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“I don’t know that I’m the best company right now.”
Oliver doesn’t say anything as he unlocks the front door. His mum is in Melbourne visiting Sam, and Jake is at Kenzie’s. We have the house to ourselves. Throwing himself down on the couch, he flicks on the television and passes the remote to me. I scroll through the movie list, looking for something to keep his mind off our friends and everything he’s missing out on.
48
My phone is blowing up with messages and Snaps from my teammates. Eventually I switch it off. As happy as I am that they won today, it still sucks I wasn’t out there with them. Hannah’s curled up on the couch next to me with her head resting in my lap as I run my fingers through her hair. I lean down and press my lips to her temple. There’s no doubt about it, I’m the luckiest guy on the planet that she’s put up with all my shit this year.
I lean back against the couch and close my eyes. The headaches have all but stopped now. I haven’t had one for a month and a half. My collarbone has completely healed, and I’m allowed to engage in non-contact exercise; gym workouts, walks, runs. It sucks, but I’ll take what I can get.
I don’t even realise I’ve fallen asleep until I’m startled awake by a loud banging sound. Hannah’s already up and making her way to the front door. I rub my hands over my face. Whoever it is, I hope she gets rid of them. I’m not in the mood for seeing anyone but her.
“What up dude?!” Macca squeezes my shoulders from behind. He’s showered and he’s wearing his club training gear, his premiership medallion still hanging from his neck. Ashley and JD drop down on the other couch, opposite me.
“What are you guys doing here?” I ask. “Why aren’t you at the club celebrating?”
Macca shrugs as he takes a spot on the floor, leaning back between Ashley’s legs. “I have to head there for a bit later on, but we’d rather hang out with you.”
Ashley reaches into the shopping bag she bought with her and pulls out chocolate, chips, and soft drink. “We come bearing gifts.”
My lips start to pull up as I look around at my friends. No matter how much of a grumpy bastard I am, they keep showing up for me.
Hannah passes me a can of coke as she curls up next to me. I kiss the top of her head, murmuring quietly so only she can hear me. “Did you organise this?”
She shakes her head. “This was all them.”
I raise my drink at my friends. “Thanks guys. I didn’t realise how much I actually needed this today.”
JD smirks. “You’re not gonna get all sentimental and soppy on us, are you?”
I give him the middle finger. “Whatever, loser. But seriously, thanks for coming.”
We all laugh. Macca grabs the television remote and switches over to the footy. The Bulldogs are playing the Tigers in the semi-final. JD’s on his phone, probably texting Callum. Hannah and Ashley start talking about their plans for the rest of the school holidays, and what exams they’re stressing about that they’ll have to start studying for.
I settle back on the couch, trying to focus on the game in front of me and not think about the conversation I had with Ethan earlier. It’s hard though, because I feel kind of guilty hanging out with my friends when Joel’s no longer here to hang out with his. I know Ethan pretty much said I’m not responsible for what happened to Joel, but that doesn’t really erase my guilt. I could have at least let the guy apologise when he tried to. I blow out a breath of air, wondering if this will ever get any easier.
At a quarter to six, Macca leaves to go to the club rooms, telling us he’ll be back in an hour. Hannah and Ashley offer to drop him off and grab pizzas on the way back, leaving JD and me alone.
“Can you believe we’ve only got less than a month until we’re finished school forever?” he asks, shaking his head.
“It’s kind of crazy.” I grab a handful of M&Ms and shove them in my mouth.
“Christmas will be here before you know it, then you and Hannah will be gone.” There’s a sadness in his voice. “Ashley’s moving to Sydney to pursue her acting. Macca will be off playing footy who knows where.”
“You’ll be at uni,” I point out. “Studying to be a doctor. That’s pretty impressive.”
“Yeah,” he shrugs. “But it’s going to be pretty lonely without my friends.”
I never stopped to think about that.“You’ll have Callum?”
He gives me a small smile. “It’s not the same. We’ve been friends for six years. I’ve only known Callum for six months.”
“Hannah and I will only be gone a year,” I offer. “We’ll Facetime when we can. Promise.”
He shakes his head. “I’m being ridiculous. I just don’t really like change.”
I laugh. “That makes two of us.”Only sometimes you have no choice. It’s all taken out of your control.
“Ugh,” he says, throwing an M&M at me. “That got deep.” He rolls his eyes. “Sorry for dropping it all on you. I’m happy for you and Hannah. You’re going to have the best time off seeing the world.”
