Best Friends Forever

By Kelly Papyrus

About Best Friends Forever
Getting cut out of your best friend’s life can be hard, but Noelle Spencer has finally gotten over it. So when Gus Watson gets in touch and, from out of nowhere, has a proposal for her, Noelle is, of course, skeptical. Turns out a lot has changed in Gus’s life since he stopped speaking to Noelle, but one thing remains the same: Gus still hasn’t been truthful with his family about his sexuality and relationship status. With his cousin’s wedding in Wisconsin looming, Gus has a plan to pay Noelle to pretend to be his girlfriend for the weekend. But keeping the truth from everyone is going to be much harder than either of them anticipates.
About Bryant Street Shorts
Bryant Street Shorts is a new publisher specializing in exciting short-form fiction from talented and emerging writers. We’re passionate about creating immersive works that represent our readers and celebrate what matters to them, which is why our catalog of stories reflects a wide range of experiences and voices.
Many Bryant Street Shorts are collections of stories that follow ensembles of characters across multiple storylines. We suggest reading these stories in order to get the most out of your experience. Simply scroll down to “Titles In This Series,” located just below the description of every Bryant Street Short, to find the stories in their correct order.
To find more short stories and novellas on Scribd, simply search for “Bryant Street Shorts."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bryant Street Shorts
• Release date: May 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781094410623

Kelly Papyrus

Kelly Papyrus is a writer whose stories feature diverse characters and people of color. She loves learning about new cultures and writing about them. She lives in Florida and loves dogs.

Book preview

Chapter One: The Best Fake Girlfriend a Man Could Want

Meeting the girls for drinks was supposed to take my mind off my stress, but as I pulled up to the restaurant Sheri had chosen, I felt my anxiety rise again. Valet parking was the only thing available, and it cost at least fifteen dollars. I groaned as I pulled up to the stand and handed my keys over. Walking in to find my friends, I tried to remember that things happen as they are meant to, and maybe this small cost would mean a big opportunity. Anything could happen on a Friday night, right? I hugged Sheri and Julia, sat down, and plastered a fake smile on my face.

What’s wrong with you? Sheri asked instantly. We’d known each other for too long for her not to sense when something was bothering me.

Yeah, your face looks weird, Julia added.

Andrew fired me today, I admitted. Saying the words out loud made me want to cry, but I promised myself I wouldn’t waste a coat of my Better Than Sex mascara weeping over this stupid job.

No! Why? What did he say? Did you try to reason with him?

Sheri and Julia and I had a dynamic, and it was to give each other shit all the time. Them being nice and looking concerned wasn’t something I liked.

"There wasn’t much I could say. His mind was already made up, and I wasn’t going to beg him." I scowled as Sheri and Julia laughed. They could pretend to be concerned a little bit longer, at least.

I’ve seen you beg for less, Sheri pointed out, and I laughed despite myself.

One time in college when you were baked you begged me for my last Mars bar, Julie added.

I sighed. Okay, I know. A job is a job, especially in this economy. But I hated that job anyways, and you guys know what I believe about the universe. This happened to free me up for the next great opportunity that’s coming my way.

Sure. Sheri laughed. What if that opportunity is moving back home with your mom?

Or waitressing at Waffle House? Julia asked. I’d known them long enough to know they were joking, but under the surface they were concerned. They were good friends and they didn’t want to see me fall on my ass. But what they didn’t understand about the universe is that for it to work its magic, you must believe in it and think positively about the outcome you want.

Okay, okay, let’s stop, Sheri said. I’m so sorry that you got fired, Noelle. But we’ve seen you go through worse, right? The waitress came back with three shots and deposited them on the table. Sheri slid one across to me and one to Julia. Here’s to whatever the universe has in store for you next.

We clinked our shots together, and as I threw mine back, I vowed not to ruin a perfectly good night out with my besties worrying about losing a shitty job. I was destined for bigger things and I knew it.

Section Break

The music was pumping and I was having a great time dancing with my girls, but it was just too hot and packed on the dance floor. I signaled to Julia that I was headed outside, and went to the patio area where the smokers gathered to try and get a little breeze. Outside the air was thick and sticky with humidity, but the built-in fans worked overtime to circulate the air-conditioning down from the ceiling. I stood on the fringes of the crowd and people-watched while I fanned myself with my clutch and tried to cool off.

Someone in the center of the crowd caught my eye, and I groaned out loud without meaning to. It was a tall blond man in a button-down pink linen shirt and khaki shorts. We used to call that the Friday Night Uniform, when we’d been roommates. I watched him do his signature dance move, spinning and laughing with his arms flailing in the air like the inflatable man in front of the tourist attractions on I-Drive. I waited, wondering what he would do if he recognized me. Sure enough, we made eye contact, and, surprisingly, he nodded in recognition. I was even more surprised to see him start moving toward me.

Hey, Noelle, he said, holding out his fist to bump mine.

How are you, Gus? Long time, I said. My old animosity for him was no match for all the alcohol in my system. I actually began to feel extra warm and fuzzy.

I know, and I’m sorry, girl. I miss you, he said.

Oh my god, I miss you too! I threw my arms around him in a big hug.

Let me take you to brunch tomorrow at our spot. My treat, he said.

"I would love that, I said. DM me and let me know what time."

Section Break

I rolled over, my head heavy and my tongue dry. There was really no reason for anyone on planet Earth to drink

Reviews for Best Friends Forever

[Wendy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A wedding, a fake relationship, family drama ... this one has it all!!!