Old Habits Die Hard

II

"I can't wait to be in college," Phil sighed, staring out his large, second story window.

"I can," PJ replied absentmindedly, not looking up from his Gameboy.

"Why's that?" Phil asked, surprised, crossing to his bed where he plopped down next to his friend.

"I dunno," Peej answered, "In college you have to do your own laundry: that sucks. And you have roommates: that also sucks. And your mum can't make you pancakes every morning which is the worst of all because your mum makes the world's best pancakes."

"Yeah, they're okay," Phil acknowledged, "But I think being in college will be worth it."

"Really?" Peej yawned, still not impressed, "Just seems like more revising to me."

"Yeah but you don't have to listen to your parents," Phil pointed out, "No bedtimes, sleepovers whenever you want, parties-"

"Parties don't seem cool to me," PJ said, dropping his game and sitting up next to Phil.

"They don't?"

"No way!" PJ shook his head, "I just think about how my dad gets when he's drunk and then multiply that by, like, fifty. Only instead of my dad it's just a bunch of annoying classmates you don't even like."

"I guess you have a point," Phil shrugged, "I'll just have to find out for myself I guess."

"What are you talking about?" Peej asked, shooting his friend a curious look.

"Martyn's throwing a party Friday since Mum and Dad will be gone and I'm gonna sneak in," he smiled mischievously, "I was gonna invite you, but doesn't sound like you're too keen on the idea."

"Definitely not!" PJ cried, "and I don't think you should be either!"

"Oh don't worry about me!" Phil laughed, "I'll be fine!"

"Sorry for being concerned," Peej said, rolling his eyes. "Wait, you said it's this Friday?"

"Yeah," Phil said.

"Well you can't go anyway then!"

"Why not?" Phil enquired.

"We're all staying at Di's, remember?" Peej reminded him, "We're gonna brainstorm about the script!"

"You know I'm no good at stuff like that," Phil pouted, "I'm okay at acting but I can't write and I have o good ideas. I don't even watch horror movies."

"So you're just skip?" PJ raised an eyebrow at him, "Diana's gonna be really mad!"

"No she won't!" Phil said, "Not if I'm sick."

"Really, Phil?" Peej asked, irritated.

"Really," he replied, "This is my one chance to find out if college parties are all they're cracked up to be!"

"Why does it matter to you so much, anyway?" PJ questioned.

"I'm not for sure," Phil admitted, "but it does. I'm skipping Di's house Friday, I've already made up my mind. Are you gonna tell on me?"

"I guess not," PJ sighed after a minute, "I don't wanna talk about this anymore."

"Okay," Phil agreed.

"You think Chris will be mad?" Peej asked, successfully changing the subject.

"About what?" Phil asked.