"You kids better pick those cans up!" barked the manager of the 7-11, standing right behind the line where the automatic doors opened and shut. He turned and left then, and the three teenage boys loitering in the parking lot paid him no mind.
Johnny snorted and tossed another empty beer can onto the concrete. He looked over at Will, who smiled and slurred in his slight intoxication, "He's lucky we aren't drinkin' bottles this time." Tunny laughed.
"Yeah. Remember when Johnny threw one and it hit a guy's car?"
"And the alarm went off," continued Johnny, "so we ran for it. That guy was gonna rip our throats out." The three shared a fit of laughter. It was a Tuesday morning, the friends having skipped school together. Tunny had needed some convincing, but there hadn't been any hesitation for the most part. After all, they either chose between sitting at a desk for hours, or having a couple of free drinks—courtesy of an older friend who worked in the store—at their favorite hangout spot.
"I love Beth." Tunny spoke fondly of the supplier of the free alcohol. Will grinned (having downed half another can).
He commented, "And you love Sarah, and Charlene, and Tyler..." Johnny chuckled and rolled his eyes as Will slowly listed all the girls at their high school that Tunny had ever noted as "cute". Cute. His exact words. Johnny preferred words like "hot" or "so frickin' gorgeous".
Tunny took it with good nature and playfully punched Will's shoulder just as a black car rolled into the parking lot. Will and Tunny didn't pay it much attention at first as they pretended to swing at each other. It was Johnny who turned his head, transfixed by the sight of the vehicle. His companions, once they caught on, looked from their buddy to the car in confusion.
"Who's that?" Tunny eyed the car as it stopped in front of them. Johnny glanced back at them over his shoulder, guilt visible in his eyes.
"Jimmy."
"Aw, no!" Will protested, eyebrows furrowing. "You didn't invite that creep, did you?" Johnny shrugged, watching the passenger window come down. In the driver's seat sat a black-haired teen, a little older than all of them.
"Hey, Johnny," he grunted with little emotion.
Johnny nodded. "Hey. You came."
Tunny was wide-eyed. "You're friends with Jimmy the Jerk?" he asked. His voice was almost accusing. Jimmy didn't go the their high school. In fact, he probably didn't go to school at all. The guy was known for being a wild, unfriendly sort of person. Tunny and Will had had some previous, unpleasant encounters with him before.
Jimmy gave Tunny a look that seemed to state, as clearly as if he'd spoken it, that he wanted to spit in his face. Tunny flicked his tongue out at the other boy, who smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Tell your friends to grow up, Johnny."
"Tell that idiot to get lost, Johnny," Will snapped, staring Jimmy down. Will didn't falter or hesitate when it came to protecting his friends. Johnny said nothing, still looking at his new friend in the black car.
Jimmy broke eye contact suddenly, training his green eyes on his new plaything. "You hopping in?" he inquired expectantly. Johnny looked a bit startled.
"Me? Yeah, I'm coming." Will had a look of disbelief on his face, and Tunny clenched his fists. Jimmy sat back, looking straight ahead as he unlocked the car. Johnny got in, casting an apologetic look at the absolutely steamed pair outside the car. Jimmy pulled off, smiling deviously and without shame.
Johnny buckled his seatbelt and sighed. The last thing he heard from his two best friends that week (they wouldn't speak to him at school or otherwise until the next), was Will's furious words as they left the 7-11.
"Have fun with you new friend! Heck, he might turn out to be the last one you have left!"