High School Never Ends

I didn’t sleep that night. Every time I finally stopped crying, my thoughts would get the better of me and I would burst into tears again. My Mum began to stir after a while, so I left. Slowly, I trudged to the old skate park but I couldn’t go in. Everything reminded me of them so much. I collapsed just outside of the park, unable to control my sobbing.
“It’s dangerous to be out at this time of night, y’know?”
“What do you care?” I snapped back
“I… I was just warning you.”
“Back off Tony. You guys don’t care anymore, I get it. I fucked up and now you all just want to forget about me.” I sobbed
Tony cautiously slumped down next to me and wrapped his arm around me.
“I know we haven’t really been that close, but none of us hate you. We’ve all been worried.”
“I saw you all in the supermarket earlier. You all looked so happy. So why is that I’ve been avoiding leaving the house all week out of fear and guilt? It’s not fair. Why do I have to feel this way?”
“It isn’t fair.” Tony agreed. “Why didn’t you tell any one of us you felt this way?”
“Because I thought you all hated me. Sure Mike’s fucked up with phrasing things to me before but that wasn’t a mistake. Well it was but not like that. There isn’t a different way to phrase it. I was hurt and angry. I wanted him to be hurt as well.”
“Well you did a good job there.” Tony mumbled
“You’re really not helping.” I complained, nudging Tony
“Sorry.” He chuckled. “I think you should talk things over with Mike. He really cares about you.”
“Yeh, enough to tell me that we can’t be together even though he kissed me…” I muttered
“I knew I saw you guys kiss!” Tony exclaimed
“Please, don’t.” I groaned
“Sorry. Look there’s gotta be more to it than just you guys can’t be together.”
“I didn’t really give him time to explain…”
“See, c’mon let’s go talk to him.”
“What!? Now?”
“No better time than the present.”
“No, I can’t!”
“Yes you can.” Tony tried to encourage me
“But…”
“He doesn’t hate you. If he really cares, he won’t hold a grudge.”
“Fine.” I sighed
Tony guided me through the dark streets to Mike and Vic’s house. We stood on the driveway for about fifteen minutes whilst I stared up at the house.
“I really can’t do this.” I whispered to Tony breaking the silence
“Sure you can.” Tony replied, walking up to the front door
“It’s late, don’t knock on the door.” I scolded Tony
“Their parents are on vacation, it’s just the two of them.” Tony explained
He knocked on the door and I saw different lights flicker on in the house. Quickly, I scurried up to Tony and hid behind him. The door opened.
“Hey man, it’s late. What’s up?” A tired Vic asked Tony
“I’ve brought a friend.” Tony replied
“A friend.” Vic echoed
He really was out of it.
Tony grabbed my wrist and pulled me next to him. Vic’s eyes widened when he saw me.
“Jesus Aria, are you okay!?” Vic whisper shouted whilst he pulled me into a hug
“Wh-what?” I asked, confused by his concern
“We haven’t heard from you in a week, we were worried.”
“You could’ve called…” I muttered
“We were scared you were going to snap at us or kill us.”
“It was an accident, I didn’t mean what I said…”
“I know. You need to tell Mike that.” Vic gestured for me and Tony to come in
“He’s in his room.” Vic pointed upstairs
I took a deep breath, and slowly walked up the stairs. When I reached Mike’s door, I could see that there were no lights on. Gently, I opened his door and pushed it shut quietly behind me. I crept over to his bed and sat next to where he was sleeping. Hesitantly, I gently shuck him, to try and wake him.
“Mike?” I whispered
“Piss off, I’m sleeping.” He groaned and batted my hand away
I giggled.
“Mike, it’s Aria…”
As soon as I said my name, Mike shot up knocking me off of the bed.

Notes