Hi Guys! Thanks for reading :)

I received an 'anonymous' review today stating that it was 'distracting' that I use 'm-u-m' instead of 'm-o-m'.

And that because this takes place in AMERICA, I should write like an AMERICAN.

Well guess what? I'm an Australian. So fuck you mate :) If it really bothers you that much, go read something else...there are bigger issues in the world. Honestly.

Chapter Two

After a long moment, I let go of her. When I pulled back she had tears in her eyes.

"I can't remember the last time you hugged me like that." She said smiling up at me, "Are you sure you're okay honey?"

"I'm fine mum, I promise, it's just something that I need to work out on my own." I told her gently.

She nodded, and for now she seemed satisfied with my answer.

"I'm going to start dinner," she sniffled, and then laughed at herself, or maybe at me.

She gave my arm another squeeze as she walked past me towards the door.

"I love you Teddy Bear." She sighed, as she opened it.

"I love you too," I said sincerely, "Thanks mum."

She winked at me as she shut the door behind her. As soon as she was gone, I took my phone out of my pocket and opened it up to the messages screen.

Despite my good grades and manners, I was still very popular at school, having money probably helps.

I got along well with everyone, but I had a small group of guys who I'd hung out with since my first day at Bellevue.

I thought for a few moments about which one to text and finally decided on Jesse.

My parents didn't really like Jesse, he was the class clown and he was always getting into trouble for it.

I thought he was hilarious, a little rough around the edges perhaps...but then that was what I needed for what I had in mind.

Me: Hey man, what are you up to?

I swear this guy lived on his phone, he replied almost instantly.

Jesse: Nothin u?

Me: Nothing, do you want to do something tonight?

Jesse: U? ….Do somethin?... On a skool nite?

Me: Fuckin-A, get me out of this house.

Jesse: Y wat happened?

Me: Are we going to talk about our feelings all night or are we going to do something?

Jesse: Shit Yea. Meet me at Eyman's in 20?

Me: Cool, see you there.

Eyman's was a pizza joint on Rainier Ave, our usual hang-out on Saturdays.

It just happened to be exactly half way between both our houses, but still a 15 minute bike ride from my place.

I pulled on my hoodie and a clean pair of socks, and made my way back down stairs.

Mum was in the kitchen pulling things out of the refrigerator when I walked in.

She looked up in surprise and raised her eyebrows at my newly donned attire.

"Hey mum, umm Jesse wants to meet up for pizza tonight at Eymans. Is it alright if I go?" I asked as I grabbed my trainers from beside the back door where I'd left them.

"It's a Thursday." She stated, and when I glanced up she was staring at me like i'd grown a new head.

"Yes..." I agreed, "Yes it is." I returned her puzzled stare and waited.

"Well...I suppose that's alright, just don't be out too late. You've got school tomorrow." She spoke slowly, as if she was waiting for me to laugh and say 'just kidding'.

"Sweet, see ya later!" I said as I headed for the door.

"Do you want Taylor to drive you?" She called after me.

Hell No.

"No thanks, I'm going to take my bike, bye!" I called as I hurried out the door.

When the cool November breeze hit my face I smiled. I loved the outdoors (even though I didn't get out much)...But this was different, for the first time in a long time, I felt free.

15 minutes later I jumped off my bike outside Eymans, propping it up against the side of the building.

Jesse was leaning up against the wall out front watching me with an amused expression.

"What?" I demanded as I walked over to him.

"It's finally happened." He grinned.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I asked him, running a hand through my windswept hair.

"You've finally snapped. You've abandoned your robotic-teachers-pet-parents-wet-dream-fucking-they-say-jump-you-say-how-high attitude." He grinned at me expectantly.

"Fuck you asshole, let's get some pizza." I replied leading the way into the restaurant.

"I'm right aren't I?" He continued, following behind me. "You're pulling an Anaken Skywalker."

I ignored him as I ordered our usual from the guy at the counter, paid and lead the way to our regular booth.

"Spit it out man, why this sudden urge to leave the pressure cooker on a school night?" He waited.

I stared at the table for a moment as he sat across from me, thinking about what I was going to say.

"You're right." I said finally, 'I've fuckin had enough."

"WOOOHOO I knew it! I knew it!" Jesse yelled making everyone in the restaurant turn to look at us.

"Dude, chill" I whispered loudly, as the waiter brought over our drinks.

"Sorry man, I've been - well we've all been - waiting for this to happen for a while now." he confessed, still grinning at me like a moron.

That caught me off guard "You have?" I asked.

"Of course!" He said laughing, then he leaned in closer and lowered his voice. "Nobody can be perfect man, but I've never seen anyone try as hard as you do."

I sat quietly staring at him, I didn't really know what to say to that.

"No one can keep that up forever dude, it's crazy." he shook his head and leaned back as the waiter brought our pizza over and set it down.

"It never made a difference anyway, I don't know why I tried so hard in the first place." I mumbled, more to myself than him.

Jesse paused midway through shoving an entire slice of pizza into his mouth, and made a noise that sounded like "Huh?"

I shook my head, "Nothing, doesn't matter." I said quickly, "I just want to get out of my house as much as possible over the next few weeks. Think you can help me with that?"

I asked, picking up my slice of pizza.

He smiled slowly as he chewed and then swallowed loudly.

"I thought you'd never ask." He winked at me conspiratorially.

And as I watched him devour his second slice in the same fashion as the first, I knew I'd chosen well.

Jesse was exactly who I needed.