The Mistake Of Trusting

Friends

[A/N] - ^ (pictured) Drew
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The week went by fast, and for once in my life, I had something to look forward to. Now Friday has come, along with my favourite holiday. As soon as I got home from school, I changed into a long-sleeve grey shirt and kept on my black jeans. I felt kinda confident, so I took the time to brush out my hair and make sure I look presentable. On an unrelated note, my dad doesn't even know that I'll be out tonight. He'd never expect me to be out with friends of any sort. Speaking of which, Matthew will be picking me up soon. He's sixteen, but can't afford a car, so he drives his Mom's car. It's not like she cares though; she's always out doing her thing. Honestly, I'm so glad I am considered a friend of Matthews.
I heard a car honk from outside my house; Matthew must be here.
I briskly made my way out of the house and to the Toyota Camry in my driveway.
"Hi." I almost whispered as I got into the cold car.
"Hey, blue Jay." Matthew greeted as he focused on pulling out of the short driveway.
"Blue Jay?" I giggled.
"Yea, why not."
"Soooo...." I awkwardly attempted to switch the subject.
"I hope you don't mind, but my two best pals are coming over too. They're waiting at home, but-"
"It's cool." I cut him off.
"So I was thinking I could show you my collection of albums, hang out for a but and pass out candy, then... We dye your hair!" Matthew explained.
I playfully huffed.
"You're a bad influence on me!"
"No, you're a bad influence on yourself!"
"That's fuckin' deep." I laughed.
"I try." He half-smiled.
"So," I sighed. "What are these friends like?"
"I don't know, what are YOUR friends like?" He teased.
"You."
"There's no way I'm your only friend!"
I sat up straighter and raised my voice a bit. "Oh, but you are."
"Well, not after tonight, because Drew and Jax will be your friends." He smiled, his eyes remaining on the road ahead of us.
"Drew and who?" I questioned.
"Jax. He's the crazy one of us. Drew is probably the most like you. You know; quiet, artsy, and mysterious."
"Then what does that make you?" I asked.
"The asshole!" He laughed. I shook my head in disagreement, but I was laughing right along with him. "Well, am I accurate or am I accurate?"
"Totally!" I joked as I tossed my head back.
"We're here." Matthew suddenly announced. I studied the house for a moment. His small house actually looked a bit like mine, except mine doesn't have vines growing up the sides. The grass in the front yard is dead and looks like its never been cut before. The red-ish bricks look a bit green. "My dad walked out on us, this place is the best my mom could get with what we had." He explained as we both stepped out of the car.
"It's cool. When did your dad leave? If you don't mind me asking..." I asked.
"I was nine." He simply responded as we entered his house.
"Matty brought her home!" A short boy with blonde hair yelled as he sprung up off of the couch.
"Shhhhh!" Matthew hushed. "You'll wake up Jenna!"
I froze.
"J-Jenna?" I stuttered. I feel as if time stopped and I was the only one able to move.
The three boys turned to me with a puzzled yet concerned look.
"Y-Yea.. My stupid sister's baby." Matthew softly stuttered.
"I'm sorry." I apologized. "That was my sister's name."
"What's wrong with your sister?" The short kid asked.
"She killed herself." I instinctively said. The looks on the boys' faces are ones I don't think I'll be able to forget. Before anyone else could comment, Matthew spoke.
"Let's talk." Matthew said as he directed us to his living room floor. The four of us sat in a circle, but my eyes are glued to the carpet we sit on. I now regret coming over. "Okay, let's introduce ourselves, then we'll get serious."
"I'm Jax Gould; eleventh grader, short-kid, and science enthusiast." Jax began. "Oh! And I have a problem."
I glared at Matthew for an explanation. Luckily, Matthew understood what I wanted to know and mouthed, 'smoking'.
"Drew!" Matthew yelled, and shoved the disgraced kid to the left of him. The boy's eyes shot open and he sat up straight.
"Oh, yes. Sorry. I'm Drew Walters, also an eleventh grader and...." He trailed off.
"Dude, can you please finish your sentences?" Matthew implored. Drew just shrugged.
"He gets nervous around girls." Jax harshly whispered to me.
"Shut up!" Drew lashed out.
"Whatever," Matthew rolled his eyes. "Jay, you need to do some explaining."
"I'd rather not." I whispered as I pulled my sleeves over my hands.
"Hell, I'll break the ice!" Jax blurted.
"That's a great idea! This can be our little trust circle!" Matthew supported Jax.
"Well," Jax dramatically began. "My mamma had me at the blooming age of seventeen, 'cuz she was a..." He led on.
"Slut!" The other two boys yelled, causing Jax to laugh and nod.
"Yes!" He agreed. "So I don't know my dad, but I'm honestly cool with that. My mom says that he was an asshole. Speaking of my mom, she is still a..." He led on once again.
"Slut!" The boys yelled back.
"So she's always out, but when she is home..." Jax shut his eyes and shivered. "That's why I'm always at Matt's house." Jax finished explaining.
"When did you start, erm, smoking?" I awkwardly, and stupidly, blurted.
"Last year, but don't worry blue Jay, I'm quitting. " Jax answered then sat back down.
"Yo' Drew!" Matthew screeched. Without Showing emotion, Drew stood up and brushed dust off his black jeans.
"I'm Drew Walters. I'm really boring..."
"Bull!" Jax interjected. "Don't listen to 'em Jay! He's actually really cool!"
"Okay, fine." Drew sighed. "My story? Well, I'll give you a brief run-down. My parents divorced when I was eleven, which pisses me off, and I'm hated by what seems like everyone!" Drew angrily spat.
"I'm sorry." I whispered. Drew half-smiled then sat back down.
Drew looks nothing like Jax. Jax has curly blonde hair and these really cool green eyes, plus he's short. Drew, on the other hand, has really dark hair and even a lip piercing. He's not tall, but he's still taller than me.
Finally, Matthew stood up.
"My name is Matthew Spillers; eleventh-grade asshole!" He introduced, earning laughs from his friends.
"As the boys know, my dad left us, and now we live in this really, really shitty house. My twenty-one year old sister, Candice, has a baby because he boyfriend is irresponsible. Now we have Jenna, a three month old demon!"
Looking pleased with his pressingly short summary, Matthew sat down.
"Your turn." Jax grinned at me. Oh no.
I stood up and immediately began biting my nails out of nervous habit.
"I'm Jay Morrison, uh, I'm in ninth grade. So, I'm guessing you guys are all in eleventh grade?" I started to feel anxiety form. The boys nodded in response to my question. "My mom left us, and soon after her leaving, my sister Jenna, killed herself." I will not cry. I refuse to allow myself. "I don't k ow what happened. It all happened so fast. My mom has never called and Jenna didn't leave a note. I can still see her limp body hanging from her ceiling fan. She looked so cold." I'm allowing myself to cry, just this once. "Now my dad is a drunk. He doesn't even know that I'm here. My dad..." I paused to try to hold back some tears. I failed miserably.
"You don't have-" Matthew started, but I cut him off.
"He wants to send me to Arizona to live with my aunt, but I hate my aunt and I surly don't want to move to Arizona." I finally finished.
"Well, I don't want you to move to Arizona, that's for sure." Jax sympathetically smiled.
The boys all stood up, almost in unison.
"Bring it in!" Matthew happily commanded, holding his arms out. I actually hugged the three of them, and it felt great.
"Guys, Jay's letting me dye her hair black!" Matthew ruined the sappy moment. We all dispersed after he said that.
"Seriously?!" Jax asked. I shrugged in response.
"Why is your hair orange?" Drew asked as he crossed his arms.
"Long story short; teen angst and spite." I simply stated.
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Matthew set up towels all over the bathroom floor and had the hair dye ready for my to use.
Jax sat on the toilet, Drew laid in the bathtub, and Matthew stood with me in front of the large mirror. Honestly, his bathroom is nicer than his whole house.
"Ready?" Matthew asked; a crazed look on his face.
"Do you want me to do this?" I offered. Matthew gave in and handed me gloves, a tint brush, and the bottle of dye.
"Are you sure?" Jax teased as he moved his legs to let Matthew sit in the bathtub with Drew.
"It's not a tattoo, chill!" I laughed as I began putting the strange-smelling substance in my hair.
"Hey, can we give you a side-shave too?!" Drew piped up.
Without even looking at him, I answered with a stoic, no. Drew sighed in disappointment.
"Hey, do you guys think I should grow my bangs out?" I genuinely asked.
"I think they'll look cooler once your hair is black." Jax responded. I chorus of agreement followed his words.
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Tonight, I laughed. I honestly smiled and felt like I fit in. I even opened up to new people. Matthew is not my only friend, I now have him, Drew, and Jax.
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[A/N]
If you're actually reading this-
Thank you.