Open Minds || Book 1 || Golix [OLD]

Chapter 9: Fuckboy's Pizza

Phoenix's POV

  It's Tuesday morning, exactly a week since I came back to a public school, and tomorrow will be the one week mark for the fight with Mike and his gang, the "Night Shifters". At least, that's what they call themselves. They apparently named their group after they found out that they all work at the same place: Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria. And from personal experiences in the past, that. place. is. HELL.  Both figuratively and literally.

  Jeremy's next to me as we walk to 2nd period, math, when he decides to drop the bomb and tell me something that brings up bad memories and worse thoughts.

"Hey, Phe-Phoenix?" He starts nervously. I hum in response, glancing to my side. "I....I'mgonnagetajobatFreddy's!" He says in one breath. I stop short as my brain processes what it just heard. Jere....job at...Freddy's?!

  I run after him, into our math room, and we sit in our seats, which are luckily next to each other.

  In a hushed whisper, I tell him, "Jeremy, no. That's not a good idea." He turns his head to face me. Since there was still two minutes until the bell rings, we won't get in trouble for talking, we just don't want anyone hearing our conversation.

"Wh-why not? M-Mike lives through ev-every night! So can I!" He whispers back, determination laced with his voice. I shake my head.

"Jere, you can't! It's too dangerous! Ever wonder why Mike wears longer shirts now? Even in the summer?"

"No, not re-really. He's n-never been nice to-to me, so no. And do you not tr-trust me?"

"No! Jere, it's not that I don't trust you! Mike gets hurt at the Pizzeria. It's dangerous at night, believe me. I've...I've been there at night. A few months ago, remember? I told you and showed you my wounds over FaceTime."

  Jere shakes his head. "Phe, normally, I wo-would believe you, bu-but I want to do this! And w-we both know that our dads...hurt us, so you could have f-faked it. I-I'm not saying that I d-don't believe y-you!"

  Sighing in defeat, I shake my head and look at my bracelet. "Jere...I don't want you to do this, but I will support your choice. I just...I don't want you to get hurt. You know that I care for you like you're my brother. But I can't afford to lose someone else that I care about. Just...be careful, okay?"

  Jeremy nods his head. "Don't worry Phe. I-I won't leave you.  I promise." The bell rings, and class starts. 

  But I can't help but think about that promise, and how easily it can be broken.

~Time Skip!~

  It's only been 16 minutes since class started, and I am bored outta my mind.  Then I think of something.  Mike is the current night watch at Freddy's, which means he'll be the one teaching Jeremy.  Oh, I'm sorry, did I say 'teaching'?  I meant to say that he'll be telling Jere the basics and dumping him, leaving him to fend for his own while Mike saves his own ass.

  I pull out a spare bit of lined paper, and my pen. I'm gonna write something to Mike.

  There, I think to myself. As soon as the teacher's back is turned to the board, I crumple up the sheet of paper and toss it into Mike's desk. It lands almost perfectly, without a sound, and causes Mike to jump slightly, not expecting it.

  I wonder what his decision will be.

Mike's POV

  A ball of paper lands in my desk, making me jump. What the fuck? I think to myself. I pick it up in one hand, and look around the classroom to see who could've thrown it. As far as I can tell, everyone is concentrating on their work, or at least pretending to do so.