Alan's pov

Well, that couldn't be good. I excused myself from the table and started following Bob and Duke. I had to be quiet so neither would notice me, at least not Duke if anything. Until I thought out of a full plan I needed to just be careful. But also during the process, I need to keep an eye on Duke and make sure Bob doesn't get hurt. Wishing I thought more about this before acting Duke starts to turn around. I act fast and get behind the lockers. Peeking from the lockers I saw Bob turn around also, guess the of movement caught his attention.

"Creep," Bob muttered and Duke was quick to grab him by the collar tightly.

"You're the creep." Duke sneered with a smirk on his face as I walked out clearing my throat making both their heads turn in my direction.

"Come on Duke," I said slightly on my toes to wrap my arm around his shoulders. "Let's go back with the group to hang out and um drink," I said shooting him a grin and he glanced at me before glaring daggers at Bob then nodded at me and let Bob’s shirt go.

Bob glared at Duke when he turned away and made his ways to the door. I shot Bob an apologetic look but it seems he ignored it and we went our separate ways. Duke was telling me all about how Bob was his new target, he needed some fun anyway. The Trex group members agreed with him but I needed to get them to disagree to possibly make Duke change his mind.

“But there's other things to do for fun.” I piped in as Landon and Kaden made their way over.

“Like drugs and alcohol?” a member with a gruffy voice laughed.

“No, like um-”

“Girls.” Landon jumped in for me as I felt his arm wrapped around my shoulders and Kaden leaned in close to me.

“We were looking for you and what are you doing?” Kaden whispered.

“Girls?” all the members said in unison.

“What do you mean?” I whispered back.

“I mean why are you with the Trex members alone?” Kaden said with narrowed eyes.

“Yeah girls,” Landon said smirking and began to talk them up.

“I’m not alone anymore,” I said waving him off as he sighed. Kaden was like the older sibling at school I never asked for.

“Actually a gal has caught my eye.” I heard Duke say immediately I looked at him as well did everyone else. “I think her name was Stephanie,” he said causing me to let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Landon laughed patting my back as Kaden rolled his eyes smiling.

“Which Stephanie? The one that goes by Stephan? Or does she go by Stephanie?” the tallest member of the Trex member asked which made Duke the second tallest.

“I thought Stephanie,” Duke said as his eyes seemed to be scanning the cafeteria like a robot until his eyes locked on a target. We all turned our heads in the direction he was looking at. “She's right there.” he pointed at a girl with a scrunchie and earrings that I had seen earlier today.

My stomach dropped as my heart pounded. I only knew one girl who usually wore a scrunchie and who wore those exact earrings today. I swallowed the lump in my throat and balled up my hands by my sides. I felt patting on my back and someone trying to rub my shoulders to keep me relax, doing those things could only be Kaden and Landon.

“Stacie. That’s Stacie.” I heard myself say as my surroundings around me looked blurry.

“Oh, thanks, Alan. Can’t get a gal like that name wrong.” I heard Duke say before I was smacked on the back making me flinch.

“Yea-Yeah.” I laughed rubbing where he hit smiling hard as he grinned at me when the bell rang.

Students scattered out of the cafeteria and the Trex group was the first to go. Not because they didn’t want to be late to class for most of them of course. I stayed back with my friends to rethink some things and relax before we moved along with the groups of students into the hallway. As we did we saw Duke walking away with his face twisted up with a teacher. Either he got in trouble doing something or someone saw him picking on Bob in the hallway. I shook my head and went to class.

•°•°•°•

After classes, I headed onto the bus. As usual, I didn't know anyone really on the bus. I got off the bus and saw mom’s car parked in the driveway. Which was odd since she’s almost always at work. I got my key out and unlocked the door opening it to see the kitchen light on. Making my way to the kitchen I saw mom cooking. Mom was cooking dinner, who was this woman?

“Mom?” I asked and her head swung back in my direction with her curls bouncing slightly when she did.

“Hey, sweetie.” she smiled brightly, also out of the ordinary.

“Uh..hey. So your off work.” I said slinging my bag under the table and sat in a chair.

“Yes I’m home early because I got great news,” she said placing a plate of chicken and rice with vegetables in front of me then handed me utensils.

“Oh really?” sarcasm seeping through my voice as I poked at the chicken with the fork wondering if it was edible.

“Alan, I’m serious.” her tone dropping as she made another plate.

“What’s the bad news and what's the good news?” I asked after cutting the chicken and eating some. It wasn’t hard to chew or too hard not to mention the seasoning was great so it wasn't just edible but delicious.

“Bad news is if you don't watch your mouth your phone is getting taken away and I’ll add you in for after school,” she replied with her arms crossed.

I groaned after swallowing a couple of times since I ate a huge piece. Guess I bit off more than I could chew, literally. And mom seemed serious and I didn't want to test her more than I already did. I ate more of my food waiting for her to continue with what she had to say.

“I quit my job.” once the words left her mouth I stood up from the table.

“What?! Why?! Again?!” my rage spewed even though I wanted to ask calmly.

“I have a plan this time,” she said after taking a deep breath.

“That's what you said last time! And your bakery shop didn't work! You ended up selling it! We’re still in debt.” I snapped ignoring what the other half of me wanted.

“Your father told me to follow my dreams and I am the parent. Don't you worry about all that! And I make mistakes also.” she glared.

“Dad is dead. Goodnight mom.” I grumbled and finished up my food before putting my dirty dishes in the sink then headed to my room.

I closed my door behind me then cursed under my breath. Realizing I left my bag I groaned. I had a lot of homework to do but I didn't want to face mom right now. Guilt crept up my spine and I tried to shake it off. I’ll just wake up early and work on it if I can’t get my bag back tonight. A sigh left my lips as I laid back on my bed pulling out my phone. I should probably apologize to mom when we both calm down. I don’t want to make things worse and yelling at her was wrong of me. Thoughts spun in my head about the events of today as I plugged up my phone, the bad ones are what stuck.

Stace

Me: Hey

I hummed to myself as I waited for a reply back to her. No, I did not know what to talk about. I didn't even have any topics in mind. All I knew is that she could probably help me get in a better mood. And I also needed to figure out how to get her to like me before Duke tried anything if he hadn't already. I also decided to text Bob to see if he was okay from what happened earlier with Duke. But soon a notification popped up and it was none other than Bob. Not going to lie, I thought it was Stacie and was a bit disappointed.

Bob

Bob: Thanks for earlier. Sorry I didn't say anything to you, thought it was best not to.

Me: Nah it's cool. No need to thank me.

Bob: Whatever I wanna be a noble hero.

Me: Whaaat?

Bob: Anyway, Duke seems to have the hots for that girl you like.

Me: Ugh. Yeah, I know.

Bob: Well, do something!

Me: Like what?! I wanted to get

Duke to like another girl but he has his target on her, well heart arrow unlike the arrow targeted on you.

Bob: Gee, thanks. And well even a brute like him could get a chick that might change him for the better. Though that wouldn’t be too bad I assume you wouldn’t like him dating her.

Texting Bob got the opposite effect I wanted. I was growing frustrated because he was right. I had to act if only I could act as fast as I did when following Duke to save Bob. But of course, things weren’t going to be in my favor it seems.

Me: Could you help me?

Bob: And how do you suppose I do that? I’ve never liked anyone before.

Me: Maybe that's not a bad thing. Just pretend your in my shoes.

Bob: I’d hate to be in your shoes.

Me: WHAT?! WHY?!

Bob: Seems like lots of people like you for a person you aren’t sounds stressful. I’m talking about the Trex Group you're in. You don’t seem to be like them.

Me: Not all of them are bad.

Bob: Sure, but most of them are. And you know it. Any way I can do some research to possibly help but the internet isn't always conventional.

Me: Huh?

Bob: Valid.

Me: Um.

Bob: Don’t tell me you don’t know the definition of valid.

Me: I do! Just help me! My two friends aren't much help. Well, Kaden isn't anyway.

Bob: Okaaaay, but I bet your other friend will be much more helpful than I will be.

And that was just the start of what would be called a friendship. One them bloomed from my crush dropping my phone number and Bob being a weirdo for picking it up.

“Ha, yeah right.” I laughed to myself as I text my reply to him.