[Michael's POV]
Jay hooked an arm around my neck, pulling me into a loose headlock. "Hey, man." He said with a grin.
I staggered a little but quickly steadied myself, smiling. "Hey."
Jay gave a small nod. " Heading to the cafeteria?"
"Yeah," I said, falling into step beside him. "You?"
"Same," he replied, glancing down the hall. "Let's dodge the crowd."
"You're lucky I met you just in time" he said, still grinning.
Frowning, I wondered what he meant.
"You would have been lonely, you know since you're friendless and all, well minus me." He said snickering.
I raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence. I'll cherish it."
But I knew he was right, I didn't have any friends, even though I got along with Josh, Connor and Liv from drama, I wouldn't call myself their friend.
We weaved through the throng of students until Jay spotted a small group up ahead. His pace picked up slightly, and I followed. I'd seen him with them before, but never really talked to them—until now.
"Hey guys," Jay called, sliding in next to the group effortlessly.
"Hey!" Sam said immediately, grinning. "You brought company?"
"Yeah," Jay said, gesturing at me. "This is Michael. Michael, Sam and Riley. ."
"Nice to meet you!" I said, smiling. Sam shook my hand, and Riley gave me a friendly nod.
"So what are you guys grabbing?" Riley asked, already chatting like I'd been there a dozen times.
"Whatever" I said, shrugging. I wasn't hungry. Not always at least.
"Jay, sorry man I forgot your bib!" Sam said groaning.
"Why would you do that" Riley sighed. "You know how he gets."
"How does he get?" I asked genuinely curious.
"You don't want to know," Riley said, grimacing. "I'm still trying to erase it from my memory."
Jay threw him a look, mock-offended. "Hey! I'm not that bad!"
"Trust me, he is," Riley said, insisting.
I chuckled. Not even knowing what the hell they were talking about.
"He eats like a dog." Sam finally revealed laughing.
I couldn't help but laugh too, the image flashing in my head. Jay groaned beside me, but that only made it worse.
"That explains Riley's look of disgust," I said, grinning.
The group broke into another round of laughter, and for once, it felt easy to join in.
By the time we reached the cafeteria line, I was already swapping small jokes with Sam and Riley, and the air between us felt light. Jay's friends were easy to talk to, and somehow, it felt like I fit in, even if it was just the beginning.
_______________________________________
We were just stepping out of our last class of the day when Jay slowed beside me, his backpack slung over one shoulder.
"Hey," he said casually, "the guys are heading out after school—just to mess around at the park for a bit. You wanna come?"
For a second, I hesitated. The idea sounded good—easy, fun—but the weight of home tugged at the back of my mind like a reminder I couldn't ignore.
I needed to return home. Mum was alone at home, minus my reclusive dad. She wasn't supposed to be alone. Not now.
I shifted my bag higher on my shoulder. "Can't today," I said lightly, trying not to make it sound like a big deal.
Jay frowned a little, not suspicious exactly, just disappointed. "You sure?"
"Yeah." I forced a small smile. "Next time."
He studied me for a beat, then nodded. "Alright. I'll hold you to that."
I chuckled, though it felt thinner than I wanted. "Deal."
As he walked off toward his, (well ours now) friends, my smile fell because I knew I was never going to accept their invite, I just couldn't.
That's how it's always been and how it's going to be till it ends.
But the problem was I never wanted it to end.