Selfish Machines

I show up to school, me and Mike walk into English class with Ms. Johnson. A few kids are already sitting in their seats but not many.

“Look who decided to show up to class today.” Ms. Johnson scoffs.

I just roll my eyes and keep walking. Before I can make it to my seat Ms. Johnson stops in front of me.

“We were sick yesterday” Mike said stepping out from behind me.

“You two are in the library today.” She says handing us both a note each.

“Why are we in the library?” I ask.

“Because you two are no longer welcome in my class, and seeing as how they won’t do anything else about it, you two are in the library for the remainder of the semester.” She sneers.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I said in complete shock.

“Do you want another suspension Ms. Jones.” She snaps.

Before I can respond Mike grabs my hand and practically drags me out.

“No were good, thanks!” Mike says on our way out.

The bell rings and student start rushing into each classroom.

Once we start walking down the hallway I implode.

“What a fucking bitch!”

“I can’t fucking stand her!"

Mike just nods.

“Why are you not mad right now?” I ask.

“This isn’t my first time being forced to spend the rest of a semester in a classroom.” He shrugs.

“Well I’m not like you this never happens to me.” I blurt.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He asks stopping in the middle of the hallway.

“You know what I mean, you just have this reputation of this ‘bad boy’ who doesn’t give a fuck about school.” I defend.

“Right..” Mike purses his lips a little and nods.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean for it to come across like that. I’m just mad,” I apologize.

“It is what it is, we can’t change her attitude toward us. But we choose how we react.” Mike says.

“You’re right it’s not that big of a deal.” I agree.

We continue walking to the library.

“Hey, at least we’re in this together.” I say bumping him with my shoulder.

“That’s true.“ He smiles while putting his arm around me.

We reach the library, give them the notes and they hand us our work that we have to complete for the next hour and a bit until class change.

The entire time we we’re in the library we didn’t get very much work done. We were too busy tossing paper clips at each other, laughing and talking.

The bell rings and we go our separate ways. I have a lot of work to catch up on tonight because of missing yesterday.

At lunch I meet Mike in the cafeteria. We sit together at my usual table. After a few minutes Jaime joins us.

“Happy Birthday!” He says throwing a handful of confetti at me and placing places a little cardboard party hat on me and Mike.

“Thanks.” Me and Mike say laughing.

“We still partying tonight?” Jaime asks taking a seat.

“Hellzzz yeah.” I joke. “Is Tony still coming?”

“Of course I am, wouldn’t miss it for the world!” Tony says appearing from behind me. He sits beside Jaime.

“Tony!” I say smiling. “We just need Vic here and the whole crew is back together.”

“How’s he doing anyways?” Jaime asks.

“I talked to him yesterday and he’s more pissed off than upset, he thinks the doctors aren’t doing their jobs.” I say, once I mention the fact that I talked to Vic yesterday Mike gave me this weird look.

“Well that’s shitty.” Tony chimes in.

“What are we still doing here? Let’s go celebrate your birthday!” Jaime says after a couple minutes of silence.

“Come on lets go out for lunch!” Tony says.

“I’m down?” Mike says looking at me.

“Sounds good to me.” I say stand up.

“I’m driving.” Jaime yells.

“I call shotgun!” Tony calls.

“Well I guess that leaves you and me alone in the back seat.” Mike winks holding my hand.

A few people notice us holding hands. I swear I heard someone gasp. We exit the cafeteria.
Jaime quickly looks back. His eyes immediately go to our hands.

“Is it finally official?” Jaime asks. I look at Mike.

“Of course it is.” Mike smiles at me.

We went out for lunch and ended up skipping the rest of the day. We walked around town, smoked a couple joints, laughed a lot.

Today was the perfect day. It’s great to be able to hang out with my friends with out Jaime mentioning some random hook-up or how ‘sick’ this one party he went to was. Or having to listen to Tony talk about Alysha all day, or him not even bothering to show up because he’s with her.

Jaime drops us back at the school around five O’ Clock.

“See you guys at ten!“ I wave as they drive away.

Me and Mike get into his car which is one of the only ones left in the parking lot.

We drive home.

Once we reach the house I run upstairs and dig into my bag. There’s a wrapped box with a little bow on it.

I go downstairs holding the gift behind my back.

Mike’s sitting on the couch, playing around on his phone.

“I have a present for you.” I smile.

“You didn’t have to get me anything.” Mike looks up.

I walk over to the couch take a seat and hand him the box.

“Yes I did.” I say unable to break my smile. I’ve been waiting for two weeks to give them to you.”
He opens the box.

“No you fucking didn’t!” Mike practically screams “How did you get Lars Ulrich’s signature on a pair of drumsticks?”

“My mom has a business friend who knows his wife personally.” I smile.

“Thank you so much!” Mike says hugging me. “This has to be the best birthday present I’ve ever gotten! I think I‘m going to frame them.”

“How can I repay you?” Mike asks.

“The look on your face is payment enough.” I say soaking in his energy.

“Nope not gonna cut it. Come with me.” Mike says grabbing my hand and taking me upstairs.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“To my bedroom.” Mike winks walking me up the stairs.

Notes