Chapter 5

The ride to the mall was really silent. No one spoke. The only sound was coing from the stereo, which was playing Green Day. Sam refused to open his mouth, and kept fuming about something. For a while, I tried to get him to talk but he just wouldn’t. I had given up and was humming along with the songs. The song going on was American Idiot. Sam was being the American Idiot.

Finally, I turned to him. “What the hell is wrong with you?” He didn’t reply, well duh, so I threatened him. “If you don’t tell m what is bothering you so much, I will slap you so hard you will fall out of the car.” He looked at me, a little amused, half-expecting me to be joking. But when he saw the look on my face, he realized that I wasn’t joking. “What is your problem?” I asked him
“Jason. Jason Grace is my problem.” He said, finally.
I was puzzled. “What? Why? He’s just joined school.”
“Yeah, and he’s already in love with you.” He said and looked at the road.
“What??” I spat out the water I was drinking. “What nonsense.”
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you Alex.” He continued.
“Sam, why is that bothering you so much?”
“I don’t know. It just is.”

Sam pulled into the parking lot. He parked the car and we got off. I dragged him to the side and slapped him. “Wake up! I don’t care about Jason Grace! And sorry about the slap.”
“Thanks. I needed it.” He said.
I hugged him. “Chill sam. You’re my best friend. I’d tell you if I ever felt anything about anyone.”
“Thanks Alex.”
I put my arm through his. “Now come on. Paintba- no Laser Tag- no, yes, no wait, umm I don’t know… Yeah! The games arcade is waiting for us!”
He laughed. I grinned and we both walked into the mall.