Surrounded by Bad Boys

"Does my mom hate me?" I laid my head on Rick's shoulder as he chuckled. I closed my eyes and sighed.

"Jamie, she doesn't hate you...it's not like she has a choice to move. I'm sure if she did then you could stay here...with me." Rick laughed. I punched his arm.

Meet Rick, my best friend. I met him when I turned eight and ever since we've been close. We met when I moved to Georgia from Florida. But, low and behold, now I'm going back. Back to where it all started.

Now that mom was promoted in her firm, she was more than willing to pick us up and bring us back to Georgia. I always had the feeling she never wanted to leave. It's like this move was meant for everyone but me in the family.

I absolutely hated growing up in Florida. I had a horrible childhood and I could count all the people I actually spoke to on half a hand. All my brother and his friends did was harass me. Since they didn't like me, no one did. So, it could be imagined my happiness when we first moved. A part of me missed some of my old friends, but another wanted to stay as far away as possible.

"Will you come visit me this summer?" I pulled my head up to look at Rick.

"Of course! I'll be there in no time!" He kissed my forehead. I lay back on my pillow and took a deep breathe. I'm really leaving...

There was a knock at my door. "Come in!" I yelled. The door quickly opened and I lifted my head off the pillow to see my mother in the door way with the keys jingling in her hand.

"Hey Rick." She smiled.

"Hey Ms. Cathy."

My mom didn't mind Rick lying in the bed with me. Rick always slept over anyway. He was practically a part of the family.

"I'm sorry honey but we are leaving now. We are on tight schedule!"

I frowned and look up at Rick. I could tell he was forcing the smile but I couldn't help but smile back. I got up from the bed and walked downstairs to front door. I took one more look inside and closed the door. Eric was already in the car with his headphones. Rick was holding up the backseat door for me to get in. I slowly walked over to him and smiled. He grabbed me into a hug and held me close. He put his mouth to my ear.

"It's only for a year." He whispered. He was right after a year I could decide if I was happy or not and comeback Atlanta. Just as I was about to speak Rick pulled out a box, a nice little white box. I looked at him and smiled widely.

"Rick you didn't have to-," He shushed me and opened the box to reveal a beautiful necklace. It was a small silver lock; it had engraved writing on it that read J&R on the front and Best Friends on the back.

"Oh my gosh, Rick! This is amazing!" I yelped hugging him once more.

"And I have the key. So we can never forget each other over the months." He dug into his pocket pulling out a necklace that had a silver key with the same writing. I couldn't help but laugh. "Here, turn around."

I turned around and waited for the cold lock to touch my skin. He wrapped it around my neck and clipped it. I turn back to face him with tears in my eyes. I just couldn't control them. He took his thumb and wiped them away. I ruffled his curly brown hair. He pulled me in for one more hug. "Don't cry. I'll see you soon. Love you Fox." He kissed my forehead.

"Love you too Fox. Text me the whole way!" I jumped in the car and rolled my window down. I waved as we pulled off and laid back closing my eyes.

After hours of driving we reached the state of Florida. We only had about a half an hour till we reached the house.

"Honey, are you ok?" Mom looked her mirror to look at me.

"Just dandy mother!" I said sarcastically.

Unlike me, Eric was excited to go back. He kept in touch with a lot of his friends over the years, and I'm sure they awaited his arrival when he informed them he was coming.

"Don't worry Mom! She'll get used to it." Eric turned around a grinned at me.

"You will be happy honey. And you can see all your old friends like Trevor-"

"Trevor? Trevor was never a friend of mine. Wait... Are we going to be their neighbors again? No! No! I refuse!" I exclaimed.

"Chill out!" Mom laughed.

I hated Trevor. Absolutely loathed the kid. He was the devil in disguise-I just couldn't prove it. He made my life a living hell. He was the one who always started to pick on me, and then all his friends would join. He would push me and pull my hair; Always called me ugly and stupid. At one point I believed him-I was miserable.

"And Lord knows all the trouble you were getting into." She glared at me through the mirror.

I didn't even bother to listen to my mom I just pushed in my headphones and waited.

We finally arrived in front of the house around three in the afternoon. As we pulled into the driveway I admired the lawn, freshly cut grass, then the stone stairs to the front door. Different memories flashed back to my head of the house. The house looked exactly how we left it. I got out the car and stretched. Mom and Eric were already walking through the door while I admired the house, and took in the environment. I looked to my left and right at the houses and streets. It's only for a year! It's only for a year! I keep telling myself.

I walk up the stairs and head straight up the stairs to where my old room used to be. I jumped on the new furniture and sighed. I pulled out my phone and called Rick. After about three rings he answered.

"Hello, Fox?"

"Hey...I just wanted to tell you I'm here. How long till you come?" I cried.

"I will be there soon. Today is June 24th? I'll be there in no time!" He chuckled.

"Ugh! Hurry up before I die!"

"I will! I will! Go outside; take your mind off things. I'll call you later tonight ok? I miss you!"

"Miss you too." I sighed and hung up.

I guess he's right. I dug into my bag of clothes and pulled out my bathing suit so I could go in the backyard. I grabbed my towel, shades, and book. I closed my door and headed outside. I thought about meeting Trevor again, and I knew shit was going to go downhill from here.

Boy was I right.