"Okay, let's go around in the circle and share our names and why we are here." Christopher beams, while we scowl.

A boy with dark hair and large glasses goes first.

"Hey, I'm Símon." He waves shyly. "I'm here because I have a brain tumour."

The young girl next to him with strawberry blonde hair goes next.

"I'm Minny and I'm here because I have depression." She doesn't smile at all.

"I'm Lils and I'm here coz I was in a gang and I like got into fights and all that." The next girl chews on her gum. She has purple hair and piercings cover her face.

I realise that it's Shauna's turn and I'm next.

"Yo, I'm Shauna. And I don't know why I'm here, to be honest." She stifles a chuckle.

"Try again, Shauna." Christopher says, pursing his lips.

"Kay, I'm here coz I shoplifted." Shauna shrugs.

Christopher nods approvingly.

I'm next.

"Hey-" I begin, before Christopher interrupts.

"Bradley, why don't you stand up since you're new." Christopher flashes a thumbs up.

I stand up. My legs feel like jelly.

"Hey-" I begin again.

"Louder, Brad." Christopher says. I must say, I prefer Dr Chris.

No, I'm not doing this. I power-walk my way out of the room and back into the basement. Everyone stares, while Shauna claps. I slam the door.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Should I just go home? Yes, I don't belong here. But, Mum will be so mad.

A boy enters the room. He has brown curls that bob when he runs down the stairs, grey eyes and long eyelashes.

"Hey." He says. "Wassup? You late too?" He has an English accent.

I can't reply.

"You mute?" He asks.

"No." I reply quietly.

He steps closer and he stretches out his hand.

"You have chocolate on your mouth." He wipes the chocolate off my mouth with his finger.

"Are you hitting on me?" I come out with it.

He chuckles.

"I may be bisexual, but you're not my type, kid."

I smile.

"Now, let's go back inside." He leads me back through the door.

"Bradley. Murphy. Nice of you to join us." Christopher says.

"Hey, Chris, how's your diet going?" Murphy says, laughing.

"Let's resume from where we left off." Christopher says, ignoring Murphy's obnoxious comment about his weight.

I stand up. "Hey, I'm Bradley and I'm here because I was in a car crash, while I was drunk." I slump down in my chair, at least it's over.

Murphy gets up slowly for his turn.

"I'm Murphy and I'm here because I was a drug dealer." He shrugs.

"Right!" Christopher claps his hands. "Let's do an exercise."

"Can we play never have I ever?" Shauna interrupts. Murphy leans over me to high-five her.

"No, Shauna." Christopher says firmly. "We'll play the feelings game."

Murphy and Shauna let out over-dramatic sighs.

"Okay, Bradley, the way it works is you stand up if you agree with the statement." Christopher grabs a pack of flashcards and begins reading the statements.

"I have felt angry and sometimes not wanted to be alive anymore." Christopher reads.

Almost everyone stands up, except Símon. I guess if you have a life-threatening cancer you value life more. Everyone resumes their seats.

"I have felt the urge to run away and start over."

Murphy, Shauna, Lils and Minny stand.

"I wish I could have a do-over at life."

We all stand up.

"I need help."

Nobody stands, although we all need help. A few seconds later, Murphy stands. As if we are following his lead, we all stand. It's true, but none of us has the guts to admit we need help, except Murphy.

"I appreciate your honesty, guys." Christopher says, while placing the cards back in his jacket pocket.

"Dismissed." Christopher calls, as if we're in school.

I trail out behind Murphy and Shauna, who are chatting and screaming in front of me. They both turn.

"Hey, Bradley, you up for a party tonight?" Murphy asks.

"What with these?" I look down at my crutches.

"Nah, it's fine we'll look after you." Shauna says applying a layer of lip gloss.

"But, my mum's mad at me. I think I should just stay at home tonight." I begin ascending the stairs.

"Bradley, pass me your phone." Shauna says.

Unwillingly, I pull my large phone out of my bag and hand it to her.

She begins typing, and I really hope she isn't texting anybody.

"Hey, mum," Shauna reads out the text. "I'm going over to a friend's house tonight for studying and I'll stay over. Hope that's okay."

Murphy laughs.

"Wait, change the friend to Jared." I say, knowing Mum will want me to make up with him.

"Done and done." Shauna hands me back my phone.

"And that is how you con your parents, little Bradley." Murphy taps me on the shoulder.

"Where are we going?" I ask, while we walk to a grocery store for snacks.

"Xie Hang, he's filthy rich." Murphy replies.

We reach a small grocery store on the end of the road and Shauna goes in.

"Whatcha want?" She asks.

"Diet Coke." Murphy and I say.

Murphy turns towards me and rakes a hand through his hair.

"So, are with Shauna?" I ask him.

He laughs.

"I mean we've been together on and off."

"Right." I nod.

"Wait, are you into her?" He asks.

I shake my head violently.

"Not my type." I reply.

"Lemme guess clique girls are your type."

I'm too ashamed to reply.

Shauna returns holding stacked cans in her hand.

"Where's the receipt?" I ask her. "I'll pay you back."

She smirks. "It's on the house." She looks back to the grocery store.

Shauna shoplifted the drinks, didn't she?

"Now, I'll meet you guys at Murphy's place; I need to change." She says, walking in the opposite direction sipping on her Coke.

Murphy slurps on his. I anxiously open mine. What if I get tangled up in this because I drank the Coke? I shove away the stupid idea.    

But then I realise, I'm now friends with a shoplifter and (ex) drug dealer about to go to a college party having lied go my mum. I'm not the same Bradley Monse, anymore. I'm embracing my inner misfit.