I was late getting on the bus again; but this time it was because I'd been in the Principals office. As I got on I could hear a crowd of laughter and clapping coming from the back, surrounding Pete. They were all looking at me though. I looked down at the gang. Tommy and Olivia were sitting next to each other again, Phil and Chuckie behind and Kimi on her own behind them.
"Dil!" Kimi called as I walked up to them.
"Hey Kimi," I said trying to act casual. Kimi smiled. As the bus started moving more people were talking.
"Dil, what's going on?" Kimi asked.
"Nothing, what would be going on?" I asked trying to shrug it off.
"Well why did you run out of the canteen today?" Kimi asked.
"I was late, I needed to see Mr. Radford before he started the lesson," I lied. I wanted to tell Kimi what was going on right then but I knew I couldn't. I could have got Phil in trouble already I don't want them to bother Kimi as well.
"You sure I didn't say anything to upset you?" Kimi questioned.
"No, it's cool," I said. Kimi grinned.
"I see Dreamy boy hasn't woken up yet," Phil said turning around and pointing at Tommy. We laughed.
"Do you think they can hear us?" Chuckie asked.
"No way, I've tried a thousand times," I tried to sound cheerful.
"Does that bother you at home?" Phil asked me.
"Nah, I can deal with it," I said. The bus halted and we all fell forward.
"Bye guys," I said waving as I headed towards my house. Chuckie and Kimi headed off to their house, as did Suzie and Angelica.
"Dil," Phil grabbed my arm, "You want to come over?" he asked. I thought for a second. I should go home, but I knew Mum would probably get a call from the school so I didn't want to be there then, plus I could tell Phil what happened today.
"Sure, if you don't mind," I said.
"Of course not, your better company than a moaning Lil!" He said as we turned to his house.
I sat on his bed as we played Ninja Monkeys: Island of Doom on Phil's games console. My mind wasn't really in it and Phil could tell.
"So what happened today?" Phil asked putting his controller down after winning again.
"Pete," I took a deep breath, "Pete said he'd beat on anyone I told, like he beats on me." I opened my eyes but Phil didn't look unimpressed.
"Cool, little kid wants to beat me up," he laughed.
"You don't care?" I asked.
"No way! You don't have to worry about me Dil," he said, "So what did he do today?" I was kind of shocked that he didn't care that I could put his health in danger like that but he seemed to genuinely not care.
"I've got a detention tomorrow," I mumbled.
"You what!" he smiled, "What you do?"
"Nothing, well maybe almost start crying, which could be mistaken for laughing," I said.
"You have something to do with the 'Skinny' chants?" Phil asked.
"No," I said instantly, "Those chants were about me, I was the only one keeping quiet!"
"Man! That's messed up!" Phil said. "But what, class detention?"
"I wish," I began, "No in fact I think a detention is a good thing, Pete can't get to me there." I then explained what happened with me looking like I was laughing.
"That's rough," Phil said. Then there was one of those awkward silences.
"Phil? Who's here?" Lil asked from behind his bedroom door. He opened it and there stood Lil, a total mess.
"Oh, hey Dil, how are you?" She asked.
"Fine, great compared to how you look," I replied. Lil came in for a while which was a good thing as I had no idea what to say to Phil now.
"I'd better be going," I said getting up. Phil saw me out the front door.
"Don't stress too much mate, I'm here for you," he said as I left.
"Thanks," I said heading into the dark. I walked across their soggy front lawn onto the pavement.
"So this is your house Pickles," Pete said. He was standing right in front of me with Tessa and Rod by his sides.
"Err..." was all I could mutter. Pete smiled then kicked me in the shin.
"Whoa, hold on there," Phil came over from his front door and moved Pete away from me.
"Look, loser boy's back," Pete said.
"Okay, move along now," Phil said pushing them away.
"Phil?" Lil, wrapped up in her dressing gown, called from their front door.
"See you Dil!" Pete called as if we were friends, "Loser boy," he muttered under his breath. They went and Phil helped me to my feet.
"Please don't tell Lil, I've already dropped you in it," I said to Phil.
"Don't worry, I can control it," he said. We went of in our different directions and I opened the front door.
"Dylan Prescott Pickles! What have you been up to at school! We had a phone call from your Principal saying you've been playing up!" Mum yelled as soon as I got in the door. I'd forgotten about that.
"Mum, I can explain!" I said quickly. But the fact was I couldn't. I couldn't tell mum what was going on. I admitted to it, I said I did laugh and chant in class. For a few moments I felt like I was one of the other kids. I was a liar now, more so than I'd ever been.
"Dylan I'm very disappointed in you."