Little Life of Nolan Parks - 10. Friends - I'll Try

Henry -The day of the sleepover

I woke up to find Connor in the living room watching TV. “Hey, what's up?” I looked over at the clock, it read 11:02.

“Nothing much, Nolan had to go home early, by the way. You were asleep, and I didn't want to wake you or the 'lion'.” Justin does snores like a lion, and it doesn't help he has a mop of hair on his head like a lion's mane.

“Ya... I guess I've gotten used to it. How come Nolan went home early?”

Connor shrugged his shoulders, “Something about his mom going into work I think. His brother and a friend came by to pick him up. He's been gone for about an hour.”

“Weird...” Nolan always gets shy around his brother. I'm now worried about everything that's happened while I was asleep.

Connor and I spent a few hours watching TV. Justin joined us around 2PM, just like I thought he would, he always sleeps late when he comes over. I spent the entire time worried about Nolan; something was just unsettling about the whole situation.

Connor and Justin went home at about four, and I made my way over to Nolan's. When I got here, I found a police car in front of his house. I ran up on the porch and knocked furiously on the front door.

His mom answered the door, “Oh, Henry, why are you here?”

I looked into the house a bit, and there was an officer sitting on the couch. “I was wondering what happened with Nolan this morning.”

She nodded and started to tear up, “Henry now is not a good time. You'll learn more later; I promise.”

“Okay... Thanks.” I couldn't tell what was going on, but the pain in her eyes almost made me cry. I didn't know what to do... I started to walk home slowly.

It was the next day when Nolan's mom showed up at my house. She told me Nolan ended up in the hospital; she didn't really say why just that he was there. “You're welcome to visit him any time you would like. His cousin Liam will be there; I'll tell him to expect you?”

I nodded, “Ya... I want to visit him.”

“Okay, I'll tell Liam.”

The next day I was visiting Nolan. He was lying there, just lying there, and I was watching him. “Do you know what happened to him?”

I looked over to Liam. He gave me a shrug. “No idea, I just... Have stuff of my own I've needed to sort out, so I've been staying here.”

“Oh... I can go if you want to be alone still.”

“No, I should have some company now. I've been a little too, myself the past couple of days.”

“What happened?”

“Moving suddenly is a lot to swallow.” It sounded like there was more to the story, but who am I to question him right now. “Who is Nolan to you?”

I felt my face heat up; I was blushing! “He's... he's a friend of mine, that’s all...”

Liam let out a laugh, “Is he now? Just a friend, you sure?” I nodded furiously. “I know you just met me, but let's be honest here. You like him more than just a friend.”

How would he know that? What have I been doing? I just came in and looked at Nolan like any other normal person would. What did I do for him to pick up vibes about that?

I didn't know what to do, I almost felt like crying. “I just wanted to know he was okay...”

Liam sighed, “Look; I'm sorry about being so forward about this. I moved suddenly because my father got drunk and got thrown in jail. Now we both know each other’s secrets.”

“From the first time I saw him I thought he was adorable... I wanted to get to know him; it just felt like I needed him.”

“Well, I'm sure Nolan feels the same about you, you know that he needs you. This is the first time even meeting him myself, so I can't say it for sure, but do your best. You never know maybe he'll give you a chance.” I couldn't help but giggle and smile.

I will definitely take Liam's advice, one day; I will ask Nolan out.

Chapter end.