When I felt someone shaking me I woke up. I looked up to see Mr. Myers standing in his pajama’s looking at me. The sight was slightly unnerving, as I didn’t know him that well at all.

“Good morning, Casey,” he greeted; he had a cup of coffee in his hand.

“What time is it?” I asked sitting up on the couch. I didn’t want to start the day, but seeing that it was still dark outside meant that I had time.

“It’s 6,” he answered then he smiled at me. “I just wanted to ask you about your parents.”

“What about them?” I asked pulling the sheet up over my bare chest.

“Why did they kick you out?” he asked and I yawned. When I turned to look at him he was smiling at me. He looked like a morning person and morning people always annoyed me.

“I was being a problem they couldn’t manage,” I answered shrugging. “You’re going to have to ask them that really Mr. Myers.”

“Call me Ben,” Ben corrected and I nodded. “So why don’t you just straighten up?”

“Are you wanting me out or something?” I asked and he offered me a tight smile.

“I just think Susan was too stressed when she became responsible for your well-being.” Ben stated and I didn’t like the tone in his voice.

“Fine, take me to my friend’s house,” I stammered standing up. “Just let me get my things.” Austin’s parents would be awake by this time. They would be getting ready for work by now. I knew this because I spent a lot of time at Austin’s during the summer. His parents were also annoying morning people.

“Ok,” Ben said and I wondered why he wanted for me to call him Ben if he was just going to kick me out of his house. I wondered if Susan blamed all of this on me and told him to. I didn’t like this at all. I was becoming a problem for everyone around me and I hated that. I still wasn’t changing though; I just was going to hang with the people that understood me. All these fucking losers didn’t know me, and my parents only tried to change me into someone I didn’t want to be. I walked up the stairs and saw that Colin’s light was on. The door was mostly closed so I knocked on the door.

“Come in,” he responded and I opened the door and he was sitting on his bed. “Oh, it’s you.”

“I was just coming up here to get my shit, Colin,” I responded.

“Why?” Colin asked scooting himself off the bed.

“Because your dad is kind of kicking me out,” I answered not looking at him.

“I didn’t say anything to him,” Colin answered sounding surprised.

“I figured,” I answered, “Unless you’re out to your parents.” I looked up to see him studying me. We really needed to talk about what happened last night. When I had my stuff all together I pulled on my shirt that I wore yesterday. It was on the floor. “So at least you’re not tied to me anymore.”

“I guess so.” Colin responded and I picked up what I could carry and walked down to the living room. Ben was waiting and when I sat the load down I turned and went up the stairs to get more. When I entered I saw Colin lying back down in his bed. He had his eyes closed. I walked over to the rest of my things and grabbed them all up.

“I’ll see ya around,” I offered, but Colin only waved his hand weakly. When I got back down stairs Ben had taken what I brought down first out to his car. I followed him outside and I placed what else I had in the back seat.

“Where does your friend live?” Ben asked after I fastened my seat belt and he started the car. He hadn’t changed into what he worked in yet.

“Turn left and keep going until I say stop,” I answered shrugging. Austin only lived down the street. I could walk there if I wanted to. I should have just gone to Austin’s to begin with then nothing of this would have happened now. No one was stirring in the other houses as we rode along. Ben was a tall lean guy with a black mustache. It wasn’t that thick of a mustache, but I never liked people who had them. I thought it looked stupid to have hair on your lip. I know I never would have one of those. When Austin’s house came into view I was relieved to see lights on in the house. “Right up here on the right.”

“Alright,” Ben said and he slowed down and turned into the driveway. He helped me pack my things to the door, but he didn’t wait for me to knock on the door. He probably had only a little while before he had to be at work, but it still was an asshole thing to do. When I knocked on the door I heard people talking behind it. Austin’s father was a scrawny man, he was a pharmacist, and I wondered if he was too scared to open the door. When it finally opened I saw both of them standing there.

“What on earth, Casey,” Austin’s mom gasped.

“I got kicked out of another home, Jill.” I answered and she smiled at me.

“The Myers?” Jill asked and I nodded. “Then come right on in then.”

“Thanks,” I said and they both helped me pack in my stuff. They just sat it in the middle of the living room.

“You still have about two hours before you need to get up, so do you want me to go get you some sheets?” Ron asked standing up to look at me. He never judged me at all or I never knew anything about it. He was a pretty quiet person anyway and he let Austin do whatever the he wanted so that always made him cool to me even if he was a dork.

“Yeah,” I answered and Jill sat down on the couch and patted the seat beside her. Whenever I had a fight with my parents or someone she always wanted to sit down and talk with me about it.

“So, what happened?” She asked when I sat down beside her.

“Well yesterday Mrs. Myers went to my house to talk to my mom then after that she went into labor. This morning Mr. Myers brought me here and that’s all I know.” I explained and she looked at me for a little while.

“How bad are you and your mom really fighting?” Jill asked and I smiled.

“Pretty damn bad, Jill.” I answered and she patted me on the shoulder.

“How long do you think this will last?” She questioned and I shrugged.

“Probably til I leave for college,” I answered and she laughed.

“Well what I get from all of this is,” she started then stood when Ron got back with my sheets. “That you may have to agree to disagree and live harmoniously until that time comes.”

“Yeah, would be nice if she learned a few things from you, Jill.” I said and Jill leaned down and kissed me on the forehead.

“Well you try to get some sleep and don’t worry about Karen or that hateful Benjamin Myers,” Jill soothed then she turned out the lamp and Her and Ron went into the kitchen and tried to be quiet, but it wasn’t how they were. Apart from being annoying morning people they were the best parents on earth. Many times growing up I wanted to live as their son. I also didn’t think that I would fall back to sleep after the morning I already was having, but I did. When I was being shaken awake for the second time it confused me a little bit. I looked up to see a very surprised Austin though.

“Dude, what the fuck man?” Austin asked and I smiled up at him.

“Austin!” Jill exclaimed, “What did I tell you about cussing?”

“To not use the F word or cuss God,” Austin answered rolling his eyes. I sat up on the couch and he plopped down beside me. Jill was dressed for work and had a mug of coffee in her hand

“Don’t ass around and be late boys,” she said then she blew us a kiss then opened the door and walked out closing it behind her.

“So back to my question dude, why the fuck are you here?” Austin asked he just had woken up too.

“Ben Myers wanted my ass out,” I answered shrugging, “That’s all I know.”

“Finally you’re staying with me,” Austin remarked and I knew I was where I belonged. I should have come here from the start.

“Yeah,” I answered not wanting to think about what happened between Colin and I a few hours ago. This day was already rough and I didn’t ever want to have anything to do with him after this.

“Now all we need is Heather to put some damn clothes on and we’ll be back to normal.” Austin said causing me to think about my problem with Heather. I needed to talk to her.

“What time is it?” I asked reaching up to rub the tiredness from my eyes.

“We need to be getting ready, you can have my shower I’ll use the one down here,” Austin answered and we both got up. I grabbed what I was going to wear, the shirt was wrinkled, but I didn’t care. I didn’t have Susan here to iron it out for me.

When I got into the shower I washed slowly enjoying the hot water. It finished waking me up and I didn’t think about today and all the possibilities it had in being one of the worst. I knew that I just couldn’t start ignoring Colin after what happened even if I wanted to. Colin didn’t want much to do with me either, but we would still both have to be near one another. If he didn’t Mr. Gatson would become suspicious and on top of that everyone else would be too. People had started seeing Colin as the lucky bastard that got to hang with me. If that changed people would start wondering why.

Heather also had to be dealt with. I couldn’t have her spreading shit around about me. This would have been so much easier if I would’ve just dropped my pants and gave her what she wanted. If she was trying to escape my reputation then I would hope she’d think of a better way than becoming the slut of the school.

When I got out and dressed for the day I let Austin have his bathroom so that he could finish up with styling his hair and putting on his deodorant. We were both wearing a school t-shirt and shorts. We really did think a lot alike and that was a good thing.

“What do you wanna do after school?” Austin asked as we walked down the stairs.

“I don’t know,” I shrugged grabbing my backpack then I followed him out the front door. The bus was pulling up, but he waited. Austin would be trying out for football soon. The only thing that didn’t make his dad dorky was that he was one of the assistant coaches for the football team. He was a really smart man when it came to the sport. He just didn’t look like he’d even know what a football was.

“Do you wanna drag your ass and hang out with Ash and me?” Austin asked after we got on the bus. It would be a short ride to school and I hated that. I was starting to get nervous and this would be the first time in a long time that I would be regretting the decision to skip.

“What do you have planned?” I asked not wanting to be a third person invited to their make out sessions even if Ashlee swears nothing happens.

“We usually just ass around,” Austin answered smiling at me. “You know I don’t get any action.”

“So it’s true?” I asked and he looked around then nodded.

“I haven’t even seen her naked,” he whispered and it surprised me that he was this honest with me especially with it embarrassed him.

“I’ve seen Heather naked,” I confessed and he blinked slightly.

“When?” Austin asked a little louder than I thought he’d ask.

“The other day, before she went all slutty.” I responded and he looked thoughtful for a second.

“Damn, you’re lucky,” he offered then the bus slowed and Colin Myers stepped onto it. When he saw me he looked away. Cassidy looked a little confused so I knew she was left in the dark. They didn’t sit close to us and there were seats all around ours. Austin didn’t seem to mind at all though.

When we got to school Ashlee greeted us, but Heather wasn’t with her. I expected that though, it would take careful persuasion to get her to be our friend again. I didn’t have time to go looking for her though. We were the last bus to arrive so we only had five minutes before the dismissal bell rang letting everyone go to their first class of the day. I looked behind me not seeing Colin and then I looked past Ashlee who was standing annoyingly in front of us to see him enter the school building with Cassie.

“Heather stayed home today so stop looking around for her,” Ashlee said and I looked at her.

“Why’d she stay home?” I asked curiously, it would be the perfect time to talk to her.

“I think she just wanted to skip out today,” She answered then we all started walking to class. Ashlee would be alone if Heather stopped being our friend. She had the first two classes with Heather. Ashlee also had a class with Colin sometime today and I was worried that he’d say something to her. He wouldn’t out himself and he didn’t have anything bad to say about me. I for once was completely innocent in this entire shitty mess. I didn’t make a pregnant woman go into labor. The stress of my problem could have, but I didn’t ask her to drag herself into it. I would have just rather stayed a week and went home simple as that.

Ashlee ducked into her class then Austin and I walked a few doors down to English and we were early to the class. It had surprised Mrs. Reynolds to see us. We normally were ducking into the room right as the bell rang. The morning was the chance for me to catch up on everything that happened the night before and normally Heather would know most of it.

“What is wrong with you?” Austin asked and I glanced at him.

“What do you mean?” I asked in a low voice. Mrs. Reynolds was taking attendance even if she knew everyone in the class by now she still did it.

“You’re not yourself dude,” he answered and I shrugged.

“I’m fine,” I offered smiling at him. I needed thing to go back to normal as fast as possible or I was going to lose all this. I followed along in class and when it ended I stood and walked with Austin out of the room. Ashlee was walking towards us as soon as we exited.

“Hey Austin,” she greeted kissing him on the cheek.

“Do you have to be so obnoxious in the morning?” I asked and she looked at me.

“Aww, Casey used a big word,” she joked, “I’m not being annoying, what’s up your ass?”

“The usual,” I answered and she rolled her eyes.

“It’s me right?” Austin asked and I turned to look at him before all three of us started laughing. I could get used to this as well. If I just left Heather and Colin alone the three of us could still get by. I didn’t need a girlfriend to stay on top and I didn’t need Colin anymore. Things were looking up today I wasn’t happy that Heather was a slut, but she wasn’t here today to make me look bad. Austin and I had gym with Colin next and I was just going to pretend he didn’t exist even if I was scared.

When we entered gym Austin and I walked in and changed into our gym clothes and Lee was surprised to see us early. It made me wonder just how bad of a student I was too.

“Are you ladies sick or something?” Lee asked and I smirked.

“Nah, just nothing to do,” Austin answered then he started stretching.

“Where’s Colin?” Lee asked, other people were starting to come in, but Colin still had a few minutes to get to class.

“What do you mean?” I asked glancing behind me.

“Well I’ve seen you three walking around school all the time so. You didn’t do anything to piss him off did you?” Lee asked and I frowned. Everyone always thought I had something to do with everything bad.

“No, Gatson let me off the hook with Colin,” I answered thankful that it was all over.

“Really?” Lee asked soundly skeptical. “You didn’t con him did you?”

“What kind of person do you think I am anyway?” I asked getting annoyed with him.

“A punk ass brat,” Lee answered easily, “My kinda kid really.”

“Thanks,” I offered, at least he wasn’t telling me to change like all the other teachers. He knew the importance of being cool in high school.

“So after he let you off the hook you kicked his ass out of your little group you got going?” Lee questioned still curious about the whole thing. I didn’t realize he paid that much attention to us, but we were his basketball stars.

“No, I didn’t,” I answered then I turned around to see Colin entering the gym. He walked right into the locker room to change. He didn’t say anything to either of us in gym and I hated that. I was planning to ignore him, but I expected Colin to at least make an attempt to make things look like nothing had happened. I wasn’t even for sure of what happened. All I know was this morning Colin didn’t ever tell me that he was straight. He also didn’t defend himself when I questioned him either.

“Ok, did something happen between you and Colin?” Austin asked we were showering next to one another. Colin was a few showerheads down, but I knew he could hear us.

“No,” I answered then I glanced over to see Colin looking at us. He looked a little uneasy.

“Colin what the fuck is wrong with you man?” Austin asked loudly and Colin looked at me.

“Nothing,” Colin answered finally and that satisfied Austin.

“Then I expect you to sit your ass at our table at lunch then,” Austin said.

“He doesn’t have to anymore,” I countered, “It’s up to him.”

I finished my shower, then, after I was dressed in my school clothes again I walked out onto the gym floor and I was about to the exit when I heard someone jogging up to me. I expected to see Austin when I turned around, but I saw Colin.

“I need to talk to you for a second,” Colin breathed and I leaned up against the wall.

“Ok then, talk,” I responded in a low voice. He leaned closer to me and I wanted to back away. Austin had come out of the locker room and was now walking towards us. “Well spit it out.”

“We just need to act like nothing happened alright?” Colin asked nervously.

“Finally scared of what people will think?” I asked smirking at him. “I won’t call you a fag if that’s what you mean.”

“Yes, that’s what I mean,” Colin responded, “So I’ll see you at lunch.”

“I guess,” I offered then I turned and walked out of the gym doors. Once I got out there I waited for Austin and then we walked to Government together. We met Ashlee there and after Mr. Conley took attendance we were excused to go to lunch. Half the day was over and it wasn’t that bad. I didn’t know how Colin and I were going to be friends like this. He didn’t want to talk to me when I wanted to talk. Now I didn’t even want to know. I just wanted things to go back to the way things were before he fucked everything up. I needed Heather, I missed her, and I was going to get her back after school.

Lunch was quiet and strained. Both Ashlee and Austin knew something was up, but neither of them said anything. Instead they just talked to one another and for once that was a relief. I didn’t have Ashlee being annoying and I didn’t have Austin asking questions. I was thrilled when lunch was over. More lunches like this and I would start skipping it altogether. When it was just Ashlee, Austin, and I in Government we were watching a movie about Women’s Liberation and that gave everyone a chance to talk.

“Are you depressed that Heather dumped your ass?” Ashlee asked leaning over her desk.

“Nope,” I answered smoothly. “I do want back with her though.”

“How are you going to get that worked out?” Ashlee asked and I didn’t have an answer for her. I didn’t know if I could give Heather what she wanted anymore. She had wanted for us to move on in our relationship to a higher level then what I was able to go at the time.

“I’ll skip homeroom and go see her,” I said finally and she looked satisfied with that.

“I’ll cover for your ass,” she offered then she looked thoughtful, “What’s you grandma’s name?”

“Uh, Sue.” I answered after thinking about it. I haven’t seen my grandma for a long time.

“Well she just killed over,” Ashlee said and Austin laughed and caused everyone to look back at us. At least Ashlee was willing to help in her own retarded way. When the bell rang I looked at Austin and Ashlee.

“Bye guys,” I whispered and Ashlee winked while Austin waved. They exited the room with me, but I kept walking down the hallway to the exits. It would be a long walk and I knew I was taking a chance. When I got to my house I saw that mom was home and then I looked at the Myers house. There would be a lot of changes going on in that house soon. I then walked the few houses down to where Heather lives and I was relieved that her parents weren’t home. When I knocked on the door I didn’t have to wait long for the door to open.

“What are you doing here?” Heather asked frowning at me. She was dressed in something that was her and not the slut she was turning into.

“I wanted to talk to you,” I answered and she gave me a small smile then opened the door wider.

“What did you want to talk about?” She asked closing the door behind me. I turned and studied her for a few seconds.

“About you and me,” I answered then she pointed to the couch and when I sat down she sat down beside me.

“I was just trying to make you jealous,” Heather admitted, “I never thought you would have challenged me to break up with you though.”

“Well you didn’t give me much choice,” I countered crossing my arms. “You were acting like a real bitch.”

“Well you were acting like a fag,” she pointed out and I frowned.

“Well I didn’t come here to fight with you,” I hissed and she sighed. “I missed you Heather.”

“Really?” She asked scooting closer to me on the couch. “I thought you didn’t care about me that much.”

“Well I do,” I said then I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

“Then why wouldn’t you have sex with me?” Heather asked and I didn’t want to have that talk again.

“I wasn’t ready for it,” I answered, I still wasn’t. “You kinda ambushed me.”

“Well I just wanted to show you that I loved you,” she defended in a low voice. She was blushing and then I felt her hand brush over mine. It was resting in my lap and it caused me to tense up.

“I know you love me Heather,” I offered and she giggled a little.

“Then can I show you how much?” She asked and my heart started racing. I wasn’t ambushed this time, I came over, and I also didn’t have an excuse either.

“No Heather,” I said and she sat up away from me.

“Then you don’t feel the same way about me as I do you,” she huffed crossing her arms.

“I do too,” I whined not understanding why girls got so damned moody.

“Then prove it,” she challenged and I thought about it. I knew what she wanted. It wasn’t what I wanted and I wondered why that was. Why couldn’t I give her what she wanted? Anyone else would be willing enough to show her. I could too and I was going to prove it. I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek to get her attention. Then I reached up and pulled up her shirt breaking the kiss to pull it over her head. I didn’t stop there we both stood and took our clothes off. When we were both naked I felt my face getting hot. This was the first time that I was naked in front of a girl. She was looking me over and I about lost my nerve, but then she smiled and I stepped closer to her and kissed her again. She had something in her hand and when she let me see it she was holding a condom.

“Want me to put it on you?” She asked in a low voice and I swallowed hard and shook my head. She squatted down in front of me and I hissed when she took me into her mouth. Then after a little while she put the condom on me. She laid down on the couch then and pulled my hand and I got on top of her. When I entered her she tensed up and I thought I had hurt her. I needed to be damn good at this, but it wasn’t looking that I was.

“Are you ok?” I asked and she looked up at me and smiled.

“I am now,” she answered and she leaned forward and kissed me. I fucked her until I was finished. She seemed satisfied then I stood and I walked to the bathroom and flushed the condom and it’s rapper down the toilet so her parents wouldn’t find out. I walked back to the couch and I put my clothes back on. She had put hers back on too. I had showed Heather what she wanted. She never looked happier and I had fixed the problem. I just didn’t know what was going to happen next.