Chapter 16

As I was lying on my bed, there was a knock at the door.

—Ameri...

It was my mother's voice on the other side of the door.

—Are you busy?

"It's mom! Act natural!"

I said to myself trying to show calmness as I sat on the edge of my bed.

—no, come in mom...

My mother came in and sat down next to me and then said:

—You know... Lately, I haven't seen you with Dan the last few days.

my mother said, already sitting next to me.

—You know how he is... We are a few months away from finishing elementary school and he is busy studying more than usual.

I tried to sound as calm as possible...so he wouldn't realize what was really going on.

—uhm... I understand

I avoided looking him in the eyes and just focused on looking at the floor, my mother told me something that would expose everything I had been trying to hide.

—A few days ago, I met Dan's mother, Liliana.

"Ugh..."

I reacted a little nervously to what she said, I knew something had to be said.

—So?

I asked a little surprised.

—Yes... And she told me that Dan spends all day locked up in his room.

—He's probably studying... you know Dan is a bit competitive when it comes to studies.

I tried to fake it with a smile...but my mother didn't seem to buy it.

—No... Exactly.

She replied.

—He does his homework as usual, but Liliana mentioned to me that Dan seems a little depressed lately.

—Depressed?

I asked in a strange way

—And I wondered, the only person who should know what's wrong with him is none other than his best friend?

I didn't know what to answer my mother, I was a little nervous and scared at the same time.

"This man really is very intuitive".

I thought

—but then I said apparently she doesn't know either? Since she hasn't spent much time these days next to him.

I tried to avert my gaze to avoid suspicion, but I know that if I did that...my mother would already notice, sometimes mothers are usually very intuitive.

—Will you tell me what happened between you and Dan?

There was no way to hide things from my mother.

"Damn attack of conscience!"

I exclaimed defeated in my mind.

—Of course, if you want to tell me, I don't want to pressure you honey... I respect your private life.

—Less me!

I don't really know how he does it to appear out of nowhere like that... Sometimes I think he is a magician or a stalker.

—If someone tries to take my baby, he has to step over my dead body first.

My mother just gave a small smile and then got up and slammed the door in my father's face, while the one on the other side started to complain

—I also have the right to listen to my daughter!

It was a very funny scene to see really, seeing them acting that way was a bit funny... Especially my father.

—Now if we can talk more calmly... you know you can tell me anything, sweetheart...

—Yes...

Between us, I have more confidence in my mother... When it comes to ask her for advice mom is always the right one to give it to me, of course I also consider my father, but he is... How to say it... Very exaggerated sometimes as you can see.

After laughing at the scene, they both starred in, I told my mother about what happened between Dan and me.

—Now you know... That's what happened mother...

I answered a little depressed

—I understand... daughter, can I ask you a question?

—yes, of course...

—Have you ever thought about how you would feel if Dan did the same thing to you?

—uhm... Well, I'd take it a little more slowly...

—Are you sure?

My mother asked me with a raised eyebrow and a smile.

—Do you remember that time your father accidentally broke one of your school projects?

—Yes, how could I forget... I was very upset.

—but were you upset because he broke it or because he hid it from you thinking he could fix it before the date?

—uhm... Well, because he hid it from me... If he had mentioned it to me earlier I would have fixed it faster and I wouldn't have woken up trying to put a new one together that day.

—exactly... Now give me that example with Dan

—but that's very different, we're still months away from moving in.

—yes, you're right about that, we're still months away from moving... but, tell me something, when were you planning to tell him?

Mom was right... I didn't know which day to tell her, every time I thought of doing it, I postponed it for the next day... and then the next, but... the exact day didn't come when there was no day I dared to tell her.

—You're right... You're always right, Mom.

I answered with my head down

—If I had only mentioned it to her before... maybe we wouldn't be fighting...

I looked at my mother with sad eyes

—Mom... Do you think he will accept my apology?

My mother looked at me tenderly and hugged me.

—Of course, he will... After all, you two are best friends.

My mother said the last words, wrapping her warm arms around me.

—Thank you mom...

—You're welcome, honey...

I already knew what I had to do... First I will tell her that I am sorry for not telling her for a long time, if she accepts it, great! If not... I'll understand.

The next day after classes finished I took courage to be able to talk to Dan, I don't know if I will be the only one, but apologizing to someone makes me a little embarrassed... I know, even though I am an adult inside I tend to be very childish sometimes QnQ

"Okay, here I go."

I thought while approaching him....

—Ameri...

I was surprised that he was the first one to call me.

—Yes?

—Can I talk to you?

—Hey? Well, yes...

I was so nervous; I didn't know what to say...

—actually... I have something to talk to you about too Dan.

We left the school to go to a nearby park so we could talk quietly and then stand in front of each other.

"It's now never!"

I thought

—I'm sorry!

We both exclaimed at the same time, then looked at each other in surprise.

—No... Wait, I'm the one who's sorry!

I answered...

—Of course not! I shouldn't have bothered!

—You were right to get upset! And you were also right in what you said, I always keep things to myself... It really wasn't my intention to hide things from you and much less about my move which was something very important.

—You had your reasons... Instead, I was selfish... I didn't want to accept that you were leaving and when you told me I was so upset that I started to say hurtful words to you.

He answered with a sad look

—I thought that if you left you would eventually make new friends and then forget about me....

—Of course not!

I replied as I interrupted him with my eyes that were on the verge of tears.

—I would never forget my best friend! I like spending time with you... When you said you didn't see me as a friend I really felt bad....

My tears started to overflow brushing my cheeks.

—I thought you didn't want to be my friend anymore because I'm the weird one at school!

—that's never! I don't care what others think of you... but for me you are someone special... Since I met you my days became more fun and joyful, I don't feel lonely like I used to.

She answered with a slight blush and tears in her eyes.

Apparently we both had things deep in our hearts, we were afraid to tell each other things and when we exploded we hurt each other with hurtful words.

—Look at us crying like little kids.

Dan replied with a smile as he wiped away his tears.

—It's true... How immature....

I replied sarcastically as I approached Dan to give him a hug.

—We're crying friends now

I replied separating from him with a smile.

—uhm? Dan your face

I answered scared

—What's wrong?

—It's red... Don't tell me you have a fever?

I said as I placed my hand on her forehead.

—o-of course not, silly!

—ah?! You called me a fool... But he who says it is twice as foolish!

After we got back to normal we went straight to my house so we could get back to our same routine.

But when we arrived my father saw me with puffy eyes and as usual he went against Dan.

—Yes they get along well.....

Pronounced my mother and I at the same time.

—Of course not!

We both answered together

—A boy like you will never be able to defend my daughter.

—I have yet to grow up, old man... And when I'm taller than you, you'll see who's stronger.

And as usual my life went back to normal with the company of my best friend, of course... As the days went by, Dan and I had more fun than usual.

We planned to have a lot of fun times before it was time for me to go away.

Many days later

—Do you have everything ready?

—Yes dad...

—Did your father manage to carry all those boxes by himself?

Dan whispered softly

—Yes... But, believe it or not, he got hurt almost at the last minute, so much that my mother had to put some ointment for the pain.

—how pathetic...

I uttered while she laughed

While we were talking my mother and Liliana were saying goodbye.

—Take care of yourselves, we'll be in touch Eliam

—Of course...

My mother answered with a smile

Ameri -Ameri it's time to go...

—Yes... But mom aunt Alicia didn't come to say goodbye

—she's very busy with work... But she sends her love and a hug...

I could clearly imagine a crying Alicia with a handkerchief in her hand saying goodbye.

—Yes...

I answered trying to smile.

—Well... It's time for you to leave.

—Yes...

—Ameri promises one thing

—yes sure, tell me...

—promise me that you will write to me every day

—Of course, I will Dan! We are friends after all

"For an Alpha he is so adorable, how could I say no to that little face"

I thought as I looked at him

"He'll become quite a beau when he grows up my cute little boy!"

I said to myself with tears of emotion TuT

—I... I'm going to study hard to get into a good university so I can become a good man....

I utter with a slight blush

—So... So also, promise me you'll wait for me!

The adults stared at us with astonishment and excitement on their faces... Of course, except for my father, I didn't know what exactly was going on, so I just tried to play along.

—Yes!... I will, I'll be waiting patiently for you.

My father started honking the car horn.

—Well, it's time for me to go....

Without saying goodbye, I gave Dan a big hug.

—take care

—You too, Ameri....

Again, the horn sounded again, but this one with more haste and louder.

—I'm coming, Dad.

I got in the car and we started to drive.

—Take care Ameri!

I heard Dan's voice in the distance saying goodbye.

—they left...

—Yes... But I'll see her again... I'm sure... -Of course, I will!

—Of course, you will! -And when that happens, she'll be a very beautiful lady... so maybe you'll have a little competition dear son.

Dan's mom replied teasingly.

—Mom!

—Of course, of course my son is the handsomest of them all! And he will win little Ameri's heart!

She hugged him and then went back to her house while Dan remembered the day he met Ameri for the first time.

—if they mess with you or me they will know my wrath

—You're a lot of fun...

—Hey? You think so?

—Yeah... What's your name?

—my name is Ameri and yours?

—I'm Dan

—Dan...

—Ameri?

—Oh! Dan... -That's a nice name.

—yours too...-so you don't mind being friends with someone like me?

—Of course not! I'd be honored to be your friend!

—Mom, can you cook some pasta for today?

—Of course! -All for my son...

In the meantime, ...

—I hope someday to come back to the city so I can see Dan...

—if that happens... Dan will no longer be a child, but an adult.

—I know... I will also strive to go to a good university.

—Of course, you will, you have very good grades.

As we talked on the way I began to look out the car window with Dan's smiling image reflected in it.

"I wonder what things will happen in this new place" "I can't wait to meet new couples."

—Ameri you're drooling.....

Said my mother

—Hey? It's true

"Damn... I didn't realize it because I was in my thoughts"

—I'll eat some chips

—that's okay sweetie

"This will be a new year at a new school, I hope I can get along with my new classmates."