High School Never Ends

As soon as the bell rang, signalling the end of the day, I rushed out of the classroom and towards my locker where Mike was waiting for me. We had planned to spend the evening with each other, as he claimed he wanted to get to know me better. I just really wanted a night away from everything and Mike was a really great guy, so why not? I shoved my books into my locker and turned to Mike to seem him grinning widely: he did that a lot.
When we arrived at the car park, Mike opened the passenger door for me.
“Wait, where’s Vic? Please tell me you’re not driving!” I panicked
“Oh c’mon, I’m not that bad and Vic’s at some after school crap. I drove us the other night!” Mike tried to defend himself
“Yes, and I was gripping my seat for dear life. I broke a nail!”
“Your nails didn’t seemed to be a problem when Amelia jumped you.” He smirked
“Just gimme the keys.”
“What? No!”
“Mike!”
“No!
I tried to snatch them out of his hand but he used his height to his advantage.
“I’m not going anywhere with you unless you let me drive.”
“Looks like you’re walking then.” He winked at me before closing the passenger door and climbing into the driver’s seat.
Reluctantly, I got into the passenger seat.
“You may have won this battle, but you’re far from winning this war Fuentes.” I huffed as Mike chuckled.
As we pulled into the driveway of the Fuentes household, I gaped at what looked like a mansion to me. Suddenly, Mike was banging on the window.
“You coming or what?”
“Not if I have to bow at your feet!”
“What are you on about?” He asked, obviously confused by my comment
“It’s like a freakin’ mansion!” I exclaimed
“Whatever you say.” He chuckled at me
I hopped out of the car and followed closely behind Mike, up to the front door. He opened the door and walked in before holding the door open for me. Cautiously I walked in, taking in my surroundings. As soon as Mike closed the door, a woman began shouting furiously in what sounded like Spanish. She came out of another room, towards us with a harsh expression on her face. When she noticed me, her expression dropped and she offered me a warm loving smile.
“Eh mom, this is my friend Aria.” Mike introduced me
“Oh it’s so lovely to meet you.” She beamed before pulling me into a hug
Awkwardly I hugged back whilst giving Mike a look of desperation. He smirked back at me.
“Yeh so, we’re just gonna go upstairs.” Mike told his mum
“Keep the door open.”
“Yes, mom.” Mike rolled his eyes
“Where’s Victor?” She questioned
“Some after school class, probably checking the teacher out. She is pretty…”
“ENOUGH, Michael!” His mother exclaimed
He chuckled, then dragged me up to his bedroom.
“Welcome to my room. Oh and don’t even think about stepping on my rug, it’s Persian!”
Worriedly I looked at him before he burst into laughter.
“I’m kidding, Jesus!” He exclaimed
“Oh… You’re hilarious.” I remarked
“Ouch, tough crowd.” I giggled
“So, what’s the plan?” I asked
“Well, I wanna know more about you. We’ve been friends for nearly a week and I only know how to piss you off.”
“Alright, ask away.”
“You’re British.”
“Okay, that’s more of a statement than a question.”
“So you are British?”
“Yup, born and raised.”
“Where?”
“Manchester, England.”
“And you moved here two years ago?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why?”
“Different change of scenery.”
“Oh, that’s cool. I’d love to get out of here.”
“Where’d you wanna go?”
“Everywhere.”
“I’d love to go to Japan.”
“Huh, that’s a strange choice. How come?”
“That reason. It’s strange: different. Just seems like it would be an interesting experience.”
“Well, when I’m a big rockstar with loads of money I’ll take you.” Mike grinned
“Thanks, I guess.” I laughed
“What? Don’t think I can do it?”
“Well, I don’t know if you’re any good. I would have to hear you to know.”
“Some day.” He murmured. “What’s it like in England?”
“Rainy, cold and green in most places. But its home.”
“You miss it?”
“Yeh… A lot to be honest. I miss my friends, not that there’s anything wrong with you guys.”
“I know what you mean. Do you still keep in touch?”
“Only with one of them. It’s like the others forgot about me. I don’t really know.”
“I don’t think they could ever forget about you.”
“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Well, you’re something different aren’t you? It’s not a bad thing. I like it.”
“Thanks.” I smiled at him
“So this friend, is she hot? Available?”
“You don’t stop do you?”
“Like I said, I’m determined.” He chuckled. “But honestly, what’s she like?”
“Well, she’s like my sister. We met in the first year of primary school which I guess is elementary school over here. We’ve just always done everything together. Everyone would always tell me that they I wanted a relationship like ours. I guess I took it for granted, only now do I realise how lucky I really was.”
“But you still keep in touch?”
“Yeh, but it’s not the same. We’re not as close. I’m sure she’s got plenty of replacements for me. What I’ve done for the past two years. The only friends I ever had before this week was my sister and Amelia.” I choked out
Only now did I realise the tears running down my face. Hurriedly, I tried to wipe them away in the hope that Mike wouldn’t notice: no such luck. He pulled me into a hug in an attempt to soothe me. I cried into his chest, the realisation of how alone I was, was only just sinking in.
“It’s okay, I’m you’re friend. You’ve got Vic, Jaime and Tony as well but I’m the most important.”
I laughed lightly as he wiped the tears away.
“You can always talk to me, y’know? About anything. I know that feeling of loneliness. You don’t have to feel that anymore.”

Notes