"No, that can't be Shadow." He whispered to himself. He watched on the other side of the food court as Shadow walked hand in hand with another boy, who he didn't recognize. He looked like he could be Canadian.
Mike pulled out his camera phone and snapped a few pictures before walking off before Shadow could see him.
3 Tainted Love 3
The next day Mike and Thorn sat alone in their normal spot, waiting for the others to arrive.
"Do you know if Shadow's gay?" He asked.
Thorn looked at him, "What the fuck kind of question is that?" He asked.
"I was just wondering." He said. "I wouldn't mind if he is. I am, sort of." Mike mumbled the last part.
"Oh for Christ's sake, do you like Shadow? Is that why you pulled that crap at Razor's house yesterday?" He asked.
"No," He snapped back.
"Is that why you became goth in the first place?" He asked.
"No, I don't like Shadow. I saw him at the mall with some guy and they looked all lovey, that's it." Mike said.
Thorn looked confused for a moment. "Are you sure we're talking about the same Shadow?"
"Well he looked the same," He pulled out his phone and showed Thorn one of the pictures. This particular one was of Shadow being kissed on the cheek by the other boy.
"Holy fuck, that's Ike Browfloski." Thorn said breathlessly, taking the phone. He stared at it for a few more moments before throwing the phone back at Mike.
"Don't show this to anyone," He said, almost threateningly, "Especially Ash. There's a good reason Shadow didn't tell us about this. I have no clue what it is, but Shadow never keeps secrets unless it's a big deal."
Mike nodded and shoved his phone back into the pocket of his newest hoodie. This one was a dark maroon with the words 'Burn Your Friends' in black letters on the back, and the band logo for Aiden on the front. After picking out random gothic looking CD's at the local music store he decided Aiden was his new favorite band.
"So if you don't like Shadow, who do you like?" He asked. Mike was shocked that Thorn was actually trying to keep the conversation going.
"Well, who do you like?" Mike replied.
"I asked you first." Thorn said.
"True, but I'm not answering until you do." He said.
Thorn mumbled something under his breath.
"Huh?" Mike asked, not sure if Thorn had even spoke.
"I said Ash, I like Ash." Thorn growled.
Mike smiled knowingly.
"I used to like Trevor. He was one of the guys in the vampire click with me." Thorn scoffed at the mention of the word vampire. "I don't really have my eye on anyone right now." He lied.
"Then I guess we're both screwed over." Thorn sighed.
"Why are you being so nice to me all of a sudden? It's really out of character. Not that I don't like it. It's just…different." Mike said.
"I don't know, I guess I just need someone to talk to about this stuff." He said. "That and you've been a lot less annoying since you stopped saying per say after every sentence." He said.
"Yeah, I got rid of that in therapy." He said.
Thorn laughed slightly and Mike couldn't help but blush. Thorn had a very feminine laugh. It could almost be called a giggle.
"What's so funny?" Ash asked walking up, Shadow and Razor not far behind.
"N-Nothing," Thorn said, trying to get back to his usually personality.
"New hoddie?" Razor questioned.
"Yeah, how'd you know?" Mike replied.
"You left the tag on, genius," She said pulling it off the back off the hoddie. "Isn't 75 bucks a bit expensive for clothing?"
"I like Aiden. It's my new favorite band." Mike said.
"It's a good band." Ash agreed, surprising him.