When Ropes Are Wrapped Around Your Limbs

Oli's POV

By the time I'd got out of class and made my way down to the school gates (without managing to get lost once!), Mikey, Frank, and Ronnie were already there waiting.

“Duuuude! Finally! Prepare to die,” Frank cackled, hopping from foot to foot. “Oh, yeah, we gotta wait for Tash.” I nodded, rolling my eyes, glancing over the little group.

“Who's Tash?”

“My girlfriend,” Max replied. “She'll be like two minutes. Although I hate to postpone your untimely demise dude, I'm taking her out tonight.”

“Fuck off, yer not friggin killing me,” I retorted, leaning back against the wall. “I'm gonna kick yer American arses, just admit it. Alright, so maybe not today, but sometime, when yeh all're busy, not expecting it.”

“Oh god, man, I love your accent,” Frank giggled, producing a cigarette out of nowhere, and lighting it with a flourish. “Max, when we graduate, we're going to England. Hey, are that band still around? You know....they sing that Gold song...?”

“Spandau Ballet?” Mikey suggested. Frank beamed at him.

“Yeah, them! Are they still together, or what?”

“Uh, nah mate, they're not,” I was trying my hardest not to laugh – honestly? It wasn't working so well. “They broke up fuckin ten years ago. Sorreh.”

“Aw, no shit? That sucks,” Frank groaned. “Duran Duran?”

“I think they're still goin, I dunno mate,” I shrugged. “Look, guys, if we're not gonna go play football, I think I'm gonna head back.”

“Yeah, me too,” Ronnie added. “Actually, d'you want a lift?”

“Yeh drove here? Well, yeah alright, if it's on yer way,” I smiled. “So, uh, see yeh all t'morra, right?”

“Wait – Ronnie, no offence, you live in like the less well off area, don't you?” Frank asked, then carried on without waiting for an answer. “Can I maybe get a lift back too?”

“Yeah, dude, just invite yourself, why the hell not,” Ronnie replied, turning and heading off towards the carpark. “Oli gets shotgun though. Later, Mikey and Max.”

“See yeh,” I shrugged, and ran after Ronnie.
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“I take it this isn't your car?” Frank asked, as Ronnie turned the ignition key, and the engine spluttered to life.

“Is it that obvious?” Ronnie grinned. “It's actually my dad's, he got my brother Dylan a car for his eighteenth, although somehow I don't think that'll happen to me.”

“How come?” Frank asked. I noticed a CD wallet on the floor and picked it up, leafing through it while keeping an ear on the conversation. Ronnie hesitated slightly before his answer.

“I'm not technically allowed to drive,” he said shortly. I tried to catch his eye but he wouldn't look at me.

“Why n-” Frank began, but I interrupted him hastily.

“So...when are yeh eighteen?”

“Like, three months,” Ronnie shrugged.

“Oh my god, same here!” I said excitedly. “Well, no, I'm seventeen in December. But still...winter coincidence. Snap. When's yer birthday, Frank?”

“Hallowe'en,” Frank cackled. “I'll be seventeen, which actually makes Max the youngest. Actually, what date are your birthdays on? Max's is the fifteenth...I really want us to be better than him at something, you know? I mean, he's my mate...but he can sometimes be such a little....yeah.”

“So, wait, being older than him makes us better than him?” I giggled slightly. “I friggin knew yeh were weird, Iero. Actually, mines the November twentieth, so far so good. When's yer's, Ronnie?”

“Huh? Oh...December fifteenth.”

“DUUUDE! No fucking way!” Frank threw himself forward against the seatbelt. “That's Max's birthday. God that's gonna piss him off.” Uhhh...okay? I glanced at Ronnie again; he rolled his eyes. I pulled an exasperated face at him in return. I had a feeling Frank was gonna end up causing us all to get exhaustion...I mean, did he ever calm down?