Just Different

Chapter 10

Mike rubbed his furrowed brow, his hand skipping across the page, pencil in hand. He sat in the library, alone. He had gotten to school rather early to help the theater group make props again, but the meeting had been canceled. So now he just sat in the library, drawing, sitting by a window to watch the clouds roll by.

Mike sighed and put his pencil down. He moved down to his backpack to grab a marker, then something caught his eye. He sat up straight and peered out the window, the parking lot was in view. Rob was getting out of a black car. Chester's car.

Mike blinked, dumbfounded, but not very surprised. He watched as Chester exited the car too, rounding to the front and leaning against the hood. Mike swallowed thickly as the two teens talked, occasionally looking around, probably to make sure no one saw them. Mike wasn't certain if there was anything between the two. He hoped not.

Chester had that sly grin, Rob was smiling back at him. Then they hugged. The younger teen then walked away from Chester's car. Chester stared after Rob with that stupid smirk still plastered on his face.

Mike looked back at the unfinished sketch. So there was something between Chester and Rob. It wasn't a relationship like Mike had suddenly feared, but there certainly was a friendship. So Mike's suspicions were true then. That meant Rob knew the truth now. Surely Chester would've opened his mouth by now. But how long did he know? And why didn't he confront Mike about it yet? Maybe there was just no need to bring it up.

Mike brought his hand to his hair, fisting it, his breathing picking up slightly. Rob knew. Rob knew everything. The teen didn't have a clue of what his new friend thought of him now, how Rob saw Mike now. Not only was he scared for his reputation, but he was scared for Rob. After everything that had happened to the group of friends, Chester had become so manipulative, everyone he knew was wrapped around his fingers. There was no telling what he had in store for Rob.

Mike looked back out the window. Chester was still against the hood of his car, staring at his phone. Moments later, his posse showed up. They all seemed like hungry animals whenever they were around the older teen, always at his heels, ,following him around. Samantha clung onto Chester, Dave following her movements. Chester began walking, both teens at each of his side, his other three friends following closely.

Mike gulped and closed his sketchbook. What was happening?

***

"Okay, whatever you do, just stay calm, act natural."

Ron nodded furiously as Chester slid one of his hoodies onto Rob's arms, spinning him around and zipping up the hoodie for him. He stood back and inspected the outfit he had set up for Rob. He had lent him a t-shirt and hoodie for the time being, Rob's usual clothes looking too old and musty. "You really keep all your clothes here?"

"Yep," Chester replied, turning around and digging through one of the bins of clothing he had out. "I don't even stay at my own house most of the time. My dad doesn't care if I'm there or not." Chester tossed a beanie over at Rob, Rob caught it effortlessly. Chester closed all the bins. "Help me put these back, yeah?" Rob nodded and took one of the bins.

The two teens carried the boxes to the front of the R.V., pushing past the thin curtain towards the driver's seat. Chester placed one of the bins on the driver's seat, then took the bin Rob carried and placed it on top of the first.

"Do you want me to drive you to the mall now?"

Rob nodded, "If you can." Chester nodded back and turned off the battery powered lamp on the dining table. The two boys were shrouded in darkness before they stepped out of the vehicle and into Chester's car.