"You're okay, right?" my mom asked for, l think, the trillionth time. The moment she learnt that I had injured myself in school, she's been asking me if l'm okay or not.

"Yes, mom," I replied.

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Should I call the doctor?" she asked again.

"MOM? NO"

"What if you have a concussion?"

"Mom, I'm saying this for the last time. NO, I DONOT NEED A DOCTOR."

"You su-"

"Mom, if you ask me one more time, I think I'll actually have to go to a doctor," I replied frustrated.

I heard a chuckle from behind me. I turned to look at my Dad trying to hold back hid laughter.

"You were here the whole time?" I asked him incredulously.

As a response, he burst out laughing. I got my answer.

"I can't believe it. Who does that to his only daughter?"

Any guesses what his response was?

If your answer is that he realized the huge mistake he made and hugged me while becoming emotional, you are absolutely wrong.

You see, my family is not that normal when it comes to these kind of things. And as to what he did, he shrugged and laughed more. Can you believe it?

He just SHRUGGED. What kind of a father does that?!

"Hmph. Excuse me while I make preparations to watch chick flicks," I stomped out of the living room, where my parents were busy chuckling.

I went into the kitchen and put the popcorn in the microwave and waited for the 'pop'sound to start coming. I've always loved listening to this sound.

Weird, right?

Once I got so engrossed in this sound, that I actually forgot to take it out of the microwave. Any guesses what happened?

Yes, when I took it out, I was welcomed with a sight of black irregular shaped crumbs of something which was supposed to be popcorn.

So this time, I set the exact timer do that I didn't do what I ended up doing last time.

Meanwhile, I went into the room with a big flat-screened TV and pulled out the leg-rest against the couch. I took out two blankets, one with avengers and the other one with power puff girls. And if you're thinking that I took the power puff girls and Candy the other one, you're absolutely wrong.

I love the avengers so that one was for me. And as to why Candy takes the powerpuff girls one, that's a story I'll tell some other time.

So I laid down the blankets and went towards the kitchen where I heard mom and dad talking

"....I know. I wish I could help in anyway," Dad spoke in a sad tone.

"Help who in anyway?" I asked.

They both literally jumped out of their seats, startled.

"Oh. Hey honey. We were just talking about Aaron's parents. Their company is shutting down so they need a job. We are already looking for a few jobs but till now, we haven't found a job that can do justice to their caliber," Mom explained

"Oh," was my short reply.

Why hadn't Aaron said anything about this to me till now? It was quite a big issue and he was dealing with it alone.

But what if he didn't know that himself?

Anyway, I will ask him about this after our movie time.

I went to the movie lounge and sat there with the bowl of popcorn and lied down. I didn't realize I dozed off until I heard my phone ringing.

Startled, I got up and checked the caller ID. It was Sam.

I slid the green icon and answered the phone.

"Hey!," she chirped from the other end of the line.

"Heyyy," I drawled out the word since I was a bit groggy.

"You were sleeping?," she asked.

"Uh- yeah. Kind of dozed off while sitting," I answered.

"Oh. Anyway, I wanted to ask if you could sleep over at my house today, I wanted to talk to you,"

"Uh- I can't," I replied thinking of an excuse.

"Why not?" I could hear the disappointment in her voice.

"I -uh- I actually have lots of homework to do. Plus I'm tired as hell. I already dozed off while doing homework right now. Some other time maybe?" I asked.

"Sure. Definitely" she replied somewhat satisfied with the excuse.

I bid her goodbye and let out a huge sigh. I didn't like lying to my new best friend like this. I got up, rubbing my drooping eyelids and glanced at the clock.

One look at the time made my eyes literally bulge out. It was nearly 10 o' clock. Candy was supposed to be here an hour ago. Maybe he was running late.

Assuring myself that he would come in a few minutes, I went upstairs and brought my laptop and assignment. I decided to some homework. It would actually make my lie more truthful.

I brought my essay and began writing it. It wasn't due until next week but early work won't hurt.

After around half an hour or so, my eyes started drooping and I was consumed by the dark slumber.

"Honey, Ali? Wake up," someone shook me.

"Ugh. No," I replied covering my eyes and trying to go back to sleep.

"Ali, you'll be late to school if you don't get up," the voice spoke again.

I just snuggled more into the hard surface.

Wait- hard?

I jolted up, only to realize that I was sleeping in the movie room, on the floor. I rubbed my jaw, which was hurting a bit.

What was I doing here?

"Good, you're awake. I'll go make breakfast and you go get ready," I heard the voice repeat, which I now realized belonged to Mom.

I simply nodded.

Taking in my surroundings, the events of last night came crashing back into my mind.

Candy was supposed to come for the movie night. Was he okay? Why hadn't he come? It's been weird since he didn't show up last two times too.

I needed to confront him regarding this.

Making up my mind about the matter, I climbed the stairs to my room and went to shower. I dressed up in dark skinny jeans and a white flannel shirt along with my blalck converse. I tied my hair into the usual pony tail and grabbed my bag.

I picked up my phone to call Sam since she was supposed to give me a ride to school.

I pressed the green icon against her name and waited for her to pick up.

She picked on the second ring.

"I'll be there in ten," was all she said before she hung up.

I shrugged and decided to check if I had everything. I scanned my room, looking to see if I forgot anything. Something on the floor caught my eye. I went towards it and found a photograph of Candy and me.

In the photo, I was dressed up in my ballet dress and was laughing at Candy who supported a cute pout with puffed up cheeks.

He looked adorable.

And I perfectly remember that day.

"Please" I begged.

"No"

"Pretty please with a cherry on top?" I tried again.

"No"

How about one with a big big fat cherry on top?"

"No. I am so not going with you to your stupid dance lessons. I am seven years old, so I am a big boy. And I will not let you drag me and ruin my reputation," Candy huffed.

I let out a sigh. Looks like I'll have to put my acting skills to use.

"Oh,"*sniff*," I thought you were my best friend."

*sniff* "I thought you,"*sniff* *sniff*," actually cared." I put my hand to my face to make it look more real... and to hide the laugh I was supressing.

"Aw man. Please don't cry, Muffin. I am your best friend and I'll always be. Please stop crying," he pleaded," because I hate it when you cry."

"Especially when I'm the one responsible for it," he muttered in an almost inaudible whisper.

Awww.

"And I'll...go," he finally said.

I squealed and hugged him, tackling him to the ground.

"You're the bestest friend I could ever ask for."

"There is no such word as 'bestest'," he said chuckling.

"You just ruined the moment," I laughed to which he replied with a cheeky grin.

This photo was taken after the class when I was busy laughing at Aaron who had tried to do the dance steps, falling seven times out of eight on his butt.

It was quite memory.

HONK!

I was pulled out of my reverie when I heard the honk of the car. I quickly stuffed the photo into my bag and ran downstairs where Sam sat in her car.

"Bye Mum, bye Dad," I called out and sat in the passenger seat.

Then, we drove off to the one place most of the teenagers hate the most : School....