my thoughts brother! Shout out to my friend Troy Groomes as well for checking up on me from time to time! Also WE MADE IT TO CHAPTER 20!
Chapter 20: Buddy-Buddy
Check out the last chapter (A/N) for a clear timeline on where the story is at!
Humphrey's P.O.V (7:25 am):
I woke up to my stupid alarm buzzing. I groaned and turned over tapping my phone screen to turn it off. I sat up with my feet hanging off the bed to check my phone. Usually I only have a 'good morning' text from Kate. I read my notifications:
"Snapchat from Jack Goodyear"
"Text Message from M'lady: 'morning sweety!' "
"Snapchat from Garth McPherson"
I did a double take when I read Garth's name on there because I had never seen his name in my phones notifications before. Without thinking too hard about it I swiped it and it opened up Snapchat. I tapped on the message and a black picture with the words "morning man!" came up. Even if he didn't burn up my truck I still didn't care, he still did other stuff… so I did the most inhumane and cruel thing anyone could ever do to someone… I left him on read. I answered Kate with a good morning message and got up to get ready for school. I didn't open Jacks Snap yet because he usually just asks me for homework answers and I didn't do any of mine. I took a quick shower. When I was done I wrapped a towel around my waist and opened the door and there was Liza.
"HOLY SHIT LIZ!" I said catching my breath while leaning on the door frame.
"God! Stop being such a wimp!" She said with a chuckle.
"Stop being such a ninja!"
"Oh you're fine.. so.. what do you think today will be like now that you're friends with Garth?"
"Liza.. no.. I will not stress this enough.. I am NOT friends with that prick. We're just trying to take down the pyromaniac that's been burning shit all over town."
"Fine.. whatever.. just be careful" she said with puppy dog eyes.
"I always am Liz." I said as I let her through the bathroom door.
"You weren't very careful last summer when you fell off the boat and landed ass first on that spik-"
"LIZA! We do not talk about that!" I said as I walked away to my room. I heard her snicker before she closed the door. I took my towel off and put on some jeans, yes American Eagle, and a t-shirt after that I threw on a black jacket that had breast pockets, finally I put a grey baseball hat on and walked downstairs. When I made it down there, however, I noticed my mom wasn't anywhere to be seen, which is weird because usually she would say something or at least text one of us before she went anywhere. I didn't think much of it because maybe she was asleep still, which is not likely because she's usually up at the crack of a squirrel fart, and by that I mean 5 or 6 am at MOST. She doesn't get a lot of sleep because usually she's woken up by dreams of my dad, it's actually very sad. Some nights I hear her crying and there's nothing I can do but be there for her… it really sucks. Anyway! I decided that I'd text her if she still isn't home when I get back from school. I grabbed myself two Kellogg's microwaveable pancakes and yeeted them into the microwave. After that Liza came down stairs in what I could only say was… a VERY tight skirt..
"NOPE! Back up stairs and change.. NOW!" I said at the sight
"Oh come ooonn it's not that bad!" She said dropping her shoulders and putting more weight on one hip (I hope you know what I mean..).
"Nowwwwwww!" I said again.
"Humphrey… you're not my father"
"I may not be but I AM the man of the house." I stated with pride.
"It's 2017! That means nothing nowadays."
"Liza.. think about it like this.." I knew that I wasn't gonna get her to change her mind through force and masculinity so I had to try the next best thing… advice. "Why do you want to wear that?"
"Because I think it's cute." She said as the microwave beeped.
"Could it also.. Maybe, be because you want others, mainly, BOYS to see that it's cute?" I asked grabbing my pancakes out of the microwave.
"Well with a little luck. Hehe"
"Look at it this way. Let's say you actually do find a man who comes up to you and you guys end up going out.. do you really want him to ONLY like you because of how good you look? Or do you want him to like you for you?"
"Ugh I HATE when you're right.." she said as she covered her face with her hands.
"Just lookin out for ya sis" I said as I put some syrup on my pancakes. When I started eating I saw her go back upstairs. A few minutes later she came back down wearing leggings and a white 'Pink' branded sweater. I started to speak,
"Much bette-" before I could finish what I was saying she gave me a biiggg hug, and I mean this was one of the best hugs I had ever had in my life! And that's saying A LOT, because I met Selena Gomez when I was 14 and she gave me a hug..
"Thank you." She said in my shoulder.
"No problem."
We hugged for a good minute or so until she pulled away.
"C'mon.. we should get going." She said and I just nodded and we went to the garage. As I pressed the big button to open the garage I felt the fridged wind force its way in… not good.. Winter is coming and I still have the Charger. I mean.. I could always take all the traps off the Silverado that Winston got me. No! If I go running back to them and ask for that truck it will go against everything I said. UGH! There's so much going through my head right now. I was so deep in my thoughts I didn't realize I was already sitting in the Charger with a confused Liza staring at me.
"Um.. do you need a hand finding the ignition big brother?"
"Huh? Oh.. sorry." I said as I stepped on the clutch, started the car, and backed it up.
The drive to school was pretty quiet except for 'MIDDLE CHILD' by J Cole playing in the background.
A few minutes into the drive my phone buzzed on the dashboard where it was plugged into the aux. I took a look as we stopped at a red light:
Text message from Mama: 'sorry I didn't tell you where I was all night. I'll explain when you guys get home.'
All night!? What the hell was she doing out ALL NIGHT!? Jesus I know I sound like her father right now but she has some SPLAININ to do.. I decided not to tell Liza that our mother was doing God knows what all night because she tends to over think absolutely everything and she would be stressed out all day. I put my phone back as the light turned green and made my way to school.
"So.. are you and Gaaarth hanging out after school?" Liza asked as we pulled into the parking lot.
"Liza.. he's not my friend"
"Are you sure about that?" She asked while pointing in front of us. As I followed her finger with my eyes I saw that goddamn yellow Mustang parked next to Jacks car and my friend group was in a circle talking. I pulled up and got out getting greeted by my beautiful girlfriend. She gave me a very passionate kiss.
"What was that for?" I asked chuckling when she pulled away.
"What can't I say hello to my handsome man?" Kate asked with a smirk.
"I'm sorry baby but that was not a 'hello' kiss.. that was more of a 'I'm going off to the military and you may never see me again' type kiss" I said with a chuckle and she giggled.
"Well that would never happen because there's no way in HELL I'd let you go off to the military." She said giving me a peck on the lips and I just chuckled.
"Hey man!" Keith said as we bro hugged
"Hey brotha. How you doin?"
"Good man. How's your Friday treating you so far?" He asked with his signature smile that would lighten up even the most depressed person on earth.
"Well… it's Friday so I can't really complain" I said smiling back.
"Hey.. so what's his deal?" I asked Kate and Keith while pointing a thumb at Garth's car.
"I'm not sure he just got here before you and hasn't gotten out yet." Kate said which confused me as to why he would just sit in there. I shook it off and walked over to my group of friends.
"Anyway.. the dolphin jumped up on this guy and butt-fucked the absolute shit out of him.. quite literally.. oh hey Humphrey" Salty said.. I'm done questioning the things that guy talks about. I blame the internet.
"Hey guys" I said completely ignoring the shit I just heard.
"You're a little fucked bud." Troy said looking at Salty.
"Pfft don't be mad at me just cuz I'm beautiful." He said back with his arms crossed.
"You? Beautiful? You're mirror must be broken Salty." Jack said making everyone laugh.
I noticed I was so occupied with my friends I didn't realize that I forgot to say bye to Liza.. eh, I bet she won't mind.
"Hey guys!" Garth said putting a hand on Jack and Keith's shoulders to which they just put on faces of disgust.
"What do you want Garth?" Shakey asked bluntly.
"What? Can't I hang out with you guys?" He asked putting his hands in his pockets.
"Um… No you can't. Just because you're helping us doesn't mean we're your friends Garth." Kate said making me smile, not gonna lie, I was kinda worried she was trying to make him a part of the group.
"Cmon give me a chance guys" he said innocently.
"The second we give YOU a chance would be the second I move schools." Aleu said making Jack chuckle and then he put an arm around her waist.
"Look how about we all hang out today after school? I'll prove to you guys that I'm not a bad guy anymore.. I've changed" Garth said looking in each of our eyes as he spoke.
"Buddy.. the day you change is the day I take it up the ass by some massive dude in the back of a Prius." Jack said and we all slowly turned to look him.
"That was oddly specific." Mooch said causing some chuckles.
"Don't ask." Jack said looking away before taking a hit from his gold Nord.
"I'm tempted" Kate said with a raised eyebrow.
"Don't."
"Anyway… what do you guys say?" Garth asked and I looked around at everyone shaking their heads no.
"I'll go." I said and Kate gasped
"Humphrey no.. you don't have to do this." She said, whispering the last part.
"I want to. Where we going Garth?" I asked.
"Alright! That's what I'm talking about!" He said clapping his hands once and pointed at me with both his hands.
"I'll go too then." Keith said putting an arm around me.
"Sweet! We'll just go for some wings after school." He said seeming too excited.
"Kay." I said and Keith just nodded.
Now I know what you're thinking.. and no it is NOT because I feel bad for him. It's because I wanna see what he's really up to. Besides if something happens I'd rather it happen to me rather than anyone else. I'll try to talk Keith out of coming but I guess I'm the one Garth wants so hopefully he won't try anything with Keith. Garth walked off to the school building and our group followed soon after. Kate came up to me and wrapped her arms around one of mine and said.
"Humphrey.. why are you gonna hang out with Garth after school?"
"Don't worry.. I'm not going to be buddy buddy with Garth., I just wanna see what exactly he's up to. If I play along I'm sure I'll find out one way or another." I said putting my free hand on top of one of hers.
"Just pleeease be careful.." she said and then looked at Keith "You too mister." After she said that he just chuckled and said,
"I'm always careful Kate."
I chuckled and started walking in to class but before I did I saw Kate grab Keith by the arm and say something in his ear… weird..
Kate's P.O.V:
Before we went into class I grabbed Keith's arm to stop him from going in and whispered
"Please look after Humphrey."
"Why do you think I'm going?" He asked with a wink and smile. He then walked in and I felt a little better about the situation. I know it's my fault that Garth thinks we're all friends but if it really wasn't Garth that burned up Humphreys truck then I want who ever did it to get what's coming to them one way or another and Garth is the only wolf that has a lead on who it is. Anyway I stopped thinking and just walked into class behind Keith and we sat in our usual single desk seats at the back with Humphrey in the middle of us and Jack next to Keith.
"Alright class today we are going to talk about propulsion." Mr. Helfer stated.
"Why propulsion? Isn't that a science thing?" One of the class clowns asked.
"Ah yes! Thank you for saying that Alex. Exactly.. this is an example of how math and science are one in the same." Helfer said looking crazy as fuck. "Now who can give me an example of propulsion?" He looked around, even though everyone probably knows one they didn't speak up so he just answered for himself,
"Ah yes! A pistol being shot is a great example of propulsion."
I was bored so I slowly scooted my desk over to Humphrey, who was on his phone trying to hide it on his hip from the teacher. When I finally got to him I placed my hand on his thigh making him jump a little, but then he smiled. The rest of the class me and Humphrey just scrolled through his Instagram feed. It was a good class. After about an hour I tuned back into the lesson because I guessed I probably should. After a bit I peeked back down at Humphreys phone and he was on Kijiji looking at trucks.. I felt really bad for him because that Ram meant the world to him. I had an idea but I was distracted by the damn bell ringing in my ears, shouting that the period was over and it was time for English. I got up and put my hand in Humphreys and he smiled without saying anything.. which was weird for him because I thought he'd have something funny to say about that bullshit of a lesson we just went through.
"Are you okay hon?" I asked when we got to our lockers and he opened his.
"Yeah. Why do you ask?"
"You don't seem your happy-go-lucky self today." I said rubbing his arm which I swear gets bigger everyday godDAMN!
"I guess I still can't wrap my head around the fact that you trusted Garth." He said twisting his lips while looking into my eyes.
"Oh Humphrey… I know it was not the brightest idea but he hasn't done anything yet right? You've done so much for me and the least I can do is find out who burned up your truck. That thing was your world." I said staring into those amazing blue eyes.
"Kate.. YOURE my world.. that truck can be replaced.. you can't." He said smiling at what he said. I smiled back wider than the grinch and then his smile disappeared and he looked down, I caught on immediately.
"What is it?" I asked sweetly
"There is.. another reason I'm kinda distracted.." he said leaning on the lockers.
"Tell me. Maybe I can help" I said with a warm smile.
"Well my mom texted us this morning.. said she was out all night.. that's no normal for her and I fear she might be trying to forget the pain she has from my dad passing away.. the way she does it is by partying and drinking while she's out." After he said that I didn't know what to think. The fact he said it like it happened before made me feel bad for him. But I feel worse for his mom.. Humphreys dad was her soul mate, every time we had a get together with them when I was younger they would never leave each others side and always share kisses with one another any chance they got.. in a way it would be as if I were to lose Humphrey and even though we've barely been going out 2 weeks I have no clue how I'd live if he died.
"Do you have any advice?" He asked breaking me out of the thought.
"Of course." I said with a smile putting both my hands on his shoulders and he smiled down at me.
"Have you and Liza talked to her about how it makes you feel yet?" I asked and he knitted his eyebrows together thinking then he shook his head while looking down at the same time.
"Guess that's the problem." He said and I brought him into a hug.
"Your mom loves you guys more than anything and she will definitely listen to anything you say, especially if it's affecting you guys." I said and he kissed my neck and brought be out of the hug to look in my eyes.
"Thank you Kate." He said smiling and I smiled back.
"Of course babe. Anytime"
"Sorry I got a little emotional haha. It's just that her and my sister are all I have of my family."
"Don't apologize! I'm just glad you're willing to open up to me." I said getting lost in his pure ocean eyes.
"You know what I would definitely apologize for?... that fucking math lesson we had like what the FUCK was that shit? So pointless." He said making me giggle. The bell rang and we sadly went our separate ways to our other classes.
Humphrey's P.O.V (3:34 pm)
School was over but that meant that me and Keith had our little lunch date with the devil, Garth, himself. Me and my group of friends walked out the school to our respective cars and hung out for a bit where we parked and talked. After about 10-15 minutes everyone started saying their goodbyes for the weekend.. even though we're probably all gonna hangout anyway. I gave Kate a passionate kiss,
"Bye baby. Still hanging out tomorrow?" She asked after we released from each others grasp.
"You know it." I said with a sly smile and she smiled back and started walking away.
"Bye Keith" She said as she passed Keith and Garth and I chuckled because she didn't say bye to Garth.
"So… shall we?" Garth asked motioning to his car. Keith and I looked at each other for a second and then nodded both going to his car.
That was it… once we got into that car there was no turning back.