When You're Young

Chapter IX: It's now or never

School flew by today and now I am waiting out the front of school for Gabriel. Jeff strolls up with Max, Mason and Joel following close behind.

‘Jeez Jeff if these guys go everywhere with you, you’ll look like a gang.’ This incites a laugh from Jeff and Max, a crack of a smile from Mason and a scowl from Joel.

‘Maybe we are a gang Xavier, haha!’ Max starts laughing again.

‘Or maybe we aren’t, you don’t know for sure.’ Jeff grins. Mason is on the cusp of saying something when Joel interrupts him

‘Think your funny do you?’

‘Just making a joke, no harm intended.’ I throw up my hands in defence trying to convince Joel I’m only joking. Joel clenches his fists before Max puts one arm in front of Joel

‘Stop being so agro schools finished.’

‘Fine.’ We start chatting for a while, me, Max and Jeff. Mason stays quiet and Joel ignores me completely. Fine by me anyway. Soon after Gabriel comes over with Seth

‘Hey Jeff, hey Xavier.’ Gabriel greets us.

‘Yeah hey guys. So are you going to introduce us Xavier?’ Max asks.

‘Um yeah…’ Oh god, I just can’t talk now.

‘Sorry, Max, this is Gabriel and Seth’ Jeff chimes in.

The five of us, Gabriel, Seth, Jeff, Max and I talk for a while as Mason stands next to Max silent like a little kid at the dinner table listening to the adults talk. Joel, stands as far away as possible, with his headphones in. There seems to be more to Joel than meets the eye: he doesn’t seem to be as angry as he tries to be. I think he tries to act tough because he’s hiding something. Anyhow we talk some more when surprisingly Mason speaks

‘You guys are really cool.’ Everyone stops, and just looks at Mason. He blushes and looks away from all of us.

‘What’s wrong?’ Seth asks.

‘Mason doesn’t talk much Seth, especially around new people.’ Max explains.

‘No need to be shy, we’re all friends.’ Gabriel beams. I look at Jeff as a huge smile crosses his face, what is he thinking?

‘Instead of standing out the front gates like a bunch of idiots, how about we go down the street?’ Jeff suggests. 

‘That sounds like a wonderful idea Jeff, surprisingly.’ I say.

‘Hey! That’s not nice.’ Jeff protests.

‘Haha, you’ll be fine Jeff.’ Max chimes in.

‘Come on Jeff, harden up, your with the lads.’ Seth keeps the ball rolling.

‘Yeah Jeff, don’t be a sook.’ Gabriel smiles slyly.

‘Stop being mean to Jeff guys…’ Mason begins,

‘…you’ll make him cry.’ Everyone bursts out laughing and Jeff stands there with his arms crossed and an angry look on his face

‘Oh you guys are assholes.’ Jeff states.

‘You know we’re just kidding Jeff.’ I point out.

‘Like Gabriel said to Mason before, we’re all friends.’ Seth remarks.

 ‘Come on I’m bored.’ Mason announces.

‘Ok then!’ I announce to everyone

‘To the street we go!’ Max turns around to Joel