Good Boy, Bad Girl

Melissa Brings A Friend

Hello! Sorry, but I'm going to have to break my two a day on weekends rule yet again, I'm too busy to write as much as I originally anticipated.  And it's a short chapter too; I'm awful at this. I had so much writer's block... anyway, enjoy!

Sure enough, Jake was at Lilia's house by ten o'clock the next morning.

He was beyond pissed off at me at first for telling Angel. But he calmed down after a little while and admitted that even if it was kind of an invasion of privacy, it did help him out in the end. I spent about two hours helping him to pack his stuff (he had less belongings than I realised) and he was asleep not long after. Alexander never even left his room. I saw him once this morning when I was eating cornflakes at the table. He was going to work, and he gave me a dirty look before waking out of the door.

Mum and Dad didn't even say goodbye when Jake left - they were in bed. I was just about to go to school when he hauled his suitcases into the landing.

"Have you got her address?" I asked, trying not to show how sad I was he was leaving. I couldn't help it - I'd be left alone with three asshole workaholics. I wasn't exactly happy about that.

"Yeah. You've got an impressive memory, remembering it like that."

I decided not to tell him that I got it off Angel after I told him Lilia would take him in. I'm the youngest brother, you've got to take admiration when you can get it. "Thanks." I took a deep breath. "Well... see you later."

He hugged me unexpectedly. "I'll stay in touch. Promise. You'll get annoyed by how much I text you."

I sighed and hugged him back. "Somehow I don't doubt that."

Four hours later and Angel and I are sitting next to each other at our lunch table, waiting for Mel to show up. We're discussing what happened in low voices - nobody else needs to know than the people I've already told - in other words, her and Mel.

"Will be alright at Lilia's?" I ask, biting my lip. Angel looks at me sympathetically. That's something good about her - she's serious when needed to be, and even then she's good at cheering people up.

"Of course he will. Lilia may have... questionable driving skills, but she's a good person. You know that. As long as Jake's always behind the wheel he has nothing to worry about. What about you? I don't like the idea of you being alone with parents and a brother like the ones you have." She replies.

"I'll be fine as long as I work hard for them." I say, taking a drink of water once I finish.

Angel purses her lips. "Your parents are bad at the whole 'loving you for who you are' thing aren't they?"

I snort derisively after I swallow. "Tell me about it."

Angel sighs, and then her eyes brighten. "Oh, there's Mel!" Her expression turns confused and then her eyes widen. "Oh, no. She isn't going to..."

"What is it?" I follow Angel's gaze, and almost gasp. Mel's coming towards us... and dragging Taylor Stone with her. Beard and all.

Oh, no.

"Hi guys!" Mel says cheerily. "I brought Tay to come and sit with us! You guys don't mind, right?"

I'm speechless, but Angel quickly begins to talk. "Oh-um-not at all! Hey, Taylor!"

I refrain the ability to talk and join in. "Um... I'm Robert Jameson, but call me Bobby."

"I'm Angel. Angel Reeds. Nice to meet you!" Angel says, smiling at him with her usual confidence, but there's veiled hesitance on her voice. There's no need for her to introduce herself - everyone in the school knows her name, and even a new kid wouldn't be able to remain ignorant for long.

Taylor nods, and after a gentle nudge from a smiling Mel he speaks. His voice is deep for a fifteen year old. Then again, like I said, he has an impressive beard. "My name is Taylor Stone. Lissy said that you were her friends?"

It takes me a moment to realise that 'Lissy' is Melissa. "Oh, yeah." I say quickly. "Well, Angie's her very best friend. I met them about three, four weeks ago now."

Angel nods, still smiling.

Mel drags Taylor over and the two of them sit opposite us. It's silent for a few moments, and it's beyond awkward; Mel grinning, Taylor looking at the table and Angel and I both thinking of what the hell to say.

Eventually, Angel speaks up."So... Team Cap or Team Iron Man?"

How original.

Mel and I stare at her in exasperation and Taylor blinks. "Uh... I don't have an opinion."

"Oh, okay. Uh... favourite Harry Potter character?"

"Voldemort... I always like villains." Taylor says. It's funny - he's taller and more muscular than anyone else here, but he seems so shy around us. (He looks comfortable with Mel though - guess her project really is going well. Better than any of my science ones, anyway.)

"Me too! I have to go with Luna for Harry Potter though." Angel says. Mel leans over to whisper something in Taylor's ear, and as she does Angel elbows me in the stomach.

"Help me out here!" She mutters.

"Oh-uh-so, Taylor, do you think squids have a hierarchy?"

Way to go Bobby.

Mel is staring, Taylor's looking at me like I just grew a second head and Angel's slapped a hand to her forehead and is muttering something that rhymes with spot the well under her breath.

Something tells me Angel and I are gonna have to work on befriending this guy.

"... a hierarchy? Squids?" Taylor repeats, and I nod, trying not to blush.

"I... maybe?" He replies.

"What lesson do you enjoy most?" I ask, determined to seem more normal than Angel. Normally, that would be easy, but... well, you saw how that just went.

Taylor doesn't hesitate at all. "English."

Angel's eyes light up like stars. "Really? Me too! What do you like about it?"

Taylor looks at Mel. "I can spend time with my only friend."

Ouch. That hurt. I may not be able to relate to him on the facial hair front but I can emphasise with him on the friendless part. It's not fun.

Angel and I share a glance, and we both give each the smallest nod. I turn back to Taylor and grin at him. "I'm not sure if you even like us, but Angie and I will be your friends too."

Angel nods. "I'd be happy too! Only if you're comfortable, though." She adds the last part in a rush.

Taylor looks at us, then back and Mel, who gives him a reassuring smile. Finally, he looks at us and gives us the faintest trace of a smile.

"I'd like that."