AN: I just wanted to thank everyone who has read/reviewed this story so far. It makes me smile to know other people are liking this as much as I am.

DISCLAIMER: Portal and/or it's characters are mine. I only own the OC's.

...

Cave sat in his room, bored out of his mind. He decided to see what Rick was up to. After 5 rings, he finally picked up.

"What is it man?" Rick said.

"Hey, you busy?"

"No, why?"

"I was wondering if I could come crash at your place. It's kinda dull around here."

"Sure, no problem man. I've got a joint here with your name on it."

Cave smiled a little. "Great. Be there soon." He hung up the phone.

Cave went down the stairs and grabbed his coat.

"Where are you going?" Mrs. Johnson asked.

"James house." Cave lied. "He wants me to come over and play games with him. Would it be ok if I stayed the night?"

"Sure. Just make sure your home before noon tommorrow. Your father and I are going out of town for a couple of days, and you won't be able to get in the house after we're gone."

"Ok, no problem. Bye, Mom."

"Bye Johnathan. Have fun."

Cave walked out the door. He pulled out his cell phone and diled James's number.

"What's up, Cave?"

"Hey, if my Mom calls, I'm at your house playing games."

"Heading over to Rick's?"

"Yeah, and you know how much my parents hate him."

"Ok, no problem man."

"Thanks." He hung up his phone.

Cave got into his car and drove to Rick's house.

...

Once at Rick's, the two guys settled in to somking some pot, and watching some porn. Cave wasn't too into either one, but sometimes it helped to unwind and keep his life interesting.

"Do your parents know your here?"

Cave laughed, handing the joint back to Rick. "Hell no. They think I'm at James's house."

Rick laughed. "How funny."

Caved laughed. "What they don't know won't hurt them."

Rick reached over and picked up a notebook. He wrote down something. Cave couldn't tell what it was.

As if reading Cave's mind, Rick said, "It's a list of all the girls I've banged this year so far. I'm hoping to add more to the list." He passed the joint to Cave.

"What does it matter how many or which girls you've been with?"

"To know I got the most out of the best time of my life."

Cave didn't know if that was really the way to enjoy high school. He supposed it was different for everyone. He always figured he'd have a girlfriend, have lots of friends, graduate, and head to college to be a businessman. Compared to Rick's life, that sounded boring.

The boys spend the remaining part of the night smoking and talking. The crashed for the night and Cave made sure to set his phone alarm for 10 am.

...

The next morning, Cave was woken up to the loud and annoying sound of his phone. Reluctently, he sat up and turned it off. He gathered his things and headed out to his car. What he didn't expect, was to find his parent's car parked right next to his.

Shit. This is EXACTLY what I wanted.

As he walked twoard the cars, his father got out of the car. "Get in the car, now." Cave did so without a word.

Cave sat in the car with his dad, while his mother drove his car home. The entire way his father did nothing but yell at him for going to Rick's house, even though he was specificly told never to hang around him again.

"Do you want to screw up your life? Cuz that where Rick is headed, and that's where you'll be headed if you continue to hang around him!"

Cave just rolled his eyes.

Mr. Johnson sighed. "Son, I worry about you. I know this is a difficult time in any kids life. But some of the choices you make now will affect your future. You have the brains and the drive to be anything you want. I'd hate to see you throw that away over some loser like Rick."

"Rick is not a loser, he's my friend."

Mr. Johnson scoffed. "If he was really your friend, he wouldn't get you involved with drugs."

Cave just looked out the window.

"So what's my punishment?"

Mr. Johnson was mad again. "Are you even listening to me, Johnathan? Do you even care about your future?"

Cave sighed. "Yes, Dad. I care, ok. I just don't see the big deal. It's not like I smoke pot all the time."

"One time is once too many."

Cave rolled his eyes. "Punishment?"

Mr. Johnson sighed. "No car. No going to friends houses. No friends coming over to our house until we say otherwise."

Cave sighed. "Dad, come on..."

"Don't you even start. Your fault. You screwed up, now you have to pay the concequences."

Cave just looked back out the window. He couldn't believe his parents were overreacting like this.

...

The next day at school, Cave had a hard time getting to class. Every single girl in school was following him around, as usual. Slipping into the gym, he was finally away from them. He saw his friends playing basketball and after placing his things down, went over to play with them.

"Hey, Cave. They mob you again?" James asked.

"Yeah. Sometimes it gets overwhelming."

"Yeah, I imagine it would."

"Noticed your Dad dropped you off this morning. Get your car taken?" Rick asked.

Cave nodded.

"Hey, your night couldn't have been worse than mine. At least your parents are concerned about you. All my dad does is yell at me." James said.

"You guys get into it again?" Rick asked.

James sighed. "Unfortuneatley. He was upset because I didn't make that touchdown last friday. Told me only losers mess up the way I did." James looked defeated.

"Hey, nobody's perfect man." Cave said.

"According to my dad, I'm supposed to be."

"Your dad is wrong." Rick said.

"I agree with Rick."

James looked at his two best friends. "Thanks guys."

In unison, Cave and Rick replied, "No problem."

"Ok, changing the subject to one that does not include my life," James said. "Cave when do you think you'll start dating again? Cuz untill you do, those girls are not going to give you a moments peace."

"I don't know. I'd like to date a girl I actually like. Not use one as a shield."

"Well, then it looks like you need to find one you like, and quickly." Rick said, sinking another basket.

Wonder how I'm going to do that.

"Hey, what about that Caroline girl? You told me she was your favorite cheerleader and you guys have been friends for a long time. Maybe you should try asking her out." James offered.

"Caroline turns down every guy that asks her. What makes you think I'd be any different?"

"Hell if I know, but it's worth a shot right? I mean, what's the worst that could happen? She say no?"

And it could ruin our friendship.

"I don't know." Cave said. "I just don't think she'd go for me. She's the only girl in school who doesn't fall all over me."

"You'll never know if you don't try." James said.

James does have a point. Maybe I should ask her.

...

Well, looks like Cave is going to ask Caroline out. Wonder how that's going to go? ;)

If you read, please review. I'd like to know how I'm doing.