****

****

____

_____

Sunday was uneventful, other than the usual 'talk' Jarod decided to yell at me about. The second my mother left the door to go to work did it occur as well. Which made me hop on my bike and go to the mall.

I don't like shopping, I despise it. But I needed clothes, and I needed the good array of Christmas gifts to make it seem meaningful this time of year. Hell, the Christmas tree is already up, and since it's my first time with the family, thought I give the effort.

My mind floated to something more, and that was if I should Daryl something for Christmas. It's better to give than to get, still feeling the need to thank him for helping me out. And for being a good friend to me these past few weeks.

Even if we didn't talk.

It was Monday now, and all throughout yesterday was I stuck on what to get my friend. Jarod, I had just gotten the regular amount of video games to supply him for a few months, since he's always complaining about 'playing the same shit,' my mom's necklace and earring are already wrapped and in my closet hidden beside my brother's gift. Along with Mickey's as well. 

Just a teddy bear and an outfit that I found too adorable to pass up. Now it was just me finding something for Michael and Daryl, how hard could that be?
 Walking down the stairs, fixing my books in my bag was I put to a halt as Jarod blocked my given walkway as he stood before me. "What's up?" Not daring to look at him directly did I continue to make the effort in fixing my bag until he moved aside. Following me to the kitchen where I went to get started on breakfast for myself and Mickey since Mom still isn't home. 

"Are you working this weekend?" My eyebrows scrunched together as my attention moved away from stuffing myself in the fridge. Just taking out the orange juice and the small little container of baby food. "uh...Friday yeah, Saturday I don't know." He nodded and I rolled my eyes as I began heating up Mickey's food. 

The little boy was babbling away at the table as Jarod figured out what to make for himself, cereal was usually the way he went. But then he offered to make scrambled eggs, and I automatically knew something was up.

"Everything alright?" I asked as he stirred the scramble into the large pan did he looked to me and begin to laugh. "Perfect. Just need to find Mickey a babysitter on Friday. It's Maddie and I's anniversary." My imminent reaction was to smile, brightly at that, but in clearance did I think of an alternative. "I can take off if you-"
"It's alright. Now you can stay out late as you want with that Dixon brother." Holding my lips captive did I just giggle a smile, it was much too early to be taking rudely to one another. Especially with the baby just before us both.

"He's not all that bad..." I mumbled, getting the plates ready at the island. Pulling out the bar stool as I took a seat, while he met me on the opposite side, filling mine and his plate to the brim with food. 

It looked great, cheese scrambled eggs and toast. What could be better on a cold morning like this one. "I don't trust him. That call-" I didn't let him finish as I put my hand up to stop him dead in his tracks. "Was a joke, we were just talking." He didn't bother sitting next to me, just leaning over the side of the counter. Eating faster and faster so we can make it on time, but eyeing him while taking a sip of my drink had him clatter down his fork. "Where the hell was he for those three weeks?"
"Family matter."
"That's what he told you?" Taking my last bite did I take his and my plate to the sink before grabbing my bag and heading towards the bathroom. Slamming the door. "Told you don't know him, whatcha say Blake come on out. I'll give you a ride to school, it kinda cold and I promise mom that I'd-" Throughout his yelling through the door had I gotten my toothbrush a good few strokes to my teeth as I scoffed within the mirror. Rolling my eyes repetitively as to what he's been saying.

But at the offer did I just snap. "I'm good." I heard his sigh, and at this point, he was bringing the argument on himself. So once I heard the steps walk on off, and the mumbling of both Mikey and Jarod did I release myself from the bathroom to look out the window.

The second the car flew out of the driveway did I deem it safe to leave, heading for my bike and before I knew it. Was I ripping the road towards school. 

With the day already slow, Shawn not really in the mood to talk much. Something to do with his girl that he didn't want to mention, he'd promise to tell me when he was feeling better about it. And I simply agreed.

The boatload of homework was larger than expected, and as the free period rolled around. I found myself in the library, writing down this weeks work so my mind wouldn't stress to the high heavy.

With the clear side of a fresh sheet of paper, wrapped around the back of the notebook did I begin. Due dates, college applications. All added to my work schedule, and the added bonus did I find myself listening to music on my phone. Hiding it in my sleeve so I wouldn't get caught by some nosey library lady that is stationed only a bit before me

As my hands were trying to find my glasses in my bag, the fuzzy vision making it difficult to see. Did a finger tap my shoulder making me turn around to look, it was then a greeting smile was featured on my lips. "Hey. what're you doing in school?" He shrugged, taking the chair beside me. However he had found me in the mist of all these working classmates, I wouldn't know. Nor was I prepared for him being here. "Told ya I'd come...'sides, Merle's bein' an ass." I chuckled as he turned his head towards me, before squinting down to my book to see what I was writing. Nodding along with it all. "Ya workin' Friday? Bummer, there's a party." I chuckled, taking a hold of my notebook and closing it so he wouldn't see the entirety of my plans.

Not that there were any anyway.

With my eyes occupied to look somewhere other than him, did I mumble, "Not a fan of jock parties anymore." As I had no other action than to move my gaze up was he already looking at me, his head resting against his hand. "Even if I was there?" With the question in the air, was I hesitated in speaking what I truly meant. I felt safer with him than I'll ever care to admit, even now am I about to say no in due cause to not give into his ego. 

"We'll see..." His smile widened as he let his fist drop down to the table. But instead of sitting with me he rose. "Ima take a smoke, ya wanna come?" I grabbed him by the wrist and shushed him before he could even think of saying anything more.

"What the hell are ya...Ahhh, don't smoke in school? Come on, I know a good spot." Again did he try to take a chance, but I remained sitting. Making him scoff in clarification of him wanting me to come. "Ain't nobody gonna see." Looking around did I feel obligated to stay in the library where I told my study hall teacher I am in, but what was the worst that could happen?

Instead, I rose to my feet. My bag over my shoulder, but as I moved towards him. Did my glasses fall right on out to the floor beside his feet. Fuck. As he went down to grab them was he in complete amusement of them. But I snatched them out before setting them at the bottom of my bag. "You-" "Let's go." Taking him by the wrist as I led him out of the library, he stumbled, making it difficult to exit.

Managing that with the shots of laughter stopping behind me, was I in awe of how amusing my lack of vision is to him. "Ya ain't givin' me no rides no more...Not without glasses." My nose hitched up at his comment, not knowing where I was going until he pointed to the left. Making me look both ways before following. I've never truly smoked in school or this school. 

There was only once, the first day where I contemplated it. But even then did I always push it off to a later time. "It's for up close asshole." Hearing the sweet sound of his chuckle range through the empty halls, passing the one where he took a few hits from my brother. Before finding ourselves in a different area of the school entirely.

At first was I confused as to where he was taking me, until he took the latter on up pushing the hatch, yanking his body to the surface before yelling to me. 

In that instinct did I not want to have my bag drop, so instead did I pull it over my head. Securing it in place before taking the metal bars in grasp, following through did I level out my tall boot's heel to them as well as he offered a hand for the last given few. 

The chilling breeze was an instant hit, but it became bearable within the minute. I don't know how the hell everyone can deal with these high temperatures for such a long time, and no sight of snow at all.

With my feet clear on the concrete did I rise up with his help, taking a deep breath to overlook the entire school. "You come up here often?" I asked, turning towards him as I made my way over towards a good seating area. "Yeah, we got spots everywhere...Not much they can do." Taking the seat down beside a metal box did he follow now. Trying to cover my lighter enough to light the butt end of my cigarette did it finally lite. 
This was a mistake. 
I'm going to get too used to the fact that I can smoke during school. 
Promised myself once I started that I wouldn't ever itch for one...Guess that ended as well.

"Better in the summer, ya...Yea this school too cheap to run the air-conditioner. Feels like a hot oven then." Nodding in agreement did I remember the hot and sweaty times within my old school's ugly dull walls. At least this one is trying.
"Ya gonna try and make it Friday? Or you just sayin' it just cause?" Flicking the end of the bud away from me to get the ash away from my jeans. 
Trying to get the stench or evidence away from me as much as possible. But I chuckled at how he thought. "I don't think you're the type of person to take 'no' for an answer." He huffed, slumping to the back. Allowing himself to relax as he pleads his case on why I should go. I saw this coming, especially since I saw his mind working up the speech. "Ya gotta get out. Ain't no way the last time ya partied was with that sicko."

The new nickname had me sigh in agreement of what he was saying. And it felt odd to do so otherwise, so I thought about it. And if I managed to come in early, perhaps I can leave early too. "I'll make you a deal. I'll leave work early, but I want to ride your brother's bike." He began to shake his head until he let his head lean back with a slight jolt of a sound.
 "Askin' for a lot Blake." I let my eyes settle for a long-closed blink before looking at him, head resting on my elbow, only being propped up by my risen knee as I stared at him. 
Continuing to flick my second smoke over aways, but I felt the scent begin to linger. "I'll help you sell." That's when his eyebrow rose, that was the move he needed. How much more could I give him leeway for, it isn't a lie that girl sellers make more money. Boys seemed interested and girls trust their own kind. 
I think I have this in the bag.

"Deal...Ya brother gonna be there?" He took his hand out to shake with it, and I gave him a solum nod as well. Until the question rang through, and I began to shake my head side to side. Explaining how my brother had other plans, leaving us to relax for the given few minutes until finally, the bell rang. 
Having me leave him up there, with a date planned for Friday.

_____

Date Posted: 01-12-18 // Time: 9:30
Word-Count: 2222
______