May Angels Lead You In

We walked to Central Park, past the pond and towards a few bushes. I watched as they struggled through the bushes and hear the cracking of the twigs below them.

Brian stood behind me, probably waiting for me to go first.

"Don't worry, it doesn't hurt," Brian smiled and I slowly nodded.

I went past the bushes to see an open space big enough to fit ten people in it. The guys has already started drinking their 40's and smoking cigarettes. Brian, from behind me, took his seat by a huge log next to Zacky.

I stood there unsure of what I should be doing next so I glanced at Jimmy, hoping that he'd tell me to sit with them or something.

Instead, he is busy chugging down the alcohol in his hand.

"Well, don't just stand there," Brian said and waved for me to come over. "Have a drink or something."

I made my way towards them and sat next to Brian, shaking my head when he offered me one of the alcohol drink. He arched an eyebrow before he offered me his stick of Malboro red. I shook my head again.

"So you've never drunk or smoke weed before in your life?" Johnny looked surprised and when I shook my head again, he whistled. "Have you had sex before?"

Everyone in the group except for Jimmy and Johnny spit out their drink and started coughing wildly. I stared at my shoes, feeling the blood rush to my face.

"Dude!" Matt half-coughed and smacked Johnny's head from behind, earning a groan from the short guy. "Way to make her feel at home, man!"

"Like I said before," Brian took the attention away from the other two. "Ignore the short shit."
'

"How'd you like Orange County?" Matt questioned as he took a sip off his alcohol drink.

"It's okay," I answered and there was silence between every one of us. I think they expected me to say something more than that so I added, "The environment is much different from where I came from."

"Good different or bad different?" Johnny asked.

"I've not been here for long but right in this exact moment, it's been a good kind of different." I tried to be cool about the whole hanging out with them thing.

"Because we're awesome like that," Johnny nodded.

Johnny raised his drink and the others followed until everyone had their eyes on Jimmy. Jimmy sighed and raised his drink and then they start to clank their drink together.

I couldn't help but to smile a little. Perhaps they are nice people to hang out with.

+

I tried to prove to Jimmy that he was absolutely wrong about me being judgy about his friends. And when I did, I have never laughed so much in my life.

The guys were funny - I'd give you that.

Zacky remained quiet throughout, occassionally talking about random things. I could see the small smile appearing on Jimmy's face and I knew that I had probably won his friendship in some way.

It was almost half-past nine at night and the guys decided that it was probably best to go home since Johnny was starting to look green even though he protested that he could take on more shots. Jimmy decided to take me home.

He drove to a halt right outside my house, his hand not leaving the steering wheel.

"Thank you," Jimmy finally said and I felt my eyes went wide with surprise. "The guys had never been so much happier in their lives since -"

I saw him stop talking to prevent him blurting out whatever he was going to say.

" - It doesn't matter," Jimmy shook his head and turned to face me. "But thank you."

"It's nothing," I shrugged with a smile. "They're fun to be with."

There was an awkward silence between us again and he cleared his throat. I took that as my cue to leave.

"I'll see you tomorrow," Jimmy added.

I nodded, shut the door to the car close and waved as he drove off.

I couldn't help but to smile a little, but when I turn towards the door, I saw Daniel by the porch with his arms crossed, his expression grim.

As I walked towards the house, I grabbed my bagpack tighter as though my life depended on it. I greeted Daniel but he didn't move away from the door.

"Your headmaster called today," he said, his lips set in a thin line.

I felt my heart beat fast as the cold wind started to sweep past my already cold face. I could not believe Mr Figins would call home like that - I am an innocent party after all!

"It's all a misunderstanding, Daniel, I promise," I quickly said and looked him in the eye. There was a moment of silence as we stared at each other; me refusing to back down. "I don't get into fights in school, Daniel. You know me!"

Slowly he sighed and uncrossed his arms.

"Of course you don't," he seemed to be assuring himself than me. "Well come on in then. Wouldn't want you to freeze your arse off now, would we?"

I gave him a quick hug before running up the stairs to lay on my bed.

Today had been an awesome day. And I've got a feeling that tomorrow would be more awesome-er.