High School Never Ends

When I came to, I was startled by Mike leaning over me. Concern was evident on his face. As soon as he noticed my eyes were open his whole face lit up and he was suddenly grinning at me.
“Took a bit of hit there didn’t ya, Ari!” Mike chuckled as he pulled me to my feet
“Don’t call me that!” I replied, annoyance clear in my voice
“What?” He dumbly questioned
Groaning, I turned and began walking towards the exit of the school.
“Aren’t ya gonna thank me?” He called after me
“What?”
“For, y’know, saving you?”
“Mike you didn’t… Ah, whatever. Sure thanks. Bye, Mike!”
“Fucking hell.” He mumbled under his breath
I stopped in my tracks and turned to face him once again.
“What?” I questioned
“I said FUCKING HELL!” He shouted, grinning, making me jump
suddenly, a shorter guy came round the corner from the car park, looking irritated. I recognised him, he used to hang out with my sister. I think his name was Vic.
“Dude, are we gonna go or are you just gonna keep on shouting?” Vic asked
“I was having a conversation with my good friend Ari over there.” Mike replied pointing in my direction
“I swear to god Fuentes, if you call me that one more time I will…”
“What? Run away? Face it Ari, you’re a bit of a pushover. You need me to help ya out.”
That’s when it hit me. Even the people who are reasonably nice to me still have the same opinion on me. Everybody thinks the same thing. Mike seemed to notice the hurt on my face.
“Eh… It wasn’t supposed to sound like that, lemme rephrase.” He begged
But before he could continue, I ran. I didn’t want to listen anymore, and it was perfectly clear that I wasn’t going to stand up for myself.
I could hear him calling my name after me but I didn’t stop, instead I ran to a skate park about 10 minutes from my house. I didn’t want to go home, my Mum has less emotion than a stone. After my sister died, she was so distraught so alcohol became her release. So, either she’s a) passed out, b) wasted out of her mind or c) sat, numbly staring into space.
She was the only reason I carried on. They’ll separate the both of us if they ever find out the state my mother is in. I don’t care if we never speak, her presence is enough. I still love her.

Notes