All of fifth period Chris kept hearing Gordie whispering to him. He was glad he couldn't tell what he was saying, he didn't think he could handle an hour of hearing how much Gordie hated him. He couldn't believe Gordie had thrown something at him! He had never thought Gordie was the immature type, he must really be mad. Chris sighed and slumped a little further in his chair as he heard Gordie whisper his name again. He looked at the clock, ten more minutes, that's all that was left in class, ten more minutes. Chris was sitting there doodling in his notebook when the bell finally rang. He saw Gordie getting out of his seat to come towards him. He quickly got out of his seat and hurried out of the room, grateful that Gordie wasn't in any more of his classes. He trudged through the last two classes, not even enjoying history, his favorite class.

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Chris headed for his locker after school, unfortunately, he didn't have much homework, there would be nothing to keep his mind off Gordie. He turned the corner and saw Gordie leaning against his locker waiting for him. Chris stopped dead in his tracks, wanting to run the other way without looking back. He took a deep breath to brace himself then continued. He couldn't avoid it any longer.

"Chris! I wasn't sure if you'd be coming by your locker, I thought maybe you had already gone home or something." Gordie said when he saw Chris.

"Hi Gordie" Chris said in a guarded voice.

"Hi" Gordie said inadequately.

"So…" Chris said, opening his locker.

"So…um…Chris?" Gordie asked unsurely.

"Yeah?" asked Chris, who was now looking at Gordie hopefully.

"I'm sorry. I know I've been a jerk, and I'm sorry. I just wanted you to know that." Gordie said, starting to walk away.

"Gordie!" Chris shouted, giving Gordie a look that meant to encourage him to continue.

"Look, you were right okay? I should have known better. You tried to tell me, and I was to stubborn to listen. I also should have known you would never lie to me." Gordie said, giving Chris a half-smile.

"What happened?" Chris asked.

"You mean you're not mad?" Gordie asked.

"Of course I'm not mad. I never was, I was just worried about you. I'm sorry she hurt you." Chris said sympathetically.

"Eh, don't worry about it. I don't think it was really her that I liked so much as the idea of someone liking me. It was the first time someone had really acted like they were attracted to more than my brain. Turns out it wasn't me at all, it was you, and I was just a step on her way to another guy." Gordie said sadly.

"Hey don't diss that brain. I'm quite fond of it. And people like lots of other things about you. This whole Haley thing had nothing to do with you. She probably didn't treat you any different than she does any of her other victims." Chris said with a laugh.

"Yeah…Hey, I want you to know that I didn't mean any of that stuff I said before. I was just mad…I've been a real asshole huh?" Gordie said guiltily.

"Yeah, you have. But I know you didn't mean any of it. To tell the truth, its kind of nice to know you have a backbone!" Chris joked, ducking Gordie's hand.

"Ha Ha Chambers. Real funny!" Gordie said laughlessly.

They stood there for a minute not really saying anything, then suddenly, Gordie hugged Chris. Chris immediately stiffened up but hugged Gordie back anyways, hoping he wouldn't notice. Gordie, who did notice, pulled back and looked at Chris sadly.

"Seriously, I didn't mean any of it, I swear. And I am sorry. I was a total ass and I was mad and said what I knew would piss you off. You're nothing like your brothers; you're smart, nice, funny, hardworking and honest. I could never hate you, you're my best friend. If I hated you, I wouldn't have cared when I thought you thought I wasn't good enough for a girl to like me. I didn't mean it, I swear." Gordie said, misunderstanding Chris' reaction to the hug.

"Pinky swear?" Chris asked.

"Fuck off Chambers." said a surprised Gordie.

"I was just confused. I thought maybe, since you sang that gay-ass song the other day you still did that too." Chris laughed, proud of how well he had switched the subject from the hug.

"Oh, you're just full of jokes today, aren't you Chris?" Gordie said, rolling his eyes.

"You know you love me!" Chris said with a wide grin.

"Oh yeah, like a leech on my balls!" Gordie exclaimed.

"Gordie! I don't even know what to say! That is disgusting!" Chris shouted, shocked.

"Why does thinking of my balls get you so worked up Chris? Is there something you need to tell me?" Gordie asked, bursting out in laughter.

"Gordie! You're disgusting man! I'm leaving before this conversation gets any scarier!" Chris said starting to walk away.

"Sure! That's your excuse, but I see that bathroom you're heading for!" Gordie shouted to Chris' back.

"I'm not even dignifying that with an answer, Lachance!" Chris shouted over his shoulder.

"Because you don't wanna lie! Cuzz you're honest!" Gordie said jokingly.

"Again, I'm not responding" Chris said as he turned the corner.

"You just did!" Gordie laughed.

"Smartass." Chris said under his breath, shaking his head.

As Chris started walking home he thought about the fact that this was the worst fight he and Gordie had ever had and it had lasted a day. He really was lucky.

Gordie walked down the hall, shaking his head in wonder. Chris hadn't been mad at him for a minute. How many people could get yelled at like that and told that they were a worthless piece of shit and only be concerned that their friend was mad at them? Gordie knew in that moment that he was incredibly lucky, sure his dad sucked, but Chris more than made up for him.