Chapter 3

Backwards

Same day—Just before lunch time at Belleview High School

Josh couldn't concentrate in his fourth period American history class for two

reasons. One it was boring.Did the teacher actually think that anyone in this class

was interested in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue? And two the seat next to

his was empty. The seat that belonged to his brother Drake. Josh didn't think

anything of not seeing Drake earlier in the morning at school, as he was too busy in

the thralls of young love with Mindy and their flirting by their shared locker. Josh

knew he wasn't sick. He encountered his grouchiness this morning. Which had to

mean the other possibility. He skipped school. Granted Drake wasn't one for the

three "R"'s unless the two of them stood for "Rock" and "Roll" but he was never a

school skipper. He went to socialize and if he accidentally tripped over his brain and

actually learned something in class then everyone (i.e. Mom and Dad) were happy.

Josh looked at his moon phase watch watching the seconds drone on. Mindy gave it

to him for no particular reason except that she liked his face.

He smiled as he thought about another lunch with his girlfriend, and how it was with

Drake's help that he got Mindy back. He didn't just give him a shoulder to cry on, he

gave him a shoulder to climb on so that he could talk to Mindy and their kiss and

tumble fall was indeed awesome. It was one of the happiest days of Josh Nichols'

life. When the scent of greasy school food came through the rafters the bell would be

ringing in about (according to the accurate moon phase watch) five…four…three…

two…one and FINALLY!

Josh used to like school and it wasn't like he was going to stop doing his

assignments or anything like that. It's just that his time spent with Mindy was the

most important.

He was first at his locker and since he already had the first two numbers of his—

their combination set all he had to do was turn to the last number. Which was "six".

Josh tried not to worry when he saw a piece of yellow stationery taped to his algebra

book. He hoped it wasn't a 'Dear John' letter. He would collapse on the floor if

Mindy broke up with him.

Dear Josh,

My mother wouldn't let me page you. My filling came out in English class. I have

to goto the dentist. I'll call you later tonight.

Love,

Mindy.

WHEW! It wasn't a break up letter. Josh always felt that he was inferior to Mindy and

that she could break up with him at any time. It's not like he was a super insecure

person, but it was just those "creepy" thoughts that can keep a person awake at

night pondering their futures when they are having a low self-esteem moment. It also

didn't help that he shared a room with Mr. Popular.

Josh was depressed. He was glad that Mindy would be all right once she got her

tooth fixed, but he was sad over the prospect of having to eat alone.

He was in no hurry to have the just-above-prison standard pizza now.

"Hey, Josh."

It was Torey and Josh had to pretend that he didn't know what she was going to ask

him.

"What's up?" He closed his locker door.

"Where's Drake today?"

You would think that he would have phoned his own girlfriend. Josh didn't want to be

involved in this but here he was getting involved in something that he didn't want to

be involved in. At least not the part that was regarding someone else's relationship

he would have been uncomfortable if people questioned him about Mindy.

"He didn't phone you?"

"No. Is he sick?"

He better have caught sick-in-an-instant flu bug!

"I d—I'm—Probably."

Smooth! Real smooth!

Aww, Jeez!

"Oh. I'll call him later."

"Torey…"

"Yeah, Josh?"

"Mindy had to go to dentist. Would you like to eat lunch with me?"

"Sure."

There weren't many girls at school who wanted to be Torey's friend especially after

she started dating Drake. Girls can be cruel to other girls with their catty comments

and worse those private whispers said behind your back. But even pre-Drake she really

didn't have many friends. Josh knew what being unpopular was like. He still

considered himself a geek, which sometimes had cool connotations to it, but he

wasn't an award winning jock or a musical talent. He didn't have any best guy

friends, well, Drake was supposed to be his. Just acquaintances from school and

the Premiere it was only Mindy that knew his real soul.

He really didn't want to get involved in Drake's relationship with Torey, but Josh was

confident of one thing. He didn't know when and he didn't know how, but he had a

feeling in the pit of his stomach that Drake was going to once again ruin the best

relationship that he was ever going to have.

It was certain. Like a day follows night kind of way. Josh was convinced of it.

"Do you know what kind of guitar strings Drake uses? Maybe I can buy him some so

he'll feel better. I'll get them at the mall after dinner."

"I'm not sure. But the clerk knows him in the music store and has his purchases on

file so he'll be able to help you."

Yes indeedy the glass was half empty.

Josh was glad he didn't have to work today and he wasn't certain that he would have

shown up. After all he could call off and blow off the day if he certainly wanted to.

Drake didn't own rebellion.

"DRAKE!" Josh screamed at the top of his lungs as he slammed the door behind

him.

The goof probably had his headphones on and couldn't hear him. "DRAKE!" Josh

ran up the stairs to their room.

Josh threw his knapsack on the sofa. He wasn't in here. Where could he be?

He turned around and bumped into his brother who was entering their room.

"JOSH! Watch where you are walking!"

"You have no right to yell at me."

Josh's eyes caught the keys on the table.

"Were you at Helen's apartment all day?"

"Who are you the apartment police?"

"Drake, this isn't funny. Why did you skip school?"

"None of your business. But if Mom and Dad ask I was there."

"You won't tell me why you skipped school, but you want me to cover for you to Mom

and Dad?"

"That's right." Drake climbed into his top bunk.

"Why should I?"

"Because you are my brother, Josh. And I'd do it for you."

"I highly doubt that you would. Well, some of us have homework to do."

"So go do it, but don't expect a medal from me." Drake yawned, he needed a nap

before dinner. It was exhausting relaxing in Helen's hot tub all day.

Josh wasn't going to let him fall asleep that quickly. He took his knapsack and since

no one else was home proceeded to slam the door hard to make sure his brother

couldn't get to sleep.

Dinner was unbearable. Drake ever the crowd pleaser was able to concoct a

fictional story about his day in school and how Josh tripped over his own feet and fell

in front of the whole school. Josh wanted to throw his mashed potatoes over his

brother's head.

"But I helped him up, brushed him off, and made sure he wasn't late for class."

Oh, Drake Parker, you charmer, you.

What was surprising was that Mom and Dad actually bought it and of course Josh

had to go along with everything because Drake asked him to. Josh knew that

Megan didn't buy it, even if she didn't have spy equipment hooked up to her room

she still knew when people were lying to her.

Josh excused himself because he couldn't take being in the same room as his

brother for a minute longer. Besides Mindy would be calling soon and he didn't want

to miss her call.

"See? That wasn't so bad." Drake breezed in carrying his guitar case and setting it

up against the wall and then proceeded to go through his top dresser drawer.

"Drake, you really---"

Drake wasn't listening to a word his brother said he just started making a mess

throwing his shirts on the floor.

"What are you looking for?"

"Did you see my shirt with the 'God save the Queen' patch on the back?"

"It's probably in the laundry room."

"No time, brotha." Drake grabbed his Who shirt and left the rest on the floor.

"Well, I'm glad that you are at least going to see Torey tonight."

Drake took off his red t-shirt and put on his Quadrophenia one before responding to

Josh.

"I'm not seeing Torey. I'm seeing that new girl Vicki at the mall. See ya."

Josh was about to pick up Drake's messy pile of shirts that he carelessly threw on

the floor until he remembered that Torey was going to the mall tonight to buy Drake

his guitar strings because she was worried about him. Which meant she was going

to see her boyfriend out with another girl.

Damn it! He was now involved. INVOLVED!

Josh ran to the telephone and dialed Mindy's number.

"Mindy! I don't have time to talk. You have to meet me at the mall!"

"What's wrong, Josh?"

"Drake is out of control! He's about to make the biggest mistake of his life. I have to

stop him!"

"Why don't you let your idiot brother make his own mistakes?"

"Mindy, I can understand Drake hating you, but you hating Drake is wrong. You are

supposed to know better. You're my girlfriend. He's my brother. My family. Please."

Mindy sighed. She couldn't stand Drake, but she loved Josh, so she took a deep

breath, sighed heavily, and swallowed a big part of her pride.

"Okay, Josh."

"Thank you, Mindy. By the way how is your tooth?"

"Better. Pick me up in ten minutes. I'll tell my Mom you are taking me to the library."

"Whatever it takes. Thanks, Sweetums."

He knew that would make her blush.

"No problem, Cupcake."

Josh hung up the phone and realized he didn't finish all of his homework before

dinner.

He was going to have to stay up late to finish his science paper.

Josh grabbed his blue windbreaker off the hook in his closet. "I have to stop you

Drake from making the biggest mistake of your life!"

Josh whispered to himself before leaving the house.

There was not a minute to lose. It was Josh's turn to provide his shoulder for crying

or climbing purposes.

Whatever and whenever his brother needed.

He would always be there.