-ON HOLD- Fast Friendship, Slow Love *ImmortalBabs*

Chapter Three

Jake pulled away abruptly and staggered to a stand. "N-no, no. I can't do this again."

Michael stood and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "I-I, I'm sorry, Jake... Just..."

Jake put his hand on top of Michael's and glanced at him. "What ever happened, Michael?"

Michael sighed. "I just, I was becoming fed up with your behavior. How you acted so defensive when someone even playfully insulted me, picked on me. You threatened one of the guys, Jake. I was scared, scared of what would happen if something actually happened to me."

Jake frowned. He knew he was over protective as shit, but he really did cross the line the last time someone messed with Michael. "I'm sorry..." Jake mumbled.

Micheal nudged his shoulder with a sad smile. "It's okay. You just gotta learn to not be so defensive and over protective over people."

"Yeah, no kidding." Jake laughed softly.

"Well, come sit down again. We have to wait for the guys." Michael moved his hand from Jake's shoulder and took his hand instead, making then sit back down under the tree.

After a couple of minutes of silence, Jake spoke back up. "Do you think Aleks and Max are really dating? I mean like, it did look convincing."

"I honestly don't know. I highly doubt it, though, because Max just got here." Michael answered honestly.

"True... But it could still happen, ya'know?"

Michael shrugged in response and the rest of the group came outside, all laughing at what Eddie had said, making him blush in embarrassment. Sitting down in their normal circular form, they all greeted each other again.

"So, how's everyone doing?" Eddie asked, his cheeks finally back to his normal hue.

Everyone replied with a simple, "Good." and James shoved Anthony backwards to the ground.

"Why?!" Anthony yells in fake agony. Ze giggled at the two and it was quiet again.

"Well, wha-"

"Hey guys!" Aleks accidentally interrupted Jordan, walking over to the large group of friends with Max trailing behind nervously.

"Hey Aleks, what's up?" Kevin asked politely.

"I was wondering if Max and I could sit with you guys. Max needs some buddies so he's not stuck with just me." Aleks teased his new friend and Max softly shoved his arm.

"Um, sure." Jake said, forcing a smile.

The guys widened the circle a bit, allowing Aleks and Max to sit down. Once comfortable, Aleks spoke up, "So, how is everyone doing?"

"Great, great. How're you doing, Max? Having a hard time here? I mean, you are new and all." Jake asked, keeping the forced smile on.

Max looked startled at first by Jake talking to him, but he quickly composed himself and laughed softly. "I think I'm doing all right now. Aleks has been helping me and it's made my day much less stressful."

Aleks smiled small and waved his hand. "Might as well pass on the kindness since I've got Jake and the guys to help me out."

Jake smiled small and said, "Well that's good, then." The group continued conversation and laughed every now and then for the rest of the lunch period.

When the bell rang, they all got up and dispursed from the group, all going to their classes. There were only two classes left in the day, so with a quick look at Max's schedule, Aleks told him with glee that they had the next class together also. Laughing at his childish behavior, Jake ruffled Aleks' hair before walking away from the two. Aleks took Max's arm and dragged him across the crowded hall to the most dreaded class; World History.

Max did his routine while Aleks went and sat at his table. The group he was put in was... Odd, to say the least. But who was he to judge? Just look at who he hung out with during lunch today. Drifting off into his thoughts, Aleks didn't notice Max walking up to the table. Smacking his binder down, the other boy was startled, looking up to Max.

"Hello, new table mate." Max grinned.

"Whaaat? Really? You managed to get a seat at my group?" Aleks asked genuinely confused. There were other desks that had to be filled, also.

"Yeah. The teacher said that since I knew you, I should sit at this empty desk instead of the one she had originally planned to sit me in." Max sat down and shrugged.

The other two kids from the group entered the room and laughed loudly at what they were talking about. Making their way to the table, one looked up and raised an eyebrow at Max. "Oh, another new kid."

"This is... new."

"Hense the title 'new kid', stupid." The taller one rolled his eyes at the shorter, softly shoving him and taking his seat. "Hey Aleks, new kid."

Aleks just gave a half-assed wave to him as a reply.

"Still not talking?" The shorter asked.

"Damn Tyler, this is shocking. They usually start talking around this time." The taller teased.

"I know right, Adam? They usually go all like, 'yo, fuck off!' or some shit." Tyler immitated, Aleks guessed, what all new kids sounded like.

"Maybe he just doesn't want to deal with your bullshit." Max mumbles. Aleks stared at him wide eyed and Max just shrugged.

"Oh my, so this new kid speaks." Tyler said.

"It seems so. Damn, what a miracle." Adam laughed softly.

"Whatever." Max rolled his eyes and Aleks smiled small.

During the class, Max kept kicking Aleks' foot while Adam and Tyler just bickered back and forth about random topics.

"So, today's been eventful so far, yeah?" Aleks whispered to Max.

Max scoffed playfully. "Yeah, no kidding." he whispered back.

"Don't worry, only one class left, then we can go hang." Aleks laughed softly and Max smiled small.

"Yeah, huh?"

Time passed on quickly and the next thing the students knew was the fact that the bell was ringing for dismissal. Aleks made his way to Max's locker to meet him. "Come on, Max..." Aleks mumbled.

Max was across the school, running from a kid while trying to dodge other kids in the hallway at the same time. Breathing heavily, Max ran by his locker, successfully grabbing Aleks' arm, dragging his friend with him. Aleks, confused as hell, ran with Max out the school doors. When Max finally stopped running, they were at a park filled with small children. Aleks stared wide eyed at his new friend while Max tries to calm his breath. "Sorry." Max breathed out.

"Max, what the hell was that? Why were you running?" Aleks asked.

"Someone was chasing me, I'm sorry." Max frowned and stood up straight, adjusting his backpack.

"Who the hell was chasing you? And why would they do that?" Aleks did the same.

"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me."

"Just tell me, Max." Aleks looked concerned.

Max looked into Aleks' eyes and took a deep breath before answering.

"Jake was chasing me."

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A/N: Ayyyy guess who's back from the dead? :D so sorry about the excruciating wait for this chapter, high school work flooded me as I almost failed because of the move.

I hope this chapter was okay for you guys ;-;

Sorry it was so short! Dx I was kind of stumped for a while about what should happen.

Anyway, if you want to come yell at me to get writing, just come follow me on twitter @HyperKittyJKat. I mostly complain and spam conversations with my "boss" and now editor, though x3

Until next time,

~Hyper/Jeri （╯°□°）╯︵(\ .o.)\