Patrol High (Ongoing)

Chapter 23: Reunited Friends.

"Eve, who were your friends?" I asked cautiously, while fiddling my fingers. My eyes glaring at Everest's intensely, waiting for her answer.

She gulped.

"Zuma, Rubble, Rocky but mainly Chase and Marshall." Tears threatened to drop down her eyes, "I thought we were inseparable..."

...

Shock was written all over my face. I knew she was friends with Chase and Marshall but never friends with Zuma, Rubble and Rocky...I figured they weren't only just friends, but they were best friends.

It made sense. But if they were inseparable, what happened? I know there was a grudge between Marshall, Everest and Chase's brother due to misunderstood feelings and perseverance that caused Everest and Marshall to grow distant because of Chase's brother's unexpected passing that managed to import into Everest's mind into thinking she was somewhat responsible for Carter's suicide, causing her to feel immense guilt, which made Marshall suspect her even more for her feelings even though it was misinterpreted. It made it worse that Chase had been a part of motivating his brother to confess to Everest even though I believe Marshall must have told Chase about his own feelings for Eve which must have been some sort of betrayal towards Marshall for both of his friends upsetting him.

But is that it?

Marshall must have gained much more popularity when he let go of his old friends. As he indulged in a more popular and proud life, he must have thought of his friends as inferior as most people do if they become a school icon by being the Football Captain rather than a clumsy outcast that hangs out with nobodies that cause him to question his friendship with them. Due to being smug, he must have had fights with his former friends while telling them how low and irrelevant they are which maybe is one of the reasons why Everest's confidence lowered and how distant Chase is to Marshall.

Also with Chase's brother's death a few years ago, Marshall must have been suspicious of Chase when he said he didn't kill his brother even though he was in the same scene as Carter when he died and of course, who would really want to be involved and friends with a murderer who can hurt them at anytime? A large percentage of the school believes Chase murdered him and used the scissors and blood on Chase's hands after they were found out together alone as evidence of his connection with his brother's death. I believe only me and Everest believe that Chase did not kill his brother but rather his brother killed himself.

But with the recent story of the fight with Dwayne, Chase and Marshall. The aftermath of Chase punching Dwayne causing him to go to hospital, the rest of the school and Marshall probably believed that was more of a reason that Chase is capable of hurting and also...murdering someone.

I don't entirely blame Marshall for thinking that, he isn't exactly fully tunnel visioned but he goes with the crowd especially since of his popularity. But is Marshall a bad person? Of course due to his grudge with his old friends, he's said some ruthless things however I don't think his intention is being a bully, his new friends are known for being the popular, school bullies so he must have been peer pressured. But, I remember when Dwayne was bullying Rocky, Marshall stood up for Rocky rather than his friend, probably because as Everest said, Rocky, Marshall, Rubble, Zuma, Everest and Chase were all friends once. So, Marshall still cares about his old friends..

Lately, Marshall and Everest are hanging out and helping each other out, and I do believe they both like each other but as a consequence of their questionable past together, they think the other one thinks of them as acquaintances or rather enemies even though it's rather the opposite.

The relationship between Marshall and Chase seems normal, they still speak sometimes but keep their distance away from each other. Chase has reasons to dislike Marshall and vice versa but I remember during the fight, Chase punched Dwayne when Dwayne was bullying Marshall for taking sides with Rocky. Chase risked his already ruined image just to help Marshall yet Marshall isn't entirely convinced. So, Chase also still cares for his old friends.