“Hey, Kid?” Brian said, breaking the silence. We were currently in his living room, watching a movie together. I was laying on top of him and he had his arms tightly around me. I pulled my attention away from the TV screen and looked at Brian, who was staring down at me with curious brown eyes. “Why haven’t you gone home in awhile?”

“I don’t like being alone,” I told him, shrugging a little bit. Brian gave me a shocked look and I just stared at him.

“You wouldn’t be alone…?” Brian stated, his eyebrows pulling together. I chewed on my lip a little and sighed.

“Yeah, I would.” I argued, letting out a sad breath. Confusion crossed his face and I looked down at his neck. “Emma hasn’t been home since we’ve started our FWB-ness.”

“Why?” Brian asked with a baffled expression. I sighed again and laid my hands across his chest so I could rest my head down more comfortably.

“I wasn’t coming home very often and Emma hates being alone as well, so we kind of just left the apartment,” I mumbled sullenly. “In fact, I haven’t even seen Emma since the last time all of us hung out together.”

“Well why don’t you guys hang out or something?” Brian suggested. I closed my eyes and leaned my head a little, tiredness overcoming me.

“We’d have nothing to do,” I addressed. Brian looked like he was about to protest but I shot him a look. “Don’t say ‘yeah you guys would’ because we wouldn’t. That’s how our friendship has always been. We’d sit in my room all day and read stories on the internet when we were younger. Sure, we’re both twenty-one now, but that only gives us alcohol and driving.”

“Well then why don’t you invite Johnny and Emma over and all four of us can hang out?” Brian offered. I let out a deep breath and turned my attention back to the movie.

“I don’t know, Brian. I’m just not in the mood today, I guess.” I droned, cuddling myself closer to Brian. He tightened his arms around me and sighed.

“After this movie I’m gonna take you home and then I’ll tell Johnny to drop Emma off,” Brian announced. I shot him a look but he ignored it. “Even if you guys don’t talk or anything, you both still need to hang out. Your apartment feels abandoned, and you need a little bit of time home.”

“But I like being snuggled when I sleep.” I complained, giving Brian a pouty look. He mocked my pout and I huffed. “Emma doesn’t like to cuddle.”

“Boohoo,” Brian said sarcastically. My lip quivered and he kissed me gently. “Kid, you haven’t seen Emma in forever. She’s still your best friend. You’re still paying for the apartment; you might as well use the apartment.”

“You’re trying to get me out of your hair, aren’t you?” I accused, narrowing my eyes at Brian. He scoffed and rolled his eyes before shaking his head.

“You know I’d rather have you here,” Brian argued, rubbing my face gently with his thumb. “But I’m just trying to watch out for your friendships. I know you and Emma do this all the time, but it’s been a few weeks since you’ve seen her. I’ll take you home and just stay there for the night with Emma and then you can come back.”

“What if I run away from home?” I persisted. I didn’t know why I was fighting with Brian about wanting to go home, I honestly did miss home. I wanted to eat my own food on my own couch watching movies and stuff until I shower in my shower and then go to bed in my bed. I also wanted to see Emma, because she hadn’t even texted me for a while. I knew that it was nothing personal, since I wasn’t texting her either. We were both so wound up in our boys—well, her boy and my somewhat-boy and my making-out-with-boy—that we weren’t making time for each other. Even if I didn’t talk to Emma tonight, I’d feel a lot better about our friendship if we stayed in the apartment we paid for together and slept in the same bed like we used to.

“I’ll call the guys and tell them to keep their doors locked and not let you in for anything,” Brian threatened, giving me a look. I pouted and he chuckled. “Now quit being a baby and watch the rest of the movie before I take you home.”

“Fine.” I sniffled. Brian chuckled and pulled me into a deep kiss before pulling away and turning his attention back to the screen.

*

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay with me?” I asked as Brian walked me to the door of my apartment. The movie ended quicker than I thought it would, and Brian threw me over his shoulder before I had time to pack the things I had left at his house. Brian shot me a look and I slid my hand down his chest seductively, biting my lip as I gave him the sexiest look I could make. “We could you the spare bedroom.”

“Nice try.” Brian rolled his eyes, not fooled by my fake seduction. I huffed and he gave me a worried look before putting his hands on my shoulders. “Why don’t you want to stay here tonight? Are you and Emma not friends anymore?”

“No, no, we’re still friends. It’s just… I haven’t been here in a while, you know? It’s different from what I’m used to now.” I explained, feeling some emotion I couldn’t put my finger on. It wasn’t sadness or anger… maybe fear? I knew deep down I was scared of being in the apartment with just Emma, but I didn’t know exactly why. I always came up with worst-case scenarios, so maybe I was scared that Emma would completely ignore me and sleep in the separate room because we weren’t friends anymore or something. Or maybe I just didn’t want to be home because I didn’t want to be around Emma. It could have been either.

“I know, Kid. It’s just for one night. I’ll pick you up in the morning and all of us will hang out tomorrow or something,” Brian assured me. I sighed and nodded before unlocking my apartment and stepping in. The old smell of Japanese Cherry Blossom and Coconut-Lime Verbena hit me and I took in a big whiff. I loved the mix of our two body soaps, and almost immediately the scared feeling left me. Home sweet home. I turned around to see Brian in the doorway, looking at his phone. He glanced up at me and sent me a reassuring smile, and I returned it. He sighed and stood up, putting his phone in his pocket. “I’ll text you later, Hun.”

“Wait,” I called. Brian turned back around and I looked down at the ground, feeling like I was a five year old who was afraid of the dark. “Stay until Emma gets here.”

“You’re so cute,” Brian cooed as he walked over to me. He pulled me into a hug and I immediately wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest. I pulled away and looked up at him before getting on my tip-toes to give him a kiss. He met me half way and pushed our lips together forcefully, immediately shoving his tongue into my mouth. We fought for dominance as Brian put his hands on my butt, picking me up so that my legs were wrapped around his waist. He pushed my back against the wall and slid his hands under my shirt, running his hands over my bra and stomach. We pulled away and he leaned his forehead on mine as we both gasped for air.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay with me tonight?” I asked, my arms resting on his shoulders. He looked up at me and I bit my lip. “We can have the spare room.”

“As tempting as that sounds, I unfortunately cannot.” Brian breathed, disappointed flashing in his eyes. I pouted a little and leaned in to kiss him again when someone cleared their throat.

“Wow, that’s hot. Why don’t you bring that to the sex room?” Emma said from the door. I unattached myself from Brian and looked over at the door to see Johnny and Emma staring at Brian and I, both smirking like the short shits they were. I blushed a little and Emma rolled her eyes.

“That won’t be needed.” Brian said, smirking along with them. I scowled at them and Johnny laughed along with Emma and Brian.

“Well we should get going, Brian.” Johnny announced. Brian nodded and tried to step forward but I stopped him.

“First you have to hug me.” I demanded. Johnny laughed and jogged over to me, pulling me into a tight hug. “Jesus, short shit, you’re a strong hugger.”

“He’s strong, alright.” Emma commented, winking at Johnny. Johnny made a sexy face at Emma and she giggled, utterly revolting me and Brian. Brian gagged and I pulled away from Johnny, making a disgusted face.

“Okay, Ew. Too much information. Euh.” I yelled, repulsed by what I just heard. Johnny and Emma roared into laughter and high fived as Brian and I shared a disgusted look with each other.

“Hey, we walked in on you two swapping spit,” Johnny exclaimed. Brian shrugged in agreement, but I continued to stare at him with wide eyes.

“I heard you and Emma having sex on my bed while I was in the living room. I think I win.” I snapped. Johnny and Emma looked slightly embarrassed as Brian started shaking with laughter.

“Well, we better get going,” Johnny coughed as he avoided eye contact with me. He pulled Emma into a hug and kissed her gently before walking towards the door. Brian turned me around and hugged me tightly before smashing our lips together, which sent my head spinning. He pulled away and rubbed my face with his thumb for a second before going over to the door and following Johnny out. I watched them leave before turning to Emma, who was smirking at me. I let out a breath of defeat and she grinned at me.

“I saw nothing,” She sang as she skipped into our bedroom. Man, did I miss her.

Notes

Shit. Shit, shit, shit. This was a shit chapter. Screw my writers-block. Sorry, this was shorter and shittier than my other chapters, please don’t hang me. I’m having a total writers block right now, so be patient. Please don't put my head on a stick, I'm just having issues and getting distracted. I'm so sorry.