64 Degrees And Cloudy

Blue Skies, Bright Eyes

The next morning I woke up with my mom sitting on my bed and my dad standing in my doorway. I expected a lecture, that my computer be taken away, that I hand over my keys to my car (well, my dad's old Cavalier). Instead, I saw my mom's sunken and sad face. I scratched my head.

"Mornin' folks," I grumbled, rubbing sleep from my eyes.

"Robbie," my mom said, "we heard about your classmate and we wanted to know that we're here for you. If you need anything at all, just ask".

I tilted my head and yesterday came back. "Oh, thanks I guess," I muttered. My dad looked at me and shrugged. "Just let us know son," he said, leaving quietly. My mom nodded and got up, kissing my forehead and then exiting my room. I was pretty indifferent on the subject, maybe a little sad somewhere off in my confused and fucked up head, but otherwise I was going about like nothing had happened. This act got harder as I got in my car and drove to pick up Paul. Everywhere I could see worried faces and younger kids who just hadn't processed what the hell was going on. I turned up the radio, and the sound of the morning shock jocks drowned out all the thoughts in my head.

Paul wasn't ready, as I expected. When he came rushing outside ten minutes after I had arrived, I swore under my breath. I had enough late notices as it was, a few more and I'd get suspended. I didn't care about suspension, I cared about what my parents would do. Paul jumped in and threw his backpack on the backseat.

"Hey dude," he said as he tied his shoelaces.

"Hey," I said as I drove off.

"So last night I scored dude, I fuckin scored. Whatever the fuck Jeremy did, it opened up a door to the world of hot girls in skirts."

"Oh really?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I got Jessie's number, Samantha's number, Diana's number, I talked to Kelsey for like three hours. Let's just say I'm amazing," Paul laughed, resting his feet on my dashboard, "I'm gonna have to thank that kid for bringing about this welcome change in my life".

"Paul lighten up on the suicide and sex. I know you're a pervert but that doesn't mean you ALWAYS have to act like one," I grinned.

"Oh fuck off Robbie, you're just cynical since Quinn left. We're juniors at the highest point in our lives, and you're clinging on to your old lab partner in chemistry. Don't let this Jeremy get in your head, we have adventures to take man, world's to conquer."

I pulled in to the parking lot and got out of the car.

"So then Napoleon," I said as I smiled at my sharp toothed and fiery friend, "what's to conquer first?"

"High school bitch," he said, spreading his arms out and looking towards the school doors. I shook my head and slung my bag on my shoulder. As I neared the school doors I slowed. There were flowers lining the school steps. Candles. Cards. I looked down and noticed a reddish brown stain on the steps to school. Jeremy wasn't leaving my mind so easily.