A/N: well... someone got all ATTITUDE on me so I just HAD to update to appease her. haha, I'm joking.- Anyway, so here it is. Although this one is short too.... lol

Disc: Nope. Not my show. Blame someone else.

Chapter 7

"Dad, can I borrow your old jacket?" Joey asked.

"What, the green one?" Bobby frowned. "Why?"

"'Cause its cold, and I don't gotta jacket!" The 13 year old frowned. "Please?"

"AH, you can have it. I wore it in high school and never again since." Bobby put on his boots, and grabbed his current jacket. "I'll be home later, I'm going out."

"Yeah same here." Joey followed his dad out the door, and locked it.

"Where do you go all the time?" His dad asked, taking a drag of his cigarette.

"To Tristan's." Joey half lied. He DID go to Tristan's a lot, but he also went out with his gang.

"Who's she?"

"Dad, it's a dude."

"That's a girl's name."

"I THINK it's actually a guy's name."

"Whatever." Bobby shrugged. They went out onto the street together. "Later." Bobby turned and walked down the street, the opposite way Joey was going. The blonde boy didn't want to go see his gang that day. He hadn't in a while. He was pissed off at one of the members at that current point in time, and was just fed up with the whole gang scene. There was always a gang war of some sort, and things were beginning to seem serious. One guy died last month... Joey was so angry at that gang for using a gun. The guy they shot was a newbie as well. It just didn't seem fair. He needed to get out before things got to messy. He didn't want to go to jail, and he already had a long criminal record. He had one more chance before the police were really going to throw him behind bars in Juvenile hall.

"Hey! Joey!" Joey heard a familiar voice call him.

"Hey Tristan." Joey smiled. Its funny how people show up after you were just talking about them.

"How are ya? You...haven't talked to me since you were suspended."

"I'm good. Sorry, I've been busy..."

"Joey...um..."

"You want to know if I did it, don't ya?" Joey looked up at his friend. A few days ago Joey had been suspended because he had beaten up a kid, broke both his arms, and stole all his money.

"You wouldn't... would you?"

"Did you see the kid? He was a light weight! I wouldn't waste my time on him and you know it." Joey huffed. "But I just got a two week vacation because they just assumed I did it. Like always." Joey looked at his feet, his hair covering his eyes. He wasn't so angry with the fact that he had been suspended. If they had proof of any sort, he would have been expelled. He was mostly angry because the school had told his father about it, resulting in one angry dad and a whole world of hurt. Joey couldn't remember getting that badly injured in a long time. He was surprised his father had cared that much about it.

"Do you know who did it?" Tristan asked. Joey nodded. They walked in silence for a few minutes. "Who was it...?" Joey still remained silent. It was then Tristan realized that Joey was very upset about the whole thing. "Joey?"

"It's nothing."

"Dude, c'mon, let's go somewhere and talk, ok?" Tristan pushed Joey down the alleyway, and leaned against the wall. They at least didn't have to be concerned about someone hearing them. "Who did it? You can tell me."

"...One...one of my friends."

"Oh."

"It sucks, y'know, 'cause like I can't rat'em out. It's dishonorable..."

"How...how do they figure it was you? Did they just suspend you without proof?" Tristan asked. He hadn't been there when it happened, but he had heard through the grape vine that Joey had been suspended because he beat up some kid.

"No. No, they just call me into the office, and told me I was suspended for stealing and bullying! They didn't have ANY evidence at all. They had NO idea who did it, and the kid wasn't saying. Of course he wouldn't say, he'd be killed if he did! So look who gets the blame. Me. That no good Wheeler kid. Everyone hates me, Tristan! They always have!"

"They don't hate you-"

"My mom hates me, my teachers hate me- all the kids in the school hate me! I...I just wish I could go somewhere and start over! Go far, far away where no one knows my face..." Tristan could tell Joey was fighting back tears. "I'm not going anywhere in life."

"Bud... you can start over. We go off to high school this fall. You can go to Domino high with me..."

"I can't. I have to go to Rintama with... them." Joey clenched his fist. He used to live for the gang. It was all he had, but now... Tristan could tell Joey wanted out. He had the idea for a while.

"You can leave them, start fresh. C'mon they're no good, you've almost been put in jail cuzza those guys! They're not friends; you shouldn't have any loyalties to them. Come to Domino with me! Together we can go though high school, and support each together and all the shit."

Joey stood silent, staring at the ground, seemingly contemplating.

"Yeah..."

"Yeah what?"

"I'll quit. When school's out... I mean, I'm one of da top guys. I have respect. They shouldn't... question it." With that Joey walked away. Tristan debated on following, but figured Joey was going to see them. It was probably what he had planned to do anyway, until he bumped into Tristan. He sighed. When school was out he said... that was better then never he supposed.

END of 7!

Oooooooh were getting near the end guys! Only two chapters left! Can you STAND the suspense? No? Aw, too bad. See ya next chapter!