It's Nice To Have A Friend

14) What Is Going On With You?

"Hey you guys! This is Gladys, my girlfriend." FP walked into Pop's with Gladys on his arm, making their way over to the booth where the other four friends had already gathered.

"Nice to meet you." She waved at the others.

"So, you're the one who has FP wrapped around his finger?" Hermione asked, trying her hardest to be nice. She owed that to FP, she believed.

"It seems so." She grinned a little, but then her eyes fell on the redhead next to Hermione.

"You're Mary right? I wanted to apologize for what happened last week." Gladys said, thinking it was the best thing to do if she wanted to be accepted into the group.

"It's alright." Mary smiled slightly. She wasn't a fan of Gladys, but she would hide that for FP's sake.

"Next time we'll make sure not to get caught." Gladys laughed a little.

"Or maybe just don't do it?" Fred said harshly, giving her a disapproving look.

"Since when are you Goody two shoes?" FP shot back, thinking that he was way out of line.

"You know damn well what I mean." Fred said sternly, not wanting to say it out loud in front of everyone.

FP scoffed annoyed, and took his flask out of the inside pocket of his jacket and took a long chug.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Fred threw his fork on the table and gave FP a scowl.

"What?"

"You take out a flask in front of us and you think it's no big deal?" He arched his eye brow, slowly getting furious with his best friend.

"Relax, I can handle it." FP shrugged unimpressed.

"You can't FP, that's the whole point." Fred reminded him.

They had spoken about this before. FP simply shouldn't drink. He could turn a blind eye to a beer every now and then, but drinking hard liquor at day time crossed a line.

"I'm not your responsibility, Andrews." FP spat.

"Does she even know?" Fred gestured with a nod to Gladys.

"I do. He can make his own decisions." Gladys said, supporting FP.

Fred shook his head and angrily got up, before storming out of the diner.

"Ouch, you pissed off your boyfriend." Alice said, actually being on Fred's side on the matter. After seeing him come in with his girlfriend, she wasn't in the mood to side with FP anyway.

FP followed him despite knowing better, but if he wanted to fight he could get it.

"Wanna tell me why you ran away like a little child?" FP said, once they were outside.

"I'm the child?! What the hell is going on with you?" Fred exclaimed frustratedly, almost not recognizing his best friend.

"I just want everyone to mind their own business." FP said lowly.

"I'm not sure what Gladys is meant to be for an escape, but you know running ain't the answer." Fred softened a little, knowing by now how to read the signs.

"Who says I'm running?" FP said, scowling.

"It's obvious. Did something bad happen with you and Alice? Are your nightmares back? What is it?" Fred asked, hoping that FP would open up to him.

"No. I'm not having nightmares. And Alice has nothing to do with it, that's just not meant to be." He said, defending himself.

"Whatever you say, FP." Fred shook his head and walked back to the diner, leaving FP outside frustrated with himself, his friends and the world.