Young, Poor and Crazy

Friendship?

Previously:

'Let's see if you've got a file yet. I will have to contact your parents about the incident.' Roger didn't miss the look of utter horror on John's face as the principal went on to look for files with the name Deacon on it.

'Hmm. Let's see... Mark Deacon, is that you?' Roger's head shot up at the mention of his friend's name. Him and John shared a quick  look. Roger watched on as, without seemingly contemplating it further, the younger boy nodded. 'Yes, sir that's me.' Well fuck.

Chapter 13

'Do you actually have a death wish?' Roger exclaimed as soon as the office door closed behind them. John gave him a surprised look, but shrugged when he realized what the other boy was talking about.

'I dunno, wasn't really thinking.' He mumbled.

'You're damn right you weren't.' Roger ranted while turning a corner and marching down the hallway. 'it's your first day of school and you've managed to make not one, but two enemies, who on top of that, also happen to be the last of a FRICKIN' LONG LIST of people you would want to pitch against you.' John opened his mouth to respond, but Roger wouldn't let him.

'I mean, not only did you already catch the attention of Mister Smith The Dictator in there. But you told him you were Mark. MARK for fuck's sake! Have you any idea what this means?'

John sighs. 'It means that-'

-'I'll tell you what it means! It means you are an idiotic, foolish, featherbrained bonehead who has absolutely no chances whatsoever at surviving his time in high school. Both Mark and Mister Smith will find out about this and when they do, you're dead.'

John didn't even try to reply this time, just clenched his jaw and waited for Roger to inevitably continue.

'And you must be really selfish to think you can drag me down with you. Just because I'm friends with Mark doesn't mean I can protect you from him now.'

'Then don't.' The response was given without any emotion. Roger stopped in his tracks.

'What are you-'

-'You've clearly chosen your side.' Emotionless grey eyes looked into unsettled blue eyes.

'What's that supposed to mean?'

John laughed humorlessly, stepping forward, getting into Roger's personal space and forcing him to take a couple of steps back. 'Isn't it obvious? You're scared shitless of Mark aren't you?'

Roger grabbed John's collar and pushed him against the lockers. 'You don't know anything.' He spat. John didn't even flinch. He gazed hollowly at the tight grip if Roger's fingers on his shirt. Softly he continued: 'Well I'm sick of people like him.' He looked up, eyes suddenly blazing. 'Come to think of it, I'm sick of people like you.' And with that he pushed Roger off of him and marched off.

'So that's it? What happened to the whole friend thing?' Roger yelled after him. John spun around.

'You're asking me? Last time I checked, I wasn't the one who denied the fact that we were friends.'

'I did that to protect you.'

'Sounds like you were protecting yourself.'

'I was protecting us both.'

John sighed. 'Look Roger, I don't want to be your problem. Don't say that I'm not, because I am. You just said I shouldn't drag you down with me? Well consider yourself rid of me.' With that he turned on his heels and stalked off, leaving behind Roger who leaned his forehead against a locker in an attempt to calm himself. About halfway down the hall, John stopped and hesitantly turned around. 'Uhm.. the exit is..?'

Roger's head snapped up. 'It's uh, that way.' Roger pointed in the opposite direction, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck. 'first turn right, then down the stairs.'

John nodded sheepishly. Both boys furiously avoided eye contact as John quietly passed Roger once more, this time in the right direction.

Roger watched the younger boy go. John had his hands stuffed deep into his pockets and his head bowed low. Something deep inside Roger was tying a painfully tight knot in his stomach. He took a deep breath. Just before the younger boy was about to disappear from sight, Roger called out his name. John's head lifted a bit as he stopped and turned around to address him.

'What?'

Roger studied the pattern of the school floor intently, though the weird grayish green swirls of the linoleum did nothing to soothe his uneasiness. He lacked the confidence to apologize, to promise the person in front of him all his loyalty, however; somehow he knew that he could not escape this boy even if he tried. Or if we both tried for that matter. Roger thought. He looked up to meet John's eyes carefully.

'I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?'

John searched the older boy's eyes for a long time before nodding. 'Yeah.' He said softly, then quickly rounded the corner and disappeared.

To be continued

(A/N) Oh my god guys I am sooooo sorry. How long has it been? Like a year? I have no excuses I have just been very lazy and very unhappy with everything I made. But I decided to start posting again anyway so that I could at least move on. So that's what I'm doing now. Thanks for still being here. You're all amazing.