Chapter 9
Joey's P.O.V.
Shit, dinner. I was supposed to have dinner with Michael. I scramble for my phone and see that it's 5 after 6.
Biting my lip I start typing an excuse for not being able to make it.
"Are you okay?" I nod while quickly deleting what I had typed.
"I have to go." I shove my phone into my pocket.
"Why, can you at least stay for dinner?" I keep my head down and just shake my head no.
"Do you need a ride?" He sounds worried, he shouldn't worry.
"No, I'm fine, I just lost track of time." I get up and grab my backpack before basically running out of his room. I see nobody so I just leave and close the door slowly, making sure that it's locked.
Okay, I have 50 minutes before I have to be back here. I can run home and put on something nice or I can just go over early. No I think I'm just going to walk around for a bit and get some fresh air. God damn this backpack is heavy.
I walk around a nearby park before sitting my ass down. Damn it's getting hot. Looking down at myself, I look like a mess. I smell like sweat and I'm in raggedy blue jeans with a black t-shirt. A black t-shirt on day like this, why do I never look at the temperature before leaving the house. I'm stupid, these are not nice, sexy clothes. I can't believe I forgot what we planned on doing tonight. I can't, I can't go over his house looking and smelling like this. 6:30, I have enough time right.
I put on my backpack and run out of the park. My backpack is bouncing too much so I walk.
I make it home in 15 minutes. Damn it. Its like a 30 minute walk to Michael's.
"Hi mom, hi dad. I'm just here to pick up so clothes because I'm sleeping over Thomas's house." I yell while running up the stairs.
Rushing around in my room, I grab one of my more expensive shirts with a cool design and a pair of khakis. I stuffed some jeans and an old t-shirt in a jaw string bag before running out of my house. I refuse to run because I'll just sweat.
I see Michael sitting on the steps once I get there. He is wearing a nice quarter sleeve dress shirt. His head is down. I sit down next to him.
"Hi." He smiles down at me and I smile back.
"Its about time you got here." I look at my phone and frown. 7:15. His finger trails my chin and lifts it so I'm looking him in the eyes. "I was just joking." He kisses me. "Lets go inside, its getting dark." He takes my hand and we walk up the stairs. I hate stairs, but he hates elevators.
Michael lets go of my hand to open the door and I look over in the direction of Thomas's apartment and I frown. I'm such a terrible friend and person.
"What's wrong?" Michael is staring at me.
"Nothing." He takes my hand again and closes the door behind me.
"Your lying, and I hate when you lie to me." I Bite my lip and stare up at him.
"I was thinking about my friend. I was over his house earlier today and I felt bad because I had to go and I didn't tell him why when he asked, I just left." Shit, now he is going to be asking me a ton of questions. I don't understand why when I look into Michael's eyes the truth just spills out of me without a second thought.
"Why didn't you just tell him you were with me?" I try to look away so I can think of some lie but his other hand is quick to steady my head from looking away. I bite my lip while looking up to him. He gives that look that says, 'tell me or else'.
