We left after we ate. Tim Myers still wasn’t home. Susan invited us back as soon as possible and I knew by the time we left Mom had a new best friend. I briefly waved bye to Colin and walked out smiling. My manipulative skills were still good enough to get me out of shit.

“That is a very nice family.” Mom gushed shaking her head. “Not too many people as nice as them.”

“You just met them.” I said rolling my eyes. “For all we know they could belong to a cult.”

“Casey, they’re nice people.” She countered slapping me on the arm. “I think Colin is just what you need.”

“Yeah, like a hole in the head.” I joked forming my hand into the shape of a gun and pulling the trigger.

“I am glad Mr. Gatson made you do this now, after meeting Colin.” She said and I about lost it then.

“You would.” I said looking at her. “Colin is a damn prude.”

“How can you talk about them like that right after they showed you nothing but kindness?” She asked curiously.

“It’s just me.” I answered her smiling.

“I thought I raised you better than that.” She said in a soft voice. “I’m at a loss Casey you’re tiring.”

“Then don’t try so hard mom.” I said patting her on the shoulder.

“You leave me no choice I’m afraid.” Mom sighed, she was famous for her guilt trips and I just thought that this was another way of getting to me.

“So will you talk to Gatson for me?” I asked, “I don’t want to spend a year being miserable so all you have to do is take it back.”

“Of course not.” She said gasping, “I already told you what you had to do Casey, I’m not changing my mind.”

“Ok then, Susan can blame you for whatever happens to Colin.” I said crossing my arms. “I can probably turn him into a felon.”

“I am not talking to you about his anymore.” She said sternly. “The next time you misbehave in any way then it’s home schooling for you.”

“Home schooling?” I asked laughing slightly. “Might as well give me a vacation while you’re at it.”

“Oh honey it won’t be a vacation if you get in trouble again.” Mom promised nodding her head and looking at the road. It was starting to get dark. She had this tight smile on her face and I knew that she was about to explode into this lecture if I pushed her too far.

“What would you have me do?” I asked, “Scrub the floors with a toothbrush?”

“Oh, no.” She answered, “Things a lot worse than manual labor.”

“Oh can’t wait.” I countered laughing at my mother’s attempt to be sinister. It almost made me want to go out and do something tomorrow just to see what she would come up with. I liked school too much for that though. I was the best thing that happened to that school and nothing was going to take that way from me. We rode the rest of the way in silence. Dad was home from work. His car was parked in my mother’s spot and she groaned slightly having to park somewhere else. Her spot was always closest to the house.

“Where have you two been?” He asked when we walked through the door. He was sitting in his pajamas. He had fixed himself something to eat. Mom disapproved when she looked at what he was eating and took it from him. “Hey!”

“We were getting our son out of trouble again.” Mom answered shortly, “And no, you’re not eating this.”

“Casey, what’d you do this time?” Dad asked crossing his arms.

“He stole answers to tests is what he did.” Mom said entering the living room wiping her hands.

“You did what?” Dad erupted, “Come here and sit down we’re having a talk.”

“Dad, I’ve been punished enough.” I countered, “I’m going to bed.”

“You’re doing what I say.” Dad snapped sternly then pointed to the chair opposite of the couch.

“Honey, I’m fixing you a salad ok?” Mom asked getting Dad’s attention.

“That’s fine.” He answered then turned back to me. “When is it going to be enough?”

“What?” I asked leaning back in the chair.

“When is enough trouble going to be enough to satisfy you?” He asked flatly. He did this for a living I thought. I will soon be found guilty and sent to my room for the night. Grounded for a certain amount of time.

“I don’t know?” I asked my eyes narrowing. What the hell kind of question was that?”

“Don’t use that language.” Dad ordered then he started rubbing his eyes. “Casey, you’re not a bad kid.”

“I know that.” I said smiling at him.

“Then why the hell do you feel the damn need to go out of your way to get into trouble?” Dad asked raising his voice.

“I don’t…”

“Don’t answer that question.” Dad hissed standing up. “I’m not going to ground you, no.”

“Then I can go to bed?” I asked carefully. Something obviously already had him angry before we got here. He probably lost a case. He normally got tore up when he lost. He didn’t do it often though.

“No football.” He said finally, “The next thing you’re lose is basketball.”

“Dad!” I screeched, “No you can’t do that.”

“I am your father, of course I can.” He countered, “You could have kept out of trouble and you didn’t. We are obligated to reprimand you when you mess up”

“Mom already told me that I had one more strike you can’t do this.” I countered looking up at him.

“Honey, did you tell him he could get into trouble again?” Dad asked yelling into the kitchen.

“I told him if he did then he’d be home schooled.” Mom answered him and dad grinned and shook his head.

“Is it ok if I take away his football season then?” Dad asked mom and I sighed. She wouldn’t do that. She was too scared that I’d hate her.

“Sure dear.” She answered and I sucked in a breath.

“You two don’t love me do you?” I asked starting my routine.

“Of course we do.” Dad answered sitting back down as Mom brought in his salad and an iced tea.

“You just can’t stay out of trouble Casey.” Mom added sitting down on the couch next do dad. I have to admit when they were both in the room they were intimidating.

“You know I love football.” I said in a low voice.

“Yeah, and if you loved it enough then you would have stayed out of trouble.” Dad countered taking a bit of his salad. “I’m sure Mr. Gatson has threatened to slam you into A.E by now anyway.”

“He did.” I said hoping that it would help sway them back into letting me play football. “He also made me befriend someone that would keep me out of trouble.”

“Is that so?” Dad asked looking at my mom and she nodded.

“Yeah I had called the school that morning to talk to Mr. Gatson and that’s what he came up with.” Mom answered for me and dad started laughing then. Mom let a few giggles slip and I just sat there staring at them both.

“You’re in a world of trouble Casey.” Dad said finally, “Go to bed it’s getting late.”

“So no football?” I asked standing up and crossing my arms.

“No and I want you to invite your friend for dinner tomorrow I want to meet him.” Dad said and I was about to voice my opinion. “Any disagreeing will result in no basketball.” I shut my mouth then and walked out of the room. I stomped up the stairs and I slammed my door. I looked at my bed. I then stripped down and jumped onto my bed and started punching my pillows. I needed some way to release the anger that I was feeling. My life had turned into this unfair shitty mess. If they thought this would slow me down they had another thing coming. The only person I listened to was myself. After my temper tantrum I fell asleep. My bed was a disheveled mess. The next morning I woke up pretty early still feeling the anger that I had from the night before. I took a quick shower then grabbed my books out of my mom’s car that I had left the night before and leaned up against it waiting for the bus. When it came I got on it and found that Colin was on the bus as well. He offered me a sleepy smile and I forced a smile in return. I then walked back to his seat and he picked up his books for me to sit. I did and I looked around to see who all actually rode the bus. I normally just leaned against the window and closed my eyes.

“Good morning.” He said and I grunted slightly. “Or not.”

“I can’t go out for football this weekend.” I hissed glancing at him. “Sucks ass.”

“I guess.” He offered smiling. I wanted to smack that smile right off his cute face.

“Shit.” I said aloud after thinking that.

“What?” He asked looking me over. “Forget something?”

“No.” I answered shrugging. “Just pissed you know.”

“It’s no big thing.” He said, “Be good and you can still have three good years of playing.”

“You probably don’t understand.” I said looking at him from the corner of my eye.

“No, I can keep my butt out of trouble.” Colin responded shaking his head.

“No I meant being part of a sport that you love.” I countered crossing my arms. “I know you’re a prude.”

“I’m not a prude.” Colin responded, “And I’m a swimmer.”

“Oh a real man sport there.” I mocked rolling my eyes.

“That’s it.” Colin hissed then he forcefully pushed me out of the seat and into the floor of the bus. I got up and he was laughing his ass off.

“You fucker.” I whispered picking up my books.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for you to fall out.” Colin said through laughter and I looked around at the people looking at me. They all diverted their eyes when I looked at them and that satisfied me. I glared at him snickering at me until we got to school and he followed me off of the bus.

“Did you two kiss and make up?” Austin asked walking up to us.

“For the time being.” Colin answered flatly as the three of us kept walking. People were looking at the addition to me and Austin. At least Colin wasn’t ugly.

“Fuck.” I hissed under my breath and they both looked at me.

“What?” Austin asked looking at me weirdly.

“I think he’s suffering from turret’s syndrome” Colin said causing Austin to laugh slightly.

“I’m fine.” I answered looking at them both. “Austin I can’t play this year.”

“Play what?” Austin asked quickly. “They didn’t!”

“Football.” I answered looking at him. “And they did.”

“What the hell are you going to do?” Austin asked as we started walking again. “Those losers.”

“I have no damn clue.” I answered honestly. “They were pretty pissed.”

“Well you have gotten into a lot of damn trouble and it’s not even close to Christmas vacation.” Colin said and I looked at him.

“I know that.” I responded and Colin left us as a Austin and I went to first period. We had gym with Colin next and I was glad to not have him in every class with me.

“Well you two seem to be movin right along.” Austin said looking over at me.

“Whatever.” I grunted sitting down beside him. “When this year ends I am going to be fucking relieved.”

“Well that retard gets a free ride to the top of the ladder.” Austin whispered as the teacher began to lecture.

“What do you mean?” I asked glancing at Austin.

“Well he can control your ass then stomp you right into AE.” Austin responded and I blinked a few times. I hadn’t thought of that.

“He said he didn’t care about that shit.” I countered then turned to quickly write down what the teacher had one the board.

“You saw him before we pushed his ass out of the locker room.” Austin explained, “He was liking that everyone was talking to him.”

“Yeah, everyone likes attention.” I added sitting up in my seat. “If he screws me over I’ll kill him.”

“I think you really need to watch your back.” Austin said leaning in closer to me. “And actually stay out of trouble.”

“Of course.” I said shaking my head. “I already lost football.”

“You two need to pay attention.” Mrs. Reynolds warned snapping us from our conversation. “You have a test tomorrow now that I have my answer grid back and changed.”

“Ok.” I said sighing slightly. She lectured the entire time. I could barely stand her old crackly voice let alone for a whole period. When the bell rang I had to nudge Austin awake so that we could meet Heather and Ashlee before we went to gym.

“Hey baby.” Heather greeted after I stepped out into the hallway. “Where were you last night?”

“Oh, shit.” I said, completely forgetting that we always met after school. “I had damage control with the new boy to attend to.”

“Really?” Ashlee asked butting into the conversation. “And he dropped your ass right?”

“No.” I answered shaking my head. “He’s giving me one more chance.”

“Oh well, I bet at the end of the day that loser will be pissed at you all over again.” Ashlee stated then looked me over. “You can’t change.”

“So you agree that he’s a loser then?” I asked curiously.

“Well he is until you get finished with him.” Ashlee answered as we all started towards the gym. The girls had literature next door to the gym.

“Speaking of Colin.” Heather said taking my hand. “I talked to him during first period.”

“More like flirted.” Ashlee said nudging me in the stomach. “You got some serious competition.”

“I was not flirting.” Heather said laughing slightly. “I was not.”

“I believe you.” I said turning to Ashlee. “We all know blondes talk out of their asses.”

“Hey!” Austin and Ashlee both hissed causing Heather and I to laugh.

“See you after gym.” Heather said leaning into me.

“Yeah.” I said smiling as she quickly kissed me on the cheek before ducking into the class as the bell rang with Ashlee following behind her.

In gym we played basketball and I picked Colin. I felt I had to, he wasn’t terrible at basketball. His tall lean body served him well against the other team of the class. He had to be one hell of a swimmer too. For some reason I had a hard time concentrating. All this added stress that I was under and me being pissed that dad took away my football season. I don’t really know why they decided to step in and discipline when they did. I did worse things before and all they did was ground me for it. I guess I had it coming, but I really thought that it was unfair to do that shit now. Not later, when I had time to make a better impression to get my ass out of it. I only had the rest of the week to talk them into football. I didn’t know if I could do it. After gym ended I took a quick shower. I waited for Austin to get out hoping that he beat Colin out so maybe I didn’t have to walk to then next class with him.

“Why are you rushing around?” Austin asked as he walked out of the locker rooms seeing me by the door.

“So we can ditch Colin.” I answered in a low voice.

“He’s right behind me man.” Austin said grabbing my shirt. “You need to be careful.”

“Fine.” I huffed and Colin walked through the door and looked at the two of us.

“Why are you two still here?” He asked smirking. “Afraid to leave me?”

“No.” I answered shrugging. “Not really.”

“Well I’m a big boy I can walk myself to class.” Colin joked walking past us and started crossing the gym floor to the exit. I watched him for a few seconds before I started walking with Austin following me.

“I’m not going to be his pussy boy for the year.” I hissed glancing at Austin. “I am not that scared.”

“You were this morning.” Austin countered laughing slightly.

“Fuck off.” I snapped shaking my head. “Look at you enjoying this shit!”

“Well better you than me dude.” Austin responded and I smacked the back of his head as we walked up to Heather and Ashlee who was waiting at the entrance of our next class.

“What took you two so long?” Ashlee asked looking us both over.

“We had to wait on pretty boy to get out of the shower.” Austin answered and Heather sighed.

“You know I don’t mind making new friends, but not when we’re forced to.” Heather sighed taking my hand in hers. “I’m glad it’s just for school and not for after it.”

“God yeah.” I agreed, “I don’t know what I’d do if I had to be his friend outside of school.” The bell rang surprising me. I walked in immediately after hearing it. I wasn’t going to get into trouble anymore. When I walked in and saw that we had a substitute I smiled though. Finally a break.

“Well at least football and basketball will take up most of your time.” Heather said sitting down in her usual seat right in front of me. She was turned around completely ignoring the substitute who was handing out a packet for us to take home for homework.

“Dad took away football last night.” I said and she blinked a few times.

“What do you mean he took away football?” Heather asked lowering her voice. People were starting to turn and listen in to what we were talking about.

“Because I stole the test grids Heather.” I answered her and she shook her head.

“No one really cares about basketball why in the hell did he take away football the sport people actually care about.” Heather said as Ashlee laughed slightly.

“What’s so funny?” I asked turning to look at her. She was pointing to the substitute who was looking at Heather and I.

“You’re going to be kicked out of class.” She whispered quickly then the substitute walked towards us and handed us papers that meant that we had detention until lunch.

“You can’t do this.” I said looking over the paper. “It isn’t like you’re going to be doing any teaching.”

“Yeah, you didn’t even warn us.” Heather added picking up the paper and attempting to hand it back to her. “We’re entitled to a warning.”

“Heather.” Ashlee hissed shaking her head slightly. “Just go.”

“I would listen to your friend Heather.” The substitute said smugly as she pushed Heather’s hand away from her gently.

“Ashlee knows the rules, every teacher gives a warning.” Heather countered standing up. “So this paper isn’t any good.”

“Heather!” I gasped as I sat there and watched my girlfriend rip up the piece of paper much to the substitute’s surprise.

“Well if talking was your warning ripping the piece of paper up is what gets you to detention.” The substitute admonished in a tight voice.

“Fine.” Heather said walking to the door. “I could care less, come on Casey let’s go to detention.”

“I can’t Heather.” I mumbled scratching my head.

“What do you mean you can’t?” Heather asked, “You’re just going to be sent anyway the bitch of a teacher doesn’t know the rules.”

“Heather!” Ashlee hissed, “Calm down.”

“She doesn’t.” Heather repeated crossing her arms.

“You three can all go to detention.” The substitute said causing Ashlee to snap around and look at her.

“Me?” Ashlee asked putting her hand on her chest.

“Yes.” The substitute answered and this time Ashlee stood up.

“I didn’t do anything.” Ashlee said, “I don’t know why you have to be so damn strict.”

“You three get out of here before I call the principal.” She ordered pointing to the door.

“Can I go?” Austin asked her, which caused everyone in the room to start laughing. “Because I know I’ll be next anyway.”

“No.” The substitute answered and turned to walk back her desk.

“Be that way, I hope that stick falls out of your ass some time soon.” Austin stated then turned and winked at the three of us by the door. He started picking up his things and when she gave him, Heather, and Ashlee their slips we all walked out of the room.

“Well that done it.” I said looking down at the slip. “My last strike is right here.”

“They can’t do anything to you.” Heather said looking at me. “I was the one talking to you and I will take up for you.”

“Don’t get yourself into trouble.” I countered putting my arm around her. “I might as well go completely down instead of dragging you all down with me.”

“Well I wasn’t doing anything.” Ashlee said shaking her head. “Being near you causes everyone to be in trouble.”

“Then piss off Ashlee.” I said sticking out my tongue.

“I bet Gatson warned her about you.” Austin piped in and we all stopped walking and I looked at him.

“I bet he did too.” I said then rubbed my eyes with my free hand. “It’s just what he wanted anyway.”

“Get in here delinquents.” Coach Lee ordered opening the door to the detention room.

“What are you doing here?” I asked curiously.

“This is my planning period and my turn to watch the trouble makers.” Coach Lee answered rolling his eyes. “Got an interesting call from your substitute.”

“I wasn’t doing anything.” Ashlee repeated as she handed her slip to Coach Lee. “It’s all Heather’s fault this time.”

“Really?” Coach Lee asked turning to Heather who blushed. “That true little cousin?”

“Um, she was completely unfair.” Heather said quickly. “All we were doing is talking then she surprised us with the damn slips.”

“She didn’t even tell us to be quiet first.” I added after we all walked into the room.

“The bitch had it out for us as soon as we walked through the door.” Austin said and we all turned and looked at him.

“You weren’t doing anything.” Ashlee said laughing slightly. “Until you got your ass thrown in here yourself.”

“Yeah well.” Austin said laughing slightly. “I knew I would be next, I would get too bored by myself.”

“Are you sure it’s not A.D.D?” Coach Lee asked causing everyone to laugh. At least he was in here making my time before A.E bearable.

“It’ll prove my mom right.” Austin answered shrugging.

“Well I’ll be off to A.E.” I stammered sighing.

“Gatson wouldn’t throw your ass in there for talking.” Coach offered patting me on the arm. “Not when he had better reasons.”

“You think?” I asked curiously.

“Yeah now calling a teacher a bitch and ripping up a detention slip might have gotten you in there though.” Coach answered after glancing down at Heather’s second slip. “Your mom is going to kill you Heather.”

“I know.” Heather sighed, “Unless she never found out.”

“You have to get this signed Heather.” Coach said waving it in her face.

“So you sign it.” She said and Coach Lee shook his head then stared at her.

“I guess you want me to lose my job.” Coach Lee said laughing slightly then walking over and sitting down at his desk. “I guess I could get you out of trouble at least.”

“What do you…” I started to asked, but when he ripped up our slips I was stunned. “Wouldn’t you get into some deep shit?”

“I have the only copy.” He said shrugging. “Just go to lunch after the bell rings and you’ll be ok. Just don’t breathe a word about this.”

“Ok.” We all said at the same time. We took seats towards the front of the room.

“But you do have to do those packets so I can return them to the substitute.” Coach Lee said and pointed to them. We then helped one another work on the packets getting them finished with a minute or two to spare until the bell rang. We handed them to Coach on the way out and he reminded us not to tell anyone that he had ripped up our papers. I still had my status after all. I was happy to know that coach would stick his neck out on the line for us. He could get another job at another school if he did get fired. He was a great coach and a decent teacher at times. When we got our trays and headed to our table Colin was already sitting there.

“Hey.” He greeted when we joined him.

“Hello.” Ashlee greeted sitting down beside Austin. Heather sat on the other side of Austin forcing me to have to sit next to Colin.

“You gonna sit?” Colin asked looking up at me.

“Yeah.” I answered shrugging and sat down between Heather and Colin. We had a full table then. No unexpected guests could sit with us which would be a pretty good blessing in other circumstances. Colin already filled that seat.

“Do you think your mom would drag you to dinner again?” Colin asked, “My mom is making me ask you so she can cook for you two.”

“I don’t know what she has planned.” I answered and he smiled briefly. “That means more food for me if you don’t show up.”

“What an inconvenience.” I countered sarcastically and he laughed.

“Casey?” Heather said getting my attention. I turned to look at her and then I looked at Austin and Ashlee who looked amused by something.

“What?” I asked shrugging.

“What do you wanna do after school?” Heather asked and I shrugged then chewed my food completely.

“I don’t know what mom has in store for me.” I answered after swallowing.

“I guess I could always come over.” Heather said reaching underneath the table and patting me on the leg. I jumped it wasn’t something she normally did and I wondered what was going through her head.

“Um sure.” I muttered my voice cracking a bit. “Mom likes you.” I don’t know why I looked over at Colin, but I did and I saw that he was frowning slightly until he noticed that I was looking at him then he smiled briefly then started eating.

“Ok, then.” Heather said then she started eating. The food here wasn’t nasty. They had professional caterers cooking our meals. We went to a pretty nice school.

“When can I come over?” Austin asked through a mouth full of mashed potatoes.

“I don’t know.” I answered shaking my head. “Mom thinks you’re the reason I stay in trouble.”

“Really?” Austin asked smiling at me. “She doesn’t even know her own son.”

“I think she’s starting to.” I responded, “Since she started threatening me instead of trying to talk me out of dumping you as my best friend.”

“Wow.” Austin said, “And she’s known me all my life.”

“Yeah, she was just pissed.” I said trying to comfort him. I mean he liked my mom. His mom was practically a second mother to me as well. So I could see how bad it hurt him to know that. Even if he didn’t let it show all that much. The lunch bell rang and we left the lunchroom leaving our trays for the cleaners to pick up. The rest of the day everyone was quiet. We didn’t want to get into anymore trouble and when homeroom started I was relieved. No one ever got into trouble here in homeroom.

“You four look pissed.” Colin said as he joined us. “What happened?”

“We got sent to detention that’s what happened.” Austin said smiling.

“I don’t see why you’re so pissed Austin you got yourself sent.” Heather said and he laughed again. “I was the one that bitch didn’t like.”

“You got into trouble?” Colin asked looking at her. “Before Casey you didn‘t look pissed earlier?”

“Casey wasn’t doing anything.” Heather defended, “I was the one talking to him and we both get sent. You probably wasn‘t paying attention earlier.”

“How did you end up in detention?” Colin asked Ashlee turning to look at her.

“For opening my big mouth trying to calm down Heather.” Ashlee muttered looking at Heather. “So Heather got us all into trouble this time.”

“Ashlee don’t act like you’re an angel.” Heather hissed shaking her head. “You’re just as bad as the rest of us.”

“That’s what I don’t get.” Ashlee said, “Me and you used to be the good ones, but now you’re starting to act more like Casey and Austin.”

“Well maybe I don’t want to be known as Casey’s girlfriend.” Heather said and I looked at her thinking that she was about to dump my ass. “Maybe I want to be known as Heather who is just as cool as her boyfriend.”

“Again with the worrying about how people see you.” Colin groaned sitting down on the table that we were standing beside.

“It’s called being normal.” Ashlee countered crossing her arms. “Who in their right mind absolutely doesn’t care how people see them?”

“I honestly don’t care.” Colin answered her smiling.

“I said who in their right mind.” Ashlee pointed out lightly then she rolled her eyes. “Loser.”

“I don’t know who’s being punished here.” Colin said flatly. “Me or Casey.”

“What do you mean?” I asked looking at him.

“Well I have to sit here and be your friend because I actually don’t want to see you sent to A.E.” Colin answered shaking his head. “So I have to put up with this nonsense.”

“You don’t have to do anything.” Austin said shaking his head. “Just put in a few good words to Gatson and we’re all free.”

“Yeah really.” Heather said, “If you don’t want to be our friend then we don’t want to be yours.”

“Come on now unless Casey fucks up again then I’m stuck with ya for the year.” Colin said smiling slightly. I didn’t know if Colin was going to screw me over like Austin said that he was going to. I just knew that I wasn’t going to change for anybody. After the bell rang we said our goodbyes to everyone and went our separate ways. When I got outside I saw my mother and I knew nothing good could come from her being there.

“Mom?” I asked looking into her car.

“Yes, get in.” She answered smiling and unlocking my door.

“What are you doing here?” I asked getting in quickly then she started driving.

“We’re going to pick up your father because we have a dinner date at the Myers’ house.” Mom answered and I groaned.

“Mom Heather was coming over tonight.” I countered crossing my arms.

“Well honey you’re just gonna have to call her and tell her she can’t.” Mom said in her soft voice. I knew then that I was at my parent’s mercy and that my life was officially over.