Jae decided to skip breakfast and headed to school. He and Logan rode separate cars. Driving a car brought independence to a man. As soon as they reached 13 years old, they told their parents that they refuse to share a car to school when they turn 16.Their father didn"t give in easily. He told them if they were good boys, he might consider it. Days away from their sixteenth birthday, he had them running around doing ch.o.r.es. It was the funniest sight he"d seen.
Right next to the faces they made when they saw one car out front.
Oh, he got them good.
It wasn"t until later did they find out the car belonged to their father and theirs was in the garage—the exact models they asked for.
Jae rolled through the gates to his favorite parking spot near the front entrance. There was already a car next to it with the owner leaning against its trunk. His eyes followed Jae"s convertible as it parked next to him.
Arms wide, he greeted Jae as he stepped out, "My brother from another mother, you"re here!"
Jae sighed and slung his backpack over his right shoulder, "Max, why are you so early?"
Max raised his eyebrows and placed a hand over his heart. His voice rose higher, "Can"t people change?"
Jae stared at him hard, expressionless. As he walked closer, he said, "You? Change? No such thing"
His best friend"s eyes grew wide and accusing. He pointed a finger at him, "I take offense in that"
"Good" Jae paid him no mind and brushed past him.
"Why you—"
Max grabbed Jae"s neck into a headlock. Jae tried to push him off but he was laughing too much that his arms became weak.
At this time, Logan"s car stopped on the other side of the front stairs. When he came out, that was the scene that greeted him. Then, he walked up to the entrance.
Max noticed Logan"s side profile and whistled, "You know, you have good looks, Jae, but your twin? d.a.m.n! I think I might go gay for him one day"
"Too much information, Max" Jae huffed, finally escaping his best friend"s arms. He coughed a few times and walked away.
"I"m serious, bro. You"re my best bud. Out of everyone, you should be the first to know. I"d want your blessing"
Jae ignored him. Max had a way with words. It was a skill he developed early on—even he, who had known him since they were kids, couldn"t tell whether they were true or not.
Max jogged up to him and together, they entered the building.
As the duo walked the halls, Jae spotted Logan leaning against a locker. His head was down, looking at his phone. Jae"s brows scrunched together. He tried to remember who was the owner of the locker. Max kept on talking beside him but he didn"t hear any of it.
Unable to let it go, he nudged Max" side with his elbow, "Dude, stop talking"
Max blinked a few times, scanning their surroundings, "What? What is it? Are the cops here?"
Jae gave him a deadpan look. That was Max"s clue that it was something serious, "What is it?"
"Do you know whose locker that is?" he asked, pointing his chin towards Logan"s direction.
They stopped walking. Max also stared at Logan. He crossed his arms and thought. When he didn"t say anything, Jae looked at him. He actually had hope that Max had an answer.
"It"s not a girl"s locker that I can tell you"
"How"d you know that?"
"If it was a girl"s, I"d know, duh"
Jae smacked the back of his head. His best friend was helpless. Instead of lingering, he started to walk away.
"Hey, hey, hey! Jae! The owner"s here!"
Jae looked back but only Logan was there. Before he could say anything, Max grabbed his sleeve.
"Look!" he pointed out to him.
Alex Carter stood a few lockers away from Logan. There was a glare in his eyes. Slowly, he stomped his way towards him and pressed a hand against the locker next to Logan.
"Parker"
Max gulped at his voice. Yikes. That kid was intense. It doesn"t matter if he worked out. He believed Alex could whip his b.u.t.t.
Logan looked up and grinned, "Alex! I"ve been waiting for you!"
Max choked. Since when were they so chummy? Max looked over at Jae but he was gone.