And the Stars up Above - Chapter 17

March 21st, 1987
Jason

Jason slowly approached his locker, making sure that Mike wasn’t there waiting for him. Not that he expected him to; Mike was rarely there. When Jason had made sure that Mike was nowhere nearby he quickly walked over to his locker, took out the books he needed and headed off to his first class. For once he actually hoped he wouldn’t meet Mike at all that day, he just didn’t feel like trying to explain his bruises again. Jason might be clumsy, but him walking into doors or falling down the stairs constantly just wasn’t believable in the long run. Jason knew he had to think of something new, but he just didn’t feel like it. Somewhere deep down Jason wondered if he actually did want Mike to know. Jason quickly shoved those thoughts away and entered the classroom and sat down at the front. That way he could imagine that it was just him and the teacher there; he hated others.

Now Jason only had one class left before the day was over and he had to go home. Somehow, the thought of going home didn’t appeal to him. He had successfully avoided Mike and Billie the entire day. Jason didn’t know if this was a good thing or not. He had a strange feeling, as if something was missing. He felt alone. The fact that Mike hadn’t tried to find him was depressing as well. Jason was sure that if Mike had wanted to find him, he would have found him. Jason sighed and made his way towards his locker to get his books.

March 21st, 1987
Mike

Mike sighed loudly while walking towards his locker.
“Oh come on!” Billie said. “You’ll get to tell Jason that you’re moving tomorrow!”
“Yeah but what if he’s ill then too? …I guess I’ll just call him tonight.” Mike said and sighed yet again. Billie Joe shrugged. Mike sighed again.
“Oh come on! Cut it out, man!” Billie Joe blurted out, Mike guessed that he was getting tired of hearing Mike’s sighs. “You know, Jason being ill is not the end of the word!” Billie snapped and Mike shrugged.
“You now what, I think I’ll pass by his locker just once more before we go to class.” This time it was Billie Joe who sighed.
“Sure, but we’re going to be late, you know.” Billie Joe said, Mike eyed him.
“Since when do you care about being late?” Mike said, truly surprised. Billie Joe just muttered something and followed Mike towards Jason’s locker. At first Mike couldn’t see Jason anywhere when they got there, but then he saw Jason turning around the corner at the opposite side of the hall. Mike started running and didn’t have time to think of why Jason hadn’t come to see them in the entire day.
“Hey Jason!” Mike shouted. “Jason, wait up!” he rushed around the corner only to find Jason way ahead of him, running as well. Mike rushed after him, not thinking of anything but to catch up with Jason. This of course caused Billie Joe to be left behind. Mike heard him swear behind him and then heard another couple of feet starting to run. Mike turned around the next corner just in time to see Jason disappear through a door which led to the stairs. Mike rushed through the door as well and he noticed that he was gaining on Jason now; Mike guessed he didn’t have those long legs for nothing.
“Jason, you are aware that I know that you’re running from me right?” Mike said, not as loud this time, since Jason was close enough to hear him anyway. Jason stopped in his tracks and turned around to face Mike. Mike managed to stop just in time.
“Oh, hi Mike!” Jason said, panting. “I was just wondering where you were.” He said, as if nothing had happened. Mike raised an eyebrow. “And I wasn’t running from you.” Mike rolled his eyes; Jason was a terrible liar. “I was just trying to be on time for my next class.” Jason said and shrugged.
“You are aware that you next class is two floors down and that it’s still ten minutes left before it starts, right?” Mike said and crossed his arms.
“Yes, but…” Jason’s eyes started to flicker. “we’re going to be in another classroom this time… because we’re going to look at cells!” Jason finished.
“Why on earth would you look at cells on a French lesson?”
“We’re going to learn the French name for cell!”
“And you have to look at them to learn the word for cell?”
“Yeah, obviously the teacher thinks we do! And now I really have to go, or I’ll be late!” Jason said, sounding kind of annoyed that Mike didn’t believe him. “Bye!” He said as he continued running up the stairs. Mike shrugged and then turned around to go back down the stairs. He decided to deal with Jason later.